2 12, 2023

Deer Tactics for December 3-5

2023-11-26T08:00:23-05:00December 2nd, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Deer Tactics for December 3-5

For the last 5 years I have hunted in Oklahoma and/or Kansas (when I drew a tag) in early December. On all those hunts I witnessed good buck movement and some of the best rutting activity of the year. I’ve shot 5 mature bucks over that span, including this stunning 160-class giant in southeast Kansas last December 3. The early post-rut has become my most productive time, and I urge you not to miss these 3 days this season. Best conditions: This December 3-5 two things will work in your favor. While Sunday could be tricky, there will be noticeably less hunting pressure in your woods on Monday and Tuesday. On December 4, the moon will be waxing to last-quarter, [...]

1 12, 2023

6 Buck Tactics for December

2023-11-26T07:37:46-05:00December 1st, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on 6 Buck Tactics for December

The calendar just flipped to December, and a buck tag is still burning a hole in your pocket. Most of your buddies have killed their deer, and you’re starting to worry. Maybe even panic. What am I doing wrong? Did I miss the rut? Will I get my buck? Take a deep breath and look at your predicament as an opportunity. You still get to roam the woods for a few more days, and the buck hunting is a lot better than you might think. Try these tips to score at the buzzer. Hunt Hard in the Early Post-Rut  I hunt in several states in early December, from Kansas to Oklahoma to Virginia. All over I am witnessing good to [...]

20 11, 2023

Tired of Sitting in a Deer Stand? Try Stalking the November Rut

2023-11-20T13:53:22-05:00November 20th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Tired of Sitting in a Deer Stand? Try Stalking the November Rut

Sneak 15 yards…lean against a tree…look for movement…listen…glass ahead and to the sides with your binoculars…then slip another 20 yards…look and listen. I’ve killed quite a few rutting bucks that way with a gun, but only when conditions are right. This is NOT something you do on public land. And I “slip hunt” only on a private property with very light hunting pressure. You want to still-hunt without worry of bumping into a stranger, or driving an 8-pointer into his sights. Stalking has advantages. You cover a lot of ground, which increases your odds of encountering more bucks trolling for does if you do it right. The more you move around, the more rubs, scrapes and big tracks you’ll find [...]

16 11, 2023

3 Best Rifle Stands for the Deer Rut

2023-11-07T09:47:05-05:00November 16th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, whitetail deer|Comments Off on 3 Best Rifle Stands for the Deer Rut

One morning in Oklahoma, a guide named Jim pointed me to a box blind and whispered, “When the sun comes up, you can see and shoot a country mile brother. Watch the tree line out front. Good luck.” I climbed into the box and the sun rose splendid pink and blue. I couldn’t see a mile to the tree break, but might as well have. My rangefinder read 412 yards to the front edge of the timber. I refuse to shoot at a deer that far away, not even with a finely tuned rifle and a solid rest, so I was basically an observer the rest of the morning. Might as well make the best of it. I glassed 3 [...]

22 10, 2023

Use Tarsal Scent for Pre-Rut Bucks

2023-10-22T11:17:00-04:00October 22nd, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, Gear Reviews, whitetail deer|1 Comment

This is a true story, I swear. One morning in Virginia, I shot a 10-pointer with my muzzleloader and got on the trail. I could smell his rankness in the air and in the blood as I tracked, and when I found him I covered my nose with my sleeve and thought, Whoa, you stink. The deer’s hocks were dripping and black as motor oil. I rolled the buck over, held my breath and started gutting. Leaves popped. I peeked up and saw another 10-pointer bearing down on me, head and rack held low, hair bristling on his neck. I crouched lower behind the dead deer. A rut-crazed buck is unpredictable, and I figured staying put rather than trying to [...]

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