Today could very well have been the perfect day! We managed to get all 3 plots done in between rains, about one acre total. We checked/moved 5 cams and moved a stand that might well be one of the better sets I've hung in a while. At this point, I am done with all my preseason work at the farm outside of running cams. I'll lave the cams along until I have time to do things right in terms of scent control. We'll hunt opening weekend a time or two, then we are staying out until Halloween. It took some convincing, but I talked dad out of brush-hogging the big bottom, so the cover on our farm is better than ever. Not to mention the addition of 2.5 acres of corn, 3/4 acre of peas/radish/oats/winter wheat, and 1/4 acre of radish/rape. Hippie Ridge still hasn't sold and is thicker than ever. All in all, things are shaping up to be killer this fall.
This is a look at the inside corner where we planted the "Corner Pocket" plot. There is a stand in the woodline close to the corner hung for a S-SW wind. Oaks line the edge of the woods. The corner provides cover and food above. There is about 2 acres set aside as sanctuary just S of this plot. This plot and my big plot are seeded in the blend I order from Merit Seed this week which is the pea/radish/oats/winter wheat mix. It is a little over a 1/4 acre.
This is from one of the main trails coming out of the corner looking back at the corn. Deer standing right here are giving me a 20 yard broadside chip shot...
This is the "Middle Plot". I have a luxurious two-man ladder stand over looking this plot which is in radish/rape with just a little bit of my custom blend mixed in. It is almost a 1/4 acre. This is a great observation stand and this plot is in a pinch point that sees a lot of evening traffic.
This is the "Big Plot". It is situated in our big creek bottom field and is now surrounded by chest/head high weeds. I have a stand hung at the W edge of the plot near my big 4 acre sanctuary. I plan to hunt over a decoy at some point from that stand. Access is down the creek which is line with 4' high weeds, making it very easy to slip in and out of it. (My buddy borrowed his brother's Can-AM and man, is that thing badass!)
Here is my mineral lick after a solid summer of use. It didn't have any good bucks using it, but the does destroyed it! So at the very least, the does and fawns are benefiting from it. It is easily the size of a car hood...