WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? The 2024 Apple Tree Pruning season has begun at CFA. We are scheduled to prune every day from early January into early April. Since doing this pruning program 5 or so years ago, we sure do get to know winter in the Catskills. LastContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Lots of rain the last few days. Something I’ve been fascinated by is the build-up of foam in a stream after heavy rain. I wondered what caused it. According to the Ausable River Association, “Foam build-up is more prevalent in streams and rivers after rainfallContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Every deer has something unique or peculiar about them. This buck had broad paddle-like antlers at the base of his main-beam tines, kind of like a moose; Photos don’t really do it justice though. I have seen this trait on a few Catskill deerContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Another deer hunting season is in the books–or more accurately–the freezer. The deer I got had a good amount of fat on them indicating decent health, which is good to see; most likely from abundant acorns where I was. My second daughter Maple seemsContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Several years ago, while hiking in early fall, I snapped a photo of the sun hitting one of my favorite and familiar mountains. It stuck out to me & reminded me of that camping trip. Last September–while on my hiking trip again in theContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Thanksgiving is over and that means the Christmas season is in full swing in my house. Each year we visit Bell’s Christmas Tree Farm near Accord, Ulster County. This year we chose a Douglas fir; Its form and appearance seemed just right. Normally IContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Don’t get me wrong. I’d like to kill a big buck like most hunters. But, at the end of the day, I’m a deer hunter and does are exciting enough for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any doe tags during Opening Day weekend ofContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Remnants of last year’s deer made into tanned leather. I cut out the pieces using patterns and punch the holes and my wife does the sewing. I thought this pouch might come in handy while working up in the tree to hold small thingsContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Kind of difficult to tell, but this little flake is all that’s left, while hunting state-owned “wilderness” land a couple of weeks ago. Before NYS DEC took over, this area had once been privately-owned and someone’s farm. Besides a few foundations, rock walls, andContinue Reading
WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE FOREST? Spent a week in Upton, Long Island with CFA field staff at the New York Wildfire & Incident Management Training Academy. We took the S-130 & S-190 courses which represent Basic Wildland Firefighter training. It taught entry-level wildland firefighter skills and is often requiredContinue Reading