Antlers, for sale

We have three sets of antlers that have not been spoken for yet this year. Prices range from $85 to $100 for a matching pair of naturally shed antlers along with a photo of the buck wearing the antlers. It's a great way to support the Reserve.  Lengths vary from 24-29 inches and palm average about 5 inches.

For more information, please email us at 

jmcd@reztel.net


Thanks.

Antler Sweepstakes 2011

Antlers started falling on April 8 this year about three days later than last. Here is the order. There is some thinking that the most dominant buck loses his antlers first

2011


1.Moki, April 8
2.Bash, April 8, 9
3.Mike, April 13
4.Buddy, April 14, 15
5.EGee, April 16
6.Spike, April 16
7. Max, April 16
8. Murph, April 21, 22

2010

1. Moki, April 6
2. Bash, April 6
3. Murph, April 8
4. Buddy, April 12
5. Mike, April 15
6. Spike, April 15
7. Max, April 15, April 16
8. EGee, April 18

New feeding stations

Thanks to design and carpentry skills of Terri Thomson and Sam Bush, the deerkeepers came up with a prototype elevated feeding bowl. As they age, we need to be sure that each one gets enough grains, probiotics or meds in addition to hay.

This winter we developed a system using the large bowls that came with the AP-18 mineral licks rather than just putting the grains on the ground and hoping each one received adequate nutrition or meds. By quickly pouring the grains into the bowls, all the bucks were able to consume equal amounts. Don Murphy designed some simple troughs that allow for quick pouring of the 600g portion. As this feeding has been a daily occurrence, the bucks soon got used to it. Only the same number of bowls as deer to be fed are filled, so they tend to stay put rather than waste time moving from bowl to bowl.

Problems with the bowls on the ground occurred when the bucks knocked the buckets about so that we could not reach the bowls from the outside of the fence or, as does happen, someone pooped in a bowl. Snow, ice and rain also caused some difficulties. Sometimes, antlers got hooked into the fence if the bowl was too close to it. This system with the bowl on a slant keeps the grains as far away from the fence as possible and the bowls are big enough to allow space for brow antlers.


We tried the prototype yesterday using EGee as our test buck. He paced back and forth a few times sniffing the air and trying to figure out this new contraption. After about 30 seconds, he had no trouble digging in as these photos show.


Thanks to our godchild, Miesje Stewart and her cousin Logan Stewart, we have put together six feeding stations and should have all eight at the Reserve by tomorrow.

Update: EGee

 EGee, April 2, 2011

EGee continues to remain skinny but otherwise okay (eating, pooping, pronking, etc). He is still in isolation and receiving daily grains with added probiotics in addition to hay.

We are waiting for the antlers to fall before we release him back with the others in the herd. Last year the first antlers fell on April 5, so soon he will be back with his buddies. We are just too worried that he will lose any fight as he weighs significantly less than the other 7. Or, he may think he is the king of the castle having not had to jostle or fight for position in the herd for the past two months. So that’s the reason for the delay in introducing him back to the herd.

At the very least, we no longer worry that we will find him dead, and we dare to think he is going to make it for awhile longer. Thank goodness for warmer weather.