Page 1 of 1

Waiting on Fall

Posted: 17 Sep 2017 07:08
by Ranch Dog
I thought that I would get a break for reloading and shooting during the heat of the summer, but that just didn't happen. I ended up with several summertime projects that included a wildlife water system across the ranch, continued work on my native grass restoration (bobwhite project), and a few others. I think I'm finally at a point where it all grinds to a halt. The food plots are prepped and waiting for a daytime temperature in the mid-80s and nighttime temps in the mid-60s. With that happening, ahead of the next rain-bearing front, the seed will go into the ground, and my critters will soon have their winter food supply.

Image

I've got a couple of new pieces of equipment this year; a drop spreader for either fertilizer or lime, and a no-till seeder.

Image

The spreader is 6' wide and has a 2000 lb capacity. I bought it because it is road worthy so I can go into town and fill it with bulk fertilizer at the Farmer's Co-Op. I put lime out about a month ago; only one three-year-old plot needed it. I have to go one town further, about 35 miles to get lime so realizing that retailers are facing the end of the season, I called our Tractor Supply to see if they wanted to rid themselves of their bagged lime at bulk prices. They did, so they loaded the pallets on my trailer. It saved me about two hours of driving because the spreader should not be towed faster than 35 mph, but lifting and dumping forty 50 lb bags was a killer with the temperature 102°!

Image

The No-Till seeder is a Land Pride NTS2507. The tiller based planter I imported from China went to the consignment lot, I had some heartache making this change but that planter was not capable of seeding native grass which is akin to dropping small feathers. That takes specialized equipment, and the Land Pride seeder has that seedbox with the appropriate augers and plumbing. It has three seedboxes with the front two being of interest to a food plotter. The front box drops mixed seeds, the pre-mixed food plot blends and the middle box seeds such as alfalfa, oats, rye, wheat, etc. Both boxes operate independently, each at their required rates. So they can be used individually or in conjunction with each other. Starting this winter, I will start prepping additional ground for planting the native prairie/savannah grasses the last week of August 2018.

As far as hunting goes; I received my Managed Land Antlerless Permits, two of them, a couple of days ago and that season starts on the last Saturday of September and runs through the last Sunday of February! This change is new this year. The extended season makes it a bit anti-climatic to me for some reason. The buck season starts the first Saturday of November and runs through the first Sunday of January. I will attempt to kill one buck, a buck that is five-years-old or older.

In that I'm looking at taking three deer, I think I will hunt with my three Model 94 Winchester scouts; a 30-30 Win, 35-30, and a 44 Mag.

The Wildlife Management Area public hunting draw was yesterday. Bummer... didn't get anything. Mule deer is the 15th of next month. I didn't put in for nilgai; I need to find a younger, fit hunter as a partner. I served my time with older guys now I need the help to get the bull out of the brush.

Re: Waiting on Fall

Posted: 17 Sep 2017 08:27
by GRV01
Farmings hard work thats for sure! Im interested in the native grass restoration, is it what it sounds like, just tearing up the old grass (what type?) and replacing with heirloom/native types?

Whyd you choose that? Easier to manage? Returning to land to its 'original state'? Some other reason? Just curious

Added: shows what kinda doofus i am, thought bobwhite was a person. So is it a conservation project? Sponsored or just somethinf youve taken to on your own?

Re: Waiting on Fall

Posted: 17 Sep 2017 10:36
by Ranch Dog
GRV01 wrote:Farmings hard work thats for sure! Im interested in the native grass restoration, is it what it sounds like, just tearing up the old grass (what type?) and replacing with heirloom/native types?
Over the last 75 or so years, just about all the native grasses have been replaced with "improved" types. This change offered benefits for livestock, but nothing for wildlife. In effect, an improved grass pasture might as well be concrete as far as wildlife is concerned.
GRV01 wrote:Whyd you choose that? Easier to manage? Returning to land to its 'original state'? Some other reason? Just curious
The work is to benefit everything from butterflies to big game.
GRV01 wrote:Added: shows what kinda doofus i am, thought bobwhite was a person. So is it a conservation project? Sponsored or just somethinf youve taken to on your own?
Yeah, it is a quail that is directly affected by improved grasses, they cannot exist in them. I started my work through Texas Parks and Wildlife which led me to The Nature Conservancy. Now, I just work with the latter. TNC cuts out all the bureaucratic mess and gets directly on the project. Most of the assistance has been technical but they have offered funds to cover my expenses in some cases. Generally, if I can cover the costs, I just do it but take all the advice they offer.

Re: Waiting on Fall

Posted: 18 Sep 2017 20:50
by akuser47
Looks good if weather cooperates you should be set this year. +guns