Site Discussions

That was such interesting reading. I have loads of toads visiting my garden in the summer months and they live under the sheds in my garden. I did wonder where they went when it got cold and now I know. It’s funny to think that whilst us humans are trying to keep warm during the winter months, all these creatures are now fast asleep all over the world. Roll on spring.

This article is very helpful. I have been thinking about a change in jobs for a while and have wanted and been planning a Christmas tree farm with also a pumpkin patch. I’d like to do it full time, but the drop in salary until the farm is completely up and running is daunting. Are there any other resources you would suggest for getting started in the business?

Thanks for the great information. I have been aging some venison in my garage fridge for about 7 days. I went to check on it yesterday and noticed the darker jerky-like appearance that you described. I plan on butchering and packaging the meat tomorrow. Do I need to trim that darker exterior off the meat?

Another eye catching attraction of tamaracks is the brilliant red female cones, when they first “blossom” in Spring. They look like little compressed roses, in ranks along a branch. Unfortunately that display is on upper branches of mature trees, so one needs to search saplings to enjoy that visual treat.

Amen!

This information was very helpful Thank you very much.

Dave, you said more in a few paragraphs than I could say in a lifetime about being in the woods in November.  Bravo

Replying to Charles North

Thanks for your kind comment!

Water scorpions certainly occur in Ohio. I find them in pond vegetation and they are easier to net from reeds (less tangling…not sure if they are more common in reeds or not). They don’t seem too picky about water quality. I get them in a VT pond that drains parking lots.

Hi Charles -

Thanks for the compliment on Declan’s article. Yes indeed, water scorpions are present in Ohio. Here’s a link to one photographed in Hocking County.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/179429

Your post brought back nice memories, Charles. Unfortunately Ed passed on two winters back. I wrote this piece in Northern Woodlands as an homage to him—I miss him a lot, especially this time of year: http://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/editors-note15

Your article on the water scorpion was interesting. Are these aquatic insects native to Ohio? I also appreciated the manner in which you ended the article with “out of the box thinking.” Thanks again!

A splitting axe and maul are two different things. They are not interchangeable like you suggest. An axe used for splitting wood prevents the wood from flying 6ft away. I never comment on anything but your article suggest someone using an axe doesn’t know what they are doing if they use it to split, it’s just an odd thing to say if you’ve actually used a real splitting axe like fiskars…also, you never strike the center of the wood, it splits by striking all around the center.

You are definitely correct…I have a tree farm here and have 4 acres of trees mostly Frasier and white spruce..it is a lot of work but rewarding….I love the people that come back every year and comment how nice my trees are….there were 2 other farms in my area and they are long gone….I am a small operation but have trees year after year…....

Almost as good as “Old Deercamps Never Die” years ago in Field and Stream…wish you would submit more to F&S !  Ed still around?

It’s a good question, Alane. And I don’t have a good answer. My guess is that because there’s so much land and a low enough human population density, hunters may play a smaller role in the overall deer population swings than they would in southern parts of NY and VT. If there’s less of an effect, the deer population can tolerate longer seasons. The real people to ask would be the NYDEC. As for feeling safe, I’d wear orange but otherwise go about my business without concern. There are about 4 “incidents” per 100,000 hunters in the U.S. each year, and almost always the accidents feature self-inflicted wounds or 2-party wounds (one hunter accidentally shoots his partner). Here’s the source of that info: http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife_pdf/nyhrsi2015.pdf. The bottom line is that you stand a much, much greater chance of being injured colliding with a deer in your car than you do getting shot by a hunter. There’s no reason not to enjoy the woods and feel safe.

Well done Mr Mance! I enjoy your always informed, often poetic articles but this one was beautiful, and a compliment to your art. The ADKs sound idyllic but my recent hunt on opening day in the Northeast Kingdom simply reminded me of how fortunate we all are to revisit old trails and stands ( like old friends ) here in most parts of the Northeast. Thank you !

Hi Ms. Lorie,

In our neighborhood we have one very lonely wild turkey. We use to have 5, but someone complained and now we only have the one. We all feel badly as he/she goes up to black cars and truck and even front glass doors and acts as though he/she is trying to show attention to his/her own reflection. A neighbor of mine has a porch that this lonely turkey will sometimes lay down and hang out on and actually play with my neighbors young dogs with the glass door between them.  Should we just leave him/her alone or should we call someone to catch this lonely turkey to bring him/her to a place where there are other turkeys? My neighbor has been feedings it and this turkey already knows when it’s eating time. Should we just leave him/her alone and just enjoy it’s company when it’s around or should we call someone to come pick him/her up and bring it to a place with other turkeys. Thanks so much and I enjoyed reading your article….it was very interesting and informative. 

Kathy G.

Another wonderful thing about this tree is that it is pollution sensitive, so when you see those beauties your are also seeing a fairly healthy environment.

I can see a stand of tamaracks tucked into the dark green firs on a neighboring hillside in Corinth, VT. They are like a glowing yellow beacon and make me smile.

Wonderful article.