BigDeer Archives - Page 211 of 342

22 02, 2016

Best Rifles and Calibers For Deer Hunting

admin2020-06-10T09:16:59-04:00February 22nd, 2016|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads|4 Comments

Caliber: I’ve shot whitetails, mule deer and a few blacktails with a dozen different cartridges over the years, and from those experiences I’ve drawn the following simple yet practical conclusion: Choose a rifle caliber that shoots a 130- to 165-grain bullet accurately out to 300 yards and you’ll be in great shape for deer anywhere in North America. Five time-tested standbys--.270, .308, .30-06, 7mm-08 and 7mm Rem. Mag.--fit that criteria and, all things considered, are my top choices for straight up mule deer hunting and whitetail hunting. Quick note about the .270: I have shot a bunch of bucks with this cartridge, and I prefer the added weight and anchoring power of the 150-grain bullet over the 130-grainer. Quick note [...]

18 02, 2016

Southeast Deer Study Group 2016

admin2020-06-10T09:16:59-04:00February 18th, 2016|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Deer Science|1 Comment

This respected group holds an annual conference at which biologists and researchers present their latest findings on whitetail biology and management. The 2016 meetings just wrapped in Charlotte, NC. I followed Tweets from the conference #SEDSG. Some of the most interesting new science: Elizabeth Cooney @UGAWarnell studied fawning sites and found that does often choose igloo-like domes of vines/shrubs in which to drop and hide their young. (I found that fascinating.) Rebecca Shuman @UGAWarnell reported that fawns are at most risk during their first week of life. In a study, 51 of 70 fawns perished, half of those in the first 7 days of life. Of the 51 fawn deaths, 45 were killed by predators, mostly coyotes. Bobcats and black [...]

17 02, 2016

Big Saskatchewan Shed!

admin2020-06-10T09:16:59-04:00February 17th, 2016|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Shed Hunting|1 Comment

Our friend Amanda w/Buck Country Outfitters in Saskatchewan found this great matching set the other day. Three common characteristics of the racks up there jump out: dark, almost black in color (the color of used motor oil is a term I've written many times); good mass, almost a clubby look, though great tine length on these antlers; and short brow tines, which cost many bucks up there 5-10 inches in score. Let's say this buck puts on 20 more inches of bone this summer (but no junk), he'll be in the 170s gross typical w/not many inches of deduction, although his right side is a tad weaker. He could in the best case scenario net 170 book. And if the winter weather holds, he and [...]

15 02, 2016

After Season Report: Is World Record Buck Still Walking In Wisconsin?

admin2020-06-10T09:16:59-04:00February 15th, 2016|Big Deer Stories, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Management|8 Comments

Last October I posted this amazing photo and asked this question: Is this the new world record walking in Wisconsin? Rumors were flying that this massive 8x8 might gross 220. Obviously nobody got him last season—the story and pictures would have blown up the Interweb and rocked the hunting world. I wondered if anybody had seen him or possibly had an encounter with him, so I asked the fellow who got this photo for an after the season update. I had no idea it would turn out to be such a fascinating story. Hi Mike: Unfortunately my only sighting of “Ghost” on stand last season was on opening day and he was a little too far and in too much brush [...]

12 02, 2016

6 Best Shed-Hunting Tips

admin2020-06-10T09:16:59-04:00February 12th, 2016|BigDeer, Shed Hunting|2 Comments

Find some bone this weekend: First thing, just go...and go and go. A lot of people have no luck because they look on one or two properties where the deer may not even be this time of year, or maybe the animals are just passing through to a food source. Get permission to as many farms and woodlands as you can. Then start walking. One of BIG DEER’s best shed hunters, Kelly from South Dakota, told me he walked 19 miles last Saturday and found 8 antlers. Go! But make sure you walk where the deer are. Remember that as a general rule 90 percent of the deer are in 10% of the woods/fields/brush this time of year, where there is something [...]