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…

read more
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….

read more
All Articles
  • All Articles
  • Deer Science

Missouri Shows Us How to Manage CWD in Deer for the Long Haul

Apr 22, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

The Missouri Department of Conservation recently released its 2023-24 chronic wasting disease testing results, and the report contains good news and a lesson for deer hunters in other states: If the disease is discovered early,…

read more

NDA Urges Deer Hunters to Consider New CWD Report With Caution

Apr 18, 2024 NDA Staff

A sketchy online report from neurologists at the University of Texas Health Science Center, in the journal Neurology, is getting attention and causing confusion about the human health implications of chronic wasting disease in deer….

read more

You Know Where That Buck Beds, Huh?

Apr 10, 2024 Luke Resop

We’re all familiar with the lore surrounding buck beds and bedding habits. Many hunters have elaborate theories that factor in weather and landscape features to predict where a specific buck will choose to bed at…

read more

Piebald Deer: How Rare Are They?

Apr 9, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Piebald deer are born with a rare genetic condition that gives them small to large patches of white hair mixed in randomly with normal brown hair color. Bucks and does can be piebald. Some piebald…

read more

Some Whitetail Does Are Super Fawn Recruiters. Here’s What That Means for Deer Harvest.

Mar 13, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Would you be surprised to learn not every doe raises a fawn each year? Zero is an option, even when fawn predators are not a factor. For some does to skip years, though, there must…

read more

Book Review – Advanced White-Tailed Deer Management: The Nutrition-Population Density Sweet Spot

Jan 16, 2024 Lindsay Thomas Jr.

Managing a deer population is pretty simple, really. Improve habitat to increase the quality and quantity of deer forage, and reduce deer density if necessary until you achieve balance between forage supply and demand. Early…

read more

CWD Roundup – January 2024

Jan 3, 2024 Torin Miller

CWD Roundup is the National Deer Association’s (NDA) bi-monthly update on all things chronic wasting disease (CWD). We’ll provide the latest updates on CWD spread, research and policy from across North America. Updates are provided…

read more

Wrecked Racks: Deer Photographer Tes Randle Jolly Recalls the Wildest Antlers

Dec 20, 2023 Tes Randle Jolly

NDA member Tes Randle Jolly of Alabama has been photographing whitetails professionally for many years. She’s seen many versions of the noble, “normal,” whitetail buck. She’s also seen the odd and unusual examples that result…

read more