oh they were dying alright because I was seeing them (outside of sedalia), and it wasn't predators dragging them down since they were intact. on the flip side the survivors (though skinny and lighter than usual) are up and about and not as afraid of foreign odors now. they're hungry, thirsty, weary and used to smelling death and weirdness for months now.
I got the bodies (that I could find) covered in salt and urine to conceal the smell, put out salt licks (not on the bodies or all that close to them!), put food out from 1month prior till 2weeks prior, and 3weeks prior till 10days prior was working hard on false rubs and scrapes. they're getting hit too, normally I get very little reaction on those unless I work them hard in an area so thick I can't even take a shot. --- this year they're desperate enough to work them closer to the stand and out of the "marsh". I don't forsee any good sized bucks, likely not any good does either, but yearlings will be scrambling hard with no bruisers likely to curb them, and IF a bruiser is about IT'LL BE JUST AS HUNGRY, THIRSTY, WEARY AND DESENSITIZED as the others... plus horny and distracted. Remember that the old, big guys that actually survived will be vulnerable this year (if you're the lucky one that catches one slipping).
