Gleaton Chip Ranch Updates

[bgleaton]

I was able to check on the trees last weekend and saw that three trees died during the drought this past year, which we expected to happen due to how dry it has been. All of the other 24 trees are doing great. The Mexican Plum and Chickasaw Plum trees are doing really well! We will be re-mulching all of these trees and adding some cages around the ones that are growing out of the tubes. Here are some pictures of the trees:




Some of these trees grew over a foot this past year!


We saw some gobblers around the house feeder. We heard a couple of gobbles but still not very vocal yet.


My daughter found one of the sheds from a nice 10-pointer we let walk this past season. This side scored 63.3in so we are estimating this buck scored around 145in or so. We are hoping he can add some more mass and length this summer.

We were able to broadcast Turner's Native Pollinator Mix in the areas we recently had cleared. We weren't able to seed everything that we've had cleared but have broadcasted around 7 acres worth so far. Now we need mother nature to take over and provide some rain!

Bass Pond Update:
The trencher will be out there towards the end of this month and will start trenching the pipe from the new well to the ponds and field. We are hoping we can start pumping water to the big pond sometime in April. We are going to add a few more MossBack fish structure products and once all of it is covered under water we will be adding the following to the pond:
600 Bluegill
10lbs of Golden Shiners
10lbs of Fathead Minnows

[Big pig]

How much rain this week?
.6” here in east Brown co and no hail.
No runoff

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Big pig

How much rain this week?
.6” here in east Brown co and no hail.
No runoff

Unfortunately, we haven't received any rain this week. We are extremely dry and need some help from mother nature.

[BCoop27]

What's the process of planting those seeds? We have some openings that we cleared and no grass grew at all last year. So looking to get something out there.

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by BCoop27

What's the process of planting those seeds? We have some openings that we cleared and no grass grew at all last year. So looking to get something out there.

We broadcasted the seed with a hand spreader in early March but we have literally had zero rainfall to help cover the seed. I'm sure some of the seeds have been covered by dirt but you typically won't see any of the native perennial grasses or forbs grow the first year or two, especially if there's no rain. We typically see a big response in grasses in the third year after broadcasting. I hope this helps.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We broadcasted the seed with a hand spreader in early March but we have literally had zero rainfall to help cover the seed. I'm sure some of the seeds have been covered by dirt but you typically won't see any of the native perennial grasses or forbs grow the first year or two, especially if there's no rain. We typically see a big response in grasses in the third year after broadcasting. I hope this helps.

Did you happen to use a Scotts hand spreader? I'm planting my perennials this weekend with one. If so, what setting did you use?

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by cehorn

Did you happen to use a Scotts hand spreader? I'm planting my perennials this weekend with one. If so, what setting did you use?

I used a handheld Chapin spreader that holds 25lbs at a time. Just make sure that you add some cat litter in with the seed as a carrier because those fluffy native grass seeds don't like to funnel properly.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

I used a handheld Chapin spreader that holds 25lbs at a time. Just make sure that you add some cat litter in with the seed as a carrier because those fluffy native grass seeds don't like to funnel properly.

Thanks. I got a couple of Scotts hand spreaders. i bought playground sand and the smallest pea gravel they had to experiment with binders, size and cost.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by cehorn

Thanks. I got a couple of Scotts hand spreaders. i bought playground sand and the smallest pea gravel they had to experiment with binders, size and cost.

As a follow up, the pea gravel didn't work. It was too big and caused issues with the agitator. The sand worked pretty well. It was still finer than I like and if I could find coarser sand it would likely work a little better. But overall I was happy with the way it spread using the sand. It seemed to be cheaper at $5 per 50 lbs than cat litter. At least the cat litter I saw. Anyway, thanks for all of the help and suggestions.

[bgleaton]

We got 0.40in of rain last night. It's better than nothing but we are still 1.6in below average for the year. We need a good 2in soaker to get us caught back up.

The deer aren't hitting the protein very hard at all with all of the native vegetation starting to grow, which is great.

They should start trenching the pipe to the big pond over the next 2 weeks. Hoping we get it done soon so we can start filling up the big pond and buy some forage fish for our bass.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We got 0.40in of rain last night. It's better than nothing but we are still 1.6in below average for the year. We need a good 2in soaker to get us caught back up.

The deer aren't hitting the protein very hard at all with all of the native vegetation starting to grow, which is great.

They should start trenching the pipe to the big pond over the next 2 weeks. Hoping we get it done soon so we can start filling up the big pond and buy some forage fish for our bass.

Congrats on the rain. Looks like we got skipped. I was really hoping for a little on the new food plots. We are seeing the same thing on our feed both corn and protein. Lots of native to eat.

I sure wish we could get a big 2-3 inch rain to fill the tanks. Our dozer made them bigger, I really want to get the "more water" in there!!

[bgleaton]

They are hitting the fortified cottonseed feed hard right now!


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[Droptine3030]

My Deer are as well, our area is so dry, rain looking good for this weekend,fingers crossed.

[Droptine3030]

Are y’all still looking for a No Till Drill?

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Droptine3030

Are y’all still looking for a No Till Drill?

Yes, always looking. Please send me a PM.

[bgleaton]

We got 1/2in of rain yesterday. Just north and east of us got over 1.5in. Hopefully we will get lucky one of these days and get some of the heavier stuff.

[Big pig]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We got 1/2in of rain yesterday. Just north and east of us got over 1.5in. Hopefully we will get lucky one of these days and get some of the heavier stuff.

About what we got here in eastern Brown Co.
But thank goodness no hail
Same hopes. My tanks are pitiful.
BP

[DUKFVR]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We got 1/2in of rain yesterday. Just north and east of us got over 1.5in. Hopefully we will get lucky one of these days and get some of the heavier stuff.

I know how you feel. Same for us, rains miss us & a few miles away get inches.
Good Luck on the next rain.

[bgleaton]

All the pipe has been laid and they are pouring the foundation for the well house today. We are hoping we will start pumping water to the big pond within the next week or two.

[DUKFVR]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

All the pipe has been laid and they are pouring the foundation for the well house today. We are hoping we will start pumping water to the big pond within the next week or two.

CONGRATS! Wish we had ground water to do this.

[bgleaton]

We are finally pumping water! We are filling up the small pond first since it won’t take nearly as much water. Getting around 55gpm. I’ll post some more pictures of the well house and everything later.


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[Huntingfool]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We are finally pumping water! We are filling up the small pond first since it won’t take nearly as much water. Getting around 55gpm. I’ll post some more pictures of the well house and everything later.


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looks awesome! I have a well to keep my 2 acre pond full - amazing how much water it takes just to add several inches to the level - especially during the heat of the summer with evaporation - the electricity cost is not cheap either - at any rate it will look great

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Huntingfool

looks awesome! I have a well to keep my 2 acre pond full - amazing how much water it takes just to add several inches to the level - especially during the heat of the summer with evaporation - the electricity cost is not cheap either - at any rate it will look great

It takes a bunch of water and electricity! We won't be able to keep it full all the time but this should help us prevent it from getting below 1.5 acres or so. We are hoping we will grow some big bass with a constant water supply.

[bgleaton]

Here's two pictures of the well house.



We purchased two Fish Pyramid's from Texas Hunter Products.

We will add these two the pond next trip. I really like these pyramids for the shiners and smaller bluegills to seek shelter and allow them to thrive. I'm hoping I'll be able to add all of the additional baitfish next trip out there.

Fingers crossed that we all get some rain over the next week!

[Big pig]

That’s a great well. Gonna be a nice lake

My pitiful solar well only makes about 4 gallons/minute.

We Got .6” of rain tonight. North of us near May was quite a storm.
More expected next few days

Hope y’all got some.

BP

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Big pig

That’s a great well. Gonna be a nice lake

My pitiful solar well only makes about 4 gallons/minute.

We Got .6” of rain tonight. North of us near May was quite a storm.
More expected next few days

Hope y’all got some.

BP

Glad to hear you got some rainfall. We got absolutely zero rainfall yesterday, which was frustrating. Some spots a couple miles north of us got over 2in. More rain chances over the next 7 days....fingers crossed.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by Big pig

That’s a great well. Gonna be a nice lake

My pitiful solar well only makes about 4 gallons/minute.

We Got .6” of rain tonight. North of us near May was quite a storm.
More expected next few days

Hope y’all got some.

BP

Wish you would have gotten more. As far as I can tell we have gotten about 1.5" over the past couple of days. We drove up yesterday afternoon right after a big storm. Lots of hail as their were leaves all over the road driving in and once we got on the county road you could see it piled up under the trees. Some of the pieces were approaching golf ball size. We had water standing in some of our food plots so I'm as happy as I can be. If they don't grow it is because I did something wrong lol. I'm going to check the tanks today to see how much they got. The forecast I'm seeing shows rain just about every day in the 10 day so hopefully we all get some much needed rain.

[Big pig]

Originally Posted by cehorn

Wish you would have gotten more. As far as I can tell we have gotten about 1.5" over the past couple of days. We drove up yesterday afternoon right after a big storm. Lots of hail as their were leaves all over the road driving in and once we got on the county road you could see it piled up under the trees. Some of the pieces were approaching golf ball size. We had water standing in some of our food plots so I'm as happy as I can be. If they don't grow it is because I did something wrong lol. I'm going to check the tanks today to see how much they got. The forecast I'm seeing shows rain just about every day in the 10 day so hopefully we all get some much needed rain.

Great news ! Our sunflowers and grass seed have sprouted and forecast is promising.

Sorry about the hail. Hopefully no real damage.

Headed back to Brown county now to see the grass and browse greening up.

[bgleaton]

It looks like everyone except for our property got some really good rainfall last night. We literally got 0.05in. The big cells were all around us and providing lots of runoff. Hopefully we get some this weekend.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

It looks like everyone except for our property got some really good rainfall last night. We literally got 0.05in. The big cells were all around us and providing lots of runoff. Hopefully we get some this weekend.

I looked at a rainfall map a little while ago and without knowing your exact location but knowing your approximate location thought how great it was you should have gotten some rain. I hope you get some this week.

I think we missed on the rains yesterday but got a decent amount over the weekend. Not enough to fill up tanks but should do the food plots good.

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by cehorn

I looked at a rainfall map a little while ago and without knowing your exact location but knowing your approximate location thought how great it was you should have gotten some rain. I hope you get some this week.

I think we missed on the rains yesterday but got a decent amount over the weekend. Not enough to fill up tanks but should do the food plots good.

I'm happy to hear you got some rain. We have only gotten 0.06in for the past 10 days or so and are at 2.09in total for the year. This is definitely the driest start of the year we've ever seen. We have great chances over the next 7 days and weather channel is forecasting 3.8in. Fingers crossed!

[Capt.Brown]

How big of a pump and what size pipe did they install for your new well for the pond?

[bowhunterhelm]

How old are you letting your trophy deer get before yall take them?

[Big pig]

How many here use the weather app “bushel farm” ( old farm log) ?
It’s generally spot on and really handy for out of town owners.

I Could have started a new thread but thought it was appropriate for this rain discussion

BP

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Big pig

How many here use the weather app “bushel farm” ( old farm log) ?
It’s generally spot on and really handy for out of town owners.

I Could have started a new thread but thought it was appropriate for this rain discussion

BP

I use it along with our weather station we installed. The FarmLogs app, which is now called "Bushel Farm" is extremely accurate!

[bgleaton]

Here’s to hoping we all get 3+ inches of rain tonight and tomorrow.

[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

Here’s to hoping we all get 3+ inches of rain tonight and tomorrow.

Agree!! We got about 1.5" last night. So far nothing today. I'll take it though. Our tanks aren't full but they are a lot higher than before. Food plots are trying, they look decent but I was expecting more green. Hopefully they keep coming on.

[Capt.Brown]

We’ve had 3.5” in calf creek over the last 7 days.

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by Capt.Brown

We’ve had 3.5” in calf creek over the last 7 days.

I believe it. I was watching several cells that were dumping in that area, which barely missed us.

[bgleaton]

We ended up getting 3.1in of rain last night.


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[DUKFVR]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We ended up getting 3.1in of rain last night.


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Heck Yeah! Wish I could get the .1
Congrats!

[bgleaton]

The big pond rose over 8ft after that big rainfall. You can see some of the shallow water habitat is partially underwater. We will start filling up the pond from our well during our next trip. The pond has about another 5-6ft to go up until it’s completely full. Hoping to get the forage fish stocked the week before Father’s Day.


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[cehorn]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We ended up getting 3.1in of rain last night.


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That's awesome, congrats on the tank fill up. I can't complain, we got a little over an inch Friday night but we haven't gotten the big one to fill up the tanks. I'm still hoping for that one.

[powderburner]

your well pump control panel is 3r and that lip on the front of the panel is designed to allow natural convection to pull cooler air in the bottom and allow the hear to come out the top. This is to keep heat away from the electronics inside the panel. There might be a fan to pull fresh air in and push the hot air out.

I know you have a white shed to keep down the heat but you may run into problems in the summer time with that panel shutting down because of over heating. It will shut down. Cool down and when you open the shed the air exchange will allow you to restart the panel and then the cycle will happen again.

There should be a way to get a trip report out of the well control system. IF it shuts down pull the report and if its because of high temp over load that is why.

[PondPopper]

Originally Posted by bgleaton

We ended up getting 3.1in of rain last night.


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NICE!!
Maybe 10 miles north of you and we’ve had just over 5” total in a month. All in small increments though.. We need 5” in a few hours.. We need run off to fill our lake..
But we will take what we can get..

[Big pig]

Originally Posted by PondPopper

NICE!!
Maybe 10 miles north of you and we’ve had just over 5” total in a month. All in small increments though.. We need 5” in a few hours.. We need run off to fill our lake..
But we will take what we can get..

About like us. 4” in past month and no hail or damaging high winds !
Our tanks did catch some runoff Tuesday night
Love seeing all the green even if it mostly weeds. !
Eastern brown County ain’t so brown anymore.

BP

[bgleaton]

We got another inch of rain yesterday. The pond still needs to go up another 3-5ft and then all of the fish structures will be under water. The water level should be around the middle of those bushes on the **** in the background.


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[MooseontheLoose]

Things are coming along nicely OP. Hope that country keeps getting that rain through the summer. Could make things pretty fun come deer season

Have you seen any poults on cam yet?

[Colton]

Looking good!

[bgleaton]

Originally Posted by MooseontheLoose

Things are coming along nicely OP. Hope that country keeps getting that rain through the summer. Could make things pretty fun come deer season

Have you seen any poults on cam yet?

Unfortunately, we haven't seen any poults yet on camera. I'm hopeful that we see some soon. Ever since we stopped grazing cattle we haven't seen any poults and see less turkeys. I know nesting habitat (i.e. grasses) is important for turkeys but I feel if the grasses get too thick that it can be difficult for poults and turkeys to move around. I also think turkeys and quail get easy meals by eating bugs out of cow patties. Not sure if this has any merit or not, just my thougts.