Deer & Deer Hunting is written and edited for serious, year-round hunting enthusiasts, focusing on hunting techniques, deer biology and behavior, deer management, habitat requirements, the natural history of deer and hunting ethics
COMING UP IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF D&DH: ON SALE Oct. 9 • 2018 Lunar Rut Forecast. When will bucks go wild this year? Once again, we offer our insights on which specific days line up perfectly with the autumnal equinox’s predictable cue. • The Science of Scrapes. The whitetail scrape is one of the most anticipated signs of autumn. John Ozoga reveals five things that scrapes have taught us about mature white-tailed buck behavior and how to use them to your advantage. • Rut Tactics for Gun Hunters. Deer decoys can be a bowhunter’s best friend or worst enemy during the rut. What about during gun season? Steve Bartylla offers proven tips on how to use fakes to get bucks to hang-up on purpose — and offer chips shots for firearms hunters.…
We are continually facing an uphill battle when it comes to something that should be quite simple: understanding the ever-changing deer hunting regulation handbooks. In a perfect world, regulations would be standardized — the same rules for hunters across the country. This is not a perfect world. Earlier this year, the D&DH staff took to Facebook and asked our fans for submissions to the Dumbest Deer Hunting Regulations in America Top 10 List. I’ll admit that some of them surprised me: 1. Chaynse Guthery, Texas: "We can't shoot bucks unless they have a 13-inch antler spread. The rule does help grow some bigger bucks, but it also limits us from shooting many of the older bucks in this region." 2. David Hill, New York: "Here, we must buy a muzzleloading…
We just wanted to share this photo of our successful hunt in Illinois last season. My daughters Briar, 11, and Parker, 10, both scored on bucks during what is without a doubt the best day of hunting I’ve ever experienced in my life. The girls shot the deer just 15 minutes apart from the same blind. We are looking forward to this year’s youth season, when their little brother will join them — Gaige, age 7. — Vincent Failla, New Jersey Hats off to Roger Page for bringing reverence into the conversation (2018 Modern Bowhunter issue). I’m not a religious man, but I am an omnivore, so at every meal I express gratitude for the things that have given their life so that I can live, whether it’s a beet,…
SHOPDEERHUNTING.COM Smokey’s Pre-Orbital Gland Lure The No. 1 key to success when hunting a mock scrape and licking branch is preorbital scent. Bucks regularly visit licking branches and become aware when a new rival shows up since the licking branch has the scent of a buck they don’t know. The ingredients of Smokey’s gland lures are extracted from the pre-orbital, tarsal interdigital and forehead glands taken from harvested deer, and processed to enhance and retain the properties of the scent. This is the only lure on the market that has a patent pending on its process. Smokey uses only glass bottles, because plastic tends to allow the scent’s properties to degrade over time. Info: www.ShopDeerHunting.com and search SKU V6534 DEER OF THE MONTH Matthew Burns shot…
D+DH TV Upcoming Episodes of Deer & Deer Hunting-TV on Pursuit Channel Each episode and Saturday Night Deer Camp begins at 10:00 p.m. EST. September 1: “Make Magic with Mock Scrapes” Biology behind scrapes; the why what and how. September 8: “When the Rut is Rocking” The DDH-TV team provides insights on deer behavior during this magical time. September 15: “When the Shot Goes Wrong” We cover the best techniques for what to do on various bad shots and blood trails. September 22: “Nebraska Rut Madness” Mark Kayser has a tough Nebraska hunt while the rut is in full swing. September 29: “Keys to Proper Doe Management” Insights on managing antlerless deer for better habitat and better hunting. October 6: “Charles Alsheimer Tribute” A D&DH-TV salute to our most celebrated…
With white-tailed deer, glandular secretions and scent-marking play a more important role in communication than do visual signals and vocalizations. The latter serve only immediate, short-range purposes, whereas scent-marks serve as an extension of the animal itself, and remain functional long after the maker has left the scene. Mature white-tailed bucks scent-mark vegetation year-round, usually in a subtle manner,which is difficult to detect. During autumn, however, they establish highly visible signposts, referred to as buck rubs and scrapes. The hunter who can learn to interpret these signs will add considerable self-satisfaction, if not greater success to the hunt. THE RUB’S SOCIAL ROLE Few buck rubs are made while removing antler velvet, a process normally completed within 24 hours. Instead, most rubs are made by relatively few dominant bucks to advertise…
