As January draws to a close, much of the United States is feeling the wrath of Old Man Winter! Surprisingly, my mock scrapes have been buzzing with activity, even with temperatures dipping below freezing. I’ve noticed that most of the bucks I’ve observed this year still have both sides of their antlers intact. However, given the frigid weather, I anticipate they might shed them soon. It’s an exciting time to witness nature’s rhythm, even in this cold!
Inside Corner Buck Rope
I’m excited to share that the BuckRope, positioned at the inside corner scrape, has quickly become a favorite spot for deer since I installed it in April! In this video, you’ll see a resilient young buck who has been actively freshening the scrape since Pennsylvania’s gun season wrapped up last December. He cleverly eluded hunters during the late muzzleloader season and has now made the BuckRope his personal scrape. With so much potential, he’s definitely one to keep an eye on for next year’s “Hit List!”
BuckStik Time
As the sun sets, I’m thrilled to see a young deer approaching the BuckStik in my food plot! Right now, these curious deer are bustling around scrapes, eager to learn about their surroundings and the deer that have made it through the season. It’s fascinating to observe how this young deer uses its preorbital gland to engage with the BuckStik. The innovative design of the BuckStik lets deer easily interact with all three glands on their heads—the preorbital, forehead, and salivary glands. Don’t miss this incredible moment in nature!
Good Genetics
After the dominant buck on the farm is harvested, new contenders eagerly step in to establish their territory. This impressive 8-point must be a descendant of the buck I harvested during archery season, as his narrow spread and tall tines indicate. I’m thrilled to see him recently showing up and actively engaging at the scrapes! His playful sparring with other bucks suggests he’s finding his place here. I’m excited to witness his growth and the dynamic changes ahead on the farm!
Splits
I can’t contain my excitement each time a new buck shows up on my SpyPoint Trail Camera! I’m confident this one is a newcomer, especially since I haven’t seen any bucks with split brow tines like his. The slight darkening of his tarsal glands suggests he’s still young, but he definitely has the potential to grow into an impressive buck this fall! It’s fascinating to watch him sniff the BuckRope, perhaps searching for familiar scents from the farm. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him throughout the year—I can’t wait to see how he develops!
