With the cold and the snow, the deer are returning to their wintering areas they have been coming to for 100 years or so. We have been helping them through the harsh winters for over 50 years.
At one time not many years ago, people who keep watch of the wildlife and record the scene with cameras counted over 200 deer at one feeding in my yard. It then started to decline. The next year it was 150 then 100. Last winter we counted 90. This winter so far about 40 deer have returned. Old Allie returned the very next day after musket season closed. We were elated for we had been told that a hunter had tagged Allie while they were at Pines Market. So imagine our joy when he came marching right up my driveway the day after the guns went silent.
However, I regret to announce that after all these years we have been feeding the deer twice a day, I have now had to cut back to one feeding a day (3 to 3:30 p.m.) of which the animals just don’t understand. The reason, of course, is the increased cost of the corn feed and the high cost of gas to haul it from Farmington. Also the high cost of diesel fuel to the growers of the corn last year. The feed corn was $200 per ton then it went up to $220! Now I’m told the next load will be $250 and where will it end?
Donations have always been the driving force of the feeding program; without donations I would have to abandon it long ago. I am not a wealthy farmer! I do appreciate each and every donation. But due to the economic state of the world they have dried up to just a trickle.
I very well understand the increase in the cost of corn. The growers are also caught in the great increase in the fuel cost as every aspect if growing feed corn and oats or soybeans takes a tremendous amount of fuel. The big machinery required in every aspect of preparing the soil, the cultivation for a better crop, the harvesting, transporting to the dryers. Do not forget seed costs are very high and fertilizers have all risen to an all time high. Other costs to the growers. It takes a lot of propane and electricity to run the dryers. Soybeans have to be roasted to preserve them so that takes either propane or No. 1 fuel to run the roasters. Don’t forget the grinders and mixers, which also require fuel.
Forgive me if I left something out. But I’m not oblivious to the cost. For good reasons I don’t believe the drillers and oil sheiks and barons give a hoot as to what their greed is doing to this United States.
Basil Powers
Coplin Plantation
