I pulled a memory card out of my game camera this past weekend, and sorted through the pictures. It is tough this time of year, because all of the bucks have already dropped their racks, and they are starting to regrow them. It is so early in the growth process though, that there typically isn't much to get excited about during this time of year.
I was happy to see that the antler growth has kicked back in though. Here is a picture of a little buck with some nubs starting. It will be nice from this point on to see the antler growth kick in, and watch the development.
This was a good reminder though that it is a great time to start putting out some deer mineral blocks. Supplementing a deers intake of minerals can be very helpful to their antler development, and you can reap the rewards from this when the deer season opens.
While in the woods yesterday, I was noticing all of the undergrowth that has really taken off in recent weeks. I didn't get to hunt our scout this piece of land until late summer last year, so it was nice to see what it looks like in the early spring.
I was pleasantly surprised to see a lot of honeysuckle sprouting up all over the place. Honeysuckle is like candy for deer, and it can be a big draw for them. I found a dense section of honeysuckle right near the intersection of two hot trails. The ground is very wet from recent heavy rains, and deer tracks were all over this patch of honeysuckle.
I had taken another game camera into the woods with me, and placed it on this patch of deer candy. It should be a good natural bait for them, and I should hopefully have some good new pics soon.
I always lock my game cameras. I was victim to a game camera theft several years ago. Luckily, I did not have as much invested in that game camera, as I do in some of my newer models. I pulled the memory card from one of my game cameras located behind the house. As I looked through the pictures of some does and small bucks, I saw something that made me reconsider my game camera security; a trespasser.
It looked as if a worker in the area had seen my feeder back there. I had an older Stealth Cam back there pointing right at the feeder. It was pretty concealed, and wasn't detected. I have a lock and cable on it, so I'm not that conerned about it walking off.
I had several images of this guy looking at my feeder and messing with it. I realized that had my game camera not been locked, it very well could have been lost that day.
Game camera manufacturers today are packing some nice technlogy into their cams. That technology comes with a price. You wouldn't leave a few $100 bills taped to a tree in the woods. Why would you leave a several hundred dollar game camera in the woods unsecured. So do yourself a favor, and secure your game camera.
I personally love the Python adjustable locking cables by Master Lock. These things are 6 feet long, and 3/8" thick. They are tough and weather resistant, and vinyl coated. They add excellent security, and peace of mind.
I'm looking forward to the full return of the foliage. Spring is definitely in full swing right now. The trees were all budding weeks ago, and the undergrowth is really starting to take shape. It is at this time of the year that you can almost notice a daily transformation of the woods.
I love this time of year, because the deer seem to reach a new comfort zone. They feel more protected in wooded areas with lots of foliage to conceal their presence. Much more comfortable than when the woods was wide open and you could see long distances. These more relaxed deer tend to linger longer, and I always end up with a lot more pictures of deer and other game animals.
On the downside, most bucks have dropped their racks. You may still see an occasional buck that is slow to drop, but the excitement factor of hoping to see the big rack is gone. I start awaiting the first signs of antler growth, and look forward to watching the development of those racks into what hopefully becomes that shooter buck.
So this is a great time of the year to get your mineral blocks out to help that antler growth.
I picked up the following image of deer and raccoons feasting together on some of the corn I has spread in the vicinity of my game camera. I have a ton of raccoons in my area. I've captured videos of up to 10 raccoons on screen at one time. I love watching the deer interact with other animals. Most of the time, they seem to tolerate the raccoons. But on several occasions, I have seen the deer rear up on them, or stomp at them.
Have your heard of Monarch Images? I hadn't until tonight when I stumbled across a video promoting their game cameras. These appear to be home brew cameras that are pre-built and ready to purchase. I have to say the image quality was very good and sent me over to their website for a closer look.
