Ask The Biologist

Entries for December 2020

What About This Guy?

What About This Guy?

By Bob Humphrey

A photo alone doesn’t always tell the story about a deer’s age. QUESTION: I would be interested to know your opinion or estimate on the age of the whitetail in the photo. – David G. ANSWER:Aging a deer on the hoof can be difficult without a clear photo from the proper angle and sufficient information on the date and location. However, this one seem... READ MORE

Not By the Book

Not By the Book

By Bob Humphrey

There is no fixed set of rules on how whitetail breeding takes place. QUESTION: During the Illinois shotgun season just before Thanksgiving, a hot doe brought three small bucks under my stand. The biggest was a wonky-racked 2-year-old (I guess) that bred her right there. Afterward, all four took off running again. I thought a buck would lock down ... READ MORE

No Fear

No Fear

By Bob Humphrey

Whitetails don’t always react when fired upon. QUESTION: During the muzzleloader season, I fired at a deer and missed, but the deer didn’t bolt like they normally do. I’ve heard of other people that had this happen. Can you explain why? ANSWER:I wish I could. I have also experienced this phenomenon on more than one occasion. Sometimes they react bu... READ MORE

They Start Young

They Start Young

By Bob Humphrey

Nutrition plays a key role in when does breed for the first time. QUESTION: How soon can a whitetail fawn breed? ANSWER: Most does breed as yearlings in their second fall. However, it has been observed in areas of high nutrition that some does are bred in their first fall, as fawns. When this occurs, it more often happens later in the fall, possibl... READ MORE

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Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd