Winter Whitetails

[mcary]

Was out exploring some bog in a wildlife management area near my home and happened to find a whitetail hot spot. Here are a few sample images from today. The deer were pretty cooperative until the big one in the final image came out and took note of us.

[Steve Foss]

Great environmentals, Mike. I love the way the bog tapers into the distance in the background, with the OOF woods making a more dramatic background than just the gray sky often seen in such shots. Very nice compositions.

[floating minnow]

Very nice.

[Dbl]

They look great Michael.

[Andrew Erickson]

awesome!

[fishermn]

Wow, very nice pics. I would like to have seen that last deer a couple months back when he had antlers he would have been a real beauty (Assuming its a buck). Obviously an older deer though, look at the body size and the sagging back...

[Tom Wilson]

These are nice Michael. I like the first one, but I too would like to see that bruiser during bow season next year.

God bless,

Tom W

[brassman]

Yes I too would to know if that is a buck with no antlers. and how far out of Duluth were you no specifics unless of course you don't mind telling me.

[Steve Foss]

I'm thinking buck. That neck still appears to be a bit big in proportion to the head to be a doe. I know the rut's passed, but the secondary rut in December isn't THAT long gone, and that neck could be a bit of a leftover. Also, the bucks that come into our yard here in Ely began shedding their antlers in mid December. We had a 12-pointer before Christmas with one shed antler, and another 8-pointer dropped both by Dec. 18. A little basket rack we've had, like the one in these pics, didn't start dropping his antlers until Jan. 10.

[mcary]

It was taken a few miles north of Duluth off of the Lavaque Rd, which is just west of County Rd 4. There is a nice size wildlife management area called Canosia WMA. I was well off of the trail when I found this group to the south and west of the parking lot. By the mere size comparison with the other deer, I would guess it would almost have to have been a buck that already dropped its rack. When this deer came out from the trees it literally dwarfed the rest of the deer. Wish he would have still been carrying his rack for the picture, but I'll have to be happy with what I was able to get.

[brassman]

if you look at its head it looks like it is a bit more grey and has a what looks like slants right in front of the ears where the pedicles would be. I say its a buck. I can't wait till more drop, I'm anxious.