Four Year Old
The weather in NE Ohio has not let us forget that we are still in the early spring. We have had two frost in the last three days and the highs have been in the low fifties. There have also been several thunder storms with high winds and rain. We are getting the rain we needed for our newly planted food plots but the temps need to start heading in a warmer direction. The apples seem to be beyond the frost stage and I hope that all of our mast is also past danger at this point.
Sonya has seen one doe that looked like she had had her fawns but we have not seen any new borns yet. I think that they will have to become a little active before we will actually be able to see them as the cover in the preserve has already become very thick. We did see a nice group of bucks this week that was mainly two-four year olds and the antlers are really starting to develop now. I was able to get a few quick pictures last week and they should be added to our 2010 photo gallery very soon. I have put out a couple of trail cameras on food plots and once I get some decent pictures I will also add them to the new gallery.
Ralphie
It has returned to a more normal late April in NE Ohio. The temps have dropped back down into the thirties at night and forties and fifties during the days. We finally received some much needed rain this week and it had everything shooting out almost over night. The leaves have came along so far this week that the woods almost look full and the blossoms are are coming to an end. I finally had enough sunshine this morning to take a few pictures before the blossoms disappear for another year. It looks like we should be getting close to getting all of the mast into a safer place as far as the frost is concerned and I think we should have a good year. The oaks, hickories and apples were all in full bloom the last seven to ten days and I did not notice in frost damage. There were several days with frost covered mornings but I do not think they were killing frost.
The bucks are all showing the antlers from a distance now and I was able to see a couple that are starting brow tines and actually one that has started to come around on the main beam. It should not be to much longer until they all show us some main frame development. They are still in the process of losing their winter hair and look a bit ragged right now but that will continue to change as the warmer weather finds its way back to Ohio.
We have found a few grouse in the preserve and there is one that seems intent on becoming quite friendly. I have been able to get a few photos of him and he is always fun to watch as I move throughout the evening chores.
What a great hunt we had this week at ORWA. We had a father and son come in search of the sons “first deer”. The weather in NE Ohio was very typical for this time of year and when they arrived it was cold and rainy with just enough ice mixed in to make you wonder what the morning would bring. The trip out to the stand was very unexpected as the moon lit our path and we had no need to ever turn on our lights! There was a heavy frost and the sunrise completed a great setting for our first morning on stand. With the bucks on the move looking for does our chilly wait was rewarded when a beautiful nine point came in with his head down. The young hunter (10 years old) made a perfect shot. While the buck won’t make any of the “record books” I know that it is truly a trophy buck in his eyes and an experience that will never be forgotten. What a great time to be able to share this moment with both of them. To witness the excitement of a “first deer” and to see the pride that Dad has in passing on the torch. Thanks guys for a great hunt!
