Deer Guns & Loads Archives - Page 3 of 27

9 01, 2024

Best Scope for AR Hunting Rifle

Clay Hanback2024-01-09T11:10:52-05:00January 9th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, trijicon|Comments Off on Best Scope for AR Hunting Rifle

Mike: What scope do you recommend for an AR rifle in .308? I’ll be hunting in south Alabama. --Sami Sami: I recommend the Trijicon Credo HX 1-8x28, which is Trijicon’s most popular scope for an AR rifle. True 1X wide field of view for close shots, and up to 8X for longer shots at a buck when needed. I set this scope to 6X for all-round hunting; at this magnification it works perfectly in 95% of hunting situations. Some specs on the Credo HX 1-8: best multi-coated, anti-reflective glass, 34mm tube, and 28mm objective lens for more exit pupil and low light performance; this scope features dual red/green illuminated reticles for pinpoint aiming at deer in any condition or environment. [...]

5 01, 2024

Rut Tactics For Southern Deer Hunters

Clay Hanback2024-01-05T09:24:16-05:00January 5th, 2024|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Bowhunting, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Rut, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Rut Tactics For Southern Deer Hunters

Many Midwestern and Northern states have a loosely defined breeding period of 10 days to 3 weeks in November, but it’s more of a strung-out “trickle rut” in most Southern regions, especially the deeper in Dixie you go. Deer breeding in the South is extended because of the mild winters; does can drop fawns later in summer and the little deer can survive the next winter. From late October (Georgia, South Carolina) to mid-November (Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky) into December (Mississippi) and January and even February (Alabama), expect spotty periods of bucks pushing does for 4 to 7 weeks or longer, with many slow days in between. While there some fine managed properties in the South, most people hunt public land [...]

2 12, 2023

Deer Tactics for December 3-5

Clay Hanback2023-11-26T08:00:23-05:00December 2nd, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Deer Tactics for December 3-5

For the last 5 years I have hunted in Oklahoma and/or Kansas (when I drew a tag) in early December. On all those hunts I witnessed good buck movement and some of the best rutting activity of the year. I’ve shot 5 mature bucks over that span, including this stunning 160-class giant in southeast Kansas last December 3. The early post-rut has become my most productive time, and I urge you not to miss these 3 days this season. Best conditions: This December 3-5 two things will work in your favor. While Sunday could be tricky, there will be noticeably less hunting pressure in your woods on Monday and Tuesday. On December 4, the moon will be waxing to last-quarter, [...]

1 12, 2023

6 Buck Tactics for December

Clay Hanback2023-11-26T07:37:46-05:00December 1st, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, whitetail deer|Comments Off on 6 Buck Tactics for December

The calendar just flipped to December, and a buck tag is still burning a hole in your pocket. Most of your buddies have killed their deer, and you’re starting to worry. Maybe even panic. What am I doing wrong? Did I miss the rut? Will I get my buck? Take a deep breath and look at your predicament as an opportunity. You still get to roam the woods for a few more days, and the buck hunting is a lot better than you might think. Try these tips to score at the buzzer. Hunt Hard in the Early Post-Rut I hunt in several states in early December, from Kansas to Oklahoma to Virginia. All over I am witnessing good to [...]

20 11, 2023

Tired of Sitting in a Deer Stand? Try Stalking the November Rut

Clay Hanback2023-11-20T13:53:22-05:00November 20th, 2023|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Guns & Loads, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Tired of Sitting in a Deer Stand? Try Stalking the November Rut

Sneak 15 yards…lean against a tree…look for movement…listen…glass ahead and to the sides with your binoculars…then slip another 20 yards…look and listen. I’ve killed quite a few rutting bucks that way with a gun, but only when conditions are right. This is NOT something you do on public land. And I “slip hunt” only on a private property with very light hunting pressure. You want to still-hunt without worry of bumping into a stranger, or driving an 8-pointer into his sights. Stalking has advantages. You cover a lot of ground, which increases your odds of encountering more bucks trolling for does if you do it right. The more you move around, the more rubs, scrapes and big tracks you’ll find [...]