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Entries for 'Gray Loon'
All Busted Up
By Bob Humphrey
Why do so many bucks on our property have broken tines?
QUESTION: Bob, we have a lease in Alabama, and over the years we've noticed virtually all our racked bucks seem to have broken tines. I realize that during the rut bucks are pursuing does and might have occasional fight, but it would seem that every now and then we'd take one without a broken... READ MORE
Now You See Him...
By Bob Humphrey
Question: I have a question on the eyesight of deer and other wild animals concerning the lack of camouflage. You see outfitters wearing blue jeans while the hunter is completely covered in camo. Other times you see hunters with bright, shiny chrome rifle barrels and scopes. Deer must surely know by now that a shiny barrel or scope means danger. It... READ MORE
How to Age a Deer by its Teeth
By Bob Humphrey
Question: I was on a guided hunt last fall in Texas and killed a buck that I thought was around 3 years old. My guide stuck his fingers in the deer’s mouth to feel it’s teeth and declared it was 5 years old. Can you offer some tips on how to easily tell a deer’s age after it’s been harvested? — Jamie W. Answer: A... READ MORE
Food Plots or Pelletized Protein?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: I have a ranch in west Texas where my family hunts deer, turkeys and doves. My question centers around feeding protein to my deer. I lease my ranch to a local cattle rancher who pays me for a grass lease. I’m looking for a good way to feed the dear year-round with good protein, not corn. Is a gravity protein feeder my best option, o... READ MORE
What Does the Future Look Like After HD Disease?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: We in Virginia are going through what some say is hemorrhagic disease. We had suffered a decrease in deer population and see sickly deer with split, fallen-off hoofs and so forth. I was wondering if you could shed any light as to what we can expect in our future. The VDGIF website has given us some information.
Answer: The VDGIF we... READ MORE
Is There a “No Man’s Land” for Shot Placement?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: Last year, my son shot a 6-point buck with his shotgun. He claims he waited at least 30 minutes and didn’t push the deer. We finally found some blood about 30 yards from the spot of the shot and tracked the deer with a very slight blood trail for well over 3/4 of a mile before we finally lost it.
At the end of the trail, the blood ... READ MORE
Can I Avoid Ticks and Chiggers?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: What do you do to limit attacks from pesky ticks and chiggers? — Charles H.
Answer: You can use common DEET-based insect repellents that are sold under a variety of trade names like REPEL 100, Deep Woods OFF and Ben’s 100. However, their effectiveness is temporary. They do have odor, and although they are approved by th... READ MORE
Why Do Bucks Shed Their Antlers?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: When do bucks shed their antlers, and why? — Riley O.
Answer: Antlers are fascinating works of nature’s art, and one of their most interesting characteristics is that, like leaves on a hardwood tree, they are deciduous. Each year a new set is grown then cast off.
Photoperiodism plays an important role in this process. ... READ MORE
The Long and Short of Corn for Whitetails
By Bob Humphrey
Question: The deer food where I live is mostly acorns and leaves. Is it all right to just feed deer corn, or do they need something else? — Pery R.
Answer: The short answer to both questions is, “Yes.” Now for the long answer.
You didn’t say where you live, but I suspect there is a lot more around for deer to eat. Th... READ MORE
Pelletized or Powdered?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: What’s the big difference between fast acting lime and regular aglime or ground lime. — Duane F. Answer: Lime comes in two forms, pelletized and powder. Pelletized lime is easier to handle because it typically comes in bags. It’s also easier to apply because it can be spread by most gravity fed spreaders. It takes ... READ MORE
How Rare Is a Piebald?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: I saw a piebald buck last year, however I did not get a shot at him. This year I got him with my crossbow. My question is, how likely is it that I will ever see another piebald deer on my property? — Ronnie Plumlee
Answer: Piebald deer are certainly a curiosity, and we get a lot of questions about them. This aberrant colorati... READ MORE
What Could This Be?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: In early November, I shot a 2- or 3-year-old 7-pointer on my property. I noticed his hip bones were visible and his spine could be felt fairly easily. The other strange thing I noticed while gutting him was a white/yellow mucous I was pulling out in handfuls from his chest cavity. Any answers or ideas would be great. Maybe pneumonia? Mayb... READ MORE
Whitetails React Strongly To Hunting Pressure
By Bob Humphrey
Question: I’m from New York and have a good amount of property with food plots and the whole nine yards. The properties around me are highly pressured during gun season. During archery season I see deer all day, but during gun season they disappear. They’re not in plots or travel corridors. Any ideas why this might be? — Jon A.
A... READ MORE
What’s The Difference?
By Bob Humphrey
Question: Can white-tailed deer tell the difference between deer urine and human urine? I have been on a deer ranch, and the owner said they can’t and that you could freshen a scrape with human urine. — Charlie M.
Answer: I, too, have heard this claim and believe that it, like bland vegetables, should be taken with a liberal dose... READ MORE
The Gray Nose Deer
By Bob Humphrey
Question: My son recently harvested a 9-pointer in northeastern Maryland. The buck had a light grey colored nose. We’re curious, has this ever been seen before? — David M.
Answer: White-tailed deer are remarkable creatures, and the more I study them, the more I realize just how diverse they can be. Most folks are familiar w... READ MORE
How Old?
By Bob Humphrey
How old must a fawn be to survive without its mother?
Question: In late July a mature doe was killed on the highway near my property. Since then I have observed a doe fawn alone around my house. I saw it in mid-September, and it runs from our movement and the dog and seems skittish. How old must a fawn be to survive without its mother? &mdas... READ MORE
Where Have The Ears Gone?
By Bob Humphrey
Do you have any idea what happened to its ears?
Question: This doe has been coming into a guy’s yard in the DuBois area. Do you have any idea what happened to its ears? Maybe the buck flies just ate the heck out of them this past summer. I’ve seen deer with their ears bleeding terribly from buck fly bites. — Ken M.
Answer:... READ MORE
Oh where have they gone?
By Bob Humphrey
Disappearing deer are looking for the same thing—bedding cover, high calorie leftovers and love.
Question: I hunt on Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill., and there is food, water and cover everywhere. Where are the deer traveling in early December? To cover or to food? —John T.
Answer: Though your question is geogra... READ MORE
Jousting with One Antler
By Bob Humphrey
No need to cull Spike on One Side (SOS or SOOS) deer. Researchers assign pedicle or early skull trauma as root causes of the phenomenon, not genetics.
Question: Two years ago we noticed some type of defect within our deer population when a guest shot a buck that had antler growth on only one side. The other side had nothing, not even a... READ MORE
Has the rut kicked in?
By Bob Humphrey
Peak rut and peak breeding times are not universal; they’re consistent and vary by location. Observation and effort will make you a true student of the whitetail rut.
Question: I'm new to deer hunting and I’m wondering how I can tell in my area when the rut is kicking in. I’m finding all kind of buck sign but I haven’... READ MORE