First, a brief vid from a training session with Emmie this weekend. (During the flight, this is prime woodcock cover). The objectives of this training session:
Some of those goals are rudimentary, but the season is fast approaching and it’s the fundamentals that make or break a good days hunt. I realize that If this were a US based trial she would almost surely get pulled for ‘popping’ (stopping and looking for me for direction). From what I’ve seen this is much less of an issue to UK field trial judges.
Bird season is just around the corner in many other parts of the nation, but the next big coming attraction here?
DEER
Our hunting lease has been a somewhat sore subject this year and continues to be a bit of a burr under some members blanket. Like almost anything you can find the positive if you’re willing to look hard enough. The food plots, which were originally skid-stations for loggers, have been hammered:
But it’s not all destruction, and in my opinion it’s not really as bad as it seems (although I don’t know that I’d go so far as to call it Creative Destruction). The food plots are primarily ‘winter’ plots rather than ‘attractant’ plots. We plant these plots to hold deer over in times when there isn’t much browse or acorns. In fact it’s often been frustrating to watch as the plots get plowed under at just the time you want to start hunting; but that’s when you plant winter wheat, etc… So, while they may look like the latest cover shot for “mud bogging USA”, the thinning itself has been providing many more natural food plots and resources; not to mention much more clear shooting lanes.
The worst effect to me is that there are now parts of the property that are only readily accessible by an ATV type vehicle. Nevertheless, I think it does promise to be a good year.
weekend scouting and training
- remain within range
- work ALL available cover
- stop to whistle
Some of those goals are rudimentary, but the season is fast approaching and it’s the fundamentals that make or break a good days hunt. I realize that If this were a US based trial she would almost surely get pulled for ‘popping’ (stopping and looking for me for direction). From what I’ve seen this is much less of an issue to UK field trial judges.
Bird season is just around the corner in many other parts of the nation, but the next big coming attraction here?
DEER
Our hunting lease has been a somewhat sore subject this year and continues to be a bit of a burr under some members blanket. Like almost anything you can find the positive if you’re willing to look hard enough. The food plots, which were originally skid-stations for loggers, have been hammered:
Before
after
But it’s not all destruction, and in my opinion it’s not really as bad as it seems (although I don’t know that I’d go so far as to call it Creative Destruction). The food plots are primarily ‘winter’ plots rather than ‘attractant’ plots. We plant these plots to hold deer over in times when there isn’t much browse or acorns. In fact it’s often been frustrating to watch as the plots get plowed under at just the time you want to start hunting; but that’s when you plant winter wheat, etc… So, while they may look like the latest cover shot for “mud bogging USA”, the thinning itself has been providing many more natural food plots and resources; not to mention much more clear shooting lanes.
The worst effect to me is that there are now parts of the property that are only readily accessible by an ATV type vehicle. Nevertheless, I think it does promise to be a good year.
weekend scouting and training
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