That's about the same as we've had here. I remember Sunday morning, it had warmed up into the 50's overnight, rained off and on all day Sunday. Yesterday (Monday), we had a strong south wind, I think we hit a high temperature of 72*. We're back into the 40's now with a chance of rain, ice and snow.
Our ground is wet and warm now.
Above we were talking about or mast crop. I noticed 6 or 8 weeks ago that our deer have really been working on pine brush and laurel. Some areas worse than others.
A while back I was out on one of the local hunt clubs, that club is only 2,300 acres. But once you get to the property line, behind a locked gate, there is a big sign, it's like 3 feet square. Can't miss it. This is what it says:
'PLEASE SAVE OUR DOES. In order to reestablish the population, please refrain from shooting does, unless you are a youth hunter or it is your first deer. This is voluntary and we would appreciate your help".
The theory being (and I agree with the theory), that if we'd cut our female deer some slack for 4 or 5 or 6 years, our population will rebound. But it's not just this one little club of 2,300 acres, you can talk to about anyone that hunts in the mountains and they'll tell you the same thing. If we are all in aggreement and stick to the plan, it will make a difference. In my opinion it has started to make a difference.
Nobody is going to get upset or bent out of shape if someone does kill a doe or 2. The club is just asking everyone to cut them some slack.
Don't want anyone to thing that I'm against killing does, I'm not. I've shot my share, but when I go doe hunting, I'm going to go down along the river someplace and get an easy one.
Here's an interesting link:
https://dwr.virginia.gov/blog/do-white-tailed-fawns-breed/There is another link about fawns breeding, I'll try to find it later.