Swiffy's View From Rocky Knoll

[ACCMan]

If you are seeing more red's you have definitely put a dent in the yote's. Swiffy those are some heavy furred dogs, much more so than here in southern Va.

I love trapping yotes. Last summer I trapped yotes for my cousin who farms cantalopes and watermelons. The yotes and coons were hard on his crop, to the tune of about 20 melons and lopes a night combined. I caught over 40 coons in 1.5 weeks and 6 yotes during the melon season which helped him sell way more of his crop.

 

[SWIFFY]

Trampledbyturtles, they are way easier to skin fresh. I wait until I have a bunch and then give them to a buddy to process. The nose and lips freeze dry but as long as they’re froze solid he doesn’t care. Honestly... this year out of 11 coyotes so far, I only have 2 that will sell!! The rest all have mange or very bad rubbing. It bums me out, but 90% will just be fed to the eagles this spring. If I had lots of quality fur I’d be more ambitious to skin and put up right away. Still dead coyotes!

 

[SWIFFY]

Found the match to my beanfield shed

 

[SWIFFY]

I always pick up lots of roadkill deer. Everyone around teases me. I just hate to see them rot in the ditch when I know they be of some good feeding the predators. I kill coyote over them all winter... and then as spring approaches... here come the eagles! I had 20 eagles on my pond in early March. Here are a few of the pictures I captured.

 

[SWIFFY]

Today I was out with my family enjoying the sunshine and trying to get away from the Corona chaos. Hope you all are doing well during this unfortunate time!

 

[SWIFFY]

Well it’s nothing big but my buddy, Perkins, found his first solo shed. Tiny fork horn in about 3 feet of reed canary!

Then my daughter and I went looking and found the best 3 yr old I had around I’ve found the 6 best bucks that had survived the season, dead since end of December!

 

[Mortenson]

Wait, your 6 best survivors as of December were all found dead? That's absolutely terrible. Did a hard winter kill them?

 

[ACCMan]

Oh wow, that is horrible, CWD?

 

[SWIFFY]

Wait, your 6 best survivors as of December were all found dead? That's absolutely terrible. Did a hard winter kill them?

It was tough but not that tough. 2 were probably Muzzleloader time, 3 were January and just found a big shed out buck. I have no idea? Poaching isnt really a concern... neighbor SAYS they didnt fire a shot with MZ... car hits are likely on one and possible on 3. This is all in a small area too... 5 within 100 acres. I dont know of a 3 yr old alive within 4 miles at least :( Its devastating.

ACC... Dont even say that!!! Looks like its going to be a year to ease off and hope for some rebuilding!

 

[ACCMan]

Yea Swiffy, I'm sure hoping for the best for your herd, that is heartbreaking.

 

[Native Hunter]

Well it’s nothing big but my buddy, Perkins, found his first solo shed. Tiny fork horn in about 3 feet of reed canary!
View attachment 28808
Then my daughter and I went looking and found the best 3 yr old I had around I’ve found the 6 best bucks that had survived the season, dead since end of December!

View attachment 28809
View attachment 28810

That's a bummer to lose such fine deer, but I'm glad your daughter found that one. She looked very happy!

 

[H20fwler]

Sucks loosing the nice buck.
Love the eagle pics.
Congrats on the sheds.
Family looks great!

AND A HUGE CONGRATS TO PERKINS!!!!! His first shed,,,hell yes!

 

[SWIFFY]

Had a busy few days off. I got 5 trees from NWC and the girls and I got those planted along with 50-100 ROD clippings. I figured I’d try it and it was easier and fun for them to walk around and stab them in. Maybe one will even make it!?

 

[SWIFFY]

We also got this years batch of chicks! I have happy girls!

Went on a little hike and found and old shed, an older dead head, and saw lots of Pasque Flowers coming up!

 

[Bill]

Its devastating.

id say. Wow that’s a tough pill!

 

[H20fwler]

Nice update!
We are trying the ROD relocation also. I took a bunch of foot long clippings and put them in along the road in a wet area that the pines and white cedars croaked in. If they take I’ll cut a lot more of them next year to try and fill in the road screen.

 

[ACCMan]

Nice to see you having the girls and Perkins so involved. The milkweed seed you sent me has sprouted nicely, thanks again! We've already got butterflys and hummingbirds!

 

[SWIFFY]

Nice to see you having the girls and Perkins so involved. The milkweed seed you sent me has sprouted nicely, thanks again! We've already got butterflys and hummingbirds!

Oh thats great to hear! Im glad its working out. Well let me know if you ever need more!

Yes I try to get these kids to come with as often as possible. There home now from school so I wont allow them to sit on their Ipads all day. They dont always want to come but usually have fun once were out there. Turkey season starts in the morning and both girls are wanting to try it this year, Im excited. I wish we had more birds but well give it a go. More pics to come i hope!

 

[SWIFFY]

Good day today! With the help of my neighbor we got all my Liberty Corn and Liberty Soybeans in today!

Here was a Radish/Rye patch that the Soybeans are going in.

checked on my trees from NWC that I planted 2 weeks ago and they’re looking good. Little buds popping all over! Rain in the forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
Last year we were 45 days behind planting because of the rain! The WR was about 4 feet high and a bugger to run the planter through as it got tangled in everything! This year is was much easier with drier soil and only a few inches of growth on the Rye.

 

[ACCMan]

Looking good, and I see Perkins is supervising.