I'm a bit surprised

I've planted soybeans 4 times in the last 7 years in my 2 acre plot that is my front yard. Another 3/4 acre that sits adjacent to it is planted in clover and brassicas. What is surprising to me is that the deer are hitting the dried beans so early in the season. Usually they don't start hitting them until late November.

I know acorns are dropping as I hear them bouncing off of my tractor sheds metal roof. But I don't know if there is a good crop out in the woods, I haven't been out there yet. I do know that they are liking the clover and brassicas as they are hitting that first before going into the beans.

Right now just the resident deer are feeding here but in late winter deer from all over will be here.

Anyone else notice this?

Last year late winter

 

I know here, they will let red acorns sit, but will eat white acorns. Similar with some varieties of acorn over another. Summer they like corn, fall less so. Mine aren't big fans of turnips. In the Midwest it may be different for to weather affecting sugars, flavor, and possibly nutrition...

Apart from taste, perhaps ease of availability /consumption and volume for fresh soft mast, is a preference...

 

Just after the earth cooled, a fellow got a fork horn buck. While field dressing it, he opened the paunch and it was stuffed with acorns. Sorry, can't tell what type but it was obvious what he was eating.

 

Watching the neighbors cattle mow a pasture the other day, he pulled up and we got to shooting the breeze. He asked what I thought and I made a comment that they sure were grazing it hard. He said he needed to take them off the big pasture so it could recoup a little before it went dormant. He seems to think it'll be a tough winter and that's a sign of it. He is old rough stock so if he is saying it I'd believe it to be true.

 

I was wondering about the hard winter ahead idea.

Could be.... will half to wait and see.

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Deer can forecast better than the weather clowns with their computer models.

 

I like big fat does and I can not lie, other hunters may deny but when a big doe comes in all big and round you get sprung. Baby got back (straps)

 

Our Sun as entered a low activity state...this changes our weather....look to see colder winter temps and a changing winds and storms....
Interesting study on how the suns activity effects earth climate

 

The last few nights have been pretty cold and the deer are just flocking to my bean plot. Over all, the winter has been pretty mild so far. I have at least 35 deer hitting the field right now and the beans are starting to really thin out. I'm not complaining because that is what they are for. Besides, I'll have less to mow down in the spring.

I don't have any pictures yet because they are coming in when it is dark. The moon helps to see them but my phone camera does not like the lighting conditions. Hopefully they will come a bit earlier real soon.

 

Sota mix alot

 

How much snow you got your way?

 

I'm not going to complain, but not very much. After Sunday's snowfall I'd say there is about 6-7" on the ground. We're supposed to get 3-6" this Thursday. So far, I've only plowed 4 times.

 

We have less than 3. One storm we had rain and down south had snow. LOL.

Fired up the snow blower once. I think we are going to get about the same on Thursday.

I can finally start to skid wood when I finish in the basement.

 

It seems strange that the bottom of the state has more snow than around here. I know that in Racine, where I used to live they have about 18" on the ground now.

I saw my first snowmobiler of the season yesterday, Feb 1st. That is why I don't own one.

 

Hey we got about 3 in of snow here in SE VA Sunday...what the hell is going on? I thought there was this global warming thing happening.. one could be so lucky

 

The whole middle of the state (east to west) is either closed or partially open. LOL

When I said we had rain and south had snow, I meant south like mid southern IL and Missouri. That storm path came in from Lake MI which warmed the air.

Last year we had a thunderstorm in Dec after the ground was froze that dropped 3/4". That was fun!

 

I remember that. It took months for my driveway to recover because it froze right away again.

 

What is this snow, you speak of...

:throw :

 

see you yankees will laugh at this....we CLOSED schools yesterday and we are virtual!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! for 3 inches of snow

 

We had more snowfall in October than we have had in November, December and January combined.