Deer Science Archives - Page 28 of 43

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 [...]

12 10, 2015

Hunt The October “Mini Rut”

admin2020-06-10T09:17:02-04:00October 12th, 2015|Big Deer TV, Bowhunting, Deer Science|Comments Off on Hunt The October “Mini Rut”

Mike: I've read about an October “mini rut,” and I'm a believer. I've always had good luck seeing bucks on either side of Oct 15. A few years ago on October 11th, bucks were chasing everything that came into a field. A nice 3-year-old got in on the action. He actually did a lip curl for several minutes where one of the does had stopped to pee. Later, a second buck came along, trailing that same doe's path and stopping at the same spot for several minutes before continuing on the scent trail. Makes one wonder if maybe a few does do cycle a month early. Are you aware of any proof of this? Bob from WI Bob: Yes, every scientific rut chart/bar graph you’ll see will show that some [...]

18 09, 2015

BIG DEER Moon & Rut Hunting Guide 2015

admin2020-06-10T09:17:03-04:00September 18th, 2015|Big Deer TV, Deer Hunting, Deer Management, Deer Science|3 Comments

From Kansas to Virginia to Canada, 95 percent of adult does will come into estrous and be bred from roughly November 5-20, regardless of moon phase, or weather for that matter. That is the case every year. So take off anytime from Halloween though Thanksgiving, and you’ll hunt deer in some throes of the rut. And anytime you hunt rutting deer you have the potential to shoot a good buck. But I do believe that some days and weeks are better than others to take your hunt vacation according to the various phases of the “rutting moon” in late October and November. A lot of people are moon skeptics, but not me. There are a lot of variables to moon phase [...]

25 08, 2015

How Much EHD in Whitetails 2015?

admin2020-06-10T09:19:35-04:00August 25th, 2015|Big Deer TV, Deer Science|2 Comments

From Drury Outdoors: DOD team member Rod Owen found this buck in a pond by Braymer, MO. This is one of several potential EHD reports that I have heard of over the last week. Has anyone else heard about or found any dead deer lately? Let us know where you are from and how many. EHD (epizootic hemorrhagic disease) typically occurs from mid-August through October, or until the onset of freezing weather stops the biting midges that carry this nasty virus. I am optimistic that outbreaks will be limited and spotty this year, as we had plenty of rain in many regions this spring and summer. EHD tends to be especially prevalent in drought years. BREAKING NEWS: I just received a heart-breaking email w/pictures [...]

10 07, 2015

Rainfall 2015: Good Deer Health & Big Antlers

admin2020-06-10T09:19:36-04:00July 10th, 2015|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Science|724 Comments

All this rain we’ve been getting here in Virginia—and across the East and Midwest—is great for deer, and at this stage of the pre-season, barring any big breakouts of disease, I’m predicting a banner hunting year in most all of whitetail range. It is mid-July and the woods and fields are greener and lusher than I have seen them in years. The corn is emerald and tall. The habitat’s natural food and cover are in peak condition, and have been since spring. For months deer have consumed nutritious forbs and new-growth browse, which are high protein. The woods are a jungle of green, with good cover everywhere. With does healthy and producing good milk from eating right, they have dropped a good [...]