A ton of interesting information in the QDMA’s 2018 Whitetail Report, including this: Can you guess the top 8 states where the highest percentage of the annual deer harvest is with bow and arrow? #1 New Jersey: Estimated 2016 total deer harvest 49,246; 58% or 28,563 with bow. #2 Connecticut: Estimated total deer harvest 10,412; 50% or 5,206 with bow. #3 Ohio: Estimated total deer harvest 182,169; 45% or 81,976 with bow. #4 Massachusetts: Total deer harvest 12,249; 42% or 12,249 with bow. #5 (three states tie): Kansas: Total harvest 84,065; 37% or 31,104 with bow. Illinois: Total harvest 144,304; 37% or 53,392 with bow. Michigan: Total harvest 341,287; 37% or 126,276 with bow.

Yesterday I took this picture of Wayne Mills and the incredible buck he shot in Rappahannock County, Virginia, in October 2016. I had seen pictures of this deer, but to see it in person was amazing. Main-frame 12-point with split brow tines…21 score-able points and stickers for character. Net 172 6/8 non-typical. Number 4 all-time in Virginia according to the latest Pope and Young book. We spend a good 2 hours filming a video segment with Wayne and this giant, and you’ll see and hear the story on a new episode of BIG DEER TV this fall. Here’s the written version in Wayne’s words, which first appeared on the blog in November 2016: I was given permission on a new [...]