Back to our regular scheduled programming...
My fascination with game camera photos continues, even if largely the vast majority of images captured this month were of whitetail deer. Â We are monitoring 4 cameras at 2 different properties, both in St. Louis County. Â All of them are finding large numbers of deer, including many very nice bucks. Â And while they are recording some nice deer during the daytime hours, they appear with no discernible pattern. Â The most impressive bucks appear at nighttime, often several times a week at a similar time. Â For example:
While it is possible I will never see these deer with my own two eyes during daylight hours, it is fascinating to know that they are out there somewhere. Â Both of these two properties with the cameras are less than 20 acres in size, but obviously adjoin larger areas under various ownerships and activity. Â Realistically I have little hope in being able to harvest any of these deer, but I have some great ideas where I want to search for sheds.
Of course there is a sliver of hope. Â Many deer do show up on the game camera during the day. Â The fragmented ownership of nearby properties does mean that the deer get stirred up sometimes, and they have to go somewhere. Â I just constantly remind myself that there is no way I will get a shot at these deer while on my couch, so I just need to get out there and see what happens.
I am ninety percent sure that I have a shed from one of these deer above from last season. Â Another thing that is fascinating to me is that one of these cameras is set up on a very active trail in a heavily wooded area full of white oaks. Â We never have baited this area, not even in the off season. Â However, all of these deer (and raccoons) spend a lot of time browsing the area. Â Presumably they are in search of acorns. Â There are also some world class rubs and scrapes in the area that are really fun to keep tabs on.
Of course there are a few unwelcome guests to include raccoons, coyotes, foxes, and the occasional tresspasser.
While I would want nothing more than to just spend a day or weekend sitting on a hidden log in the woods watching, the reality is that I have soccer games, grocery shopping, and a full time job to keep so the game camera is the next best thing.
What will December bring?