Site Discussions

Hell-0, We are wondering if it is ok to be putting out black oil sunflower seeds with the shells on for the chipmunks.

I don’t think you have done enough research. I got here via George so here’s his link on the issue. Every island that has done deer elimination has seen a different and positive improvement in the situation. And numerous studies show deer population to infection rates. http://georgesoutdoornews.bangordailynews.com/2016/10/28/environmental-issues/monhegan-killed-all-its-deer-and-eliminated-lyme-disease/

I love this time of year, from August on. What makes the very loud chirp, reminds me of frogs in the spring?

Got a call from my son said he was week and blacking out. Rushed him to hospital. His heart ekg was all over the place, even completely stopping. Locals didn’t know what it was, rushed him to the big city hospital to the cardiac unit. Cardiac surgeon took one looks and diagnosed lyme immediately administered strong anti bionics. Blood tests confirmed later. This doc saved his life. We had no idea lyme could do this. Everyone needs to up there awareness all over the country, We are getting the word out everywhere we can.

A wonderful set of notes for the fall symphony! Thanks.

Dear T, the main challenge in sharpening safety chain centers around the function of rakers, and their eventually needing adjustment.
As the tooth is filed back, it is also filed down. A “raker depth gauge” is used to get each one right, this is important to speedy yet chatter free cutting.
The safety bumpers and whatnot interfere with proper raker adjustment.

While doing the research for this article, I learned that high mouse populations seem to have more effect on tick numbers than deer populations, and that deer control hasn’t had much impact.

I see fly agarics in our boreal forest often, just today, actually!  I can’t help but think of the image of red capped fly agarics in Christmas scenes, leading me to believe that Santa’s reindeer must enjoy them, and it makes fly!

I have been looking for an article like this one for months. Thank you!

I had a deer tick on me for 24 hours. I’m 67 and I sure didn’t want to get Lyme disease. So I went to see my doctor right away when I found it.

An antibiotic prescription, just one pill took care of the problem.  Just one pill, because I acted quickly.

My suggestion is, don’t take the chance of getting Lyme.  Go see your doctor and take that one antibiotic pill.

I have a “prarie cascade” willow that I just planted a few months ago and was devastated to notice some deer damage past few days.  Majority of branches are still attached, but there is a lot of scuffing and rubbing of the tree midway…everything I read has had different opinions.  I really want to make sure it winters ok; do I really just hope it can mend without any intervention?

According to the study, Vermont’s losing about 1,500 acres of forest per year, Amy.

I disagree with your characterization of Current Use. It’s not a preservation program—all the lands that are in it must have a forest management plan, which ensures the lands stay working. This is different than states in southern New England, where some Current Use programs are preservationist in nature (in other words, the landowners don’t have to do anything but forgo putting up houses in order to get the tax break.)

It’s also not really fair to say that taxpayers are subsidizing the land in Current Use. All Current Use does is tax a parcel of forestland as a parcel of forestland and not as a potential development. Why would you tax it as if it were a development if it’s not? That would be like taxing a waitress as if she were a lawyer. The way I see it the state’s simply forgoing money it has no logical right to in the first place.

All this said, I hear you. It is frustrating that land values and property taxes go up and up and working class people bear the brunt of it.

Have been feeding 9 skunks making peanut butter sandwiches but it’s getting expensive and so darn messy is there a less costly and easier option? I just wouldn’t feel right stopping altogether as they ( the same gang ) have been coming for months now and expect their pb&j sandwiches. What about peanuts in the shell ?(unsalted of course) thanks for your help in advance !

Is this the same pest tree known as “silver maple” in Newfoundland?  Seems to fit most criteria, especially the ground-root spread which makes it near impossible to remove.

Deer hunts are a critical and important issue. Research on island populations and other areas shows low deer density reduces infected tick density. Nothing false about it. The key is that you have to get to low densities. A one time or temporary reduction does nothing as deer are amazing at reproducing.

Break this down by state please.  New England includes Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts as well as Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine.  I want to see just how much each state has contributed to this alleged “loss.”  78% of Vermont, that is 4.46 million acres, is forest.  In Vermont, EVERY taxpayer contributes to fund the Current Use program agricultural and forest preservation program. The poorest-of-the-poor kick in to subsidize the property taxes of the richest-of-the-rich who own acres and acres of land (that the poor can’t afford.)  Be honest and put the blame where it lies.  It’s NOT in Vermont.

Thank you. I will have more fun with watching squirrels. Any reason to add to their resources?

Complicating our desire to keep our own forests and fields free from development are the rapidly increasing property taxes that seriously burden retirees like us who live on a fixed income.  We can’t possibly keep up with rising costs yet don’t wish to sell off our development rights.  No win situation for us or the country.

Christiana in CT.  In Northampton, Mass, William Edwards used water power for grinding the bark instead of using horse power.  That was his first innovation.  After that, the application of heat to the tanning process sped up the process.  He invented and patented a copper heater as well as a rolling machine used to finish the tanned leather.  These advancements stood as the standard for many years and were the first innovations in the tanning trade for centuries.

David,

That’s great to hear. Hurray for coexistence!