dogdoc

cleft graft. This graft works good for smaller tree where bark grafting won't work. It is slower to get going since only one side of the scion is has cambium to cambium contact but does produce a strong bond. another bark graft Persimmon trees are loaded this year. Persimmons are such a great "deer" fruit. They are so astringent that nothing will eat them early like apples and pears. Plus most are late maturing so are almost always available for most of the hunting season. I can't remember the last time that I cleaned a deer that didn't have persimmon seeds in their stomachs. ​

Most persimmon grafts are doing great. I lost a few to high winds and varmints but I will call it a success for my first year of grafting bark graft. I grafted two to each mother tree. Always good to have tow just in case one fails or falls off.

I have shot plenty of shotguns and now I don't think I will ever own another one after purchasing a Benelli M3. Doesn't shoot 3 1/2 though but I have decided that 3 1/2 inchers are not worth the pain they inflict on my shoulder. You are going to get lots of opinions. Just find a gun that fits you well and read the reviews. todd

My last plot is a 3/4 acre plot that was a total failure this spring due to invasion of maypops. That is one tough plant to kill. Glyphosate will set it back but will not kill it. Next spring I will till up and then hit with a good dose of 2-4D before planting my spring plot. I might even sacrifice a spring plot to get that plant under control. This plot follows the contour of my creek and planted with the same mix except I had some really old Alsike and Red clover that I actually found in a sealed bucket in my garage. I did a ragdoll test and it had about 20% germination so I went ahead and put it down. Here is the tower stand that I am in the process of building for the above plot. Got about 1/2 of it done. It was all I can do (safely) by myself. Hoping to get it finished this weekend or next week when my dad can help me.

I made 3 little "hidey hole" plots in the spring mix to add some security. All "hidey holes" are great shots from my shooting tower. There is quick cover on 3 sides of the little plots. Eagle beans are an Amazing food plot. They take a licking and keep on ticking. Plenty of browsing pressure but they just keep producing.

Received 0.8 inches of rain on tuesday--hopefully that will be enough to get the plot going. Plots are done!!!! Finished up my last two fall plots. Now I gotta finish one tower stand, hang one tree stand, and put up 3 ground blinds then I am ready for season. Here is my main food plot. It currently has Eagle beans and and my "throw and mow" plot. I sacrificed about 60% of the throw and mow mix to plant my fall plot. The plot was just too thick to do a no till so I mowed it a week ago to let all the vegetation dry out and did a shallow tilling. Planted pretty much the same mix as my other plot I planted last week. Rye, wheat, AWP, cowpeas, GHR, and DER. Eagle Beans to the right. Spring plot to the left. Lots of WGF sorghum, millet, and cowpeas still producing. It should last well into the first freeze then the deer will eat the seed heads of the sorghum/millet/milo.

The only thing I have planted of WI is their clover and it did great. All those blends you mentioned should do just fine here in Oklahoma. As you continue to plant in the sandy soil you will start to build up the organic matter (OM) especially if you reincorporate the plant material back into the soil. What I mean by this is next spring till all the green vegetation back into the soil. I will mow my fall plots in the spring--wait about 2 weeks to get regrowth then spray glyphosate (round up) to kill everything. Then a week later till or disc all the dead vegetation back into the soil. This will increase the OM and greatly improve your soil for future plantings. todd

Apple tree I started from seed this spring is starting to pop out of the 4ft tree tube. My new tower stand that will overlook the 2 acre plot. Made it a little bigger now that I seem to always have a kid hunting with me.

couple bucks feeding on the Eagle Beans. Doe and her baby on the beans

Got my 2 acre plot worked up and seed broadcasted yesterday. I originally had this 2 acres planted in Eagle Beans but due to a late planting and very dry spring the Eagles never had a chance to get established. As soon as they popped out of the ground the deer were plucking them out. I did not spray prior to the planting but it had been sprayed twice during the summer. There was some crabgrass and nutsedge in the field but hopefully I will be ok with it being a fall planting. Tilled the 2 acres the broadcasted 75# of wheat, 75# rye, 25# of AWP, and about 30# of cowpeas, 5# of Ground hog radishes. I then dragged the field with a harrow. After dragging I hand broadcasted 10# of crimson clover and 5# of rape. Here is the finished product. Now just gotta hope the 90% chance of rain tomorrow holds. The large bush in the middle of the plot is a button bush. Creates some neat white round flowers and is a heavy seeder. The leafs are browsed by deer and the seeds are eaten by many songbirds and ducks. Nice plant to have around so I didn't sacrifice it for the plot. I just worked around it. todd

wish i had a cultipacker!

that last deer looks to be an older deer to me. I think they are 2 different deer. I'd put the first deer in the upper 120's also. good luck. you have some awesome genetics around your place. Hopefully we will get some of this rain they are calling for this week. We really need it. todd

you need to let that fawn grow up a little--just kiddin' ya. nice buck todd

you Should be proud. congrats to the entire family. todd

I broadcasted some rape into the beans and received 1/2" of rain last night so hopefully that will get the seed going. date on the cam is off by one month My throw and mow plot is doing great. Lots of forage and security for the deer Got some nice seed heads for the deer to munch on this winter and a fairly nice buck visiting

My large bean plot ended up being a failure. Due to lack of rain and getting it planted so late the young beans just never got established good. I will start over next spring but I did get all the fescue killed with the two sprayings. I will be tilling everything under here in a week or two. Already have my seed purchased. I will be planting wheat. rye. ground hog radishes, rape, and crimson clover. Then next spring I will return to eagle beans so I can spray the field a couple more times to eventually get a handle on all the weeds. My small eagle bean plot that I planted a month earlier is doing great. I am even getting some flowers so hopefully will have some pods this winter The Eagle beans are handling the pressure great and the deer are enjoying the nutrition

after looking at those pics I obviously didn't follow my own advise!!! That's more big bucks then I see in an entire season--hunting or on camera. lol todd

horrible tragedy however I don't think you can put Tony at fault. I know they guy was mad at getting clipped but not worth the risk of running out in the track. Those little cars slip and slide all over the place.

what an awesome bachelor group!!! glad I could help todd

IT is a very scary time for the world and this current president has not helped. It still amazes me though how many people still think he is such as great man and great president. However, these same people thought that both Bush's were absolutely horrible presidents.

I love my Excalibur. So simple to use. The one thing that did surprise me is how loud they are compared to my Bowtech bow. However, with the speed they are tossing the bolts out at I don't think it matters. It has also allowed me to bow hunt with my daughters as they can't pull back a legal bow yet. As you know Izzy killed her first deer with the crossbow last season and she is excited to go again. todd

Need to get you back to Oklahoma again one day.

I love my Cabela's card. Their customer service is awesome. I got a brand new Excalibur Crossbow 2 years ago and didn't cost me a penny---all on Cabela points. Like others I pay it off every month. I hardly use cash for anything. If I can pay for it with a CC then it goes on my Cabela's card.

I wish you the best of luck. I know that can be scary but I bet everything works out great for ya!! good luck todd