Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2018 i Deer & Deer Hunting

There's never really a saturation point for good advice. It doesn't matter how long you've hunted or how many deer you've taken, there's always something new to learn, especially when the season is dwindling and there are tags to be filled. Here are three late-season hunting tips that have helped me punch tags in the waning hours. Perhaps they'll help you, too. 1. Bitter Isn't Always Better For years, I convinced myself that late-season hunts in below-average temperatures would flip a switch and have me covered up in whitetails. It seldom happened that way. In fact, some of the best late-season advice I've ever received was from the late, great bowhunter Gary Clancy of Minnesota. "Bitter isn't always better during these closing days of deer season," he once told me.…

LAND of WHITETAIL Upcoming Episodes of Land of Whitetail on Pursuit Channel December 9: “Hunting Open Country” Mark Kayser hunts wide-open South Dakota. December 16: “Island Paradise” Host Mark Kayser chases whitetails around a small, deserted island. December 23: “The Season of Change” Host Dan Schmidt reveals how to plan a season-long deer hunting strategy. December 30: “Finding the Honey Hole” Kansas is full of great deer hunting land. Follow Mark Kayser as he narrows down the best stand options. January 6: “Under Pressure” Dan Schmidt shows the difference between hunting pressured and unpressured deer. January 13: “What’s on the Menu?” Learn all about the variety of food that deer eat, and how to use it to your advantage. January 20: “Hunting Pressure”…

Being cold does not necessarily have to be part of a late muzzleloader hunting experience. A pop-up blind will shelter you from rain and wind, and a small propane heater will keep you toasty in close proximity to where you expect to see deer. Hunting in the open requires sitting still and self-deprivation. In a pop-up, you can pour a hot cup of coffee from a Thermos, but unscrew the cap gently to avoid squeaking the rubber seal against metal. You can also enjoy a snack, but I recommend putting snacks in a Ziplock bag, which opens quietly compared to the glaring crackle of cellophane. You can even read a book, work a crossword or Sudoku, or — heaven forbid — surf the Internet or play around on social media.…

The population dynamics and physical welfare of deer depend on their nutritional status. With good nutrition, does are extremely prolific, populations flourish and bucks achieve maximum body and antler growth. Conversely, poor nutrition leads to physically stunted deer that experience poor productivity and high natural mortality rates. Forest management traditionally served as the primary means of improving deer nutrition, especially on public land. Today, outdoor magazines are filled with articles (and advertising) extolling the importance of food plots and commercially available food and mineral supplements in order to artificially enhance deer nutrition. All too often, however, the whitetail’s inherent biological rhythms are rarely mentioned. Unlike domestic livestock, the whitetail’s behavior, digestive processes, physiology — and resultant nutritional needs — change seasonally. Individual requirements also vary according to the animal’s sex,…

Use a small cooler with a shoulder strap to store and transport deer scents. Double-bag each scent to prevent spillage. Your scent kit should include: • Odorless exam gloves. There are more than 24 different chemical compounds in tarsal gland scent alone, and many of them will make you sicker than the proverbial dog. • New scent boot pads, drags and wicks stored in airtight bags. • Replacement spray nozzles and/or droppers. Again, stored in airtight bags. • Small bottle of scent-killing spray. Spray liberally on anything you touch while putting out scents. • Hand sanitizer and body cleansing wipes. • Small trash bag for discarding used gloves and wipes, broken spray nozzles/ droppers, and used scent pads/wicks.…

Ozone is a quirky compound. After treating clothing, ozone, being a transient (unstable) molecule, reverts back to an oxygen molecule, rendering it harmless. This limits ozone’s ability to continue battling odors once the treatment source is turned off. Because of ozone’s affinity to revert back to oxygen, deer have a very small window to actually “smell it.” If they do, it is not an uncommon smell because they regularly encounter ozone during lightning storms. So the odds of it spooking them is small. Commercially, ozone is used to treat black mold, kill germs and viruses and control mildew. Ozone is also regularly used to control pet smells (think litter box) and it kills the lowly dust mite. Ozone will not, however, “purify air” as some manufacturers of home units claim.…

The “Deer & Deer Hunting Whitetails 2018 Wall Calendar” is the must-have resource for diehard deer hunters. Deer researcher Charles Alsheimer reveals his 2018 whitetail rut predictions based on years of lunar-cycle research. The highly accurate method helps you time the peak days for your hunt. The calendar features eye-catching photography and the moon phase calendar is simple to reference and use, giving you a leg up in planning hunting trips months in advance. In addition to being the ultimate yearly hunting reference available, it is also quite possibly the best gift you can give any deer hunter. Visit www.ShopDeerHunting.com  and search for SKU R6382…

You kill plenty of deer with your old rifle, so is there any real benefit to upgrading the trigger and bedding the action? Bill Pool, a gunsmith and owner of Arkansas Gun Traders in Benton, is an accomplished target shooter in multiple disciplines. Target shooters are obsessive about getting the smallest groups possible, but Pool said that the average deer hunter might benefit the most from a trigger and bedding job. “The average hunter is not a shooter,” Pool said. “He picks up his gun right before the season starts, and maybe he’ll fire off a few rounds to make sure it’s still on target.” Eliminating variables such as stock, action and barrel interface and an excessively heavy trigger pull can ensure that it shoots true year after year. Improving…

1 PSE Carbon Stealth Bow PSE’s new Carbon Air Stealth EC bow has extra reinforcement in its carbon riser, which translates into stability and reduced weight. The bow has the Evolve Cam system, which tested to 341 fps with up to 90 percent let-off. The Carbon Air Stealth SE ($1,499) comes with the Small Evolve cam and similar features to the Air Stealth EC. The new React ($799) and Ferocity ($449-up) bows also have Evolve technology and features but at value prices. Info: www.PSE-Archery.com 2 Cabela’s Meindl Boots German engineering fuels the Cabela’s Meindl boots, favored by deer hunters who want a sturdy lace-up boot that provides ankle support and toughness. The Meindl line is constructed of micro-suede leather and nylon mesh uppers, a Gore-Tex liner for year-round waterproofing and…

There are a lot of “the most important aspect of bowhunting is” arguments that could justifiably be made, and choosing the right specific tree at a location is definitely near the top of the list. Scouting, tree choice and location preparation embody the time and hard work that many of your hunting acquaintances might never witness, yet unknowingly to them, the fruits of that time and work is what makes them think you’re just lucky. Hunters in managed areas are expected to kill big bucks, but for Regular Joe hunters who rely on mediocre ground, killing a mature buck is simply the checkmate of a lot of hard and tedious work. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is how to relate deer sign with its location, factor in the amount…

White-tailed deer hunters today are extremely interested in any technical information available that might assist in their hunting or management programs. It’s this quest for information that has made Deer & Deer Hunting one of the most popular, if not the most popular, deer hunting magazine in North America. Because Deer & Deer Hunting strives to have some of the top technical deer minds in North America (e.g., John Ozoga, Bob Zaiglin and others) regularly contribute articles, it sets itself apart. So, it should come as no surprise that Charles Alsheimer regularly contributes articles and annually provides a rut forecast based upon his research regarding the moon and breeding cycles. His predictions are based upon years of data and can successfully predict rutting activity based upon the timing of the…

The pineal gland, tucked deep within the mid-portion of the deer’s brain, serves as the whitetail’s nerve and hormone transducer. That is, in response to changes in day length, the tiny pea-sized gland translates light signals into chemical signals that cause hormone changes responsible for setting the whitetail’s seasonal biological rhythms. Scientific studies conducted at Michigan’s Cusino Wildlife Research station demonstrated that the surgical removal of the deer’s pineal gland abolishes normal rhythms of hormone secretion and thereby disrupts certain basic seasonal processes. Without their pineal gland, whitetails still express annual rhythms, but such rhythms tend to be delayed. Instead of casting their antlers in winter, for example, they shed them in spring; subsequent antlers are abnormally small and poorly formed. Likewise, pinealectomized deer commonly retain their winter coat until…

At the time of this writing, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Vermont and Virginia prohibit the use of natural deer scents containing urine, gland oils and other bodily secretions, over concerns that unknowingly using tainted scents could spread chronic wasting disease (CWD). Minnesota and Pennsylvania have banned the use of natural deer scents in CWD areas. Depending on the state, violators could face significant fines, loss of hunting privileges and even jail time. For example, Arkansas hunters found guilty must pay a $100 to 1,000 fine, spend up to 30 days in jail and will be assessed six points against their hunting license (accumulating 18 points results in a one-year license suspension). Synthetic scents are legal in all 50 states.…

When you hear the word “roast” as it relates to cuts of venison, what do you envision? Chances are you picture a large chunk of meat weighing anywhere from 2 or 3 pounds up to 5 or 6 pounds — bone-in or bone-out — baked (roasted) in the oven, or steamed in a slow-cooker or electric skillet, carved up and served with traditional sides of onions, carrots and potatoes that were cooked in the same pan. Sounds pretty good, yes? And it is — one of the heartiest and most heart-warming meals you can imagine. But there’s much more to venison roasts. Let’s explore these prime pieces of venison in detail — the roast options featured on a whitetail, how to locate and remove them from your deer, and all…

During hunting season we always plant turnips in our green fields for the deer. The great thing is we enjoy cooking them with the game we harvest! Not only are there many gastronomic benefits of turnips, the health benefits also seem endless. Turnips are filled with antioxidants, and are rich in vitamins C, A, K, B, folic acid and carotenoids. Next time you feel a cold coming on, eat some turnips and enjoy this hearty tasty stew. Stacy Lyn Harris is the bestselling author of three cookbooks, founder of the popular Game and Garden blog, and a contributor/co-host on “The Sporting Chef” and “Rural Heritage.” Her simple approach to sourcing and preparing delicious meals make life easier for those who want great fresh food everyday. For more information, subscribe to…

Campfire debates frequently turn to the topic of the “ideal” bowhunting rig. These are as silly as the old Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge arguments some seem to relish, because no two bowhunters, or hunts, are exactly alike. Bowhunting gear is always a matter of compromises. Yet the case is simplified somewhat when the subject is narrowed to whitetails. Common themes emerge: most hunting conducted from cramped treestands or blinds; shots seldom exceeding 35 yards; long, cold hours of inactivity followed by the need to emerge from a zoned-out stupor to perform on perhaps your one big chance of the season. Under these conditions I’ve definitely developed preferences. 1. BOW DIMENSIONS The obvious argument begins with bow dimensions: short with maximum maneuverability (giving diffidence to cramped confines), or longer and…

Though their exuberances might seem subtle, the way an artist brushes the first strokes across canvas is the same way a hunter etches the first tracks across a cut cornfield in a freshly fallen snow. If those strokes or tracks cross from one day into another and those days accumulate to form an entirety, that is the passion Hemingway urges us to know. There is a particular section of woods where I hunt deer. It is located on a northern incline, overloaded with hemlock, laurel and every kind of fern, and the sun doesn’t shine down in there until after 10 o’clock. Because of how cold it stays, how steep and thick it is, and how tough the terrain is, other hunters rarely go there; so I do. Additionally, although…

Fit to Kill with Brittany Jill Deer hunting can be strenuous on every hunter's muscles, joints and cardiovascular system. Combine this with the fact that America’s hunting demographic is trending older, and it can be a recipe for disaster for the individual who doesn’t take the pastime seriously. Deer & Deer Hunting is proud to introduce Brittany Jill, a kickboxing instructor and personal trainer who happens to be an avid whitetail bowhunter. In the new video series Fit to Kill, Brittany Jill will provide top-end information and instruction for simple, basic exercises related to hunting activities that take very little time and can be performed just about anywhere to help deer hunters become healthier, and ultimately more successful in the field. Look for new episodes every Tuesday on www.deeranddeerhunting.com, YouTube…

Ticks are a very common ectoparasite and a multitude of different species have been found on deer throughout North America. Most common, however, are the lone star tick, black-legged tick and the gulf coast tick. Prevalence of the various tick species vary both seasonally and regionally and, at times, can be extremely high, and hunter-harvested deer from these hotspots might seem to be literally covered with these parasites. If you’ve ever come across one of these unfortunate animals, you probably couldn’t have helped but wonder how the animal survived with that many ticks. The reality is that while ticks are very common on the landscape, and most deer have some ticks on them, infestations such as that pictured here are uncommon. Usually, tick epidemics are a function of either a…

There are times when even the most seasoned black-powder hunter wonders why he bothers being in the woods. In states that have them, late muzzleloader seasons can be those times. Long gone are the cool mornings and gentle evenings of early fall that make the autumn colors glow. Deer were plentiful and relaxed then, before the modern firearms seasons took their 20 percent toll of the herd. You could almost count on a few does passing by your stand in October, and you had a better than average chance of seeing at least one mature buck. Now it’s cold and rainy in the South, cold and snowy in the North. Deer are fewer, and they are a lot more selective in their movements. There’s no guarantee of seeing a deer…

To deer hunters, few things smell as bad as a tarsal gland hidden in a lunch box. One of my hunting buddies is a huge practical joker. His past exploits include replacing odorless wind-detection powder with feminine hygiene powder, putting cayenne pepper in hunting boots and placing a stuffed skunk toy in a deer blind. He’s also a big believer in using tarsal glands from harvested deer to lure other whitetails into shooting range. One cold November morning, he placed a frozen tarsal gland between two slices of rye bread and put the “sandwich” in my lunch box. By noon, the odor emanating from my lunch box overwhelmed me. I made the best of it by taking my food out of the box and hanging both the lunch box AND…

In the mid-1800s, a German chemist accidently discovered a new gas while experimenting with sparking electricity. Recently, hunters have begun to rely heavily on this mysterious molecule, hoping to gain a competitive edge over the whitetail’s talented nose. Like many technologies before, ozone has been promoted as the panacea of scent eliminators. But does this “new” (170+ years old) technology live up to its billing? Or are these ozone-generating gadgets the latest in a long line of over-hyped, under-performing products? Those designed to wring hard-earned dollars out of our skinny hunting budgets? BYOB: BRING YOUR OWN BACTERIA Volumes have been written on controlling unwanted hunting odor. However, have you ever stopped to consider what causes it? The single biggest culprit is body odor. Sweat in and of itself has no…

It’s the heart of hunting season and that means great meals for the table at home or camp with family and friends. Jazz up your venison dishes this year with cookbooks from ShopDeerHunting.com, which has a variety of great ones from noted cooks and D&DH readers. You’ll find great ideas, recipes, tips and more from Scott Leysath, Stacy Lyn Harris, Al Cambronne and Eric Fromm, Jenny Nyguen and Rick Wheatley, and others in this great selection. Visit www.ShopDeerHunting.com/books/ venison-recipes.…