January 2016 Activity

Week 1
Still seeing some new hog damage in the back yard.  We are trying to make the best of it by repairing  the damaged area by pulling the dirt back into the hole and seeding the same with little bluestem.  Completed perhaps 6 damaged areas.
Deer are scarce.  One neighbor called and said they had shot a deer with arrow and were tracking it in our direction.  They found the downed deer  and hauled it off.
Week 2
Neighboring property reports that they trapped a boar, a sow and three small pigs in their trap.  Perhaps they got the culprits who have been tearing up the south slope.  We shall see.
Deer population exploded to 9 does this week, but no bucks.  Seems like hunting pressure was greater this year than it was last year.
Small band of turkeys moved through.
Do not see much evidence of raccoons or possums, but from the droppings around, they do seem to visit at night, even up on the back porch where they leave their calling card.
Coyote evidence this year is down considerably from last year.  Not sure why, but the bordering ranches might be actively destroying them.
Week 3
Really dry again, having to water the wildlife tanks in front and back.  Holding back on feeding kitchen vegetable scraps to the deer as the hog keeps rooting up the back yard.
Week 4
Routine for the deer seems to be 3 to 5 does in the back near the fenceline early in the morning, seldom at night.
Winter bird count:  Cardinals, tufted titmice, Virginia warbler (new to us this year), sparrow, wren (not sure species), mocking bird, buzzard, pereque (call), Carolina wren, chickadee, phoebe.  Noticeable short list of birds this winter.
Also noticeable absent this year are red fox, coyote, turkey, and mice.