“Another tip would be to target parks that are coming off of a one-year break. They will likely have some of the higher harvests.” Back in the ’90s, Indiana began using reduction hunts to curb the deer populations at the state’s numerous state parks. Overpopulation of deer causes extensive damage to native plants and trees, plus it creates an unhealthy balance for deer and other wildlife. On the down side, finding a place to hunt has become very difficult and appears to be getting more difficult with each passing year.
‘It feels like there’s a lot of death’: Near-record snowpack poses historic challenges to Northwest Colorado wildlife
Probably one of the first lessons in Whitetail Hunting 101 is that deer are crepuscular, a scientific term referring to critters that are most active at dawn and dusk. Even if you’re just getting into deer hunting, you’ve probably noticed in the past that the best times to spot deer are during the first hour or two after sunrise and the last hour or two before sunset. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is probably selling something. Loads of hardcore science has proven over and over again that deer are crepuscular, so it’s best to never forget it. Here’s how it works and how you should take advantage. Life is busy and we’re all short on time and opportunity, so it makes perfect sense to want maximize your efforts by going when your are most likely to see the most deer and get a crack at tagging a buck.
Look for Areas Where Deer Would Never Be
The only way to do that is to lay off a specific location for several days or even weeks. Instead of pouring corn a few yards from his treestands, he places his hunters 150 yards or more away from any corn sites. That’s not an effective way to kill deer, according to a report by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, which says success rates are actually higher in the state’s Piedmont region, where baiting is illegal. The next time you walk into your hunting area to establish a whitetail mineral site, consider how the deer are going to react to the location you choose. In addition consider what exactly you are giving them…or not giving them.
Accuracy with these rifles can be expected to shoot ¾ MOA, to ½ MOA at 100 yards. Well above general deer rifle accuracy to be sure. Ruger’s popular American bolt-action rifle has been a hit with hunters for years. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. In the video above, Matt Willson of Ruger highlights the features with Game & Fish’s John Taranto. Deer hunters on public ground should spend as much time as possible scouting prior to the season opening to find the areas where deer are using, he added.
Technically, the hunts do not exist until the rule is passed, according to Anthony Sipes, the chief of natural resources for Indiana State Parks. To help mitigate this negative impact, deer numbers needed to be reduced to acceptable ecologically sound carry capacities. The state extensively explored various non-lethal methods, but ultimately, implementing deer reduction hunting was the most cost effective and practical solution. First, on the good side, knowledge of deer behavior has increased exponentially and this has led to a better understanding of deer movement, feeding and bedding patterns, rut science, deer vocalizations and much more. Another period when midday movement occurs is when severe cold settles into a region for an extended period. Feeding during the cold of night can mean expending more calories to maintain a core body temperatures than calories consumed.
Heavy deer rub activity along this interior pathRubs and scrapes from the previous year located near heavy cover is a great location to start. Once a few daylight images are captured you can then study the area more closely to determine possible areas a buck could be bedded and pinch points along his travel path in which to hang a stand. With significant cuts to area herd populations, wildlife managers are expected to propose cuts to the number of hunting licenses offered in the area for the fall. This puts animals at a greater risk of conflict with motorists and it’s already proven particularly damaging for antelope this year.
“Deer Browse” contains short items reporting unusual observations of deer behavior, unique hunting experiences and newsworthy information. This rifle is offered in an outstanding metal worked blued steel, walnut stocked with a master fit and a falling block action on a high wall receiver. The action is time proven and as such it has always been a solid market item for Ruger firearms. Stocked in laminated or solid wood the fit is good, the action is smooth and the rifle is set up for Weaver-style rails or locked bass and ring regarding a scope setup. This rifle is offered in a wide range of popular big game cartridge types, as usual, the is right at the top of the list.
That has happened hardly never on other dating web sights for me. Please view our directory listingfor general contact information. For a full listing of help desk numbers, field offices, and other ways we can help, please visit our contact page. Go to Programs for educators DNR educators provide classroom lessons, field trip opportunities, professional development and experiential programs to teachers around the state.
If all 392 deer hunters hunted at the same time, that would average 429 acres per deer hunter. Not all of our land has a huntable deer population, but most of it does. When you open their site, the first thing you will see is, “Are you a whitetail addict?
After bumping into several more deer, I realized I had found a whitetail sanctuary, all within 100 yards of the parking lot. I hunted the place the next few days with several opportunities at young bucks and does, but never the big buck I drove to Kansas to shoot. But, it reminded me of the basic rules I needed to follow to get away from the crowds by finding overlooked hunting opportunities on public land.
I am involved in a little bit of everything- and I am so so glad I took that path. I beg you to find something you’re passionate about and pursue it. Someway, somehow, throw yourself into the high school community. Yes you may look stupid wearing that night’s themed outfit, yes your throat will burn from all the yelling, but you will have a blast. Don’t be that underclassmen that is “too cool” to yell for the QB that just ran the ball 54 yards for the winning touchdown.
I currently live in the American west and hunt all across the Black Hills of South Dakota, and the Big Horn mountains. I have specialized much of my work as a load developer in shotguns and rifles. I have run a small company that TrueView builds suppressor barrels of my design, and load tests for writing purposes and consulting. My commercial names include Ballistics Research & Development / Metro Gun Systems.TM. You can find more info on Barrett Rifles here.
Mid-America Hunting Association Deer Hunting Gallery
I had done a lot of e-scouting prior to the trip in preparation to find the best ground. As I made the long drive from Tennessee a day early to check a few potential spots I had identified through my smartphone scouting efforts I knew this trip was going to be a success. After a morning of finding ample rutting buck sign—and no human sign—at my No. 1 location, I felt reassured this trip would result in the big buck I came all this way for.