More Senderos....

Cleared and root plowed

Can you see the Bulldozer down at the far right of the sendero on the right?

This is one of five new spots for future blinds.

This is looking back across the entry road.

A new place to hunt a trophy.

Rattlesnake

I'm told this is mating time for rattlesnakes. I really didn't think I would see any today as it was cool this morning. It was sixty-two degrees when I came upon this one.

Finding shed antlers reminds me of hunting for Easter eggs as a child

Pictured is the left side of "Macho's" antlers. He is four and one half years old now and I'm expecting big things from him next year.

Burning, a tool in deer management

Every year I try to pick out an area and do a controlled burn. It does a good job of removing dead grasses and limbs. It also promotes new growth of forbs as well as grasses.

Some sure signs of spring...

The alligators are out of hibernation and the yuccas are blooming..

Antler shedding has begun...

Pictured here is the first buck I've seen that has already dropped his antlers. If you look closely, you will see the bases where the antlers were attached on the top of his head. It seems to me that this one is early this year since they usually tend to begin the shedding about the twentieth of March. Who knows why this one is early? I have also noticed that the bucks have begun to get back into groops. If you see one, you will likely see four, five, or more.

Javelinas

My javelina herd seems to be doing well. I've got an ongoing experiment working. We seem to have less and less of these hardy little creatures in the wild these days. There was a time before the feral hogs showed up and starting taking over that we had plenty. I've heard people blame their reduction on disease and such. I think more of their demise is due to hunters shooting them as a bother to their deer hunting. Too, I know since folks have been trapping feral hogs once a javelina gets trapped they will just back up in a corner and pop their teeth. They can't see well and they are all about defense. All you really have to do is open the trap door carefully and leave. They will soon find their way out.