BigDeer Archives - Page 178 of 342

24 03, 2017

Spring Gobbler Fever: How to Call Wild Turkeys

admin2020-06-10T09:16:30-04:00March 24th, 2017|Big Deer TV, BigDeer|2 Comments

While this is a deer hunting blog, I know that millions of deer hunters will be hitting the turkey woods this spring. Here are some calling tips from one of my turkey hunting books.--MH Diaphragm Mouth Call Mouth calls have been around for 150 years. Early diaphragms were big and crude, but modern calls are streamlined and high-tech, featuring either a latex or prophylactic reed crimped into an aluminum frame. A tape skirt covers the frame and acts as an air seal. There are many mouth calls on the market. Some have one or two rubber reeds; others three or four. Some calls have clipped or notched reeds designed to put rasp into your yelps. How to Mouth Call Place [...]

22 03, 2017

Need A Salvage Permit For Deer Skull/Antlers?

admin2020-06-10T09:16:30-04:00March 22nd, 2017|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Shed Hunting|Comments Off on Need A Salvage Permit For Deer Skull/Antlers?

During the winter and spring shed hunt of 2017, hunters across the country have been finding, picking up and posting on social media some giant “deadheads,” like this 200-class skull making the rounds on Facebook. Let me remind you that if you find any-size skull w/antlers in the woods you might—actually you probably-- need to obtain a salvage permit (or at least permission) from the state to possess and transport that skull. In most states a deadhead—the skull and rack from a buck that died of disease, was hit by a car or was lost by a hunter last season—is treated like a roadkill buck, and subject to the same state roadkill laws, which in most cases means you need [...]

20 03, 2017

Study: Trees Know When Deer Feed On Them

admin2020-06-10T09:16:30-04:00March 20th, 2017|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science|Comments Off on Study: Trees Know When Deer Feed On Them

Science continues to uncover interesting things in the deer world. The Deer Forest Blog reported that a recent study found that some trees know when they are being browsed by deer…and they put up a defense mechanism to stop it. The study looked at beech and maple saplings that comprised the regenerating under-story in a forest, and thus were often browsed by deer. The researchers simulated deer browsing by clipping buds off the saplings and then applying deer saliva to the wounds. They found that the saliva caused the saplings to increase production of salicylic acid, which signals a tree to produce more tannins. Tannins are bitter and not palatable to deer. The scientists concluded that the production of tannins may deter future [...]

16 03, 2017

How to Clean a Deer Skull Plate

admin2020-06-10T09:16:30-04:00March 16th, 2017|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting|1 Comment

Mike: What's the easiest way to get the skin and hair off the skull plate when I want to mount a buck's antlers only? Thanks, Dennis Hey Dennis: Lance Waln, who I watched grow up from a kid to a great hunter and accomplished taxidermist here in Virginia, says to cut and peel as much hide and hair off the skull plate as you can with your hunting knife. Getting the skin away from the bone and antler burr is tough sometimes; try a large flat-tip screwdriver and pry the skin away from the antler base. Use your knife to remove the last hairs that stick to the base and the burrs. Skin as much meat and tissue as you [...]

14 03, 2017

Time to Turkey Hunt!

admin2020-06-10T09:16:30-04:00March 14th, 2017|BigDeer|2 Comments

Report from Vinnie C. down in Florida: Hey Mike: Dirty Jake (left) and I met on your BIG DEER blog 8 or 9 years ago. I invited him out to my lease a few years back, and he’s been here 3 times now. We’ve killed some awesome Osceola turkeys, including these two that knocked down a couple days ago! I've been out to Dirty Jake’s place in Arkansas on a duck hunt. We have a blast every time we get together. Jake is a great guy and one of the best turkey callers on the planet! Your blog brings hunters together to share their hunting stories and their hunts. You’re a stand-up guy, and always have time to answer posts [...]