Each issue of North American Whitetail brings you effective techniques for outsmarting monster bucks. You'll learn the success secrets of North America's most accomplished, most knowledgeable whitetail hunters - riflemen and bowhunters alike.
AS EDITOR IN CHIEF OF North American Whitetail, I have the distinct privilege of interviewing whitetail hunters from across the continent. Literally, I talk to folks from Canada to Mexico and every deer hunting destination in-between. In doing so, I’ve had conversations with all walks of life. I’ve chatted with old timers who’ve hunted big bucks for longer than I’ve been alive, legends who possess the sort of whitetail wisdom you can’t help but admire. I’ve met young hunters with skill and accomplishments beyond their years — as well as straight-up “horseshoe” lucky folks who sit on buckets with borrowed guns and shoot state record bucks. I’ve been lied to by poachers peddling fabricated stories. And I’ve been subpoenaed by wildlife officers to cooperate in investigations against them. And the…
OUR FAVORITE MONTH of the year! At NAW TV, we enjoy hunting all phases of the whitetail season, but no other time during the fall excites us more than November. And during November 2024, our team had a phenomenal month! Shown above, Managing Editor Blake Garlock downed this mature buck in Wyoming with Ralph Dampman of Trophy Ridge Outfitters. After his gun case was run over by an airport baggage hauler, Blake re-zeroed his rifle and hopped in a blind just in time to catch the buck pushing a doe across a meadow. One shot from Blake’s Browning X-bolt chambered in Hornady’s 6.5 PRC dropped the buck in its tracks! Blake’s Wyoming buck wasn’t the only deer taken by the NAW TV team last November. Blake kicked off the month…
THE ESTIMATED POPULATION of white-tailed deer in North America now stands at around 36 million; pretty impressive, considering estimates of the pre-Columbian population are somewhere between 20-30 million! It’s also estimated about 6 million deer are harvested annually, amounting to about 360 million pounds of venison! The number of Boone & Crockett qualifying bucks from 2020-22 for the top 16 states and provinces was almost 1,000! The average state record typical net score holds at around 194 inches (range=176-211 4/8, n=43). Given this information, why should I even continue? Things look pretty good in the world of the whitetail and whitetail hunting, right? Let’s take a deep dive into the facts. We will have to begin at the turn of the 20th Century. WILDLIFE PREFERRED TREES AND SHRUBS In 1900, there…
Killer Instinct’s new Logix 435 RDC Crossbow is designed for serious whitetail hunters who demand blazing fast arrow speed, excellent accuracy and a compact axle-to-axle footprint. At first glance, the Logix 435 RDC looks like a sleek, tactical machine — and that’s exactly what it is. Measuring just 6.75 inches wide axle-to-axle when cocked, this crossbow is impressively compact, making it ideal for maneuvering in tight blinds or tree stand setups. Uncocked, the bow expands to 10.75 inches, still maintaining a low profile that’s easy to carry and stow. Despite its compact frame, the Logix 435 packs a serious punch. With speeds reaching up to 435 feet per second and 155.5 foot-pounds of kinetic energy, this crossbow is more than capable of taking down whitetails at extended ranges. The NAW…
IF YOU’RE A WATERFOWL hunter, chances are you’ve heard of Honey Brake Lodge, Outfitters and Gun Club. Their website describes them best, I think: “Nestled in the heart of Louisiana’s Mississippi flyway, Honey Brake stands as one of the South’s premier outdoor destinations. Built on a deep tradition of world class hunting, fishing, and dog training, Honey Brake offers unmatched experiences and hospitality year-round. From legendary waterfowl hunts to luxurious lodge accommodations, every detail reflects our commitment to excellence in the outdoors.” The whitetail buck taken at Honey Brake by Tyler Jordan, on Dec. 5, 2024, confirms Honey Brake’s conservation work and wildlife management isn’t reserved just for waterfowl! Make no mistake, this Louisiana gem is home to a sprawling whitetail herd with incredible genetics. To confirm, look up Louisiana’s…
CROSSING THE BOUNDARY from his home in Indiana into neighboring Ohio is fairly routine for Codey Redd. During a typical week, he might casually cross the line several times. When a coworker told him about a big buck in the neighboring Buckeye state in 2022, he gained a specific reason to make the trek, kicking off a four-season quest. After obtaining permission to hunt the deer, Codey dove right in. His first efforts to take the buck fell short, but his interest multiplied when he saw the impressive shed antlers. “The tine length on those sheds was so much bigger than anything I had ever hunted,” Codey recalls. Encouraged by the discovery, Codey read up on human intrusion and playing the wind, then purchased some trail cameras, which confirmed the…
