W.H. Chip Gross

In the June 2024 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living print magazine, I wrote my monthly Woods, Waters, & Wildlife outdoors column about pesky poison ivy in a story titled “Leaves of three, let it be!” In the July 2024 issue, I described my custom-made hiking staff in a column called “Walking-stick work of art.” It wasn’t long before I heard from Bertille Mayberry, commenting on both stories. 

David Fullenkamp, Midwest Electric

Q. In the November 2025 issue of Ohio Cooperative Living, you wrote an article about migratory raptors. The story helped me identify the pair of birds hunting around my house, a pair of gyrfalcons. I have seen them most days since the first of December. I live two miles west of St. Henry, Ohio, in Mercer County. I have lived in the country all my life, and this is the first year that I have seen them. Is it unusual for gyrfalcons to migrate this far south? Just thought you might be interested and would like a comment.

Glenn Kimball, South Central Power Company

Q. Hi, Chip: Recently, I watched two deer in my yard taking turns licking each other's ears. This went on for at least five minutes. They were both full grown does. I have never seen this before. Is this usual behavior?

A. Glenn: Like you, I have never observed this particular behavior in deer, so contacted Clint McCoy with your question. He is the ODNR, Division of Wildlife, deer biologist, and here is what he had to say:

Kathleen MacMurray, Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative

Q. Hi Chip: I live on County Road 220 next to the Hancock-Wood substation north of Van Buren, Ohio, and read your very interesting outdoor articles in Ohio Cooperative Living magazine. Perhaps you can solve a riddle for me: I had six very nice laying hens in a fenced yard, and one warm summer afternoon when I went out to refresh their drinking water, all six were lying dead, decapitated, with no signs of any predator around. I wondered, could it have been a fox, hawk, owl, or a mink that killed them?

Deborah Phillips, Buckeye Rural Electric Cooperative

One of the many things I enjoy about writing and photographing my monthly Woods, Waters, & Wildlife column in Ohio Cooperative Living print magazine is the interaction with co-op members. Almost every month after a column appears, I hear from a half dozen or so readers with their questions, comments, or attaboys. Although there is not space enough to run everyone’s question or comment in this “Ask Chip” online column, everyone receives a personal answer from me via email.