Big Deer Blog

30 08, 2023

Why Some Bucks Grow Non-Typical Antlers

2023-08-17T11:26:31-04:00August 30th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Why Some Bucks Grow Non-Typical Antlers

In Perry County, Ohio, Ethan Featheroff arrowed a 20-point giant that scored 220 7/8”. In Logan County, West Virginia, Donny Baisden scouted, hunted and shot the awesome unicorn buck that taped out at 182 5/8. The 20-year trend of hunters shooting monster non-typical whitetails continues, and many more giants will fall in 2023. Here are 3 reasons bucks grow such huge, gaudy racks. Injury: Biologists have long known that trauma to a buck’s skull plate or velvet antlers or a major bodily injury (i.e., a broken leg) can cause a rack to grow crazily during the current antler cycle or even for several years thereafter. Injury probably accounts for the most freakish racks, like a “cactus buck.” If deer tries to jump a wire [...]

27 08, 2023

Texas Unicorn Velvet Buck

2023-08-17T11:16:50-04:00August 27th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Texas Unicorn Velvet Buck

My friend Wren from down in Texas sent me this photo and said, “Looks like we have another unicorn buck on the ranch!” Look close in the middle of the deer’s forehead and you’ll see it. You might ask, “Is possible a tine can grow out the middle of a buck’s forehead like that? How rare is it?” Yes, tines can grow in weird places. Mickey Hellickson, one of the top whitetail scientists in the world with a lot of experience in Texas, says: It is caused by trauma to the frontal bone. This entire region of the skull is capable of growing antler, and if an area of the frontal bone is injured (such as a tine puncture from another [...]

24 08, 2023

Rifle Deer: What’s Better, the Shoulder or Lung Shot?

2023-08-17T10:53:24-04:00August 24th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Hornady, sportsman channel, trijicon, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Rifle Deer: What’s Better, the Shoulder or Lung Shot?

Mike: I was just curious, where do you aim on a deer when you are hunting with a gun? I have had terrific success with the shoulder shot versus the standard behind-the-shoulder shot. The recovery rates and distances that deer run, margin of error and terminal performance are all superior when I use this aiming point. I think others could benefit if they changed where they shoot a buck and go for more shoulder. Thanks, Kenny from VA. Kenny: I have shot a bunch of bucks through the shoulders and agree that it is a tremendous shot. When you’re on target, you not only take out both shoulders but also get the front of the lungs and shock the heart. [...]

21 08, 2023

Pre-Season Hunting Rifle Check

2023-08-17T10:34:39-04:00August 21st, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, CZ-USA, Deer Guns & Loads, trijicon, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Pre-Season Hunting Rifle Check

Just got back from the range and checking these 2 rigs that I’ll hunt with this fall as we film Big Deer TV Season 13 on Sportsman Channel: CZ-USA Model 600 Alpha bolt-action rifle in 6.5 PRC topped with Trijicon Accupoint 4X-16X scope, and CZ 600 in .30-06 topped w/Trijicon 3X-9X Huron. Here are 4 observations and tips I have from that range session. The 6.5 PRC rifle was dead-on last January in Texas, where I killed a nice buck and a huge boar hog with one bullet each. My first shot at the range today was 4 inches high and 3 inches left. I was not shocked. I traveled 2,000 miles back home with the rifle. That might or [...]

16 08, 2023

5 Tips for Bowhunting the Elk Rut

2023-08-13T12:02:55-04:00August 16th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, sportsman channel|Comments Off on 5 Tips for Bowhunting the Elk Rut

Won't be long until the bulls are bugling out West; these these tips to bring one in. If you are calling to a bull that is bugling and coming in, make sure he's coming from a direction that won't cause him to cut the track you just made getting to your set up. An elk's nose is very good and if he cuts your track, even if the wind is in your favor, he might shut up, turn around and bug out. Mark his bugles and move your setup if you must. Spray your clothes and boots heavily with scent-killer. It’s best to have a buddy call for you. Have him set up 75-100 yards behind you, downwind of where [...]

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