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25 08, 2020

When Do Bucks Shed Velvet?

2020-08-25T09:42:44-04:00August 25th, 2020|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on When Do Bucks Shed Velvet?

In most parts of the country, the antler growth for whitetail deer is done for the year. Sometime between September 1 and 15 bucks will shed their velvet. The cue for antler hardening and velvet shedding is the change in photo-period caused by decreasing daylight and increasing darkness, which results in a significant increase in the bucks’ testosterone. Velvet shedding typically takes only a couple of hours, though it is not uncommon to see a deer walking around for day or two with bloody velvet tatters. One last thing you might not know: Bucks have been known to turn their heads and peel or even eat velvet that dangles off their new racks. Soon after shedding, the tree rubbing and [...]

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17 08, 2020

Chronic Wasting Disease 2020 Update

2020-08-17T16:35:45-04:00August 17th, 2020|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, CWD, Deer Hunting, Deer Management, Deer Science, Hunting News, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Chronic Wasting Disease 2020 Update

Here is a sampling of news from the National Deer Alliance’s (NDA) latest update on all things Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Click here to read the full report.   Kansas: In mid-July, the Kansas Department of Agriculture confirmed a case of CWD in a captive deer herd in Osage County. While CWD has been detected in wild deer populations in many western Kansas counties, this is the first documented positive case in eastern Kansas. Minnesota: The DNR announced a new process for hunters to get their deer tested for CWD. This year, testing will not be mandatory in an effort to mitigate the risk of spreading coronavirus during the pandemic. Last year, hunters in designated CWD zones were required to visit [...]

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9 07, 2020

3 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Velvet Deer Antlers

2020-07-09T08:07:56-04:00July 9th, 2020|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science|1 Comment

Velvet antlers grow via a complex system of blood vessels, which causes them to be hot to the touch. Top whitetail scientist Dr. Grant Woods notes, “There is so much blood carrying protein and minerals to a buck’s antlers this time of year that even small antlers are easily detected by thermal imaging devices. Antler tines show up like neon signs when flying over with thermal cameras in summer.” Tiny hairs on the velvet stick out and make the antlers look bigger than they are. The hairs act as a radar system so the buck won’t bump into trees, fence posts, etc. and damage his soft antlers. Sebum, a semi-liquid secretion, on the hairs gives the velvet a shiny look. [...]

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10 06, 2020

Where Big Bucks Live: 2 Core Areas

2020-06-10T10:21:32-04:00June 10th, 2020|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, sportsman channel, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Where Big Bucks Live: 2 Core Areas

Scientists tracked adult bucks fitted with GPS collars on a hunted property on the Maryland coast. Data collected from the GPS collars allowed the researchers to home in on the home ranges of mature bucks, and the “core areas” within those home ranges. The property was a mix of agricultural fields and woods, typical of whitetail habitat across the United States. “We saw core areas show up in places that (people) basically don’t hunt,” said Dr. Mark Conner, who headed up the study. Mark described 2 sites in particular that served as the core areas for multiple bucks. “One is a sanctuary because it is impenetrable to humans,” he said. “Very dense greenbrier and other thorny vegetation. The only way [...]

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