Larry A. Smail's Blog

Foggy at SGL 247

My hike today was for many reasons. I wanted to enjoy the beautiful spring weather; get some exercise; look and listen for wildlife; photos and to perform a test. As you know, the deer tick issue has become a major problem in Pennsylvania. I love being outdoors, but removing and eliminating 30, 40 to over 60 ticks from my clothes (and sometimes embedded ones on my body) is proving to be a deterrent. I just sent away for a product with permethrin as an ingredient. This material is produced from crushed chrysanthemums. The reviews of the product were very good so I decided to give it a try.   

Last year's Teasel

You can not use this as most other bug sprays. You need to spray your clothes prior (at least two hours in advance)to the hike or hunt. The test of this morning proved to be successful for the most part. However, I walked about State Game Lands 247 as I would have done BT. (Before Ticks) The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s food plots were not very high yet. Vegetation averaged from 3 inches to one foot. A few areas had higher grasses and dead goldenrod. I removed and killed one tick from my pants. BUT, I have had ticks on me in similiar circumstances here!

More time afield will be needed to totally convince me, but things are looking good!

Ring-neck Rooster

The morning produced a fog that was quickly dissipated once the sun’s heat reached a certain temperature. I heard, at least, four different roosters and saw at least four different ring-necks. I took about 10 photos of these beautiful birds. I heard a hen turkey and a gobbler off and on throughout the morning.Later I would see a different gobbler among the heavy plant life.

Mallards

I, also, saw a doe and her two fawns from last year. I saw a mallard hen in a field. I approached her and two ducks flew from the field. I have no idea as to why they were so far from water. Many small birds could be viewed darting among the multiflora roses.     

I was scolded by a Canada Goose along a game lands pond. I knew a nest had to be somewhere at the pond’s edge.

The two-hour hike was enjoyable, but the temperatures were getting warm by 9:30. I will add more information on this product as time goes on.

Foxtail