Maintenance and getting ready

[Land_Owner]

I spent the entire day and most of yesterday at the property getting shooting lanes cleared and "permanent" tree stands readied.  Two metal buddy-style ladder stands are deteriorated from weathering and corrosion.  The worst of the two was immediately removed and brought back to the house for use as a template for other improvements to deployed stands.  The 2nd is usable but will be removed as soon as a replacement is in hand. 

One unused and poorly positioned metal buddy-style ladder stand was redeployed, locked down, camo screening added to the shooting rail, and readied for the modern gun season opening in November. 

It was difficult work.  I handled it by myself (under supervision).  I use a 24-foot extension ladder, a 3-fold purchase block and tackle to raise and lower stands, 150-feet of 3/8" climber's rope, galvanized chain, hook and eye turnbuckle, a stout Master Lock, a pole saw, and a machete.

I am bone tired, way past weary, and the HOT shower felt good.  I also feel very good about the decisions made and the end results.  The rains did not take the seed and it is germinating very well...particularly the CLOVER. 

I am excited about the upcoming possibilities now...

[keith44]

Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend to me.  I may or may not hunt the modern gun season this year (time and other commitments).  I have located 2 scrapes right in the center of my property, and we have counted 24 does (seperate individuals) in groups of four to eight, with two singles.  I have vacation scheduled for our late muzzleloading season, and after sacraficing my garden, I plan to fill my freezer with venison. 
 

[Land_Owner]

I don't know where it is, but I can smell a scrape (or two) in the interior of my property.  I saw where the deer are using "interior" paths, through the thick stuff, and not walking the open roads.  Fortunately, those paths cross a shooting lane or two.

Interestingly, and potentially discouraging at the same time, the FL FWC posted a PDF entitled "Peak Rut Dates - State Map" on its web page linked here:  http://myfwc.com/hunting/by-species/deer/ .  Apparently, the deer in my area (E. Orange County is the closest as Brevard isn't listed) are breeding now.  Unfortunately, for NE FL (Duval County - Jacksonville), their deer bred in SEPTEMBER!!!

WEIRD!!!!!

I should provide the researchers with some empirical evidence for their "study" with regard to does I have taken in either-sex week (years past) that had fetuses that were conceived in AUGUST!!!  I didn't have a fetal scale at the time but "measuring" by the palm-of-the-hand method, and checking the fetal scale later, indicated conception had been late in the SUMMER.  It is hoped those does were the exception and not the rule.

[keith44]

breeding in August???  I hope to NEVER see that here.  Wow.  hmm, on the other hand if the rut is winding down (and natural food supplies dwindling a food plot could be even more effective.

[Land_Owner]

Yeah.  August.  FL deer are all over the map in their ruts.  Not the same as northern deer, which seem to be more predictable.  These FL bucks and does are conceiving ALL THE TIME, or so it would appear.  In 24 years of hunting land ownership, my hunting partner and I have taken less than 10-bucks, three of which have been FL wall hangers, and probably nothing that northerners, as far south as Georgia, would consider paying the taxidermist for mounting - but are trophies to us none-the-less.  Body weights are typical for FL, GA, SC and NC deer.  Does - 110# and bucks ~160#.   

[chefjeff]

Yeah,I go through this every year, it gets harder,but it is a labor of love.How many opening days do we have left?We are blessed with every one. Good luck this season.