Deer Science The latest in deer research

The NDA prides itself in keeping up with the latest in deer research and management and presenting that information to our members in easy-to-understand articles, videos, and podcast interviews.

Deer Science

Can You Tell Bucks From Does by Their Tracks?

Sep 11, 2024 Matt Ross

A lot can be learned from investigating deer tracks where you hunt. I’ll even go as far as saying that deer tracks could be the number one type of deer sign to look for when…

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Deer Science

12 Signs You Should Harvest More Does

Aug 21, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

How many does should you harvest? It’s a perennial question for our organization and many deer hunters. Here are 12 signs to look for that indicate you need to take more than you have been….

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What We Know About a Strange Deer With Droopy Ears

Aug 7, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

In November 2022, 14-year-old Cooper Courtright of Louisiana killed a 5½-year-old buck whose ears were his most prominent and memorable feature. Both drooped to the sides of the buck’s head as if they were pinned…

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North Carolina’s CWD News is Actually Good

Jul 22, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Learning about chronic wasting disease is a challenge. Even when we’re receiving accurate information, it can be misleading simply due to the complexity of this deer disease. Conveying new information in a brief headline can…

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These Warning Signs Could Predict EHD Outbreaks in Deer

Jul 16, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Hemorrhagic disease is a phantom enemy of deer. Known to hunters more commonly as EHD and bluetongue, this family of viruses strikes unpredictably and sporadically, hitting deer hard in some areas, lightly in others, or…

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Are Sika Deer Outcompeting and Replacing Maryland’s Whitetails?

Jul 10, 2024 Matthew McBride and Dr. Jacob Bowman

I had no idea that nearly 20,000 short, stocky sika deer roam the marshes of Maryland’s Eastern Shore until I watched a MeatEater episode filmed in Dorchester County. A few years later, I jumped at…

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3 Reasons Deer Attack People

Jun 26, 2024 Matt Ross

No matter your age, race or upbringing, the cast of beastly characters that headline our nightmares typically involves sharp teeth, claws or an overall slimy, creepy-crawly “ick factor.” Cute and cuddly are never traits conjured…

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Deer Antlers Come in Many Colors. This Hunter Wanted to Know Why.

Jun 5, 2024 Dr. Tim Lewis

Hunters have long been intrigued by variation in the color of deer antlers. Archibald Rutledge’s writings immortalized the dark racks of South Carolina’s lowland swamp bucks as unique and special. Others have admired the glistening…

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Genetically Modified Deer Won’t Stop CWD. Here Are 7 Reasons Why.

May 21, 2024 NDA Staff

You may have heard some people claim we can fight chronic wasting disease (CWD) through breeding and releasing genetically modified, CWD “resistant” deer. NDA believes every potential solution to the CWD problem should be considered…

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How Often Do Whitetails Give Birth to Triplet and Quadruplet Fawns, or More?

May 8, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

A whitetail doe can give birth to one, two or three fawns each year, and that’s the limit for almost all of them. A very rare doe will bear quadruplet fawns. And rarest among the…

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