We had a long and cold and wet spring, but this autumn has been great so far. The color just keeps on coming. If it isn’t the maple showing off, its the oak or poplar or birch all taking turns. The buck activity is ramping up with the next few weeks being intense..jpg)
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The weather is turning colder, crops and the leaves are turning color. We’ve already noticed a line of scrapes, which is early for us here. We don’t usually see the scrape activity until October 1. The bucks have lost their velvet and are starting to mark territory and look for doe. Oh, it’s the very early stages of activity, but the adrenaline is kicking in. Here’s a few bucks from the trail cameras so far. I’ve been busy, so haven’t been able to check cameras in several weeks, with some cameras not being checked in a month. Sometimes not checking is good………if the SD card isn’t filled up, or the batteries don’t go dead, and if the cameras don’t quit working.
Wisconsin Outfitter Buck
WI Outfitter Trophy Buck
WI Outfitter Buck
Buck Bachelor Group
WI Outfitter Buck
WI Outfitter Buck
Bachelor Group of Bucks
WI Trophy Buck in Velvet
WI Buck in Velvet
I was working inside the lodge this summer, with the windows open, when I heard Eagles screeching outside. I looked out to see two Bald Eagles. One Baldy was sitting on a carcass 150 yards away, while the other Baldy was waiting just a few feet away. An hour or so later, I heard the Eagles screeching again. Looking out, I spotted a Golden coming in to kick off the Bald that was sitting on the carcass. The Golden dominated for the next 45 minutes when I heard screeching yet again. This time another Baldy was circling down and I could tell he meant business. This Baldy kicked off the Golden. The photos below show the last Baldy coming in to take over. All in all, this back and forth struggle lasted about 4 hours.
Golden and Bald Eagles fight over carcass.
I post these deer photos to show the wonderful summer red coats the deer have. Most of us spend more time outdoors in the autumn when the deer wear their brown winter coats. More than ever, I appreciate these beautiful summer red coats.
For those looking for trophy bucks, check out the deer track on the last photo and imagine the bone on his head. I haven’t set much for trail cameras yet, mostly due to the tiny, sweet eating ants that invade and colonize inside the cameras in June and July. This invasion generally renders the cameras useless. Hopefully these little camera killers are slowing down now and I’ll get the trail cams up and out the door soon.
WI Whitetail in Summer Coats
WI doe with two fawns. Red summer coats.
Big deer track in western WI
While we encountered some rather ominous thunderheads this past weekend, it seems the weather has finally settled down. We’ve been treated with some spectacular days. This panorama was taken next to the lodge.
Clouds of Summer