Rain, or the lack thereof

It's been raining here in Central Louisiana for the better part of the week. Our drought isn't over yet, but I'm seeing water in the ditches and in low spots of the yard that haven't held water for the better part of the year.

This station in Lake Charles has noticed that the lack of water is affecting the duck hunters. If we don't have fresh water flowing to keep the salt water out of the marshes, we see more salt intrusion which kills vegetation and species dependent on fresh water.

We've noticed a problem in north-central Louisiana too. My lease is in the piney woods in LaSalle parish and the hunting area is notable for several creeks that the deer depend on for water. This summer those creeks were dryer than I've ever seen them. Even the deep holes were dry. Deer need water and when those natural water holes dry up, the deer have to move to find a drink. Our deer harvest is down this year and the only leases that are reporting success have water on them. That's basic biology and it's left us high and dry this year.

We got some rain on the lease last week, and my ramblings last Friday showed that the creek was flowing, but my quick meander up and down the creek bank didn't reveal any deer tracks in places where there is normally evidence of movement. The water is there, but the deer aren't. Our cameras are telling the tale as well. We had pictures of deer on the cameras in October, but in November, we quit seeing the animals. It's dispiriting.

So, the Monday after Christmas, PawPaw is sitting home, watching the drizzly gray morning and is grateful for it. My one hope is that the water fills the Saline basin and drives the deer out into the hills surrounding it. When the Saline/Catahoula complex fills with water, the deer move and I've got a stand on Momma's place that should provide one to two late-season hunts. I've got a camera there and we'll check it later this week. If it doesn't provide any action, the season might well be over before the deer move.