Well I guess the ground hog has been right so far. The weather in NE Ohio has been every bit winter since the shadow was cast a week ago. The preserve has been a winter wonderland the last few days with new snowfall totals somewhere around 8-10″. The deer have all herded up and there are bachelor groups of 6-8 mature bucks and also groups of does. All of the mature bucks that I have seen this week are still sporting their antlers. I am ready to start hunting for the sheds but they aren’t giving them up yet.
I have started a mini clearcut this week inside the preserve. The goal is to cut approximately 2 acres to allow for regeneration and to provide a diverse habitat. I would like to do this on about 6-8 acres total over the next four years. The extra cover that is provided in these areas for all species is excellent and the browse that is created supplies a great source of nutrition. I will try to post some of our prject pictures in the “photo gallery” once the snow quits falling.