Chuck R.
Member
So, what are you working on in the off season?
Habitat improvement: Last week I planted an additional 4 apple trees in my deer engagement area. 3 Dolgo Crabs and another Arkansas Black. I also started another 36 acorns, a mix of Chinkapin, red oak and burr oak in pots, to replace some of my losses from last springs 65 tree planting. They're already sprouting and I'll keep them in pots till the fall so I'm not stuck watering them the hard way like last year. Next I plan on buying 5-6 cheap Nutall Oaks (red oak, drops late) to plant next to my chestnut grove. Intent is to spread out my hard mast availability. Also last week I fertilized the fruit trees and chestnuts I planted last year. Post hunting season I also planted a a lot of acorns around some of my hedge & drainage areas, hopefully enough that the squirrels didn't find them all. Since I'm not burning for the next couple years that should give them time to sprout and grow so I can find them and protect them for when I burn next. I'm also hoping to finally buy a 3Pt tiller this summer to make putting in the plots a little easier.
Hunting firearms: Now that my .260 project is done I'm working on my Rem M7 MS in .350RM, the intent is to lighten it up some in prep for a WY elk hunt in 2024. I've got a Manners stock on order and I'm sending the barreled action out o be Cerakoted next month. All up it should weigh just under 7lbs VS. the just over 8lbs now. I'm also starting to revamp my old Rem 700 in 300Win Mag, in prep for the WY Elk hunt. Last year I dropped it in a B&C Alaskan Ti stock, this year it's getting a Leupold VX6HD 3-18X with either the B&C or Tri-MOA illuminated reticle.
Practice: As a stated in another post, this is the year I learn the precision tripod. I'm booked for a guided mule deer hunt in SE MT for the week before thanksgiving. Friends that have hunted there before with the same guide service say that shots are normally 300 and under. I'll practice further just in case.
So what's your plans for the off season?
Habitat improvement: Last week I planted an additional 4 apple trees in my deer engagement area. 3 Dolgo Crabs and another Arkansas Black. I also started another 36 acorns, a mix of Chinkapin, red oak and burr oak in pots, to replace some of my losses from last springs 65 tree planting. They're already sprouting and I'll keep them in pots till the fall so I'm not stuck watering them the hard way like last year. Next I plan on buying 5-6 cheap Nutall Oaks (red oak, drops late) to plant next to my chestnut grove. Intent is to spread out my hard mast availability. Also last week I fertilized the fruit trees and chestnuts I planted last year. Post hunting season I also planted a a lot of acorns around some of my hedge & drainage areas, hopefully enough that the squirrels didn't find them all. Since I'm not burning for the next couple years that should give them time to sprout and grow so I can find them and protect them for when I burn next. I'm also hoping to finally buy a 3Pt tiller this summer to make putting in the plots a little easier.
Hunting firearms: Now that my .260 project is done I'm working on my Rem M7 MS in .350RM, the intent is to lighten it up some in prep for a WY elk hunt in 2024. I've got a Manners stock on order and I'm sending the barreled action out o be Cerakoted next month. All up it should weigh just under 7lbs VS. the just over 8lbs now. I'm also starting to revamp my old Rem 700 in 300Win Mag, in prep for the WY Elk hunt. Last year I dropped it in a B&C Alaskan Ti stock, this year it's getting a Leupold VX6HD 3-18X with either the B&C or Tri-MOA illuminated reticle.
Practice: As a stated in another post, this is the year I learn the precision tripod. I'm booked for a guided mule deer hunt in SE MT for the week before thanksgiving. Friends that have hunted there before with the same guide service say that shots are normally 300 and under. I'll practice further just in case.
So what's your plans for the off season?