BigDeer Archives - Page 236 of 344

8 06, 2015

Study: Wild Cats Cause Disease in Deer

admin2020-06-10T09:19:37-04:00June 8th, 2015|Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Predator Hunting|6 Comments

This is an underreported story, but potentially a bombshell. According to The Wildlife Society, free-roaming domestic cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion small mammals each year The indirect impacts of cats gone wild on larger wildlife are less obvious, but one of the greatest emerging threats from feral cats is infection with Toxoplasma gondii. A study published in EcoHealth found that feral cats, through their feces, are likely driving infections in whitetails in northeastern Ohio. The study’s authors collected deer samples from a Cleveland park, as well as cat samples from the area. Nearly 60% of the deer and 52% of the feral cats tested positive for T. gondii. Older deer and deer in urban environments were more likely to [...]

5 06, 2015

Wisconsin: Would You Deer Hunt In Pink?

admin2020-06-10T09:19:37-04:00June 5th, 2015|BigDeer|5 Comments

In one of the most ridiculous hunting bills to be introduced in a long time, Wisconsin hunters would be allowed to wear blaze pink in the deer woods during gun season. State Reps. Joel Kleefisch (R) and Nick Milroy (D) said they hoped it would encourage more Wisconsinites to hunt and appeal to women and new hunters. "Wisconsin has historically had some of the highest participation rates in hunting... and we've seen a decrease in this number in recent years," Milroy said. "It's my hope that this will become universally acceptable…” Universally acceptable? There is no doubt that more women and young girls are getting into hunting, and that is great. And it is true that lots of manufacturers are making [...]

3 06, 2015

Photo: Copperhead Swims On Water

admin2020-06-10T09:19:37-04:00June 3rd, 2015|BigDeer|6 Comments

If you have been on the blog long, you know how much I hate snakes, any kind of snake. While this photo from Eco Wildlife Solutions freaks me out, it’s caption does share some valuable information: If you encounter a snake on top of the water like the snake seen above, this is a good indicator of a venomous snake. Both Copperheads and Cottonmouths fill their lungs with air prior to entering the water causing them to float high in the water. Common water snakes swim with their bodies under the water so they can dive after fish. You need information like this because I’m getting reports of more copperheads than usual in many regions this spring, including in my home state of [...]

3 06, 2015

Only in Alaska: Girl Shoots Grizzly, Goes To Prom

admin2020-06-10T09:19:37-04:00June 3rd, 2015|BigDeer, Predator Hunting|1 Comment

This spring on prom Saturday, most kids were having pre-event dinners and get-togethers with family and friends. But 15-year-old Cassidy Kramer of Kotzebue had different plans. Led by her father, Lance, Cassidy and her 10-year-old brother hopped on snow machines and went bear hunting in the mountains along the Noatak River. Lance told KTUU Anchorage Channel 2 that predator control is important to local families, with moose populations declining in the area’s Game Management Unit 23. “It’s important to go out and get bears in the springtime,” Lance said. “We always try to get a spring bear every year.” Two hours or so into the hunt, Cassidy got her chance. She took aim, fired and hit a bear. When it stopped rolling down a [...]

2 06, 2015

Deer Science: Bucks With 3 Beams

admin2020-06-10T09:19:37-04:00June 2nd, 2015|Big Deer Stories, Big Deer TV, BigDeer, Deer Science|3 Comments

Check out the 3rd beam on the left side of this rack, what caused it? A 3rd beam on a whitetail deer’s rack is the result of either non-typical genetics or an injury. If this buck were 5 years of age or older, I’d say the cause was genetics. But he’s younger than that, so the extra beam is likely the result of an injury. QDMA biologist Kip Adams agrees: “That buck injured his antler very early in the growing process that year. If the buck would have survived the season he would not have had a third beam again the following year.” I’ve never shot a buck with 3 beams, have you? Send me a picture.