Hooper walkies

We had such fun. In the first photo, you can see Hooper inspecting a deer scrape. I've seen one here before. There are three spots I find every year.

Justin Hoffman, my photographer e-friend, taught me about deer scrapes. To spread their scent, the males  scrape a spot on the ground, removing the leaves, then urinate on their inner-knee hormone glands (tarsal glands), to spread their scent and mark their territory. Then, they rub their faces on the overhanging branch to similarly place their scent. 
Hooper had to inspect it. 


I've only seen one big buck on the trailcam lately.

In this archive photo, you can see the dark legs, with hormones colouring their legs.

a fine buck, 2015!
Note the colour of the back of his legs.

Here is Justin's video, showing how the buck creates the scrape. He sets up his superduper trailcams in the forest.

Deer are on the move: slow down

a fine buck, 2015!
Do you think it is the same one?
Note the colour of the back of his legs.

I have to post my videos for hubby.
I was making dinner, gazing out the kitchen window, and spotted this buck. I called for JB to come and see. Dinner had to wait a moment or two.

This buck is such a stately beast. Just quietly marching around.
They are in rutting season, and don't hang out together. They will soon.
It is hunting season, too.

More deer tails and Whitetail Savvy <= I posted more about this here.

hunting &
rutting seasons

Justin Hoffman, my photographer friend, taught me about deer scrapes. I took a walk to look. To spread their scent, they make a scrape in the ground, urinate on their inner-knee hormone glands (tarsal glands), to spread their hormones and mark their territory. Then, they rub their faces on the overhanging branch to similarly place their scent.


There is lots of deer food still out there: the grass is green in spots, some leaves are on the lilacs and serviceberry. They are just checking things out, just in case.



 
King of the forest from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Deer selfies! These are momma's twins. I set up this trailcam facing the tree house and backyard shed. I chucked some broken up pumpkin in the trough, but they aren't hungry enough to eat them.
Deer selfie from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.