Deer Science Archives - Page 8 of 44

20 01, 2022

New Research On Whitetail Fawn Mortality And Survival

Clay Hanback2022-01-18T10:05:37-05:00January 20th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Science, whitetail deer|1 Comment

Most all scientific studies conducted during the past 30 years have documented predation, largely by coyotes, as the leading cause of whitetail fawn mortality. But wait a sec. “Predation may have less of an impact than we think,” writes Justin Dion in this article posted to the National Deer Association’s website. In the springs of 2016 and 2017, Dion and his fellow researchers at the University of Delaware captured and collared 109 newborn fawns in Sussex County in the southern portion of the state. The study area had about 50 deer per square mile, but a noticeable lack of predators. No confirmed sightings of bobcats and no bears. Only 9 coyotes had ever been reported harvested statewide in Delaware at [...]

13 01, 2022

First Case of CWD Confirmed In Alabama

Clay Hanback2022-01-10T10:46:44-05:00January 13th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on First Case of CWD Confirmed In Alabama

A sample recently collected from a hunter harvested deer in west-central Lauderdale County has been confirmed positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). This is the first case of CWD detected in Alabama’s deer herd. CWD was first detected in west Tennessee and Mississippi in 2018 and has been moving slowly toward Alabama. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) implemented multiple proactive regulations to combat the spread into Alabama. Compliance from the public, notably hunters, helped delay the spread into the state for several years. The sample from the CWD-positive deer was submitted as part of the state’s ongoing CWD surveillance and volunteer testing program. Due to CWD detection in Lauderdale County, ADCNR has enacted a new regulation [...]

10 01, 2022

Winter Behavior Of Whitetail Deer

Clay Hanback2022-01-10T09:41:37-05:00January 10th, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Winter Behavior Of Whitetail Deer

After a mild fall across the Midwest and East (the new normal) whitetails are now in “energy conservation mode” notes Pennsylvania scientist Duane Diefenbach in this Deer-Forest Blog. At the peak of the rut back in November, bucks moved on average over 2 miles per day. Right now, 2 months later, movement is less than half that; just over a mile at night and only a 1/4-mile in daylight. For bucks, energy expenditure is at rock bottom. No need to prowl for does, and not time yet to grow new antlers. Just hang out, survive and wait for spring. Diefenbach says the winter movement of does (a mile or 2 a day) has not changed much since November. But does do [...]

3 01, 2022

Another Bullwinkle Buck W/Swollen Nose Shot In Alabama

Clay Hanback2022-01-03T09:28:12-05:00January 3rd, 2022|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Rut, Deer Science, whitetail deer|Comments Off on Another Bullwinkle Buck W/Swollen Nose Shot In Alabama

Field report from Johnny Sorensen down in Henry County, Alabama: I harvested this 8-point (nearly 17-inch spread with broken brow tine) on December 24, 2021 at approximately 8:00 am in Henry County, Alabama. The deer acted normal in all aspects of a buck in rut. He was emaciated a bit more than you would expect of a rutting buck. I did not weigh him but would guess 120 pounds. As poor as he was, he had obvious signs of fighting and rutting. Multiple bruises about the body were found. He was first observed traveling through woods on a neighboring property and responded to a doe in estrus bleat. He stayed in the wood line on our property and came to [...]

20 12, 2021

How Long Do Whitetail Deer Live In The Wild?

Clay Hanback2021-12-20T09:32:42-05:00December 20th, 2021|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Hunting, Deer Science, whitetail deer|1 Comment

In the wild, a doe or buck that survives 4 or 5 years has lived a good, long life. Six or 7 years or more is ancient and rare for a wild deer. So I found it fascinating to read a report from Pennsylvania a few years ago that confirmed 2 wild does, which had been captured, ear-tagged and released, had lived to at least 13! One of those does was documented on a trail camera, and the other was shot by a hunter. That a deer could live 13 years in the wild with all the cars, coyotes and hunting pressure is yet another testament to how amazing whitetails are. As for the pictures here, I shot this fully [...]