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

How Far Apart Do Bucks Drop Their Antlers? Shed Hunting Tips From New Science

Feb 5, 2025 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

You just found a nice shed antler. How far away is the matching side? How likely are you to find it? We now have scientific data to help answer these questions, thanks to a new…

read more
Deer Science

4 Reasons Mature Bucks Are Critical to Deer Herd Health and Hunting

Jan 8, 2025 Kip Adams

Mature bucks can take your breath away. Whether it’s a frosty fall morning in the woods or a summer evening in an alfalfa field, the mere glimpse of a mature buck will make your heart…

read more
All Articles
  • All Articles
  • Deer Science

Weak Excuses and Legitimate Concerns of Late-Season Doe Harvest

Dec 11, 2024 Kip Adams

During my career as a deer biologist, I’ve heard many weak excuses for why hunters pass up opportunities at antlerless deer late in the hunting season. I’m sure you’ve heard some of them, too. Conversely,…

read more

How Long Before You See Bigger Deer After Improving Nutrition?

Nov 20, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

You were present in your maternal grandmother’s womb. I know this is a strange way to begin a story about deer, but stay with me: It’s the simplest way to explain an important concept of…

read more

Does Weather Impact Deer Movement? Here’s What We Know

Oct 30, 2024 Brian Grossman

As hunters, we’re always looking for the slightest edge we can gain to improve our odds of success in the field. We buy the latest gear, read up on all the latest hunting tips and…

read more

Three Reliable Ways to Test Deer for CWD

Oct 28, 2024 Dr. Jenn Ballard

While the full impact of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on wildlife populations, hunting culture and conservation continues to come to light, it is already clear that this disease will be part of a new normal…

read more

6 Facts You Really Need to Know About Buck Home Ranges, and 1 You Don’t

Oct 16, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

We know a lot about whitetail buck home ranges, those phantom zones on the landscape where bucks spend most of their lives. We may even know too much about them. In a review of the…

read more

Cryptorchid Bucks, Antlered Does, And Other Rare Deer Defy the Ordinary

Oct 16, 2024 Cole Gander

Every year a lucky few deer hunters are fortunate enough to encounter rare deer that defy the usual patterns of antler growth and reproductive biology. These include cryptorchid bucks, does with antlers, and other unusual…

read more

Video: 19 Fascinating Deer Behaviors Explained

Oct 9, 2024 Kip Adams

White-tailed deer are fascinating animals. Wildlife enthusiasts pursue deer with rifles, bows, cameras and more. Their beauty and grace are well known, and much has been written about super cool deer facts like antler growth…

read more

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…

read more