Bait station and timing. UPDATE: 09-24, Final Update

[bobcat]

I guess they're calling it "Hair Loss Syndrome" now (not disease). Some info from the WDFW site:

Deer "Hair Loss Syndrome" Fact Sheet
April 2010
 

“Hair Loss Syndrome” caused by exotic lice “Hair loss syndrome”(HLS) of black-tailed deer was first  described in western Washington in 1995. The condition is caused by a heavy  infestation with a Eurasian louse of poorly defined taxonomic status in the  genus Damalinia (Cervicola) sp.  The normal hosts of this louse are  European and Asian deer and antelope, which are not seriously affected by the  lice.  In contrast, when black-tailed deer become infested, they  tend to develop a hypersensitivity (severe allergic) reaction to the lice,  which causes irritation of the skin and excessive grooming by the deer.  Eventually, this excessive grooming leads to loss of the guard hairs, leaving  yellow or white patches along the sides (Figures 1 and 2). Infestations are  heaviest during late winter and early spring, and many affected deer,  especially fawns, die during this time. The geographical distribution of HLS  has steadily expanded since its first appearance and now affects black-tailed deer throughout their range in western Washington and western Oregon. This species  of lice has been found on elk in Washington, but does not result in the severe  hair loss seen in deer. To date, the presence of this louse has not been  documented in mule deer or white-tailed deer in Washington east of the Cascade  Range.  Beginning in 2003, WDFW began to receive reports of deer  from the Yakima area of south-central Washington with clinical signs similar to  HLS. These reports were of deer occurring in the black-tailed/mule deer  intergrade zone in the eastern foothills of Cascade Range, and were the first  reports of apparent HLS in eastern Washington. Reports of more severely  affected deer were received in 2004. In March 2005, lice were collected from four affected deer and identified as Bovicola tibialis, yet another exotic  old world species with fallow deer as the normal host.  During the early spring  of 2006, WDFW received numerous reports of dead deer, especially fawns, in the Yakima area with hair loss. The geographical extent of reports received in 2006  had expanded greatly compared to previous years and included occurrences of the  condition in mule deer. Aerial surveys and harvest statistics suggest that  the deer population in Yakima and Kittitas counties has declined by about  50% since the arrival of the lice.  It is unknown if Bovicola tibialis infestations are  the sole reason for the drop in deer numbers, but they are suspected  to be a factor. Bovicola  tibialis is also associated with hair loss  in deer in Klickitat County. In Chelan County, the occurrence of Bovicola tibialis was documented in  2009, and by April 2010, deer affected by hair loss were observed  throughout the county's mule deer winter range.     Neither species of the exotic lice described above affect  humans or domestic animals.  In captive settings, deer have been successfully cleared of  lice infestations with the use of medication. However, in free-ranging  situations, there is no practical method for delivering effective doses of  medication to large populations of wild deer.

[oldleclercrd]

Very interesting! My buddy shot a turkey this year and it was covered in lice. Pretty disgusting!

[h20hunter]

Good morning web surfers. So, this morning I had to run out and put my cam back out. I have learned that the damn thing will only read a 2g Scandisk card. Not a 4g, not a Kodak, only one card exactly. So, I have an extra on order and went back out to put it up. I took in another pack of apples and some more cracked corn. Here is what I learned this morning. First, there is at least one buck in the area. He, with his 4 inch fuzzy nubs were crossing a field down and around the ridge from where my cam is. Good thing to know. I saw no new bear sign which is good. I also found a half an apple left. If you look at the last clip in the vid posted you will see there are quite a few left as of last week. Well, one week later picked over hard. Also, here is a tip for beginners like me. I buried some of the apples beneth the cob and cracked corn. I hoped the deer would figure this out pretty quick and hang around longer digging in the cob/corn for sweet tasty apples. Well, it worked pretty well. They dug in and found the nuggets. Hopefully, this encouraged them to eat some of the oats and corn along the way. Some of the trails in and out of the area are a bit more pronounced so I am getting a good idea of where I will be setting up.

So, cam is out, fresh apples down and a bit of cracked corn. Cover the apples with other stuff and they will stay longer and dig for it. Also, I know they are eating the cob and corn because it is disappearing faster than the birds can eat it. I'm going to let it soak for a few weeks and see how many pics I get when the apples are all eaten. My guess is that I will have half the pics by number with only cob/cracked corn/mineral blocks as when I have fresh apples out.

We'll see!

[h20hunter]

Oh yeah, one more thing for beginners like me. As I was enjoying the view I realised I did one very basic thing right from the beginning. My cam faces away from the sun regardless of time of day. In the evening the sun drops behind a ridge so I never have direct sunlight into the lens. I think this helps get clearer pics.

Anybody wants to chime in on blind timing please do. My plan is to set up a small one man pop up in a corner. The brush is thick and I can trim a bit and place a few feet back in. This will give me a 20 yard shot or so and give me a quartering away or broadside shot. How soon should I put my blind in? Will they get used to it pretty quick? Should I even use a pop up or simply brush it up and rely on my camo, scent control, and minimal movement?

[AKBowman]

If I have the time prior to the season I like to build natural blinds I feel like I can hear what is coming and see a bit better. Its nice to be in a blind to get out of the elements though. A one man pop up is really small especially if you are shooting a bow, I sat in some at the Lacey's Cabelas b/c I was thinking of getting one for the exact same reason but it was really to small to shoot my bow in, the animal would have to be in one spot and one spot only.

Which season are you thinking about hunting? Early or late archery? Are there any trees around to hang a stand?

[h20hunter]

I'm planning on hunting the general season in Sept. The area is any deer so my odds are good. I know there are some bucks in the area and will be looking for my first blacktail and my first buck all in one. I like the natural blind area and could have the pop up if the elements make it tough.

[AKBowman]

Yeah the first part of the early season would be a better choice for trying to kill a BT buck. As I'm sure you already know the late season can be hit or miss. If you can keep the does coming in to the feed you will surely get bucks coming in during the late season, just a matter of timing with getting a hot doe.

Maybe using estrus would help to keep a buck around during late season.

The later it gets in the early season I would look at putting your blind deeper into the timber/cover on entry trails a buck might be using. Look for the inobscure trails generally down wind of the main trails, these are the trails the BT bucks will be using until rut hits. Once they rub the velvet clean they are REALLY GENERALLY nocturnal and hard to kill until they get into the rut, prior to rubbing they will use the clear cuts during daylight hours.

PS- I have yet to kill a decent BT buck with my bow 

[h20hunter]

I'm hoping you are correct about the ladies drawing them in. Right now my time stamps show around the clock visits. The spot I plan on hiding in is thick thick thick. I can cut a shooting "hole" or two and be well hidden. Hell, I'll take any buck as a first! Worst case I take a fat ol doe for meat and can say I've killed all three doe in Wa., whitetail, muley, then blacktail. I'm just having fun doing the cam thing, learning the area, and getting out. If and when I put the smack down it will be a nice touch and a bonus for the work I've put in. Also, thanks for the advice on placement and the tip about secondary trails, I appreciate it.

[h20hunter]

So, I went out this morning really just to make sure my sd card would work. I didn't expect a whole lot. Last weekend I went out and put out one load of apples. This morning I only took cracked corn and cob. Well, lots of action over the week. I call this update the Northwest Trailcam Trifecta.

[h20hunter]

A few more.

[h20hunter]

I'm going to cool it with the apples for a bit. I want to see what kind of action I get on just salt, minerals, cracked corn, and cob. However, if Mr. Yote keeps showing up I'll put some apples out and sit up on the ridge with the 'ol AR. No more Mr. Coyote. The bear is cool. Since he was there only a day and a half ago I could still smell him. Hope he moves on.

[iRem]

Oh Cool more pics,  I need to take out some salt to supplement the wet cob and block.

[h20hunter]

couple more

[oldleclercrd]

Apple flavored backstrap!

[bowsandhose]

cool