Deer & Deer Hunting is written and edited for serious, year-round hunting enthusiasts, focusing on hunting techniques, deer biology and behavior, deer management, habitat requirements, the natural history of deer and hunting ethics
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Deer & Deer Hunting
READERS RECOIL • Editor’s note: In the Summer 2022 issue, Editor Daniel Schmidt asked readers for their input on today’s deer hunting culture. Here’s a sample of the replies.
DSDH BUCK OF THE MONTH • Congrats to Deer & Deer Hunting fan Ridge Guyette! He shot this big-woods buck last fall on public land in northern Wisconsin!
WASTING AWAY • MILLIONS OF WHITETAIL HIDES — A GREAT RESOURCE FOR FINE, SUPPLE LEATHER — ARE DISCARDED EVERY YEAR. IT’S ANOTHER SIGN THAT OUR WORLD ISN’T AS RESOURCEFUL AS IT ONCE WAS.
TAG OUT EARLY! • SCOUTING AND KNOWING THE LANDSCAPE IS ONE OF THE KEYS TO EARLY SEASON BOWHUNTING SUCCESS. HERE’S HOW TO DO IT WHEN BRINGING HOME AMATURE BUCK IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL.
GAINING ACCESS • IT’S NO SECRET THAT PRIVATE LAND OFFERS THE BEST DEER HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES. SHORT OF WINNING THE LOTTERY, MOST HUNTERS CANNOT AFFORD TO BUY LAND. HERE’S THE NEXT BEST OPTION FOR SECURING A GOOD HUNTING SPOT FOR YEARS TO COME.
PASSING THEM UP • WHAT WE CAN LEARN BY NOT SHOOTING BUCKS
REALITY CHECK
SEE THE LIGHT • COMMON OPTICS SERVICE CALLS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
FOOD PLOTS & MINERALS SPECIAL
VIEW TO A KILL PLOT • BARRICADING TACTICS FOR IMPROVED HUNTING SUCCESS
SUCCULENT GREENS • SOUTHERN FAVORITE IS A TOP CHOICE FOR WHITETAILS
HoT Picks!
PICKING THE LOW-HANGING (TREESTAND) FRUIT
SUCCESS IS IN THE WIND
CAN YOU HAVE TOO MANY BUCKS?
EHD CAN FLY • THE MIDGE FLY MADNESS VIRUS IS DOING PECULIAR THINGS THROUGHOUT THE WHITETAIL’S RANGE
AWESOME ALPHAS • IN NATURAL DEER POPULATIONS, ONLY SUPERIOR BUCKS REACH THE PINNACLE ROLE OF HERD SIRES. WHILE MANY ARE CALLED, FEW ARE CHOSEN. THIS BREEDING SYSTEM ASSURES THE PERPETUATION OF ADAPTIVE TRAITS AND PHYSICAL FITNESS WITHIN THE WHITETAIL’S POPULATION.
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3-2-1 WHITETAILS • 3 APPROACHES FOR 2 HUNTERS TO SHOOT 1 WHITETAIL. TEAM UP AND MOVE OUT TO LAY IN YOUR WINTER VENISON.
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DEER RIFLE
KINETIC ENERGY AND MOMENTUM
DREAM SEASON! • BURT ANDREW HAD THE DEER SEASON OF HIS DREAMS!
Pursuit Community
NEW GEAR
THE TRAPPER
UNDERSTANDING & REDUCING SOCIAL STRESS • Well-used screening is a powerfully effective way of reducing social stress, as well as to help funnel deer right near stands, by using the edges and gaps appropriately.
ENDURANCE