Hunting season will be here within a few weeks. Now is the time to figure out what you’ll be up against in your hunting area and take an inventory of your whitetail deer herd. The Drury’s call it “taking a buck census.” They use two important tools to find and document every buck within their hunting areas. You’ll need a reliable, quiet, infrared trail camera and a BioRock. With hard antlers also soon around the corner, bucks are craving the minerals found in their bone-crowns and a BioRock is the perfect source for these minerals.
Because bucks can have very small core areas this time of year and aren’t traveling long distances, it is suggested to use one camera and rock set-up for every 40 acres. Placement of the rocks is also important. Heavy soil will be better than sand, shade is better than sun, and you’ll want to make sure you have a good place for your camera within 15 to 25 feet of your BioRock. You can also “super-charge” your BioRock by adding some Rock Topper to it.
EHD in Two Michigan Counties Is No Cause for Panic
A recent report has just confirmed that Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, also known as EHD or “Blue Tongue” has been found in Michigan whitetails. Thus far it is only known to be in Ionia and Branch counties in Michigan. It is transmitted by a “midge” or small biting fly. There’s no reason to panic, EHD has been found in whitetails in MI almost every year since 2006 and it usually occurs in isolated areas. Infected deer are often found near water trying to cool the high fever associated with the disease. In areas where this disease rears its head, deer often build up antibodies to the disease and population recovery does not take long.
