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Entries for January 2021
Abscesses and Meat
By Bob Humphrey
The venison is probably safe, but why take a chance? QUESTION: My son shot a doe that had an abscess in front of her shoulder. The deer seemed otherwise healthy. The abscess was not lanced until cut away from the carcass, and was not in contact with any edible portion. When I did lance it, a thick, syrupy, yellow liquid poured out. Understanding th... READ MORE
The Mane Question Is...
By Bob Humphrey
Like whitetails with fangs, species sometimes show ancient traits. QUESTION: I shot a buck this fall that had a mane. What causes this, and how common is it? ANSWER: While one can never be certain about such things, the most likely scenario is what biologists sometimes refer to as a vestige. Modern deer species sometimes reveal physical traits that... READ MORE
Spring Fever
By Bob Humphrey
Is it possible to see whitetail rutting behavior in turkey season? QUESTION: While turkey hunting in Florida last spring, I witnessed an antlered buck chasing a doe just like they do in the rut. When I mentioned it to my outfitter, he didn’t think it was all that unusual and said the deer rut at different times down there. How is this possible? ANS... READ MORE
Ooh That Smell
By Bob Humphrey
Hanging hunting clothes outside isn’t a guarantee of freshness. QUESTION: I use scent free soap on my body and all my hunting equipment and clothes. If I take the same clothes and hang them in the woods out of the rain, they have a smell that I can smell. Does that scare the deer? ANSWER:I guess that depends partly on what the odor is that you smel... READ MORE
Look, a You-Nee-Corn!
By Bob Humphrey
It’s no wonder deer hunters are so fascinated with antlers. QUESTION: What could cause this buck to have three antlers? ANSWER:There are several possibilities. As a body develops in the womb from a single fertilized egg, individual cells differentiate for specific functions. Some become hair, bone and organs. Bone cells of the pedicle further diffe... READ MORE