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Entries for 'Gray Loon'
In the Bone
By Bob Humphrey
Antlers are full of minerals, so should we feed whitetails mineral supplements? QUESTION: What, if any, is the best mineral to feed deer? I add Hi-Mag mineral salt to my feed in the summertime and was wondering if I’m on track for helping antler growth. –Jerry A. ANSWER: Minerals are an important part of a whitetail’s diet. Not on... READ MORE
Hog Hell
By Bob Humphrey
There isn’t any good news when it comes to wild pigs on your deer lease. QUESTION: I hunt on a lease in northwest Florida. A few years ago, the wild pig population was tolerable, but now it’s out of control. You cannot go anywhere without seeing pig sign. And if you put out corn, they take over the area. I have three questions:1) Can yo... READ MORE
Too Much Wild Turkey
By Bob Humphrey
Have no fear, turkeys and deer get along just fine. QUESTION: This summer I’ve been noticing more turkeys on my property than I’ve seen in the past, and they’re spending a lot of time in my food plots. My neighbor says I should drive them off or they will keep the deer away in the fall. Is this true, and what is the best way to ke... READ MORE
Need a Trim?
By Bob Humphrey
Cutting timber sounds simple, but start with a good plan. QUESTION: I recently purchased a woodlot for hunting and recreation, and we’re going to be cutting some firewood this year. Can you offer some tips on when/how to cut that will help the deer? ANSWER: It’s difficult to be too specific without more information, but I can offer some... READ MORE
How Many Does?
By Bob Humphrey
Habitat is the biggest determiner of how many deer your land can hold. QUESTION: How many does per acre should a west-central Alabama lease hold, and how do you count/identify the number of does per acre on your property? ANSWER: We often get questions that apply to a specific region, state or locality, and the answer sometimes has much broader app... READ MORE
The Maine Issue
By Bob Humphrey
Rumor says deer numbers in Maine are shockingly low. Is that true? QUESTION: An outfitter in Maine recently reported that the deer herd numbers were so low they were not booking any deer hunts and they were not sure when they might be doing so in the future. Does that sound correct to you that Maine herd numbers are low? If so, what would it take f... READ MORE
Where’s the Meat?
By Bob Humphrey
A 100-pound deer doesn’t yield as much meat as you might think. QUESTION: Last fall, I shot my first deer and brought it to a local meat processor to have it prepared. When I picked it up, there was hardly enough meat to fill a grocery sack. I expected a lot more considering the deer weighed about 100 pounds. I’m wondering if I was take... READ MORE
Growing Like a Weed
By Bob Humphrey
Left unchecked, weeds can take over your food plot. QUESTION: I need a good herbicide to kill grass and broadleaf weeds in my clover. One of the big name brands has performed poorly. Is there anything else? — Larry L. ANSWER: Without more detail, like what region of the country you live in, what type of plants you’re trying to eliminate... READ MORE
Uh Oh!
By Bob Humphrey
So you got pictures of hogs on your property. Now what? QUESTION: My hunting partners and I were working on some stands over the weekend, and we got this picture on one of our trail cameras. We have never had pigs on our ground before, and some of the guys are worried. This wasn’t the only picture, and we know for sure there is at least one l... READ MORE
Viral Minerals
By Bob Humphrey
It’s amazing how fast word gets around in the deer community. QUESTION: Everyone writes about the importance of mineral sites, but nobody gives ideas of what to use to attract deer to new mineral sites. I know they will eventually find them, but how do you attract them to one for first time? ANSWER: A lot of our ATB questions require long, co... READ MORE
Not a Licking Branch!
By Bob Humphrey
Not all rut interaction by bucks is violent, and it’s likely more significant than you think. QUESTION: Last fall during the rut, I saw two bucks approach each other in a greenfield. Rather than fighting, they licked each other’s ears and face. Why would they do this? — Kevin M. ANSWER: The behavior you observed is not all that un... READ MORE
Just Ask Alice
By Bob Humphrey
Have you ever wondered about the white mushrooms you see in the woods? QUESTION: I’ve seen deer eating white mushrooms in the pine forest. Are those mushrooms good for human consumption? — Duane F. ANSWER: I’m going to offer a vague answer. The reason is that some mushrooms are edible, while others are not. More important, some ar... READ MORE
The Ears Have It
By Bob Humphrey
Strange presence of blood makes hunter leery of eating his harvest. QUESTION: I killed a buck that has dried blood in his ears. I noticed it about 5 minutes after I walked up to him. I know for sure it was not caused by my bullet. Is this buck fit for consumption? ANSWER: I’m guessing by now you’ve figured out the answer to your questio... READ MORE
Date Night
By Bob Humphrey
Good luck trying to pinpoint the rut, especially in Louisiana! QUESTION: When is the buck rut in Area 4, southeast Louisiana in top right southern section near both Mississippi lines? — Alan J. ANSWER: We typically don’t get this specific with our Q&As but yours is a good example of why that’s the case, so I’ll give it a... READ MORE
Identity Crisis
By Bob Humphrey
You’ve heard of bucks that stay in velvet, but what about a buck that’s just off schedule? QUESTION: There is a buck on our hunting lease that has been visiting our feeders for three years. He stays in velvet at least a month to a month and a half later than all the other bucks on the lease. What would cause him to shed his velvet so la... READ MORE
Once in a Red Moon
By Bob Humphrey
There are many moon theories out there, but here’s another to add to the list. QUESTION: What is a red moon, and when does it happen? I hear this all the time: “Hunt the red moon.” My calendar doesn’t have a red moon on it, and it’s a deer hunting yearly calendar. — Mike Z. ANSWER: I’ve heard all sorts of t... READ MORE
Worst Ever Athlete’s Foot
By Bob Humphrey
Strange foot malady has hunter and our biologist stumped. QUESTION: I am a life member of Buckmasters and multiple other hunting organizations. For 15 years I have had a hunting lease in the middle of Iowa. Over the last several years, I have noted, with some anxiety, that several deer we harvested have the same physical issue. They have extremely ... READ MORE
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
True Blood
By Bob Humphrey
Exactly how much blood can a deer lose before it succumbs to its wounds? QUESTION: How much blood must a deer lose after being shot with a broadhead before it dies? — Joe R. ANSWER: I found several unscientific sources that claimed deer will die after losing between 2 ½ to 2 ¾ pints of blood. The Texas Bowhunter Ed course notes:... READ MORE
Gender Fender Bender
By Bob Humphrey
Without an examination, it’s hard to determine why a doe would have antlers. QUESTION: Many years ago, a friend hit a deer with his vehicle. It was a 10-point buck, but it didn’t have male genitals. That means it was a doe. Why did this doe have antlers? — Tracy F. ANSWER: Mammals are typically born either male or female, as deter... READ MORE