10 years ago we were loaded with wildlife in my area. Deer, coyotes, and smaller stuff like armadillos, foxes, rabbits, possums, skunks and quail were abundant. Fire ants were a PITA.

My approx. 1.75 to 2 acre pond became a 1/4 acre muddy mess. It's now full and some fish survived. My forage pond almost dried up but I restocked. The BG got hurt but the GSF did OK. My spring fed creek dried up and is now running. No idea whether the springs are fully recharged.

We went through 5 years of severe drought. I doubt that I averaged over 15 inches per year. All populations, with the exception of hogs and coons, dropped significantly. I went several years without seeing snakes.

Due to the high price of grass hay, ranchers severely culled their herds with the resulting high price of beef. Some people turned their horses out on the roads. They couldn't afford to feed them. Now, cattle prices are dropping but the price of beef at the store is still ridiculous. Like the Godfather said "It's just business". The price of horses has gone up quite a bit but I'm through with them.

Two years of floods have brought about a change in some species. Fire ant beds are everywhere. I'm hearing coyotes again before daylight. Other species should also be rebounding but I have no idea how long it will take for some of them.

I'm seeing quite a few rabbits so the coyotes ought to be OK. Hawks also seem to be rebounding. Quail are non existent so I don't expect them to rebound. I'm still not seeing many possums, skunks, etc. I've recently had a close call with a couple of rattlesnakes so I guess they're doing OK.

I've seen a couple of herds of 8 to 10 does on the back roads. I'm hoping they rebound. I'm seeing more turkeys.

I got close to 70 inches of rain last year. I've probably had 40+ inches this year. The jury is still out on Fall rains and next years weather. But, at this time I'm fixing my roads and trying not to whine too much about too much rain.

That 70 and 40 inches of rain would be welcome a half inch or inch at a time... Seems every time you get wet lately it's by the bucket. Best of luck to you down there, hope you get into a more stable pattern soon.

Dave it sounds like you are having the same things at your place.... Can't complain about the rain tho... Just wish it would come at 1/2" at a time not 3-5" but I remember the drought so not complaining a bit. Deer had a good fawn crop, coins are everywhere, opossums are thick. Even saw a grey fox out during the day. Bunnies are all around and will let you get within 3-5' from them. Pond is overflowing still so I have to go net up the escapes every few days. Hogs haven't been thick so far, which is good. It's all good

DD,
Do you think that your area will fall back into drought after the "El Nino" has ended?

Dan

Dan
If history repeats .

So far to date in SE Texas, we've had ~33" of rain this year. In 2015 we ended up with around 64". We seem to get it all in the spring and the fall with a 4-5 month drought in the summer months. But right now, everything is lush and green. We see a lot of deer and hog tracks and I have noticed a bumper crop of rabbits this year. Things could be much worse. We are grateful for the rain whether it comes down in teacups or #3 washtubs. Agreeing with Pat W...history does tend to repeat....funny thing is, I've witnessed (what people refer to as) 3 different 100 year floods in the past 2 months in the Houston area.

6" of rain this morning, 2-3/4" yesterday, almost 5" a few days before that. The 2 24" overflow culverts are running almost half way full on a 5 acre lake, that is a lot of water.

Dan, I think there is a good chance but who knows? Our "normal" rainfall is only about 28 inches per year.

Just saying. Does anyone else see a trend taking place of wild weather world wide as the scientist told us it would happen? Canary in the coal mine effect.

John, it seems like rain/weather inconsistencies have always been a fact of life.

I was raised on a farm. I remember looking at the skies and wondering whether it would ever rain again. Then we had to plant again after getting floods. About like now.