Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2016 i Deer & Deer Hunting

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…

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…

In order to deploy an effective same-day setup, it’s important to choose lightweight gear. Unless your area has perfectly straight, limbless trees suitable for a climber, this begins with screw-in steps or climbing sticks. Screw-in steps are more easily carried by backpack, plus they don’t become entangled in brush as you negotiate the woods. However, they aren’t legal on public lands in many states, so be sure to check the regulations before selecting your climbing gear. If you must use climbing sticks, lightweight aluminum-constructed models are a good choice. These fasten to trees more quickly than screw-in steps, so even though they’re more cumbersome to transport, they do have advantages. Next, choose a lightweight hang-on stand. For areas with crooked or leaning trees, select one that can be leveled.…

The buck described in this article illustrates the typical movement patterns of homecoming bucks. I first started getting photos of him during the summer of 2010, when I got permission to hunt a new property. I estimated he was 3 years old at that time. The next fall, 2011, the buck was 4½ years old, with a rack that would likely score 170 inches. I might well have shot this buck that fall; the only problem was, once hunting season opened I was no longer getting photos of him and had no idea where he had relocated to. That fall the buck returned to his summer range twice during the rut, on November 6 and November 29. At this point I had not yet put together the homecoming-buck phenomenon. I…

The first buck arrived too soon, within the first hour of the first day of the hunt. It’s what we all wish for, and I was physically prepared. My Barnett Razr crossbow was cocked and loaded and I’d ranged all of my shooting lanes. But I wasn’t mentally ready yet. The first deer, the first morning, will do that to you — make you question yourself. Was he a shooter? Was he the deer I wanted to burn my tag on? No, not yet, I finally rationalized. I needed to see a few more deer to determine what this particular ranch was capable of producing, particularly in light of the information I’d received in camp the previous evening. The ranch was located just north of Del Rio, Texas, in the…

During the summer of 1995, my family began raising white-tailed deer to research their behavior and nutritional needs inside a 35-acre enclosure we built on our farm. It contained a stream, a pond, mixed hardwoods, an apple orchard and 11 food plots. I had hunted wild free-ranging whitetails throughout North America and wanted to make sure that any buck we raised was what I call a real-world deer. I wasn’t interested in having deer that were genetically bred for big antlers, so the three bucks and two does we started with came from the Avery Estate located in the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains. Once established, no other deer were purchased and no hunting was allowed in the enclosure. Except for the deer New York State mandated we test…

A whitetail’s front leg doesn’t get much respect as a source of prime venison. It’s time to change all of that. I’m not going to say where or when this happened, but it was a long time ago and the people responsible have mended their ways, so there’s no sense going into those specifics. But the story really illustrates how old wives’ tales and misplaced traditions can contribute to the potential waste of a truly fine resource. It was deer camp at a farm in the Midwest. There were perhaps seven or eight of us there, and it was gun season. It wasn’t a guided hunt or anything like that; just a bunch of guys doing some slug hunting in the woodlots, creek-bottoms and farm fields, and managing to shoot…

I vividly recall how good it felt to release an arrow — with my fingers — and see it hit a 2-inch circle time and time again at 25 yards. That kind of accuracy took practice, but it was oh-so rewarding. I get the same feeling, even today, when I aim my inline muzzleloader at a target, squeeze the trigger and (after the smoke clears) see the yellow impact staring back at me. Sure, muzzleloading and muzzleloaders have come a long way over the past 20 years. Nearly everything about them has changed, at least gear-wise. But the premise still remains: One and done as far as the shot goes. And despite all of the advancements in rifles, igniters, propellants and bullets, it still takes some homework and range time…

1½ Years of Age Body — A yearling buck will appear dainty with a thin neck, somewhat resembling a doe with antlers. His legs appear long compared to his body, giving him a slender, lanky look and a thin waist. Antlers — Antler development can be highly variable and is usually around 15 to 25 percent of the deer’s antler growth potential (AGP). Beams are thin and relatively short, and spread is usually inside the ears. Tarsal Glands — During the rut, tarsal glands are small and lightly colored, possibly with some dark staining. 2½ Years of Age Body — Legs still appear slightly long for the body and bucks might seem a bit gangly and awkward, though not nearly to the same extent as yearlings. The waist is thin…

At 55 degrees, the morning of Nov. 4, 2014, was breezy and warmer than normal for Ohio. But the southwest wind was perfect for a stand I’d been saving all season — where I’d located a huge buck while glassing soybean fields during early August. After going through my usual rigorous scent control regiment, I made the half-mile walk to my treestand. At the first hint of daylight, a lone doe showed up and slipped into the small thicket I had chosen to guard for the day. That’s when I noticed several rubs on arm-thick trees all around me — a good indication that I’d chosen the right spot on that hot summer day several months earlier. During the next half-hour, three more does entered the little thicket below me.…

Lindsey Bartosh of Utah has some great recipes on her website, www.HuntingandCooking.com, including several for deer. She and her husband enjoy hunting and other outdoors pursuits, along with preparing and cooking wild game. This recipe for venison steaks is simple and tasty, and can be done with elk or other big game. Check out her tips and recipes at www.HuntingandCooking.com. Deer Tenderloin Topped with Gorgonzola Five or six ½-inch butterflied deer tenderloin steaks 4 oz. crumbled Gorgonzola cheese 1 Tbsp. fresh sage, minced 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, minced 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary, minced 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil (optional) Mix the cheese and herbs in a bowl, which should be minced finely. Use other herbs if you have a preference. Heat stove to medium-high. In a non-stick skillet, add vegetable oil…

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.…

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…

Sometimes it pays to deploy an all-or-nothing approach to punching your tag. About 25 minutes of daylight remained of the late-September evening when a handsome 140-class Wisconsin buck emerged onto the alfalfa field with a much smaller compadre. I’d arrowed a slightly larger buck from this stand a year earlier. Now, could I perform a repeat? Rather than mosey into range, the pair walked the field edge directly away from me. Helplessly, I watched the fruits of my labor disappear back into the woods. I hunted the stand several more times during the following days and weeks, but never saw that buck again. When all was said and done, I wished I would’ve climbed down and used the favorable wind to attempt a stalk. Shooter-buck sightings are rare in my…

During early seasons, I hunt bucks in order to kill bucks. But with rut dates I instead hunt does. Does, after all, are what rutting bucks have on their minds. Many whitetail hunters — especially in the age of trail cameras — become discouraged when only does show up beneath their stands. “Nothing but does,” is a common complaint. But when I’ve a stand site harboring copious does, I keep a very close eye on that site when the rut rolls around. All it takes to break that stand wide open is for just one of those does to come into estrus. The observant hunter also keeps an eye peeled for concentrated doe movement. A particular creek-bottom, field corner or crossing point where does are regularly observed, or the obvious…

CVA’s Accura V2LR is a long-range version of the new and improved “Version 2” of the popular Accura model. Like its predecessor, the Accura V2 provides a high level of accuracy performance due to its premium, custom quality Bergara barrel. At an extended 30 inches in length, the LR provides just the right combination of balance, maneuverability and efficient powder-burning capability. The barrel is made from 416 stainless steel, is fluted, and has 1:28-inch twist rifling. The gun features a thumbhole stock and also comes with a DuraSight Dead-On one-piece scope mount. It measures 45 inches overall and weighs 8.1 pounds. For more information, visit www.CVA.com.…

As the sun dipped below the mesquite-lined horizon and a brilliant orange glow radiated skyward, I watched two yearling bucks sparring while a heavy-beamed 20-inch-wide 8-pointer worked over a scrape under a glossy, white-barked persimmon tree only a short distance from my elevated blind located in the middle of a South Texas oat patch. I enjoyed a great evening hunt, but the buck I was after failed to show up. Actually, I had never seen the buck I was hunting, but one of my friends had, and after describing it to me, I knew I had to get a look at the brute. More importantly, my friend actually witnessed the animal work over the same scrape that the big 8-pointer had just visited. It is common knowledge today, but back…