I can say that the moose are bald now to the most part in our Granite State, antlers in the upper valley falling like rain somewhere around Jan. 19 or so around a full moon. Deer though are being a bit more stubborn. Some are still sporting crowns according to some local game cams but I have it on good authority that some tines are poking out of the 3 odd feet of snow.
I have going out regularly since Dec 24 keeping an eye on the ground and on a large moose-yard that holds about 7 or 8 moose, at least 4 are bulls, one is a brute with big wide palms, then another good one about 45-48 inches wide, I found his left side in Jan.
Since then conditions have gotten absolutely miserable almost impassable in the woods, I have broken snow shoes twice because of the inconsistent but heavy crust, and its just too damn deep to slog through. Mark my words we will have extreme winter kill this year. Not only can the coyotes run quite effortlessly over the the crust BUT the conditions alone will be deadly, and not just to the deer. So far this year I have heard of many owls and hawks being found dead. Seems with this crust mice and other prey can stay under the snow in tunnels. Even the mighty moose will fall victim. Even though 3 feet of snow is manageable for them ,the crust is tough even on their movement. But despite conditions I may venture out today on this presidents day and evoke the adventurous spirit of Teddy Roosevelt and do a little low impact scouting in Stoddard N.H.
I'll let you all know how that works out. .
1 comment:
Nice antler I am just getting ready to head out for Beaver trapping, and I have a tag to bag a Grizzly this Spring, and also shed hunting. Hoping to post some good photos in the next month.
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