Hunting whitetail deer
Hunters who have planted or hunted over brassicas know how effective these sweet, late-season forage cultivars are at attracting deer. A fast-growing, high-yield blend of turnips and rapes will attract deer for hunting while providing the critical nutrition they need during late fall and winter. It will also provide you with plenty of action by concentrating deer near your stand.
Most deer hunters know the benefits of hunting agricultural land. Food sources are easy to find, utilize, and therefore, pattern. There are also usually a lot of deer in and around agriculture—in some areas, there are as many as 30–50 deer per square mile!
There has never been a hotter topic about deer hunting than whether it is better to hunt scrapes or hunt rub lines. Anyone who has killed a respectable buck near a fresh rub or rub line is likely to prefer and choose hunting rubs. Likewise, anyone who has killed a big buck near or on a scrape is likely to choose hunting scrapes.
Urine-based scents are a safe, effective, and important tool for deer management. According to experts that authored the most commonly referenced studies on this subject, the risk of urine-based scents spreading chronic wasting disease is virtually zero.
Many successful deer hunters spend more time scouting than hunting. And for the whitetail elite, scouting is a year-‘round proposition. But late summer seems to be the time when most everyday deer hunters get serious. Bow season is right around the corner, and they’re anxious to pattern deer for fast success once the opener arrives. Consequently, they ramp up their scouting activities in the field. However, human encroachment in the whitetail’s world is a complex thing.
Today’s scouting cameras have changed the landscape of hunting. These affordable, high-tech marvels have helped turn hunters into game managers by giving us continual information about the specific wildlife on the properties we hunt. Even a modest network of just a few, well placed scouting cameras can provide far more information on animal behavior than a single hunter could otherwise garner from hours of traditional scouting.
Enhancing the general health of whitetails while attracting and holding them on or near a hunting property has never been easier, nor has it been more economically feasible. A range of affordable products is available, specifically designed for any project scenario or scope. Read this question and answer article to attract more deer with better antler mass.
Anyone who plops their money down at the taxidermy shop wants and expects a great looking mount. Hunters expect a lot from their taxidermist and that’s reasonable. But remember: the taxidermist can only work with what they’re brought. Your actions in the field impact the quality (or lack thereof) of the finished mount, so following these eight tips will thrill your taxidermist, maximize your own gratification when the time to pick up your completed trophy arrives, and save you some money in the process.
The mercury is rising across the nation which means this is the time of year that parts of the whitetails’ range are, or could soon be, under a drought. Don’t spoil your season before it starts! Following these six steps for drought proofing food plots could mean the difference between having some food for deer or a complete withered failure.
Mineral supplements and food plots have caused some controversy due to diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). However, they can be very productive for the hunter and increase the overall health of the herd—especially during harsh winter seasons and when the fawns are starting to drop. Read the full story to ensure you are maximizing your feed dollars and effort.