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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

This “Frosty” Silver Buck Has Biologists Stumped. See the Photos.

Dec 10, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

For three seasons now, Kevin O’Brien and his uncle and cousins, who all hunt in the same area of northwest Wisconsin, have been seeing and photographing a ghostly deer. Lots of whitetail bucks “ghost” us,…

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Deer Science

Bucks, Does, and Dewclaws: Clearing Up One of Hunting’s Biggest Myths

Dec 3, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

At NDA, we frequently share emerging science that sometimes shatters old beliefs about deer, so we’re accustomed to hearing from skeptical hunters who are reluctant to let go of time-honored ideas. Lots of hunters have…

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What Deer Research Really Says About the Rut (Most Hunters Get This Wrong)

Nov 19, 2025 Brian Grossman

While there’s still much to be learned about the whitetail rut, decades of deer research has taught us a lot about this special time of year. And much of this information will not only improve…

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New Study Investigates Peak Rut Buck Movement

Nov 5, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Bucks move more during the rut than any other time of year. The rut will peak at the same time every year in a given location. These two basic rules of the whitetail rut keep…

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Why Do Deer Raise Their Tails When They Run?

Oct 22, 2025 Matt Ross

Have you ever witnessed a deer raising its tail at you while it speedily ran away? Some believe it’s the deer version of flipping the bird, and to be honest it kind of feels that…

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New Science: Rubs and Scrapes Glow Like Highway Reflectors to a Deer’s Eyes

Oct 15, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

In the light of day, our eyes see the pale yellow or white wood exposed by a buck that has shredded the bark off a small tree. But in twilight woods, deer eyes likely see…

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My Late-Season Doe Had White Hooves

Oct 15, 2025 Cole Gander

The 2024–25 deer season was one for the ages for me in northern Missouri. Along with mentoring new hunters through NDA’s Field to Fork program, I was fortunate to harvest my largest archery buck to…

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Scientists: Releasing Captive-Bred Deer to Fight CWD in Wild Deer Is Unlikely to Work

Oct 1, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Recently scientists have been exploring the idea that we can fight chronic wasting disease in wild deer by releasing captive-bred, “CWD resistant” deer. Some in the deer farming industry endorsed the idea, and legislators in…

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Active Management Keeps CWD Prevalence Low. Inaction Helps it Spread and Grow.

Sep 16, 2025 Ben Westfall

Early detection and intervention are key when it comes to minimizing the spread of chronic wasting disease in deer, and there are many ways wildlife agencies do this, including targeted removal. Targeted removal is a…

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5 Simple Ways to Monitor Deer Herd Health

Aug 25, 2025 NDA Staff

Quality Deer Management can help produce healthier deer, more fawns, heavier deer body weights, more mature bucks, more rut activity, larger antlers, and other benefits. To achieve these goals, you need to have a grasp…

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