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Deer Science

What Makes Deer Grow Larger in Some Areas?

Apr 15, 2026 Mark Turner

Most deer hunters learn early in their hunting career that some locations produce larger deer than others. Hunters in Iowa and Kansas, for example, have a much different impression of what constitutes a big buck…

Deer Science

The Screwworm Fly is Back and Approaching Texas, Threatening Deer

Apr 8, 2026 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

A monster that eats live deer, which we thought we defeated decades ago, is on the rise. Once chased all the way back down to South America, the New World screwworm fly is staging a…

Habitat

Food Plots are Overrated. Do This Instead.

Apr 1, 2026 Brian Grossman

Before you hit send on that email questioning my sanity, let me start by saying that I love food plots as much as the next person. There’s something extremely satisfying about working the ground, planting…

Hunting

Shoot or Pass This Buck? New Wisconsin Study Paints a Portrait of the Picky Deer Hunter

Mar 25, 2026 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Between the sound of the alarm clock and the punching of a buck tag, there’s a series of decisions for every deer hunter. Do I go hunting today? Yes. Is that a deer I see?…

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Venison

Hunters Aren’t Eating Enough Deer to Manage Populations. Here Are The Solutions.

Mar 18, 2026 Kip Adams

Hunters are enjoying near record-high deer populations across much of the whitetail’s range. The antlered buck harvest has only topped 3 million three times this century, and they’ve all been since 2020. However, the national…

New States Climb into the Top-10 in Mature Buck Harvest

Mar 11, 2026 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

I keep thinking whitetail hunters can’t get any more selective when it comes to buck harvest, and then every year when NDA’s Deer Report compiles all the data from around the nation – we do….

How Long Does it Take the Average Hunter to Harvest a Deer?

Mar 4, 2026 Cole Gander

For many hunters, myself included, harvesting a deer is the culmination of many months of hard work, preparation and countless hours spent afield. Sometimes everything falls into place perfectly, and a hunt ends with a…

How Do Whitetails Survive Harsh Winters? The Answer Might Surprise You.

Feb 25, 2026 Kip Adams

February is the perfect month for ice fishing, winter habitat work, and watching a highly-anticipated football game. It’s also the month that after a few hours of good outdoor exercise my dogs sleep more soundly…

Shed Hunting Public Land: Timing, Pressure and Tactics That Work

Feb 18, 2026 Brian Grossman

Shed hunting was created for hunters like me who can’t stand the thought of spending three long months indoors between deer and turkey season. Sometimes I need an excuse to hit the woods and stretch…

What is Forest Stand Improvement? A Starting Guide for Deer Habitat

Feb 11, 2026 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

On a drive home from Thanksgiving with family, a trip that took me through several eastern states, I spent a lot of time looking out the window at bad deer habitat. Acre after acre in…

Kick Off Your Super Bowl Party With These Venison Crowd-Pleasers

Feb 4, 2026 Ben Westfall

My wife and I are always experimenting with new venison recipes, especially ones our toddlers and non-hunting friends and family will enjoy as well. Appetizers and small plates are a great way to introduce venison…

The Best Timing and Frequency of Prescribed Fire for Deer Habitat

Jan 28, 2026 Mark Turner and Craig Harper

Prescribed fire is the most effective and efficient tool to manage and improve deer habitat in most areas. Fire can be used to improve food and cover in ways that other practices cannot, and fire…

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