Drought and velvet

I’ve noticed that all of my bucks are out of velvet already which is really early(by Aug 28th). I always have a few that make it into September and an occasional one into the opener when it’s early. Anyone else notice this? I also have a decent rub that my hunting buddy Aaron is posing with. Don’t remember that aggresive a rub this soon either. The water hole I have never had to fill and I have filled it three times – in August . I tore up a spring plot that failed around the water hole and replanted it 15 days ago. I need some rain here in west/central Wisconsin . Hope it has not affected Trip!

Yes, it’s terrible dry everywhere. My dad pulled the chips at our place yesterday. I should have them tomorrow if he gets them in the mail today. I can’t wait to see if they are still in velvet. I suspect they will be as we are generally 7-10 days behind you guys.

My farm is in Richland County south of Hillsboro. Very much the same as what you posted. Food plots are a waste of money this year for me. Anything that had moisture in it like tomato plants, sapling trees, even pepper plants were eaten off. All the watering holes in and around my property were bone dry. Ended up putting a cattle watering tank out in my field with a couple hundred gallons of water. Had to pull it as i was warned this falls in line with baiting. Pretty sad that even the turkeys were drinking from it. Very tough year for us.

Randy did the law tell you that you cant water your deer? I did some looking and cant find ANYTHING about it? Last week I was 50/50 on shed velvet, from drowned plot to burnt plot, I have never been happier that I didnt plant this spring!

Baiting and feeding regulations – Wisconsin DNR
dnr.wi.gov/topic/hunt/bait.html
Jul 27, 2012 – Overview of baiting and wildlife feeding laws. … Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources … Bait is any material that is placed or used to attract wild animals, including scent … Water is not considered bait. … for nonhunting purposes, required that the DNR ban baiting and feeding for deer in counties at …

I was cautioned by a friend that is also in the CWD zone. I called Madison and talked to CO there (not my local warden).
He advised on two things:
1. water can be placed for birds and small animals – if deer begin to use it, it must be elevated beyond the reach of deer.

2. It can NOT be collected and re-located. So I can not fill a tank from my well and transport it into another tank in my field for the purpose of watering the deer. The gray area is if I was watering cattle. In that case, I would need to make a reasonable effort to prevent deer from using it.
Not wanting to risk a citation, I dumped the tank.