This years buzzard campaign has taken some getting off the ground. First of all the foresters started cutting down trees right next to my baiting spot. Then the snow left us. Then it came back, so I started again. I built new perches, but that just meant I did not see any buzzards. One lesson learned is to setup your perches in advance, any changes to them will take time for the buzzards to get used to. They just don't trust anything.
It would be nice to have a permanent hide, but that is not possible around here, the forests are public access. Which is why I also had dog problems, I leave meat out too late in the afternoon, good chance an unruley dog will sniff it on the wind and be at it. I have remote camera images too, dog walker scratching their heads at the pile of chicks and bones. So I only leave frozen meat out now, less aroma to be carried on the wind. Which is another thing, frozen pulped up meat takes alot of hacking at, means the buzzards stay put if the block is heavy enough. When I have mice or rats, I freeze them to the block with water so they cannot be snatched.
Third lesson, stay put. I arrived and put up my Ameri-step hide at 6am. Dawn is around 7.30am. Usable light is about 8.30am. Buzzards sat in the trees all around from 8am onwards. They flew around, they sat, they squabbled over perches. But they did not feed. at 11.30 I was seriously considering a hot shower. Then came noon. Six hours I had to wait for the first buzzard, but then another three dropped down. It was quite a sight and not one I have ever witnessed, even when i had a deer carcass.
4th lesson. Get a decent hide. I now use an Ameristep hide, it is a big too tall but the camo pattern is top and the insides are painted black, blocking any visible movement inside the tent. Like I say it is a big hide, means I can put a foldaway chair in there, with a backrest... gotta get comfy if you are sitting and waiting for 6 hours at -10°C or less.
There will be more images to come, watch this space.
