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D&DH Managing Editor Alan Clemons with his 143-inch Saskatchewan buck, killed with the Mossberg Patriot chambered in .308. The buck was the first deer killed in North America with the Patriot, which is new for 2015. The introduction of new rifles, handguns and muzzleloaders each year is like a second Christmas morning for deer hunters […]

If you’re looking for step-by-step instructions on how to cape a deer for a shoulder mount, look no further than this page and, especially, the accompanying video here. Caping a whitetail buck for a shoulder mount is easy if you follow these instructions and take your time. With some practice, you will be able to […]

With archery deer hunting season just around the corner, I think this is a great time to talk about shot placement on white-tailed deer with your crossbow. I hope that you find the following do’s and don’ts helpful in the field in your pursuit of whitetails this fall. By choosing your crossbow shot placement carefully, […]

If you observe whitetails for enough years, you’re bound to see something like this: A huge cyst-like growth in the brisket area of an infected deer. Itxe2x80x99s not uncommon to get a call or email about a strange occurrence found on a deer xe2x80x94 from xe2x80x9cmessed upxe2x80x9d antlers and hooves, to missing testicles on what […]

For nearly six decades I’ve been a student of the whitetail. In my wildest dreams I never envisioned having a career in the outdoor field. You see, I’ve gone through a process of sorts in my relationship with the whitetail. When I was a young boy, all I wanted to do was get a glimpse […]

What causes bucks to shed / peel their velvet? Do older bucks normally peel before younger bucks? What factors cause bucks to shed their velvet early or later than normal? A freshly peeled buck is a sight to behold. (DDH file photo) The whitetail velvet shedding process is one that has fascinated deer hunters for […]

The new bows for 2023 are raising the bar for bowhunters everywhere. Here’s a look at the latest hunting rigs. 1. Bear Execute 32 The 2023 Bear Archery Execute 32 encompasses what the industry expects in a flagship hunting bow. The compact 32-inch axle-to-axle length and 6-3/8-inch brace height make this bow maneuverable, comfortable, and […]

While doing a little venison prep the other night on a deer I killed last week, I started thinking about the post-trim routines I’ve heard of over the years. “Soak your venison in …” and then it’ll often be followed by water, milk, buttermilk or maybe something else. Not a marinade. These “soaks” are specifically […]

Without a doubt, hunters drop more big bucks during the peak of the rut than any other time of the year. Sure, some bowhunters take whoppers in the early season after keeping tabs on particular bucks all summer long. Also, some real wall-hangers are duped by rattling during the pre-rut. And for those die-hard hunters […]

The calendar might say snow and bone-chilling temperatures, but our cozy thoughts are on land management projects for spring. Mine are, anyway, and my second outdoor love (next to deer, of course) is trees. Lots and lots of trees! The biggest question I’ve been seeing lately is one that’s common this time of year: “I […]

Specific foods that deer eat in different parts of the country along with the methods of field-dressing, and time from death to getting the meat in the cooler, all can play roles in the flavor of the meat. Careful preparation in the field, skinning shed and kitchen will give you the best opportunity to have […]

The tip of my pole wiggled ever so slightly. Then again. It was a telltale sign that a puny perch was working my lure below. But before I could wisp the jig away, I hooked a striped predator that barely out-measured my bait. As I yanked the fish out of the hole, it was intercepted […]

Hunters in the market for a new rifle have ample choices with the release of plenty of capable firearms this year. Here are six top deer rifles that caught our eye and are more than ready to chase whitetails. The curtains have been drawn on the outdoor shows and, expect for stragglers, pretty much all […]

Do the bumper-mounted deer whistles sold to help alert whitetails really work? I’ve never been involved in a deer-vehicle accident — knock on wood — despite having driven for almost 65 years. Had a few close calls, but have never hit one; hope I never do. According to Utah State University professor Michael Conover, 1.5 […]

It’s hard for whitetail hunters to get excited about deer during late spring. If anything, most of them are out chasing longbeards. The closest they probably come to thinking about deer is when they plant their spring food plots. But late spring is when a potential “Booner” could be making its appearance in the form […]

Ask 100 dedicated deer hunters about their experiences with deer scents, and you’ll probably get as many different anecdotes on how they perform for them … or don’t. Undoubtedly, you have several experiences of your own that guide you in your deer scent selection and application. Much as we wish there was a magic bullet […]