Big Deer Blog

This is one of 33 interesting deer-research findings in this QMDA article: $115,000: The estimated cost to produce a 1-inch increase in average Boone & Crockett score among a localized population of free-ranging bucks by releasing pen-raised deer to improve genetics. Dr. Steve Demarais of Mississippi State University conducted the computer-model study (using existing data on natural dispersal and immigration, breeding success, recruitment, and survival, plus the costs of buying pen-raised deer) in response to recent suggestions by deer breeders that this practice would be beneficial. Most biologists laughed at the idea, but they had little data to stand on. Now they do. That ridiculous amount of money aside, the idea of releasing tame bucks into the woods is preposterous. What [...]

From long-time BIG DEER blogger and food-plot specialist Matt “Flatlander” Cheever: Hey Mike: It’s that time of year to start getting our hands dirty in the deer woods with habitat projects. Food plot planting is kicking off in the South and close by to the North. Passing along a tip to the BIG DEER readers: It’s a common mistake to till, disk or dig too deep. The bigger the equipment you use the easier it is to over-till, which brings up dormant weed seeds. On the other hand, if you don’t till enough you won’t get good seed-to-soil contact. A good rule of thumb is to plant twice as deep as the seed is in size.  For clovers, brassicas and the [...]