
Work Side of Play
Story by Bill L. Olson
Most any recreational pursuit comes with a certain amount of maintenance, replacement and improvements over time. When that pastime is a passion most times it is much less arduous.
There are those that live in the “sub-Arctic” of our country that must winterize water and irrigation supply lines. On a lake they have to pull floating boat docks before the big freeze arrives. That all sounds like work, but it goes with the territory so as the saying goes, “getter done.”
In the Lone Star State, we are blessed to not have those winter spells that come and stay. While some parts might have to do some winterizing, the chill down last for just a few days at most and then it’s back to work.
Across Texas this is a time to evaluate what works, what needs to be repair, replaced, or relocated plus address rangeland, habitat enhancement and water improvement. Here are some tips to consider while many trees and brush are still void of foliage plus suggestions for both short- and longer-term projects.
Memories will be fresh with the recent closing of regulated big game seasons. Blinds and feeders need to be addressed. Number One on everyone’s list should be integrating a cottonseed program. Bucks loose 25 percent of their body weight during the rut and those that already are feeding this cotton by-product swear by the results.
One tip when putting cottonseed feeders out around water resources is to put at least two or more. The idea is the dominate buck will come in and claim one feed station. With several the entire herd will have a chance to consume the fiber-covered seed and benefit.
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