Clay Hanback, Author at Big Deer

31 01, 2022

Review: Gobi Heated Socks For Hunters

Clay Hanback2022-01-30T09:33:22-05:00January 31st, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Gear Reviews|Comments Off on Review: Gobi Heated Socks For Hunters

I hunt in northern Saskatchewan every year, where the primary technique is to sit in a brush blind out in the elements from dawn to dusk, hoping a giant buck strolls by. Sitting still for 9 hours in temps that range from the single digits to high 20s, like I did for a week in November, was the perfect field-test for Gobi Tread Heated Socks. If you’ve hunted from a tree stand or blind very much in cold climates, I don’t have to tell you about cold feet, one of the true banes of deer hunting. The mediumweight, calf-high cotton socks are infused with steel fiber heating technology that focuses warmth in heat zones beneath your toes, where you need [...]

26 01, 2022

Doe W/Antlers: One In 5,000?

Clay Hanback2022-01-26T09:35:10-05:00January 26th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Doe W/Antlers: One In 5,000?

How rare is a whitetail doe like the one in this picture? According to the Virginia Division of Wildlife Resources, there are two types of antlered does. The first are females with velvet-covered antlers. These animals usually have normal female reproductive tracts and are capable of bearing fawns. On the other hand, does with polished antlers are actually male pseudo-hermaphrodites. They have the external genitalia of a female, but have male sex organs internally. Antlered does are extremely rare. How uncommon? Some scientists say that one in every 5,000 does might have antlers For more on does with antlers, click here.

24 01, 2022

First Look: CZ 600 Alpha Rifle

Clay Hanback2023-04-03T09:14:05-04:00January 24th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, CZ-USA, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Gear Reviews|Comments Off on First Look: CZ 600 Alpha Rifle

In 2022, CZ-USA introduces 4 models in the new 600 series of bolt-action rifles: Lux, Range, Trail and Alpha. I recently got my hands on an Alpha, which has several unique and innovative features that you have never seen on a deer rifle before. I like what I saw and, I believe, you will too. Take your pick, the Alpha is chambered for .223, .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 PRC, .30-06. and 300 Win. Mag. The rifle has a lightweight aluminum receiver with an integral 2-piece Picatinny rail for easy and efficient scope mounting. The receiver perfectly balances a semi-heavy, cold hammer-forged barrel, which comes threaded and suppressor-ready (told you this rifle had innovations). Receiver and barrel are housed in a [...]

20 01, 2022

New Research On Whitetail Fawn Mortality And Survival

Clay Hanback2022-01-18T10:05:37-05:00January 20th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Science, whitetail deer|1 Comment

Most all scientific studies conducted during the past 30 years have documented predation, largely by coyotes, as the leading cause of whitetail fawn mortality. But wait a sec. “Predation may have less of an impact than we think,” writes Justin Dion in this article posted to the National Deer Association’s website. In the springs of 2016 and 2017, Dion and his fellow researchers at the University of Delaware captured and collared 109 newborn fawns in Sussex County in the southern portion of the state. The study area had about 50 deer per square mile, but a noticeable lack of predators. No confirmed sightings of bobcats and no bears. Only 9 coyotes had ever been reported harvested statewide in Delaware at [...]

18 01, 2022

Best Time To Scout For Whitetail Deer

Clay Hanback2022-01-18T10:02:10-05:00January 18th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Best Time To Scout For Whitetail Deer

As you reflect on last deer season and think, Man, what a killer or bummer year, guess what? It’s time to get out there and start scouting again. Snooping around for old sign gives you a leg up on the bucks you’ll hunt 7 or 8 months from now. Core of the Matter When scouting in late summer and early fall, the times when most hunters do it, you want to cover lots of ground, but you’re leery of laying down scent and jumping the deer you’ll hunt in a few weeks. So you play it safe and poke around the fringes of fields, woods and thickets. Sure, you find fresh tracks and maybe some early rubs. But these are [...]

About Clay Hanback

Review: Gobi Heated Socks For Hunters

Doe W/Antlers: One In 5,000?

First Look: CZ 600 Alpha Rifle

New Research On Whitetail Fawn Mortality And Survival

Best Time To Scout For Whitetail Deer