White-tailed deer: survivors
PHOTOS BY GARRY BRANDENBURG — White-tailed deer are survivors. They have been brought back by careful management as modern day science of wildlife biology has learned a huge amount regarding population dynamics of this species. From a low USA population estimate in the early 1900s of a few tens of thousands, the overall USA population of white-tails is now over 20 million. This is a managed population number by careful biological habitat management and off take each fall by well regulated hunting. Today's image of unique deer antlers can be observed at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum at the Bass Pro complex in Springfield, Mo. As for the doe deer running away with its white flag in full display, this all too often is the last thing a deer hunter may see. Persistence pays off in the long run as hunters try to be in the right place at the right time to kill a nice white-tail during regulated hunting seasons.
White-tailed deer are everywhere it seems — in the city, in remote Iowa corn fields, along timbered edges, or in the middle of pheasant cover far from any forested lands. This species of cervids has adapted to people, agriculture, and changing landscapes of intense row crop production.
The population in the United States is over 20 million at this time. Its population potential is for even more deer than this. That scenario is not a desired outcome by biologists, however. They must take into account the habitats the deer live in, and the social ‘carrying capacity’ of what the general population of people and politicians will tolerate.
That balance is, at least for Iowa, set in place and adjusted annually by regulations focused on putting the pressure where it is needed. That is why Iowa counties that border the Mississippi River, where a lot more forest lands exist, both public and private, have a higher off take each year. Interior Iowa counties each have a quota for antlerless numbers that hunters are encouraged to remove.
As of mid week, Iowa deer hunters have taken just shy of 6,000 white-tails. This includes deer taken by youth during their early season, and archers who are out and about now waiting and watching deer movements. Top counties for deer harvesting are typically reflected in habitat availability.
Examples include Clayton, Boone, Clarke, Dallas, Dubuque, Des Moines, Guthrie, Jackson, Linn, Marion, Polk, Van Buren and Warren. Each of these counties always has harvest reports in the top tier. Also typical are other counties with lower numbers of deer kills.
These examples include Grundy, Calhoun, Audubon, Crawford, Ida, Pocahontas, and Shelby. Historically, by the end of deer seasons on Jan. 10, 2023, these latter counties will have low counts. By the time all the numbers are in for the entire state, over 100,000 deer will
be taken by hunters, archers and gun hunters.
As an avid archer myself, I have already enjoyed several forays into deer habitats. I use a combination of tree stands and/or strategically placed ground blinds in several private and even public land areas. I take due note of wind direction so that I can place myself in a setting where any scent will be carried away from the deer trails I am overlooking. This variety allows me to make the best use of my time.
I always carry a camera with me, my trusty 35 mm, to try and record any wildlife activity of interest. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it does not.
For instance, last weekend while sitting in a ground blind, a fast flying sharp-shinned hawk came gliding in at very close range to “inspect” my camouflaged figure. Luckily, it veered away at the last second to avoid me.
As much as I would like to have been able to film that hawk approaching, it all happened too quick. So I just have to be content with a new memory of another fantastic natural history moment.
Also last weekend, while sitting in a ground blind behind a bunch of fallen logs, a nice buck deer appeared at 80 yards, and he walked straight toward my location. He did not know I was watching. My camo leafy designed jacket and head covering worked well to not be noticed.
Even though I would have liked to photograph this nice buck with his very little three by three rack, I was forced to remain motionless. Only my eyes were moving.
This buck came within 15 yards of my hiding spot and never knew he was being observed. My bow and arrow remained laying in my lap because this buck needs at least five more years to reach his potential for a larger body and larger antlers.
And lastly, later that same evening, a small spike buck came along the trail. His antlers were just three inch long spikes. He was a cute little fellow.
What made me almost laugh out loud, however, was his reaction to a deer decoy I had placed in nearby tall grass. This facsimile of a real buck with big antlers made of foam was a surprise waiting for the spike buck.
When the little buck finally noticed the fake buck, he turned around so fast and ran away in the direction he had come from. There would be no battle of the bucks in an outmatched situation.
Hunting forays like this are always interesting. I learn something new every time I conclude another tree stand sit or ground blind wait. Mother Nature provides education and entertainment all wrapped up in one package. It is good to be outdoors.
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Did you notice the full Hunter’s Moon last weekend? I did. It was spectacular.
I had just completed a deer watch and it was time to head home. As I walked out of the forest going eastward, the big moon was just slightly above the horizon and reflecting sunlight back to earth from our Sun that was directly opposite the alignment of moon and earth.
The moon was a big orb in the sky and beautiful to see. The actual full moon, astronomically speaking, took place on Oct. 9 at 3:54 p.m. central time, when that moon was still below the horizon of North America. So given a few hours time, the moon did rise as the earth rotated to bring it into view.
The name Hunter’s Moon comes from a matter of timing, when people of generations past noted that this time frame in October is an ideal time to go hunting. Our hunter/gatherer ancestors needed to prepare for a long winter soon to come. Hunting was used to lay up a supply of meat
and other foods for survival.
Seeing that big bright full moon made me curious. So following are a few moon facts to ponder. How far away is this orbiting moon of Earth? On average, it is 238,855 miles away.
Astronomers measure these distances quite accurately now with laser devices and physics calculations. Our moon can be as close to earth as 225,623 miles (perigee) or as far away as 255,088 miles (apogee). It takes light photons from our Sun eight minutes to strike earth over an average distance of 93,000,000 miles.
It takes reflected light off the moon just 1.3 seconds to reach earth. Light travels enormously fast — 300,000 kilometers per second or 186,000 miles per second.
Distances between solar objects are calculated from the center of one to the center of another. Over time, the slight elliptical shape of the moon’s orbit around Earth and the Earth’s own slightly elliptical orbit combine to make earth-moon distances change all the time in predictable
fashion. There are five reflector devices on the moon’s surface left by our space voyagers. Laser lights aimed at these reflectors allow for precise measuring of time, and thus distance.
Lastly, did you know that our moon is spiraling away from earth at the rate of about 1.5 inches per year? Yes indeed, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, the moon is slowly getting farther away.
But no panic is required or even suggested. It will stabilize at an equilibrium point when the duration of the lunar orbital period equals the rotational period of Earth. That will take an estimated 50 billion years, according to Solar System Science.
Fossil records written in rock layers also have a moon connection. If the moon is going away now, this implies it was closer to earth in the geologic past. Fossil shells of mollusks from 80,000,000 years ago show that earth days were 372 in a one year cycle, and geologic evidence tells scientists that earth to moon distances during Precambrian times (2.5 billion years ago) was on average only 205,000 miles.
I’ll take the astronomer’s word on this. It is fantastic time travel to contemplate.
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Woolly Bear Caterpillars look like fuzzy worm-like creatures of black and dark brown stripes. These curious little insect stages are the life cycle interim of the Isabella Tiger Moth, a flying insect moth with a wingspan of 1.5 to two inches.
Active at night, the moth feeds on nectar and goes about its life unseen by people. When it lays its eggs, the larvae stages hatch and grow slowly through time. There are six stages of caterpillar life and molting events. Each molt has a slightly different amount of black and brown as this animal matures in its caterpillar phases.
They shed their skins six times before reaching adult size. Each time they molt, the color pattern of black and rusty red setae patterns is different than the one previous.
The myth that winter severity or lack thereof can be told by observing this insect and its color pattern is just folklore.
What is fact is that this insect larva stage can survive winter weather as cold as -90 degrees Fahrenheit. Amazing!
The fuzzy appearance helps the insect slowly cool as winter nears and allows the body to freeze in a controlled fashion. They can settle in for a winter by manufacturing an antifreeze called glycerol.
Everything freezes except the very interior of its cells. Those cells are protected by hemolymph. When Mother Nature figured this animal out, she did a super job involving incredible chemistry.
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Pheasants Forever’s banquet is Nov. 5. The combined chapters of Marshall and Tama Counties work well to pull off a great fundraising event. Games, prizes and raffles will be part of the evening along with great food.
Tickets in advance are your best deal. Call 641-861-1015 or 641-751-4487 for tickets, questions or to volunteer your services.
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Garry Brandenburg is the retired director of the Marshall County Conservation Board.
Contact him at: P.O. Box 96
Albion, IA 50005
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- PHOTOS BY GARRY BRANDENBURG — White-tailed deer are survivors. They have been brought back by careful management as modern day science of wildlife biology has learned a huge amount regarding population dynamics of this species. From a low USA population estimate in the early 1900s of a few tens of thousands, the overall USA population of white-tails is now over 20 million. This is a managed population number by careful biological habitat management and off take each fall by well regulated hunting. Today’s image of unique deer antlers can be observed at the Wonders of Wildlife Museum at the Bass Pro complex in Springfield, Mo. As for the doe deer running away with its white flag in full display, this all too often is the last thing a deer hunter may see. Persistence pays off in the long run as hunters try to be in the right place at the right time to kill a nice white-tail during regulated hunting seasons.
Outdoors Today
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Wildlife taxidermy art on display March 23
