Whetstone Weekly: Thanksgiving Edition

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take a moment to reflect on the things I'm grateful for the incredible clients I've worked with, the landowners dedicated to making their properties a haven for wildlife, and the opportunity to share my passion with all of you through Whetstone Habitat. This week, we talk turkey, how to fill a post-rut buck tag, and take care of some housecleaning.

Share Your Success for Our Website Revamp

I'm working on a big project to revamp the Whetstone Habitat website, and I'd love your help! If you're a former client or landowner I've worked with, please consider sharing your favorite photo from this year—whether it's you with a buck or a shot of the habitat work we've accomplished on your farm. Adding a caption or brief testimonial would be incredibly gracious and greatly appreciated. You can email your photos and stories to [email protected].

Thanksgiving Turkey Talk: Fun Facts About Turkeys and Their Habitat

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Since Thanksgiving is just a few days away, it seems only fitting to share some interesting facts about wild turkeys:

1. Winter Flocks and Gregarious Behavior: Wild turkeys form large flocks during winter for mutual benefit. These groups help with predator detection and provide greater foraging efficiency, ensuring survival during the colder months when food sources are scarcer.

2. Habitat is Key for Turkey Populations: During winter, turkeys rely heavily on habitat that provides both cover and food sources. Mature woodlands with mast-producing trees, such as oaks, are essential for sustaining them during colder months. Open fields and grassy areas also play a role, offering seeds and residual crops. Creating a mix of these habitats ensures turkeys have what they need to thrive through winter.

Post-Rut Buck Strategies: Filling Your Tag

The post-rut can be one of the most challenging times to tag a mature buck, but it's far from impossible with the right approach. Here are my tips:

• Focus on Food Sources: Standing grains are my favorite, but any food source that can quickly be eaten in mass quantities will be attractive. Turnips, cover crops, and winter peas are good food sources, but any areas with a high density of red oak trees will be productive this time of the season on good acorn years.

• Hunt Cold Fronts: Weather changes often get bucks on their feet, especially during late-season cold fronts. Pay close attention to the forecast.

• Focus on Bedding Areas: Bucks are worn down after the rut, so prioritize food and rest. Target bedding areas close to quality food sources, as bucks won't travel far to refuel.

Closing Thoughts

As we give thanks this week, I want to thank each of you for being part of the Whetstone Habitat community. Don't hesitate to reach out if you're considering a consultation or need advice on your land. I'm working on integrating a new third-party scheduling system to make booking seamless and convenient. While the feature isn't live yet, it will soon allow for direct scheduling on my website. Whether scheduling a virtual office call to discuss your food plots or inquiring about an in-person consultation, this new feature will benefit everyone. Stay tuned for updates!

Here's wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving and a successful close to the hunting season. Remember, your efforts as land stewards are making a lasting impact—something we can all be thankful for.