Wildlife 2022/2023 Deer Season

[Wildlife]

Alright, I shared just yesterday on someone else's thread { @Fletch Rich, thanks! } regarding my experience of growing up and living in and around bodies of natural waters.

Careful Ice Fishing Guys....​

Well, today is a perfect example that supports and further my statements, and I can honestly tell you, that I am valiantly concerned for us until sometime after the coming weekend. I pay very close attention to our creeks and will until they get back to normal.

Also, this will impact deer activity. I've shared in this journal the last time we went through this. The deer know what to do generally, and I have found wildlife that perished from some of our flooding events over recent years, deer included.

I captured this approximately an hour ago maybe, and I fully expect the main creek to rise at least another 10 feet and potentially up to 15' or more, This is a common theme, especially over recent years. I blame the commercial farming practice/industry, but what do I know.

This farm was/is the second farm built within the immediate area from back in the 60's. Since then, there has been two or three times that our levees were breeched, and the last two were within the last 20 years. The main creek changes every year, from size to direction, due to all the flash floods every year and sometimes, ice that breakup during thaw events. I would say, since the wife and I took over the property back in 2015, our creeks have nearly doubled in size and the main creek continues to eat away at the land to the north, which further widens and/or changes the flow of the creek. I wish I had it all on time lapse, and I can probably come up with something close, but not the kind of quality I like to achieve.

Anyway, there you all go, a little fun fact for you all regarding this region or part of southern Ohio.

 

[giles]

I agree if you are referring to the field tile. The creek here will flash flood multiple times a year. There is also a noticeable difference after they tiled the field in front of my place.

 

[Wildlife]

I agree if you are referring to the field tile. The creek here will flash flood multiple times a year. There is also a noticeable difference after they tiled the field in front of my place.

There are three distinct large acreage farmed land properties that are to the north, northwest and west of us that are at higher elevations, and they were never an issue until recent years. Those that farm them always attempt to squeeze all the wooded creek/stream areas for more new rows for each new growing season by knocking down, trees, wild vegetation, and shoving all the debris in towards the corresponding nearby stream/creek, which eventually ends up down our creeks. Many of times causing serious creek log jams that I have to deal with before the next big heavy rain event, and if I do not do that, there stands a tremendous possibility of severe property damage of some sort for us, whether it be mass flooding or whatever, total levee failure, who knows, all I know is that I do not ever want to find out.

Anyhow, this is just another topic that could be all figured out at some other time and place, but all I can honestly say is that our creek valley has gone through some significant changes just over recent years. I wish it would stop.

 

[Wildlife]

5:35PM, January 3, 2023: 'MY SWISS WATCH'

I swear I can set my watch with this deer. He's the very first deer that ever first fed from that feed trough 25 days after I placed it there back in May 22. He's been coming to it ever since regularly, nearly daily, like clock work. and he's a good lookin young buck, that may possibly be one of 'THUNDER's, who knows? He's got a real laid back attitude all the time too, a relatively calm deer. He seems to be very content to his surroundings all the time. I'll have to come up with a name because I have a feeling that this guy ain't going nowhere for quite sometime

Looks like diner time is now happening. and if anything else significate goes on this evening, I'll continue to attach those TC captures to this post the rest of the night until I crash

 

[Wildlife]

It's been a day or better since he's showed up, I think that's because of the super warm weather. It's always a thrill to see him each time he gets hungry. Can never get enough of him.

 

[triple_duece]

You’re more disciplined than me. Of course I’ve never killed a giant. It’s easier if you have killed one to pass on that buck. I’m sure most of y’all have killed booners since they behind every tree

 

[Wildlife]

You’re more disciplined than me. Of course I’ve never killed a giant. It’s easier if you have killed one to pass on that buck. I’m sure most of y’all have killed booners since they behind every tree

You're exactly right, Nick! I'm trying to grow giants and a healthier herd, at both properties now. Managing these two properties is an utter joy and passion nowadays. Each time while working or hunting any of them, it always takes me back to when I was a kid. So, I am constantly walking around feeling very blessed and quite simply reminded nearly all the time what really matters when it comes right down to it for me in life.

Anyway, I'm sure you know exactly what I'm taking about. BTW, I'm still trying to pare down my posts too

Have a great day!

 

[Wildlife]

7:00AM, Wednesday, January 4, 2023: Morning Update'

Deer that showed up in front of any of three cell cameras of mine at both farms so far, which is basically normal early morning activity.

Once again, I'll attach any significant TC captures to this post throughout the day today.

Everyone have a wonderful day!

 

[Wildlife]

10:30PM, 01/04/23

Only one deer showed up this evening @home, and that was 'SHYBUC', however @theotherfarm, there was more going on there this evening, including the bachelor group that you see above that are currently on the move.

I'm calling it a night so, I'll catch you all back here tomorrow.

Good night!

 

[Wildlife]

5:30AM, 01/05/23: ' BOBCAT'

@home feed-station, plus the latest in TC captures since last night's last update.

Good morning & have a great day!

 

[Wildlife]

Must be a day of predators.

@theotherfarm

 

[Wildlife]

My pickup is loaded with all the last minute items needed for this weekend's muzzy opener. Headed out to gather up more firewood too. The other farm seems to be quite active this morning with wildlife, which is always a beautiful thing to see.

I would also like to thank those that have been following along, and those that have participated thus far and/or interacted on this thread. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just wasting my time, IDK. Feedback is welcomed, no matter what it is and always appreciated!

So, thank you all very much and I bid you a fantastic day!

I'll catch up later, c-ya!

 

[Wildlife]

Video description:

I beat the rain!

Preparing for the new 2023 Whitetail Deer Muzzleloader Season that starts this Saturday, January 7-10, 2023. My intent is to harvest a good size doe at some point during the season. The deer activity there has been really good and steady all week so, I really do expect to tag out this weekend.

If I am successful, it will be my third time to successfully harvest three deer with three different hunting implements in one deer hunting season, which is, compound archery bow, rifled shotgun, and muzzleloader. The 'Ohio Slam'. I'm also looking for a little redemption too because I missed it last year, barely.

So, today, I placed my Alpz Outdoorz fully adjustable chair, Big Bog tripod shooting stick, and 4 Coleman Little Propane bottles for my Buddy Heater inside the blind. I also broadcasted 50 pounds of whole corn within the cornfield for the deer.

Afterwards, I went and cutdown another 85' Walnut Tree and loaded the heavier trunk stuff up into the pickup truck bed, then hauled it home, beating the rain by 10 minutes, unloaded it all at the barn. I'll be hand splitting all of it later and stack it underneath the barn carport.

Slowly but surely I'm starting to catch up on the firewood business.

Tomorrow, weather permitted, I'll be validating my zero on my muzzleloader here at home at our gun range. The rifle scope for the muzzleloader should be zeroed for 100 yards. My expected target range for the season should be no more than 75 yards. Deer harvested in previous years averaged out to be 61 yards with me shooting my muzzleloader.

I'm totally looking forward to the New 2023 Whitetail Deer Muzzleloader Season!

Good luck to anyone else that will be out this year too!

 

[Fletch]

Denny... Wishing you the best of luck buddy...

 

[Wildlife]

5:45AM, Friday, January 6, 2023: 'More Predators'

It's that time of year where all the predators are cruising more and gearing up for their rut, such as coyotes, foxes and now, most likely, Bobcats too.

Anyhow, here's another one for today that showed up at the feed station. The TC captures of it are not very good, but at least the camera captured it. The coyote was definitely on the move, and that's according the extremely brief glimpse of it within the video clip that the trail camera captured, which wasn't worth sharing really.

I also attached whatever trail camera captures since my last update from last night. I'll continue to attach the rest of this morning deer activity to this post as they become available.

Hoping to get the muzzleloader out today. I'll go through it real good this morning, then try to get it outside to take it for spin to make sure my zero is still good. If that does happen, I'll report back here later on to show any of the target results.

I wish all TOO members a fantastic Friday!

Have a good one!

 

[Wildlife]

6:30PM, Friday, January 6, 2023; 'Good to Go'

Okay, well, I accomplished pretty much everything I wanted to in order to complete the prepping for the muzzy opener tomorrow.

Replenished fed sites and swapped SD cards. Now I am transfer all the TC data onto my PC to review later this evening.

Confirmed my zero on my muzzleloader as well. I did not need to make any adjustments and everything is 'good to go'. I shot it twice from a 100 yards towards the 10" AR500 1/2" round steel target. I hit it both times at the same spot, a little to the right, which is just fine. It was probably something I was doing because there was no wind to speak of when I sent the TMZ 290g boat tail polymer tip solid copper sabot down range.

Now all that I have left is to load the pickup in the morning with the toboggan sled, the hunting totes. my muck boots and the muzzleloader.

The weather forecast for tomorrow looks decent for the other farm. I do prefer a different wind direction, but it'll work just fine being that it be mild pretty much all day tomorrow, or at least it's suppose to be.

To be honest, I'm really expecting to see a deer first thing in the morning at my setup, and that's based on all of this week's deer movement times, patterns and activity at the fed sites there, plus my primetime calendar confirms that there should be good wildlife activity come daylight first thing tomorrow morning. I shall see.

_________________________________________

Finally, I wish 'TOO'zer that will be participating this weekend in the 2023 Muzzleloader Season to have a blast, always be safe while you're at it too, don't forget to wear your blaze orange and I truly hope that you get to harvest that deer you hope for.

Best of luck to you all!

I'll catch up with all of you tomorrow morning sometime, hopefully right after I shoot me a deer.

Good night all!

 

[Fletch]

GOOD LUCK DENNY...

 

[Wildlife]

 

[Wildlife]

01/07/23 9:30AM - Muzzy Opening Day!

Woke up late. Missed alarm ⏰️. Got settled in @9. All is . No deer bumped, seen nor heard while going in, but on the way here, just down the road;

The rest is what I've taken thus far in order.

Buddy Heater is going. 31* here w/ cloudy overcast and no wind. No hunters seen all morning and no shots heard.

Sipping ☕️ and brought noodle soup to be heated up on the Buddy Heater for lunch.

Lookin to harvest a good size antlerless

Good luck to all you 'TOO'zers that made it out successfully and hope you get what you hope for.

I'm in it to win it for the day, or the next three days if need be.

Best of luck today everybody!

 

[Sgt Fury]

Looks like a trip to the gas station is in your future.