Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Deer Fever

I enjoyed the article "Deer Fever" in the Jan/Feb PondBoss. I think it is great that we can include wildlife topics. Information for deer management on small recreational properties is very limited. The "DEER" books put out by Dr. James C. Kroll are better suited for the classroom than practical application. The information provided by Dan Van Schaik is more in tune with the property owner's needs. I would hope to see more deer management articles in PondBoss. I would also like to see "Wildlife or Deer Management" as a topic on this forum. I have contacted Dan Van Schaik and we are setting up a time for him to come out and do a deer management assessment of my farm.

How about it is their interest in deer managemrnt?

David, like you, I look forward to Van Schaiks writings. I have also noticed more articles on land management. Last months issue had one on creating a shelter belt next to an Iowa pond. It was more wildlife related than pond. Sherman Wyman has written about not building a lake due to environmental concerns on his land. We are seeing a shift, in the mag, from how to raise and catch bass and other fish to more outdoor related landowner issues. I like that. Most of us have more land issues than just our ponds.

But that's the mag and this is the website. I don't know. The mag is a commercial venture and the website is something those guys, Lusk, Otto and Wyman finance on their own. In the fall and winter, there are quite a few posts on hunting. There may be an interest. Heck, I like the idea but more from a land and wildlife management slant than just deer. A quick look shows that Feeding has fewer posts than anything else.

No way that we can say this is only a purist pond site. Not with all of the Pirates and Mountain Dew junkies around.

You and I are going to need another interest. If it doesn't rain soon we will be living vicariously through the other guys. Hey, maybe one on the intricacies of rain dancing. Or maybe something on "Managing your dust".

Guys, when I took the editors reins two years ago, I wanted to do two things...add more writers and diversify into wildlife around a pond. Dan is becoming more comfortable as a writer and does a good job presenting his thoughtful words as a life long dirt biologist. If we do think about including wildlife, I think we would want to focus on land improvement, wildlife improvement and habitat issues.

The PB considers...
2 big thumbs up from Illinois! I have as much focus on this subject as I do in creating a successful fish habitat for our project. I don't think I'm alone.

Im in.

My pond is half the reason I own land, the other reason is the wildlife.

Gator

Gator :

Has that hound shown up again at your place? If it stays around to long you won't have much wildlife.

I do not promote it here but I'm a wildlife bioloigst here as well (mostly deer biology). We are finally after many request starting up another company. Southern Wildlife and Land Consultants. I will mention the website when it is up if folks don't mind b/c I would like your input. I'm excited about it. Bob if you need some help on some articles let me know.

I havent seen the hound since the last time I posted...hopefully he kept running right out of my county!

: )

I cant wait to see how my food plots are doing with the recent rains...no to mention my ponds.

Gator

A diversified forum sounds good to me.
After all…….the management of forestlands, cropland, pastureland, rangelands, etc. adjacent to watershed drainages directly affects or impacts our “beloved ponds”. The water quality, water quantity and general biology of the pond system is a direct result of surrounding watershed health.

So yes; I wouldn’t mind seeing more discussion on wildlife, forestry, hydrology, pasture management, crop management, food plots, etc.

We have actually used cattle in our Ranch riparian system, to assist with the fertilization of the ponds water column. We have noticed a direct improvement in phytoplankton and the resulting food chain. Correct fencing and timed grazing have helped us achieve this goal. I don’t believe I would have tried this without PB forum experts and ideas.

Very exciting stuff, especially if you are interested in a “holistic” approach to watershed management……. at any scale.

Thanks PB!

I haven't had time to read it yet, but I look forward to it. Like Alligator, the main reason I live where I do is because of the ponds and the wildlife. I look forward to seeing more on helping tie the two. Lately (in the middle of a drought) the main area I see deer is right around my pond. Early in the year I have a healthy duck population as well, although my feeble attempts at Japanese Millet have failed miserably. Keep up the great work in the mag!