2009.07.20
Another trailcam shot of a nice buck
A friend sent in this shot of a nice buck on one of his hunting places. Again, it's hard to judge mass when deer are in velvet, but this looks to be a pretty good deer. By the body I'd say this is a 3.5-year-old. Agree? Disagree?
I have been seeing good numbers of deer -- nearly all does, though -- while out and about. They really seem to be in good shape this year, and I'm thinking it must because everything is so green and lush.
I've also been looking up, and what I've seen on several oak trees has been promising. Has anyone else taken time to check out the mast crop? What are you all seeing?
Mark...
I agree... 3.5 years old. A really nice buck. Hope they get a crack at him!
I've seen the same on the oaks. They still seems a bit spotty on some of the places I've checked but definately a better crop than last fall. I'm sure the deer and turkeys (and everything else for that matter!) will appreciate it.
Comment by Freddy McGuire — July 20, 2009 @ 1:21 pm
Im with ya Mark, looks like he is 3 1/2....where we hunted last year, there was plenty of nuts, but the last two scouting trips thru the same area, it doesnt look like the trees have no where near what they did last year, but you know how spotty they can be sometimes, all the deer I been getting on my trail cam look very healthy like you been seeing, I havnt seen no skinny, underfeed deer
Comment by Joey — July 20, 2009 @ 3:21 pm
I've been out scouting/hiking three times in the last 2 weeks. The areas I've scouted are in the National Forest in Botetourt county. There definitely seems to be plenty of deer... I've had numerous sightings in all of my scouting areas. Mainly what I'm seeing right now of course is does and fawns. Friday I did see one bachelor group of four bucks in the Powels Gap area but they were all 1-1/2 year olds. I'm also seeing turkeys and quite a bit of bear sign. The mast production is looking very promising, I've seen quite a few RED oaks that are loaded with small acorns. However I did spot-check an area Sunday that has WHITE oaks and they did not have many acorns at all. White oaks of course can be very 'finicky".... many years they won't produce well. The Squirrel hunters should have good success this fall... the hickory trees are loaded! This rain we've had has also helped things a lot, the browse is flourishing and most of the mountain streams and springs have water. Although I'm still fishing a lot I sure am looking forward to hunting season!!!!!
Comment by Ralph barton — July 20, 2009 @ 4:10 pm
Coming back from fishing on Craigs creek over the weekend, I saw a medium 8 pt right at the New Castle city line, he wasn't 30 yds.from the street at about 2;30pm. By the way the fish weren't biting.
Alfie
Comment by Alfie — July 20, 2009 @ 7:45 pm
Deer in my neighborhood near the base of Bent Mt. look very healthy. They should, seeing how they are eating everything in site. Bears are frequenting the area and are now starting to get into the trashcans. Just got a new crossbow. The neighbors are going to love me this year.
Comment by C F — July 23, 2009 @ 8:30 am