Sweet find..

[wooly]

Litteraly...

 

I did a little hike this evening and decided to take the long way around to check my cams.
Along the way I found this honey bee hive in an old rotten tree so I had to reach in to investigate like a curious little woolybear!   
 I managed to pull out a few good size waffles of honeycomb and they were still dripping with oooey gooey goodness! I read somewhere before that honey has a crazy long shelf life so I couldn't resist a taste test!   
 I sat there licking my fingers for a half hour before I had a good sugar "buzz" going and decided to move on. I packed a few of the bigger juicy chunks out in a big ziplock, and I'll try to drain them for later! Anyone know a good way to do this? There's still plenty left in there I can go back for.

 

Funny thing is.., I probably got a bottle of honey in the fridge right now and no cravings for it in a long time. This must be some REALLY special stuff for me to feel the need to rescue the rest before "Pooh" wakes up,lol

 

 

 

 

 

[ny hunter]

WOW I have to say I have never seen a hive that big with that much honey before..

[Zag]

is it weird that id lick ur fingers???

[landtracdeerhunter]

Just be careful not to eat some of the larvae, that is left in that comb, unless you like a little protein in your honey, LOL. Nice aster honey, you have there!

 

Make some bees wax candles.

Edited February 14, 2014 by landtracdeerhunter

[wooly]

Just be careful not to eat some of the larvae, that is left in that comb, unless you like a little protein in your honey, LOL. Nice aster honey, you have there!

 

Make some bees wax candles.

 

Will they come back to this hive this summer?

 I was hoping I didn't disrupt something too much if there's a chance of them returning.

 

Now that I think of it.., I know where there was another even bigger hive last summer in a giant hole in a cherry tree. I'll have to check on it next time I pass by! They've been coming to this one for 2 or 3 years now, but I've never thought of raiding it while they're swarming around.

So much for shed hunting till some of this darn snow melts.

[Five Seasons]

I'm pretty sure they return. Had one in a tree every year I lived in my house in Alden. Always wanted to investigate but it was high

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[ELMER J. FUDD]

Love me some adventures of Wooly. Cool.

[rjmjr911]

Very nice find

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[First-light]

Wooly Wooly……...

[Red]

Now that is a hell of a sweet find that might be a good area to set up a stand and possibly get a bear during bow season

[landtracdeerhunter]

Will they come back to this hive this summer?

 I was hoping I didn't disrupt something too much if there's a chance of them returning.

 

Now that I think of it.., I know where there was another even bigger hive last summer in a giant hole in a cherry tree. I'll have to check on it next time I pass by! They've been coming to this one for 2 or 3 years now, but I've never thought of raiding it while they're swarming around.

So much for shed hunting till some of this darn snow melts.

 

The fact is that their are few if any wild swarms, will survive more than a year anymore. Without treatment for bee diseases, the swarm will die. The scent will lure new swarms, 99.9% from split offs of hived swarms.  The dark, stained comb indicated an older comb that has been used for several years. The  lighter comb is, most likely last seasons installment.

 

One other thing to note, if that white brood has any dark or milkyness to it when thawed, I wouldn't eat any of the honey, as that is a classic sign of American Foulbrood. Injesting the raw honey could have serious impact on human health. A small amount, can give you a severe case of diarrhea.

I'm sure you know by now.

Edited February 14, 2014 by landtracdeerhunter

[phade]

Great, wooly is probably posting from his toilet now.

[Arrow Flinger]

I can just picture you sitting there looking like Winnie the Pooh in the snow.

[Elmo]

Honey's shelf life is forever.  Honey never spoils.

[G-Man]

nice! the bees would be there now if they survived the winter..seems like you found a hive that died.. we use to use cheese cloth to seperate honey from the comb, save the wax nothin better for your bow strings..

[nyantler]

Yes the bees should have still been in the hive... they are very lethargic this time of year but can still pack a pretty good sting if you mess with their hive... they must have moved on or died off from this hive.

 

[fu2lmao]

looks like an ideal place for C. botulinum to grow, be careful and good luck

[Four Season Whitetail's]

I can just picture you sitting there looking like Winnie the Pooh in the snow.

Yeah with his fingers in his mouth and his pants at his ankles!!!!!