When I first saw these three they were fussing over some kind of morsel and as usual the turkey ruled.
I'm not sure if you can see it, but both deer showed signs of heavy mange on the ears. I wonder if it was caused by all the rain we have been having. I hope it clears up.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/IMG_0820.JPG) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=359437)
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10125/IMG_0828.JPG) (https://forestryforum.com/gallery/displayimage.php?pid=359436)
I learn so many things watching the relationship of animals in my neighborhood. :huh?
You can't stress or worry about anything when watching majority of our beautiful wildlife. I get a kick out of most of them. Them dang wild hogs get on my nerves though.
One deer with mange shows up on my camera as well. It's seems to be only the one though. I don't know how serious a problem it is for deer.
I learned that what I thought was mange on the ears is really ticks. Supposed to be common for this time of year.
I don't see much mange around here. Rarely, fox will have it. Plenty of ticks, and all the related diseases. The only hogs here are on purpose. I hope it stays that way.
Larry,
I was fixing to post this picture from this morning but it fits right in with yours.
(https://forestryforum.com/gallery/albums/userpics/38064/IMG_4329.JPG)
I looked out my upstairs bathroom window and over at my woodpile. Yesterday I cut a nice poplar up a few hundred yards away and when it fell it knocked over a 12" basswood (I first thought it as a hickory but when I checked the leaves closer I realized what it really was.) I dragged down a 15-18 ft log to cut for firewood. The turkey was standing on the log. The deer was about 6' away munching on some green leaves from a small limb I had not bucked off.
I think the hen has a nest nearby in the grass or weeds as I see her almost every day. I try to be careful riding my 4 wheeler and tractor up there not to run over a nest of turkey eggs or fawns which are very common this time of year.
When I feed the deer in the winter time, the turkeys are around the deer. Neither one cares about the other.
Most of the time I see a little fussing between them before they settle down. A few years ago at first acorn drop it was a different story. The turkey spread his tail feathers and puffed up. The buck shook his head back and forth to show his antlers. This went on for about 5 minutes but no blows exchanged. Finally the buck gave up in disgust and walked off.
Yesterday when running lines in the woods I flushed woodcock and grouse and heard an old turkey near by clucking, then at the bottom of a long hill around some frog ponds a doe trotted through the shorter trees and hazel bushes, tail in the air. One strip I happened to look down and see a pile of bear poo on my path. Moose poo is everywhere like a barn yard. ffcheesy ffcheesy ffcheesy