Home

Whitetail hunters and land managers have been playing around with the idea of food plots for nearly 40 years now. And admittedly, a lot of folks have become quite proficient at planting food plot crops that rival the best farm crops out there. Even vegetable gardeners would have to be envious at the results seen […]

The gloves are coming off, and we are not playing favorites! Here are the best bow companies EVER! Having just attended my 29th archery trade show (now ATA, used to be AMMO), I’ve become quite nostalgic about our community’s history and roots. Long gone are the days of flinging cedar or aluminum arrows into single […]

To make your best venison stew you need good meat, which means properly taking care of it from field to freezer to your table. (Photo: Getty Images) Great venison stays great only when it’s wrapped and frozen properly. Put these techniques to work to preserve your bounty better and longer. Do you know one reason […]

States like Minnesota and Pennsylvania have implemented bans on the use of urine-based scents in chronic wasting disease (CWD) management zones. These are products that have been widely used by hunters for many decades to help them be more successful in the field. These bans take away a great tradition and an important tool from […]

How much are deer antlers worth? Probably not as much as you might think, especially when you consider the fact that the mere act of selling antlers from a wild deer can get you in a heap of Federal trouble if you’re not careful. Appreciation and adulation of white-tailed deer antlers surely transcends us modern […]

The new crossbows for 2023 are faster, more accurate and quieter than ever. 1. TenPoint Flatline 460 TenPoint’s new Flatline 460 Oracle X with the Burris Oracle X rangefinding crossbow scope gets the job done quickly and efficiently. It launches arrows at 460 fps from a stable, comfortable platform measuring only 26.5 inches long and […]

D+DH In-Depth is our premium, comprehensive corner on America’s No. 1 game animal. In this graduate-level course, we’ll teach you about deer biology, behavior, and ultimately, how to become a better hunter. Want to be the first to get our premium content? Become a D+DH Insider for FREE! Stop listening to all the so-called experts. […]

If you have ever seen a deer engage in this behavior, you would correctly assume that it is most often conducted during the rut. However, this isn’t the only time of year deer do it, and — even more bizarre — bucks aren’t the only ones that engage in the scent-making and marking exercise. Yes, […]

Whitetail-Mule deer hybrids are often distinguished by their tail, among other characteristics. Throughout history, crossbreeds have fascinated us. Many of our monsters are a mixture of man and beast including werewolves, Dracula and Moth-man. Likewise, consider some of our heroes: Spiderman, Batman and Cat Woman. This trend is not a recent Hollywood construction; the “Minotaur” […]

You have hunted that special spot for years, maybe even decades, and killed some nice bucks, but have yet to see that true once-in-a-lifetime giant. But early this fall you captured a trail camera image of a legitimate record book class deer — a “Booner!” — and you’re beyond fired up! DDH Exclusive: Science-based whitetail […]

One of the most highly anticipated hunting gear category launches each year is the compound bow, and 2022 produced another great crop of flagship offerings. 1. Bear Refine EKO The new Bear Refine EKO is durable, dependable and fast, at 342 fps. This model is 33 inches axle to axle and has a 6.375-inch brace […]

A hunt here in Wisconsin was one for the ages for this bowhunter. The day was overcast, drizzly and super windy, but I decided to give it a try anyway. I settled into my ground blind at about 2:30 with hopes of seeing some turkeys or maybe a doe for the freezer. No turkeys showed […]

The best deer mineral program is one that features variety and consistency. Here are some deer mineral recipe tips and tactics to get your whitetails as healthy as they can be. Supplemental minerals may be beneficial to deer and the sites are great places for camera surveys. Intake is a vital factor when formulating any […]

Known by his friends as the “Swampmaster,” Mitch Rompola posed with what was allegedly a free-range bow-kill of a 220-inch typical 12-pointer — with a 30-inch inside spread — from Michigan in 1998. Rompola claimed the buck had a field-dressed weight of 264 pounds and that he dragged it out of the woods by himself […]

Research shows that most bucks are 8-pointers, like this one killed by Wyatt Reinhardt of New Hampshire, once they get to age 3 or older. No matter what part of the country or older age class, the 8-point buck comprises most of the antler makeup — which is fine with most hunters. Studies show that […]

Zero your rifle scope and practice off a bench, with shooting sticks and also in freehand positions so you’ll be prepared. (Photo: Wayne Van Zwoll) No matter how steady your hunting rifle, hitting at any range presumes a proper zero. Because a bullet follows the bore axis out the muzzle, it will fly nearly parallel […]