LAST UPDATED: May 8th, 2015
With opening weekend behind us; we spent the weekend watching mosquitos and corn/corn and more corn! The biggest challenge of early season bowhunting is contending with crops. We had limited interactions with deer over the weekend and we believe that many of our hit list deer were in the corn; and we may have to wait until harvest to hit our best spots in the timber.
One of toughest things an early season bowhunter contends with is a sea of unharvested corn.
One of the best sources of information on the harvest I use during the early season is a free website through National Agricultural Statistics Service through the USDA. This website updates weekly the current status of crops (Corn, Beans, etc.) as well as weather, fieldwork and other information. This is a great source of information for those who can’t make it to their farms every week to find out how the harvest is going. The website and the Minnesota report/forecast are below:
Check it out @: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/State_Crop_Progress_and_Condition/index.asp
Minnesota Forecast:
“The first reports of corn and soybean harvest have arrived, though wet
conditions continue to delay fieldwork, according to the USDA, NASS,
Minnesota Field Office. As of September 19, corn was 1 percent
harvested, compared to 0 percent last year and 2 percent for the five-
year average. Corn silage harvest advanced to 83 percent, compared to 36
percent last year and 64 percent average. Soybeans were 3 percent
harvested, compared to 1 percent last year and 4 percent average. Other
harvest progress included potatoes at 50 percent, sweet corn at 92
percent, dry beans at 52 percent, and sugarbeets at 13 percent harvested,
all ahead of their respective averages. A few producers reported that
wet conditions prevented the harvest of mature crops.
Temperatures for the week were unseasonably cool. The statewide average
temperature was 3.5 degrees below normal, with some areas reporting a low
of 30 degrees. Precipitation remains above normal for most reporting
stations. Thunderstorms, along with some hail, lightning, and high
winds, prevailed Thursday. Weekly precipitation was greatest in the
Central region with 1.3 inches above normal. Statewide topsoil moisture
supplies were rated 59 percent adequate and 40 percent surplus, the
highest surplus rating so far this year. Statewide 3.2 days were rated
suitable for fieldwork.
Crop Progress Table – September 19, 2010
Stage of This Last Last 5 Yr
Crop Development Week Week Year Avg
Percent ___
Corn Dent 98 94 73 92
Corn Mature 49 28 4 37
Corn Harvested 1 0 0 2
Corn Silage Harvested 83 64 36 64
Soybeans Turning Yellow 95 79 82 91
Soybeans Shedding Leaves 68 37 44 63
Soybeans Mature 25 6 9 25
Soybeans Harvested 3 NA 1 4
Potatoes Harvested 50 34 35 47
Sweet Corn Harvested 92 83 82 88
Dry Beans Dropping Leaves 93 75 NA NA
Dry Beans Harvested 52 27 23 41
Sugarbeets Harvested 13 9 7 7
Do you have your own property, and plan your own crops. Check out the full line of seed/supplements, keep up to date on the latest tricks/tips, and find the finest bowhunting gear here at bowhunting.com.
See you in the woods,
Neal
