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
I remember when the mere sight of a deer track sent shivers down my spine. That's how rare deer were in the Northwoods where I learned to hunt. A fresh track in the mud or snow was cause for celebration; hours of “what if” intrigue; and, above all, renewed hope for the hunt. Has deer hunting become easier? I'd say yes, mostly because burgeoning deer herds have provided seemingly endless opportunities. Abundant tags and access to quality land — properties built around whitetails — make it easier for hunters to hunt more and scout less. However, you can't just blunder out there and expect consistent results. Woodsmanship is still the difference between lucky and good. To enhance your days afield, follow these five steps: 1. Scout with a purpose. Watch…
Stash Stachecki — Definitely B, both lungs are gone and you don’t track far. Plus it gives you room for slight error to the left or right. Joshua Williams — Depends on the angle but they all work. A) liver, B) lungs, C) heart and D) aorta/spine. B should get it done all the time. You can still miss and drop the deer. D is probably least ethical as your target is small and you chance simply injuring the animal. They deserve more respect than that. CP Wade — C, because you possibly take out the top of the heart and bottom of the lungs. Bow or rifle, I tell all my clients to aim in that area. Pete Schneider — If this is the angle of the shot (broadside),…
Be sure to watch Deer & Deer Hunting-TV on Sportsman Channel as we dive into great hunts and kick off deer season. D&DH-TV hosts Dan Schmidt, Gordy Krahn, Mark Kayser and Steve Bartylla are hunting throughout the United States from Texas to Wisconsin. Pick up some great tips from these veteran hunters who have experienced the highs and lows we all encounter every year. Deer & Deer Hunting-TV airs on Sportsman Channel; check listings for times in your area. SHOPDEERHUNTING.COM Deer & Deer Hunting is excited to partner with the American Knife Company to deliver an exclusive line of great hunting knives. These custom knives feature the D&DH logo on the blade, and the classic design puts a modern twist on an old favorite of deer camps across North America.…
Not all early winters are disastrous for whitetails, but the 1991 Halloween snowstorm that swept northern Wisconsin set the stage for one of those severe winters that produced unpredictable consequences. The storm blanketed the region with nearly 30 inches of snow a full three weeks before the state’s traditional rifle deer season opened. Another 18 inches of snow fell during the first weekend of the season. According to Wisconsin DNR Wildlife Biologist Keith McCaffery, many bucks were in such poor physical condition they cast their antlers by the end of November. Others reportedly came off while bucks were being dragged out of the woods by hunters. Given what we know about white-tailed deer reproductive physiology, it’s likely the rut was essentially over by the end of November across northern parts…
You’ve put trail cameras all over your property and one buck in particular has snagged your attention. He’s the wide 8-pointer with the split brow tines on the right and a sticker off the left G3 — the one you have photos of throughout the summer licking your mineral block. The one you’ve been careful not to pressure too much during the first few weeks of deer season. You’ve been closely monitoring his activity since the start of the hunting season, when all of a sudden, he’s just gone! A few days later, you swing by the local deer processor to see what was killed over the weekend. There you see Joe, who owns a 40-acre piece of property 5 miles down the road from you. Joe just happens to…
With all of the photos on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Internet discussion forums and magazine covers, we are being increasingly desensitized to an endless parade of nice, clean 8- and 10-point white-tailed bucks. Typical antlers are becoming boring to those with ADHD (Avid Deer Hunter Disorder). We are naturally drawn to the unique. Flash a picture of a freakish non-typical set of antlers and you get everyone’s attention. Stories of big bucks are so much more interesting when sprinkled with the descriptions of kicker points, drop tines, cheaters, forks, crab claws, palmation, double brows, double drops, cactus bucks and triple beams. Most people, even the 10-point purists, love the looks of a rack with a little “extra.” Many circumstances can cause non-typical antler growth, but two conditions are important foundations for…
