sampotter

I put a Gopro on Fleur and recorded some shed training. Sorry if you get sick.

Nice finds!

Can't find 'em if you don't look, right Wooly? Spring will be here soon....

Nice! I found nothing but snow yesterday...

Here’s my idea for those that don’t want to write on your sheds but want to record details: copper trap tags and a metal stamp kit! I think they are a little classier than a hand written paper tag…

Nice mass!

Holy moly! I'm glad I'm a farmer! That seems like a ridiculous amount of lease money for a small piece of land. I would buy it before I leased it.

Small update: I sent the teeth out on the 8 point that I killed in this story to have the buck aged by cementum annuli analysis. I just received the results and it turns out he was 5.5 years old, making him the oldest I've killed by bow. I also picked up one of The Challenger's sheds last weekend!

Ha! No, I would have carried that one out or cut the antlers off! (I started carrying a hacksaw this year for the little ones.) Plus, I go out of my way to thread live branches through an eye socket so they will eventually grow into the tree. Maybe that one was left by a poacher?

That wouldn't be fair Zag, Wooly has a better nose for sheds than my 2 dogs put together!

Hey! Nice ones! Always fun to find your new biggest shed!

I thought you were hibernating like the rest of us Wooly! Glad to see you wiped the sleep out of your eyes enough to spot those beauties! Those danged squirrels are the devil! I literally have had nightmares about finding antlers like that.

Thanks! It's a whole new level of shed hunting when you are looking for specific antlers instead of any old one. Frustration turns to elation with that last fateful step... I would encourage you to do so, especially when you're waiting for the snow to melt up here. I can't tell you about the public land pressure but there is a fair amount of it. It's always fun tromping new ground too. Thanks Wooly! I have a hard time deciding but the fact that I have 2 consecutive years of matched sets from the one I call the Wild Dog 10 makes me partial to him. I also think he's a year older than the other buck. That one seems to have used up all of his calcium allowance in his brow tines as the antler kind of petered out towards the tip. Thanks! They make it even more fun out there.

At the end of the 3rd day we had found 11 sheds and that ended up being it for the trip. We searched the same area I found TC’s right side for 2 hours the last morning but came up empty handed. We did come across this young 10pt deadhead: While flagging a property line I spotted this bedded fawn. It had an injured left hind leg, but was able to run away reasonable well (fast enough that I couldn’t catch it). The wind was blowing fairly hard and I think it was asleep until Fleur nudged it with her nose. I wish I had snapped a photo of the look on that poor fawn’s face! End of trip: The Wild Dog 10’s antlers from the past 2 years, he added a ton of mass: The Challenger’s right sides from 2012 and 2014: Stats as of 2/23/14: Miles: 82.7 Sheds: 14 -----WT: 13 ---------NY: 1 ---------IA: 1 ---------OH: 11 (Sam 9, Fleur 2) -----Moose: 1 Antler pieces: 1 Dead Bucks: 5 Dead antlerless: 4 Mylar balloons: 5

#13 A small freshie: Deadhead button buck: Big deer pellets always get my hopes up: The girls obviously not hunting for sheds: #14 At this point I had walked over 20 miles in 2.5 days, my feet were sore, I was bleeding from a lot of pricker scratches, and the whole time I was trying to figure out where The Challenger might have been hanging out. I had remembered a spot where I had seen a lot of bid deer pellets the previous spring and I made my way there during the last hour of day 3. I stood in a small gas well clearing trying to figure out where to go next when I glanced down and there not 5 feet away was TC’s right side! I was more than a little excited! A shameless selfie:

#10 Another small antler on a trail at the head of a different hollow: Hey! Another wonderful balloon! #11 Who knows how long this one had been sitting there… #12 Another well-chewed oldie… Closer inspection revealed a very interesting bit of damage at the base of the G2. Sure, the squirrels had their way with this antler, but this damage is different. It was clearly done after the antler had hardened and the bone was shattered away by some fast moving object…. No, no a bullet, either the tine would be missing or there would have been more damage. There is a clear, thin line running through the center of the site. There is only one conclusion I came to: a hunter shot at this deer with a bow (or crossbow, this was in Ohio) and the arrow (bolt) struck the antler! A very unique find indeed. Another antler I wish I found a couple of years ago when it was still fresh… A box turtle shell:

#8 Later the same day the dogs were getting thirsty and they dropped down into one of the hollows for a drink. Because they often find dead deer in these same hollows, I always take a peak down into the bottom to see what caught their interest. While watching them, a glint of white caught my eye… I wish I had found this one sooner… It probably was a 60” 4 point before the squirrels mauled it. We only found 3 on day 2 after covering close to 9 steep miles, but they were all nice ones: It didn’t take long for the pooches to crash… Day 3 started with another mylar balloon to remove from the woods: It was definitely one of the weirder ones I’ve found. #9 I spotted this one on a heavy trail at the head of one of the hollows. It is a match to #5:

#7 It took a lot of careful searching but I spotted the other side on the opposite side of the same hill from about 70 yards away! Close up: Together:

3/13/14 After a few unsuccessful hikes here in NY during January and February, I was sick of all the snow and headed south to my friend’s property in Southern Ohio. I had a couple of bucks in mind that I really wanted to find the sheds from. One was a buck that I call “The Challenger” (TC), which was a name he earned last fall when he tried to challenge the dead buck I had shot to a fight. (You may be familiar with the story and video I took). I have his matched from 2 years ago when he was probably 2 years old. The other buck was the “Wild Dog 10”, whom I almost had a chance at during the fall of 2012 but a pack of feral dogs chased him away before I could close the deal. I was lucky to find his fresh matched set last spring. The weather was pretty decent and I was sure happy to not be tromping around in snow. We arrived Thursday afternoon and it took us a little while, but we got the ball rolling… #4: Fleur found the 1st shed right next to a scrape (her 1st of the year): Same antler: #5 I spotted this one down the hillside a little later: #6 The next morning Fleur found this beauty on the south slope of a hill! From the Wild Dog 10! At 65.5”, it is the biggest in my collection. Another shot: A close up:

Nice to see the sun shining and someone finding some bones...

Not to mention that moose and deer are yarded up in the winter. A lot of snowmobile trails cut right through their yarding areas and every passing snowmobile causes unnecessary stress on the animals. This guy is a douche and should be punished like any other poacher.

Yep- they send you cereal box quality stuff and expect you to pay for it or send it back if you don't want it. Anyone remember BMG music club?

The ash tray is a nice touch.

Is it functional or just decorative? Either way, it looks like it would take more than $105 in labor to build it.

You asked if I even knew what AI was and requested pictures of my operation. I assumed it was because you thought I was B.S.-ing you. I think it depends what you read on the internet. This is from the MI DNR: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150-26647--,00.html A few highlights from the article below: "Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease of some wild ruminants." "White-tailed deer develop signs of illness about 7 days after exposure. A constant characteristic of the disease is its sudden onset. Deer initially lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow progressively weaker, often salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate, and fever (affected animals frequent bodies of water to lie in to reduce their body temperature) and finally become unconscious. Hemorrhage and lack of oxygen in the blood results in a blue appearance of the oral mucosa, hence the name 'bluetongue'. Eight to 36 hours following the onset of observable signs, deer pass into a shock-like state, become prostrate and die." Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in White-Tailed Deer Agency: Natural Resources "2013 Surveillance Summary In 2013, Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) has been diagnosed in 7 deer in 6 counties. The laboratory confirmed deer are from Muskegon, Ottawa, Oceana, Ionia, Berrien, and Allegan counties. Small numbers of additional dead deer were reported associated with these mortalities. Total mortality estimates at this point are difficult to determine; final figures will be determined following the completion of the firearm deer season. It appears that the estimate will likely be in the 100 to 400 deer range. Description Dead White-tailed deer - click to enlarge - White-tailed deer died of EHD in 2007 (MDNR photo) Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is an acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease of some wild ruminants. This malady, characterized by extensive hemorrhages, has been responsible for significant epizootics in deer in the northern United States and southern Canada. A similar hemorrhagic disease called bluetongue also occurs throughout the U.S. and Canada. The two diseases are antigenically different. Distribution Since 1890, deer die-offs from diseases which might have been EHD have occurred in various parts of North America. These early die-offs were variously diagnosed as blackleg, blacktongue, bluetongue, mycotic stomatitis or hemorrhagic septicemia or they were undetermined. The causative agents were never confirmed. A review of the case histories, signs and lesions, seasonal occurrence, and lack of a bacterial agent suggests that they might have been EHD. The first occurrence and subsequent identification of EHD occurred in 1955 when several hundred white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) succumbed in both New Jersey and in Michigan. It was considered a new disease of deer and the name 'epizootic hemorrhagic disease' was suggested to describe its main clinical and pathological features. Since the initial 1955 outbreak, this malady has occurred primarily among white-tailed deer, although occasionally mule deer (O. hemionus) and pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) have succumbed. EHD has been present in the United States for over 50 years now and large scale regional deer population decreases have not been observed. Additional die-offs attributed to EHD occurred in Michigan in white-tailed deer in 1974, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. The 1974 die-off occurred in several counties and resulted in approximately 100 deer dying. The 2006 die-off occurred in the southwestern portion of the state in Allegan County and involved 50-75 animals. In 2008, the die-off occurred in the southeastern portion of the state in Oakland and Macomb counties and involved 150-200 deer. In 2009, the die-off took place in the southwestern/southcentral portion of the state in Livingston County and involved 300-450 deer. In 2010, the die-off occurred in the southwestern portion of the state in Allegan, Berrien, Cass, Ottawa, St Joseph and Van Buren Counties with an estimated mortality of 1,025 deer. In 2011, the die-off occurred in the southwestern portion of the state again in Cass and St. Joseph Counties with an estimated mortality of 300 deer. In 2012, the die-off occurred in 30 counties across the southern half of the Lower Peninsula with 14,898 deer reported dead. 2012 Map of EHD in wild deer occurrences - January 8, 2013 Transmission and Development The mode of transmission of EHD in nature is via a Culicoides biting fly or midge. Culicoides variipennis is the most commonly incriminated vector in North America. A deer must be bitten by a midge carrying the virus to become infected. The disease is not transmitted directly from one deer to another but must go through the insect vector. A common observation in outbreaks involving large numbers of deer is that they are single epizootics which do not recur. Die-offs involving small numbers of deer occur almost annually, and the disease appears to be enzootic in these areas. All documented outbreaks of EHD have occurred during late summer and early fall (August-October) and have ceased within two weeks of the onset of frost, which kills the midge. Experimentally, the disease can be transmitted to susceptible deer by the inoculation of virus-laden material from infected deer by subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous or oral routes. Clinical Signs Clinical signs of EHD and bluetongue are very similar. White-tailed deer develop signs of illness about 7 days after exposure. A constant characteristic of the disease is its sudden onset. Deer initially lose their appetite and fear of humans, grow progressively weaker, often salivate excessively, develop a rapid pulse and respiration rate, and fever (affected animals frequent bodies of water to lie in to reduce their body temperature) and finally become unconscious. Hemorrhage and lack of oxygen in the blood results in a blue appearance of the oral mucosa, hence the name 'bluetongue'. Eight to 36 hours following the onset of observable signs, deer pass into a shock-like state, become prostrate and die. More photos of dead deer in water with permission from Tom Stafford of QDMA.com Pathology The gross and histological lesions of EHD have been characterized by, as its name implies, extensive hemorrhage. The hemorrhages range from pinpoint to massive in size, and involve different tissues and organs in individual animals. No organs appear to be exempt from hemorrhage, with the most regularly involved being the heart, liver, spleen, kidney, lung and intestinal tract. Extensive hemorrhaging is the result of interference with the blood-clotting mechanism together with degeneration of blood vessel walls. Generalized edema and increased pericardial fluid are consistently found in EHD. These changes also reflect the widespread interference with normal blood circulation. The virus can be recovered from a variety of tissues of animals which have succumbed to EHD. These include blood, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, heart and muscle. Diagnosis A combination of case history, characteristic signs and lesions, and the isolation of the virus is necessary for a diagnosis of EHD. Useful aids in obtaining a diagnosis are the epizootic nature of the disease, its seasonal occurrence, its spectacular hemorrhagic lesions and the extensive edema. Because of the similarity of its symptoms to other diseases, such as bluetongue and malignant catarrhal fever, the isolation and identification of the virus is essential. Methods to be used for virus isolation are: (1) inoculation of cell cultures; (2) inoculation of susceptible sheep or deer combined with serologic monitoring; and (3) intravenous inoculation of embryonating chicken eggs. Treatment and Control There is no known effective treatment or control of EHD. Theoretically, an oral vaccine could be developed for administration through a supplementary winter feeding program, but this is presently impossible, impractical and unwarranted. Significance Because of its very high mortality rate, EHD can have a significant effect upon the deer population in a given area, reducing numbers drastically. A common observation in outbreaks involving large numbers of deer is that they are single epizootics which do not recur. Die-offs involving small numbers of deer occur almost annually, and the disease appears to be enzootic in these areas. Hemorrhagic disease can be transmitted to other wild ruminants. The EHD virus can infect domestic animals, most commonly hoof stock, but rarely causes disease. The edibility of the venison is not impacted by the disease. There is no evidence that humans can contract the EHD virus either from the midge or from handling and eating venison. Pets and wildlife can not be infected by either midges or from EHD infected deer carcasses. Information for Hunters, What to look for in your deer: Hoof Abnormalities EHD lesions seen in dead deer Even with these lesions, the deer meat is edible. If you see any of these please take your deer to a MDNR Check Station.If you come across dead deer in the field, please report them by following these directions: To report the presence of dead deer, we encourage members of the public to contact their nearest MDNR Wildlife office or fill out the Sick or diseased bird or mammal Reporting Form. If you have specific information that has been reported to you but that has not yet been shared (not first hand), you may report it on the same form. The form requests a zip code; if you don't know the zip code of the location of the suspect EHD deer, just enter 55555. Thank you. Recommended material: EHD in Wild Ruminants, National Wildlife Health Center, Wildlife Health Bulletin 2012-5"