WestKyTeacher

OMG!!! Guys, I set up a trail camera and the day after I set it out I got these pics! What do you think he'll score? You know, the funny thing is I tried leasing this ground a few years back and nobody was interested. After the last two years of 10 pointers on consecutive opening weekends and now these pics, I"m glad I didn't. Now, I just have to keep they wife away from my honey hole! Still haven't showed her the pics yet. [ATTACH=CONFIG]10503[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10504[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10505[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10506[/ATTACH]

I use a tripod, bean bags, or window mount when taking the pictures. However, I want better quality, more detail, and a closer picture. I'm trying to decide if I should buy a higher zoom Nikon super telephoto lens or a spotting scope with an attachment for my camera and start digiscoping.

This week I took these at around 300 yards and cropped them. So I hope they are not to grainy. Taken with a Nikon D3000 50-200mm lens. Not sure if I should buy a bigger lens or a spotting scope and start digiscoping. Any info on which would be better and cheaper would be great! Thanks

Hey Dave, what are you using to take the photos? My wife has a D3000 and I was thinking of buying a high zoom lens, or a spotting scope to digiscoping. I confused when they talk mm in the camera lens stregth for zoom compared to the x in the scope zoom. Any advice to get really nice pics at 300 yards?

BTW, be sure to check out the photo and video forum to see whats been in the beans!!! Then you'll know why I want to plant something to keep them in the field when season is here!

You guys were right, insect and bore damage. The trees took on too much ice storm damage a few years back and the insects are secondary. He said anytime a tree loses 50% of its canopy it is most likely a dead tree in a few years. Now the fun part or expensive, removing the tree without it hitting the house!

Ext agent just dropped by, it is a copperhead. He estimates around 3 years old. He couldn't believe it didn't bite me when I stepped over it. Did I tell you I had on shorts and tennis shoes? You can bet I'll have the boots on from now on!

This is the first one I have ever seen out in the wild. It was 30 min before dark and I was driving the tractor around to clean up. I got off to throw a couple rocks in the bucket I had found in the back yard. When I went to get back on, I stepped over him and I saw him move between my feet. The diamond head made me thing poison and the copper color head made me think what type. But I had heard they had slit eyes and not round? Is that true? Reason he's not dead, I also know some snakes eat poisonious snakes. However, he is dead after the posts confirming the type. Just praying my little ones don't encounter any.

I stepped over this guy in my backyard today, and said a few words as he moved between my feet (of course I screamed like a baby and jumped). Is it a copperhead? If so, is there anything I can do to keep them away? Don't want the little ones to get a snake bite.

I've read several posts on here about foodplots, but I'm not sure what would be best for my situation. I have a 25 acre field planted in soybeans in front of my 68 acre woods. In the SW corner of the field was a brush pile and didn't get planted, roughly a 1/4 acre. It has thick/tall woods to the West and South. Well, the pile is gone and 1)I need to know what to plant there that the deer will love once the beans are gone or preferrably Oct/Nov, 2)when do I need to plant. I don't care if it is a annual since we'll most likely plant corn over the whole field next year. Thanks!

Okay, it's been a while since I posted pics so I hope it works. I have an Oak and cherry tree with damage. Can anyone tell me what might have caused it and if it will spread? Could it be from the ice storm we had about 3 yrs back? I'm sure I'll have to cut it or it could fall on the house. There's 3 pics of the oak (one is looking up at the canopy) and 2 of the cherry. Thanks. [ATTACH=CONFIG]10197[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10199[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10198[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10195[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]10196[/ATTACH]

I'm currently doing a TSI and forest enrichment program on my 67 acres of woods and starting to row crop the 25 acres I just purchased. I will say it is a lot of work and will most likely benefit my children more than me (it takes a long time for oaks to mature). I am currently cutting down the smaller less desirable tress (maple, sycamore, gum, etc). In their place I am planting 200-300 samplings per acre, a mixture of white oaks, cherry bark oaks, bur oaks, persimmon, northern red oaks, etc). In 10 yrs we'll cut all the less desirable bigger trees for timber and the samplings will be established and take over, (I'm only doing this in the areas of no mature oaks and only soft wood trees. So I should have some good areas with acorns and the others will be really thick cover as they start growing). I am also starting a decent size orchard with a variety of different pears and apples. In KY, I think it is Federal money so all states should have a program, you can sign up for programs that helps offset some of the costs. However, you still have to break your back planting and cutting all the smaller trees down. That link explains most of the practices I am currently doing to my forest. I even received a nice sign for my Forest Stewardship Program.

Pretty much see the pattern of select cutting and allowing oaks to slowly take over. According to aborday website, Bur Oak is slow growing at a rate of 12" or less per year and takes 35 yrs to produce acorns, OUCH! Saw tooth produces acorns early and grows med (13"-24"yr) to fast (25"+yr). Northern Red Oak is a fast growing tree, 25"yr. White is slow to med and only produces acorns from yrs 50-100 and only produces good crops every 4-10yrs. Could start producing in 20yrs if open-grown. Looks like I'll go for a mixture of Sawtooth and Northern Red Oak and maybe throw some persimmons in with them.

I have 68 acres of forest and 25 acres of cropland that I hunt and live on. The lower bottomland, roughly 25-30 acres has maple, gum, poplar, and sycamore. The forestry guy told me to underplant oaks and then in 5-10 years clear cut the whole area. Said this will let the oaks establish and take over and have good cover for the wildlife. If I just cut what's there and plant once cut, the same would grow back before oaks could. Does all this sound correct? Also he said I should plant Bur Oak. Anyone have any insight on how good this oak is for deer and wildlife and timber? Thanks!

Deer didn't seem interested in it last year. Friend has more acorns than grass under the tree in their yard. so we raked them up in buckets and dumped them in piles around our stands. A lot cheaper.

I really didn't know where to post this since I'm not selling it. However, I just wanted to let others know about some prime hunting land going up for auction down the road. You can ask me questions and I'll try to help if I can. I'd buy it if I had the money, but if anyone here buys it and needs a guide or help, I'm willing! Here's the link to the auction company and it is the Cottonmouth Lodge property. http://www.redfieldgroup.com/auctions/238/index.php Here's their online brochure. http://bluetoad.com/publication/?i=48102&pre=1

Thanks for the info. I will definitely buy the book. Keep up the good work! BTW, forgot to tell you, after 3 months in the hospital we added a pair of identical girls to the family in April. It has been crazy, but I'm looking forward to working foodplots and hunting with all 3 kids.

I can spent every waking minute online reading your informative posts about what to plant, how to plant, when to plant, how/when to mow, what not to plant, on and on and on but then I would be fired, divorced, and never get to hunt. :helpsmilie: You are truely a wealth of knowledge to wildlife lovers like myself. My question, have you ever thought of writing a hunter's know how to foodplots? Like foodplots for idiots or a checklist of what to do each month? The calendar of things to do would be awesome. Reason I ask, I read something but when the time comes for me to do it a year or so later I forget. Also, I forget when I'm supposed to do certain things like; when to mow, how many times to mow, and how high to mow the clover plot or the steps to getting new or old ground ready to plant. Just a thought or if anyone else knows where to find a guideline like this I'd appreciate it. Thanks again!

I mow about 2 acres of yard w/25-30 trees but no hills to worry about. I use a 38" traditional simplicity which takes 4 hrs. I have borrowed my parents 61" grasshopper which takes about 1hr 15min. I can't fork over $9000 for a mower like them. Also, I don't hit trees or stumps but the deck on mine bends in over time on the front right, probably because it is so thin. I have lower back pains so I need a good suspension seat. So, what would you recommend I buy? Do I need a commercial, a HD Residential, or just a residential ZTR mower? Or what is the best in each of these three areas? I would love to stay under $4000, but know it would probably be closer to $5000 or even $6000 if it is a good enough deal. Finally, could you provide me the cost of the unit you recommend? Thanks in advance and I plan on buying very soon.

Ok, with the wonderful 80 degree days I had to mow the yard for the first time this year. My house is only 3 years old, but it felt like I was mowing a cow pasture due to all the mole mounds and tunnels. I'm talking my entire yard is a mess! What is the best way to get rid of them all? I live in the woods with about 1 acre cleared for my yard and a 35 acre field in the front. thanks for all the help in advance. Oh, I have a 19 month old and a dog but I can keep the dog put up if needed.

Ok here's the deal. My mom wants to buy my dad a UTV so they can ride the grandchildren around in it. Since they have 3 now with 2 on the way she thinks they should get one with double bench seats. He also has a 136 acre cattle farm to use it on and deer hunts. My question, which one do you guys prefer and why or which is better? I know the polaris has the ranger, there's the mule, and kubota has one as well which is diesel. Thanks for any help!

thanks for the advice, went in early, stayed all day and walked out at 2:30 with a nice 10pt!

On another thread everyone talked about getting in early to not spook the deer as much, so what time should I head for the stand? Here's the rise and set according to weatherunderground. Oh, also which one do should you follow for getting into the stand? November 13, 2009 CST Rise Set Actual time 6:25 am 4:39 pm Civil Twilight 5:58 am 5:07 pm Nautical Twilight 5:26 am 5:38 pm Astronomical Twilight 4:56 am 6:09 pm Moon 3:08 am 2:31 pm Length of visible light 11h 09m Lenght of Day 10h 13m Tomorrow will be 1m 47s shorter I forgot to mention, tomorrow is opening for gun season. Thanks!

Wow TINK, I don't know what would be better, hunting with you or with Dale Earnhardt. Wait I know, being able to hunt with the two of you. I'll never forget his last race or the many unbelievable moves he made on the track. I even have the video of his last hunt to be filmed.

LOL, the first are always the best!