|
|
Block Buster
By Bob Humphrey
Mineral blocks are great, but so is improving natural protein sources. QUESTION: Should I put out salt and/or a mineral block to help deer in a CWD area? I mix my own minerals and vitamins so deer are healthy to fight CWD. ANSWER: Blocks can be a beneficial means of providing deer with supplemental minerals and vitamins to improve their health, par... READ MORE
Typhoid Whitetails
By Bob Humphrey
Whitetails carry brain worms that can be fatal to moose. QUESTION: I live in southern Maine, and someone told me the reason we don’t have more moose where I live is because they get a brain worm from deer. If that’s true, why doesn’t it kill deer too? — Todd H. ANSWER: What you’re referring to is a parasitic nema... READ MORE
Go the Distance
By Bob Humphrey
To beat the pressure on public land, get off the beaten path. QUESTION: I hunt in Oconto County in Wisconsin. It’s made up of a lot of tall hardwoods and pines but does have some diversity. I’ve put 10 miles on foot scouting and cannot locate any deer. The land is heavily pressured. I tried getting off the paths and going way back into ... READ MORE
Restricting Antlers
By Bob Humphrey
Our biologist weighs in on the question of antler restrictions. QUESTION: Texas has decided that antler restrictions improve buck antler growth, but we have surveyed this for the past four years. When you take the trophies out, older deer with deformed antlers and those that don’t meet the restrictions do all the breeding. Then you never see ... READ MORE
Bump in the Night
By Bob Humphrey
Whitetails can get all sorts of bumps, lumps and bruises. QUESTION: Do you have any idea what this lump is or what might have caused it? — Robert ANSWER: It could be any number of things, the most likely being a subcutaneous fibroma (basically, a benign tumor) or possibly the result of an injury, perhaps from an antler tine or a well-placed ... READ MORE
Another Deer Disease
By Bob Humphrey
Although whitetails can get this disease, it’s not something to worry about. QUESTION: How common is it for deer to have rabies. I only mention that because I’ve seen two stories about it in a relatively short period of time. — Linda O. ANSWER: I was aware it occurred but had no idea how often until your question prompted me to dig a little d... READ MORE
Ticked Off
By Bob Humphrey
With all the blood available in velvet antlers, why aren’t they covered in ticks? QUESTION: How come you see deer with ticks on the back of there ears and face but never on velvet antlers? With all the blood, I would think they should be covered. — Duane F. ANSWER: I really don’t know and have been unable to find a clear and... READ MORE
Timing is Everything
By Bob Humphrey
Late summer or early fall is the best time to plant a hunting food plot. QUESTION: When is the best time to plant a food plot in northern Mississippi for gun hunting in November? — Keith M. ANSWER: I could give you a long, drawn-out answer about developing a plan to provide proper year-round nutrition to attract and hold more and healthier de... READ MORE
Can I See Your ID?
By Bob Humphrey
The best way to determine the age of a deer depends on where it is. QUESTION: What is the best way to age a deer? — Richard E. ANSWER: Well, that depends on what you mean by “aging a deer.” If you mean determining how old it is, the answer depends on whether the deer is dead at your feet or alive in the field. The quickest and eas... READ MORE
Ghost Deer
By Bob Humphrey
How is it possible to see so many tracks without seeing the deer that made them?
QUESTION: Please, please help. I have been hunting for 20 years and I have just received permission to bowhunt two properties in northern Ohio. Both are small properties: 5 acres and 10 acres. I was more excited than I had ever been about deer hunting. They are in sub... READ MORE