Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[svk]

Elf on shelf isn’t allowed in my house. However this guy is.

 

[JimR]

I am going to miss the Ash when they are gone. Love turning them into firewood, and the post and beam for my cabin was milled with the chainsaw from Ash trees.

Down here, most have been dead long enough to get punky, up at the cabin a lot of the trees are still alive, but many are "stressed". The logger took most of them over 12".

That is awesome that you were able to use the beams in your cabin.

Most of our Ash trees are in dire stress mode. Many bloomed this year then dropped their leaves. None of the trees that I have dropped recently have buds on them. I love the Ash for firewood too because they are mostly straight growing trees and split easily. We had just over 1000 board feet of Ash boards in our barn that were used over the years for projects. Quite a few ended up as roof boards in the old farmhouse. We do still have a lot of small one sprouting.

 

[SS396driver]

So much for a dusting of snow . Going to hamper my work

 

[GrizG]

So much for a dusting of snow . Going to hamper my work View attachment 1224200

Same problem here. I was supposed to pick up materials with my son so he could do a repair outside. Mom also needs her meds… Now three driveways have to be cleared first… and the roads need to be plowed. Ugh for both of us.

P.S. Make that 4 driveways. Just remembered my aunt is finishing her drive up from FL today to start living in her “new” house. She lived in FL and CA for the past 60 years and basically knows nothing of snow!

 

[MustangMike]

That is awesome that you were able to use the beams in your cabin.

Most of our Ash trees are in dire stress mode. Many bloomed this year then dropped their leaves. None of the trees that I have dropped recently have buds on them. I love the Ash for firewood too because they are mostly straight growing trees and split easily. We had just over 1000 board feet of Ash boards in our barn that were used over the years for projects. Quite a few ended up as roof boards in the old farmhouse. We do still have a lot of small one sprouting.

Was from Ash trees (and one Black Cherry) that had been blown down by wind storms ... before the Emerald Ash Bore was present.

 

[MustangMike]

The cabin is 20' X 24' and two stories high. All post and beams (except the ridge beam) are 6.5" X 6.5". The ridge Beam is 9.25" X 2.25" X 27' (1.5' overhang on each end). I made that brown stain from walnuts, but it washed off in the rain, so we used storebought stain afterwards. Side posts are 12' with floor at 8'. Center posts are 17'. We are off the grid and set up the sides with a hand cranked rope winch!

We used cement board around the perimeter to thwart porcupines.

 

[MustangMike]

You may be right, but I'm not done yet, and I have harvested 11th hour deer before ... but not always!

The only thing I know for sure is that if I don't get out there, I won't get one.

This will be the last WE of regular season, then they have about 2 weeks (separated) of MZ season.

 

[djg james]

So much for a dusting of snow . Going to hamper my work View attachment 1224200

I feel for you now. I wouldn't wish that job of mucking around in the mud and snow on anyone. Good luck. Hope it goes as smoothly as possible.

 

[bigbadbob]

I hear you about age. Just turned 65 in October and I can't do nearly the stuff when I was younger.

LOL,, I am 70+,, you wait,,,,,that thing called motivation seems to have moved on,,,,,enjoy your youth

 

[farmer steve]

LOL,, I am 70+,, you wait,,,,,that thing called motivation seems to have moved on,,,,,enjoy your youth

I hear ya Bob. I'm all...............most there. 70. Them 50CC saws get heavier every time I go out to cut.

 

[GrizzlyAdams86]

Well CSX let one of it's specialty scheme locomotives wander out into the Upper Midwest again, and I was able to get it yesterday. CSXT 4568 with the "50th Anniversary Operation Lifesaver" scheme leads 2 other CSX units with a loaded fertilizer train past the new rail served grain terminal going up along BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision in western WI heading for North Dakota. Although the wind didn't stop gusting the sun came out briefly and the random bursts of snow quit long enough for the train to come through.

 

[GrizG]

You may be right, but I'm not done yet, and I have harvested 11th hour deer before ... but not always!

The only thing I know for sure is that if I don't get out there, I won't get one.

This will be the last WE of regular season, then they have about 2 weeks (separated) of MZ season.

This snow has altered the deer behavior… the does are herding up. Nine in a tight bunch browsing this afternoon.

 

[JimR]

The cabin is 20' X 24' and two stories high. All post and beams (except the ridge beam) are 6.5" X 6.5". The ridge Beam is 9.25" X 2.25" X 27' (1.5' overhang on each end). I made that brown stain from walnuts, but it washed off in the rain, so we used storebought stain afterwards. Side posts are 12' with floor at 8'. Center posts are 17'. We are off the grid and set up the sides with a hand cranked rope winch!

We used cement board around the perimeter to thwart porcupines.

That is awesome.

 

[JimR]

LOL,, I am 70+,, you wait,,,,,that thing called motivation seems to have moved on,,,,,enjoy your youth

Damn, you are only as old as you feel. I'm 71 and still kicking butt in the woods. I guess my feeling 30 helps.

 

[MechanicMatt]

Definitely has them herding up around me

Praying I get out this weekend. Father in-law is back in the hospital

Appendicitis, can’t operate until they get him off his blood thinners for his heart

So, not sure if I’ll be getting out there…

But I do have a few muzzleloaders

 

[GrizG]

Damn, you are only as old as you feel. I'm 71 and still kicking butt in the woods. I guess my feeling 30 helps.

I feel like I’m in my 30s when I’m doing stuff. The next day I feel like I’m in my 80s. Tomorrow is going to be an 80s day.

 

[bigbadbob]

https://railmarket.com/news/freight...nd-an-interchange-with-csx-in-alabama-via-g-w

Well CSX let one of it's specialty scheme locomotives wander out into the Upper Midwest again, and I was able to get it yesterday. CSXT 4568 with the "50th Anniversary Operation Lifesaver" scheme leads 2 other CSX units with a loaded fertilizer train past the new rail served grain terminal going up along BNSF's St. Croix Subdivision in western WI heading for North Dakota. Although the wind didn't stop gusting the sun came out briefly and the random bursts of snow quit long enough for the train to come through.

View attachment 1224289

https://railmarket.com/news/freight...nd-an-interchange-with-csx-in-alabama-via-g-w
Spotted this in my town yesterday,,,head end... the pic here is from the net

 

[sean donato]

7:15.
View attachment 1223972

Lucky bugger...

Real nice deer FS, enjoy the venison and the trophy!

I was out again this morning and saw NOTHING! Will go again this afternoon and then fold up my blind as heavy winds are predicted for tomorrow. I saw lots of deer at the same location last year, and my other location (in Brewster), the owner is telling me he is not seeing anything!

Plan to go back up to the cabin this WE. The hunting it tough up there, but there is snow, so that should help!

Very frustrated so far.

I hear ya! Been about the worst season I've had in years. (Not counting the years I couldn't get off.) Even the places I've always got deer from have been a bust so far. Still kicking myself for not shooting that little doe last Saturday. We'll see how tomorrow and Saturday goes.
Best of luck to you brother!

 

[JimR]

I swear the deer know when hunting season starts and ends.

 

[MustangMike]

I agree with that, but the frustration this year (up at the cabin, where the hunting is ALWAYS tough) we have a big 10 buck casually walking up the driveway 70 yds from the stand Matt's sister is in (she was looking the other way) on Sunday at 9:30 (the day after opening day)! We also have an 8 pt on the back logging road a noon on opening morning. You can't make this stuff up! No one was hunting the back logging road!

Note: date on camera for 8 pt was not set correctly.