It is amazing how much difference a day can make. This past weekend we had ice and snow. Today it is in the sixties and sunny. Wheat and clover plots are popping and I’m sure the turkeys like it. I’m on my way to work in Mississippi and Alabama where I can enjoy being outside and working in some warm weather. The soil sample results should be back today. As soon as the ground dries out it will be time to spread Antler Dirt and prepare for spring food plots.
We had a great time at the shed hunt this past Saturday. Despite the cold and rain about 50 guests walked the fields and bedding areas. We found several sheds and I appreciate all those who participated. The largest shed was half of a 140+ class buck that had been photographed several times by our Reconyx units. Ricky Minton, owner of Outer Armour blinds found it. You can view several images of the shed hunt at the GrowingDeer.tv gallery.
I was doing some cleaning of my gun safe and reflecting on last season. I really enjoy taking my daughters Raleigh & Rae hunting and sharing in their experiences! To insure that they have an enjoyable experience I use Federal Premium Vital Shok that are loaded with Barnes Triple Shock bullets. These bullets have controlled expansion and great bullet weight retention. This is especially critical given Raleigh and Rae use a .223 for deer. There’s not many feelings worse than shooting and not recovering a deer. We have a 100% track record of recovering deer shot with Barnes Triple Shock bullets. Making hunting fun now will encourage my girls to be hunters for life!
I returned from working in Illinois yesterday! Whew, it’s very wet in west central, Illinois!! Many farmers will be late planting corn this year. I only found one shed while working on a great property – North Creek in Knox County – 1,300 contiguous acres of prime private whitetail habitat. If most bucks haven’t shed their antlers there yet, it is a sign of excellent herd health!
Brad collected soil samples from all of our plots yesterday and prepared them for shipping to Water’s Lab for analysis. This is always a critical step in establishing/maintaining food plots. I’m always eager to get the results and determine how much fertilizer will be required to produce maximum quality forage. Remember, that plants are only nutrient transfer agents. If the nutrients are not in the dirt, they can’t be transferred to critters! Bigger antlers and more fawns are factors of the quality of the dirt — so I’m always very excited about soil tests!
We will be hosting a shed hunt at The Proving Grounds this weekend! There will be about 50 folks from Ohio, Georgia, and many other states joining us. I’ll let you know how many sheds we find.
I recently had a conversation on Petersen’s Bowhunting Radio about deer and predators. You can listen to the podcast for free.
I was walking early this morning and heard the first two gobblers of the year. I’m always excited about turkey season but hearing those first repeat gobblers makes me think about listening points and places to call.
Winds are predicted to gust in the 30+ mile an hour range this week as some fronts pass through. After this passes, Brad and I will be starting our prescribed fire program this year. Weather permitting we anticipate burning 530 acres at The Proving Grounds this year.
Brad just took down the stands at The Proving Grounds. That always means turkey season will open soon! We take down our stands because trees expand an inch or more in circumference as the sap begins to rise. This is a bit of a hassle, but it’s much safer to remove stands and inspect them before hanging them again this coming fall. In addition, if the stand’s strap is extremely tight on the tree, it can cause sever damage to the tree. It’s a shame to damage a tree that is in a great location. Be safe and remove your stands.
Yesterday Brad and I hosted a field trip for a college wildlife class. One of our study points during the tour was at a Trophy Rock mineral station. Twenty young biologists now know the benefits of providing natural minerals to wildlife. The students were energetic and inquisitive. It’s great to interact with young minds that are passionate about wildlife.
Brad collected soil samples from all of our plots yesterday and prepared them for shipping to 
I recently had a conversation on Petersen’s Bowhunting Radio about deer and predators. You can listen to the 
Yesterday Brad and I hosted a field trip for a college wildlife class. One of our study points during the tour was at a 