16 replies to this topic

[kakeeler]

Some photos showing a few highlights from our 2011 Harvest. One of the biggest items to be reworked is figuring out how to tie our nets up higher to eliminate dangerous situations, as depicted in one of the photos. Not interested in repeating that adventure -- even for the love of wine.  2011_Harvest_6w.jpg   208.09K   99 downloads

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•  2011_Harvest_45w.jpg   114.58K   119 downloads
•  2011_Harvest_48w.jpg   125.55K   105 downloads
•  2011_Harvest_52w.jpg   211.57K   113 downloads
•  2011_Harvest_55w.jpg   227.46K   106 downloads
•  2011_Harvest_58w.jpg   166.72K   78 downloads

[gregorio]

For a minute, I thought you stole one of MY photos! We've had rattlers trapped in the nets before we started tying them off to the drip line or under the cordon wire. They are the reason I wear a sidearm every day loaded with snake shot.

[Olustee bus]

nice harvest. It wasn't much work was it?

[kakeeler]

Gregorio, We started out thinking that we shouldn't hurt them because they'll control the rats, gophers, etc., but we've just realized that philosophy has allowed them to take control of the hill. We've both gotten trained and certified on firearms and unfortunately have to pack heat everywhere. Last week, there was one in front of the front door. We're paying the price now for allowing them to multiply. We were thinking about tying them up to the drip lines, but if you have a lot of vineyard and netting, what are you tying them with, Agri-Lock? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated and it's good to know we're not the only ones with this problem!

[kakeeler]

Hi Olustee bus,

Truth be told, it was a lot of work, but it is the great Ah-Hah moments, such as tasting those wines as they're aging and inhaling beautiful aromas (the ones we actually wanted), and dreaming of a day in a year or two, when we will be able to drink them. I'd be lying if I said there have not been entire vintages we've dumped out (because we just cannot bottle any more vinegar), but persistence and focus is a must. It is all worth it, in the end. Cheers!

[gregorio]

It is hard to describe how we tie our nets but it is fairly easy.

1. Lay out the netting loosely as not to stretch it lengthwise.
2. Reach under the netting on one side and your canopy to grab the net on the other.
3. Pull said part of net under canopy and upwards until taught.
4. Tie off with a bread tie. One twist is enough.
5. Secure netting around trunks if needed by bunching and tying with bread ties.

I might have described it in better detail last season so a search might turn up some better info. We've tried everything imaginable including threading fishing line using a dowel. It works great on short rows but so does everything else!

What kind of heat are you packing? I used to carry a Colt Python .357 (fitting name, right?) with CCI snake shot but the gun is too valuable to holster every day. I am currently using a M&P .45 ACP with CCI snake shot but they do not have enough power to cycle the weapon. I just ordered a Smith & Wesson Governor. It is a .45 Long Colt cartridge that also fires .410 shotgun shells. The .410 carries much more in terms of power and pellets than the .45 ACP snake shot. Since it is a double action revolver, there is no cycling problem. I can also shoot .45 ACP with adapters if I want as well.

[poni]

For a minute, I thought you stole one of MY photos! We've had rattlers trapped in the nets before we started tying them off to the drip line or under the cordon wire. They are the reason I wear a sidearm every day loaded with snake shot.

Dag, wht neighborhood is YOUR vineyard in? Wearin a gun like that? ha!

[gregorio]

Our vineyards are located in the rural foothills along the coastal mountain range. Rattlesnakes, hogs, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions are all a threat to us and our pets.

[poni]

Sounds like a wild neck of the woods!

[kakeeler]

We, too, are in the foothills, a bit inland from the coastal range.

[kakeeler]

It is hard to describe how we tie our nets but it is fairly easy.

1. Lay out the netting loosely as not to stretch it lengthwise.
2. Reach under the netting on one side and your canopy to grab the net on the other.
3. Pull said part of net under canopy and upwards until taught.
4. Tie off with a bread tie. One twist is enough.
5. Secure netting around trunks if needed by bunching and tying with bread ties.

I might have described it in better detail last season so a search might turn up some better info. We've tried everything imaginable including threading fishing line using a dowel. It works great on short rows but so does everything else!

What kind of heat are you packing? I used to carry a Colt Python .357 (fitting name, right?) with CCI snake shot but the gun is too valuable to holster every day. I am currently using a M&P .45 ACP with CCI snake shot but they do not have enough power to cycle the weapon. I just ordered a Smith & Wesson Governor. It is a .45 Long Colt cartridge that also fires .410 shotgun shells. The .410 carries much more in terms of power and pellets than the .45 ACP snake shot. Since it is a double action revolver, there is no cycling problem. I can also shoot .45 ACP with adapters if I want as well.

Gregorio,

We have a Ruger SP101 .357, which is a revolver, and use snake shot in the vineyard, but we've been told that even with the .357 shot, it won't take down a boar, and we've heard tales of what happens when they get irked. I can't run up a hill and over the trellising fast enough. We have a .12 gauge Winchester that one of us had to use on a large rattler, because the other had the pistol, but it did the job. We're now thinking about an additional one and starting to research. We seem greatly outnumbered by things that can hurt us. I guess it's part of being in a rural environment -- but I drive to the barn at night for punchdowns!

[gregorio]

Load your weapon with hollow points after the shot shell.

Still, the .357 is not the best for boar. .That's why I ordered the SW Governor. With a hot loaded 45 Long Colt, it will stop a boar in its tracks. The gun also fires .410 shot shells which are much bigger than the .357 blue tips.

[bret]

Beautiful harvest!

-Bret

[saramc]

Snakes in netting gives me the shivers. And just the other day I received a photo from a highschool classmate showing a 10 foot Eastern Diamondback which had been killed by his brother in the county I grew up in. Needless to say, Eastern Diamondbacks are not even supposed to be in KY, but thanks to experiments by breeders in early 2000 we now have them....and they are growing larger than normal. Just wonderful. Good thing I grew up on a farm and know how to handle a weapon, but will have my soldier son give me a "lesson". Great photos!!

[Steve mead]

I seem to remember tales of frontier whiskey makers adding snake heads to their product for additional bite. Maybe try some snake head wine? Don't they do that with cobra heads in Asia?