8 04, 2015

Mule Deer: Populations Up Big In Eastern Montana

2020-06-10T09:19:38-04:00April 8th, 2015|Big Deer TV|1 Comment

Mule deer populations in Eastern Montana are showing signs of a strong recovery based on post-hunting season surveys this winter. This is great news, since most of what you read and hear is how muley numbers are down and falling across much of the West. From 2010 to 2012, a string of cold, snowy, brutal winters that lingered into spring cut mule deer numbers by as much as 55 percent in the region. But after surveys this winter, biologists estimate a near-record number of 91 fawns per 100 does in many areas. Bucks are also doing well, with an average of 37 bucks per 100 does compared to a long-term average of 32 per 100 in Eastern Montana. Biologists note that observations [...]

25 03, 2015

Hunting TV: Why I Air No-Kill Episodes

2020-06-10T09:19:38-04:00March 25th, 2015|Big Deer TV, BigDeer|7 Comments

In the last couple of seasons of BIG DEER TV, we have aired episodes from Wisconsin, New York, Montana and other places where we hunted hard, had fun and did not shoot a buck. Those "no kill" shows were some of our most popular and highly rated episodes. One good trend in hunting TV is that more and more viewers want to see and hear the real story, whether it ends with a buck or not, and more and more producers and network executives are getting that, albeit slowly. Every time somebody questions me on whether we ought to air a no-kill episode or not, I point them to this letter I got one time from a viewer: Mike: I want to tell [...]

18 03, 2015

Deer Rifle Update: Remington Model 783

2020-06-10T09:19:39-04:00March 18th, 2015|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Remington|9 Comments

I was one of the first hunters to shoot and test the Model 783 back in 2012. That November John Fink, who works for Remington, shot the first ever buck with the 783 on a hunt with me in Saskatchewan. We filmed that 160-inch giant going down for my show, Big Deer TV On Sportsman Channel. When I posted my first review on the Model 783 in January 2013, I had shot the rifle (in .30-06 caliber) quite a bit, but I had never killed a deer with. I have since shot 5 bucks with the 783, 2 with the .30-06 and 3 with one chambered for .270. A recap of the Model 783’s features and specs: Built in Mayfield, KY, the 783 bolt-action has [...]

10 03, 2015

BIG DEER TV: Giant Buck in Kansas

2020-06-10T09:19:51-04:00March 10th, 2015|Big Deer TV, BigDeer|2 Comments

Danny filmed this buck in Kansas one afternoon last fall...at 600 yards. When you see that much rack (esp. G-4s) from that far away you know it's a big deer. Second I saw him I hissed, "170!" And look how long his body is. Sometimes a buck’s huge size can make his rack look even smaller than it is. Back at the camp house that night I told the landowner I had seen a Boone and Crockett, or close to it. “Why didn’t you shoot?” he asked. “Six hundred is too far for me, and especially on TV,” I said. “Aw, you could have gotten him,” he growled. And I could have missed…or worse. Most hunters will never get the opportunity to see [...]

9 03, 2015

Alabama Hunter’s True Deer Obsession

2020-06-10T09:19:51-04:00March 9th, 2015|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer|6 Comments

Got this email the other day with “Deer Obsession” in the subject line: Mike: I watch your show religiously, and would like to share this story. I live in Alabama, and this past January, 27, I had a heart attack while at work. Spent 3 days in the hospital and was released to go home on the 29th. I wasn't able to get into the woods for a few days in my ladder stand, but finally I couldn't take it anymore. On a warm, rainy morning I walked down to my pop-up blind and had a seat. At 10:30 this buck came by. Not a monster but I'm proud of him anyway. He will go on the wall. Just wanted [...]

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