Tag Page DeerHunting

#DeerHunting
paulcarol

My secret spots that yielded 5 sheds last weekend!

Just got back from a weekend of shed hunting and figured I’d share a few spots that always seem to deliver — but don’t get talked about much. Food plots and bedding areas are obvious, but if you want to start picking up more bone, try looking in these underrated places: 1️⃣ Regrown clear-cuts – Deer hammer woody browse in winter. Clear-cuts from a few years back are full of low vegetation and buds they love. 2️⃣ Swamp or marsh islands – Most folks won’t wade through water, but deer do. They bed on high ground in the middle where they feel safe. 3️⃣ Deadfall timber zones – Downed trees offer cover, block wind, and often grow browse-friendly plants. Great bedding = more chances for sheds. 4️⃣ Deep-woods pockets – Especially in high-pressure areas. If they’ve got food (like red oak acorns) and cover, expect sheds. 5️⃣ CRP/native grass fields – Warm, soft bedding. Grasses insulate well, which is why you’ll often find antlers buried in them. 6️⃣ Natural green sources – Greenbriar and other winter-staying plants are gold. Not every food source is in a field. 7️⃣ Wind-sheltered valleys – Deer conserve energy by staying out of the wind. Ridges and hollows shaped just right make cozy hideouts. 8️⃣ Sanctuary edges – Deer hang just outside of off-limits land. Walk the fence lines — they might drop right on your side. 9️⃣ Travel corridors – Shed along paths between food and bedding. Even brief stops can be enough to drop an antler. 🔟 Feeding stations (if legal) – Keep feeding past the season. Deer remember where to find food and return, often shedding nearby. Anyone else finding success in unusual spots this year? #hunting #shedhunting #deerhunting

My secret spots that yielded 5 sheds last weekend!
Manuel Bright

🦌 How I plan my multi-state deer hunts

Two years ago a game warden told me: "I've seen some really nice bucks back where those two creeks meet. Nobody goes back there." That fall I hiked into that exact spot and shot a beautiful 145-inch buck. That's when I knew my multi-state system was working. Here's my tried-and-true approach after a decade of chasing whitetails across state lines: 1️⃣ Research habitat - I use satellite imagery to find public land with good deer habitat and accessible food sources. Farmland borders are gold. 2️⃣ Make the calls - Local biologists and game wardens give you intel you can't get anywhere else. Ask about deer quality, hunting pressure, and access. 3️⃣ Plan your timeline - I leave home late October for 15-20 days, hitting my limited tag state first, then over-the-counter states. 4️⃣ Save money smart - Mom and Pop motels will negotiate weekly rates. I bring frozen meals in a crock pot - hot dinner waiting after long days. 5️⃣ Adapt your gear - North Dakota trees are crooked and small. Montana cottonwoods need ratchet straps. Ask locals about terrain before you go. 6️⃣ Plan for success - Have a solid plan for meat care. I travel with a chest freezer for early kills. What's your biggest multi-state hunting lesson learned? #hunting #DeerHunting #HuntingTips

🦌 How I plan my multi-state deer hunts
lolson

What I’m doing this July to prep for fall hunt 🦌

Been spending some time getting things in shape for fall, and July's been the perfect window for low-impact prep. Here’s what I’ve been working on: 1️⃣ Check food plots - Make sure they survived the heat or start planning backup plots if drought hit hard 2️⃣ Scout water sources - Find or create water holes while deer patterns are predictable in this heat 3️⃣ Boots-on-ground scouting - Low-impact time to find bedding areas and travel routes without spooking deer 4️⃣ Hang stands now - Perfect time to set up ambush spots while deer have plenty of cover to avoid you The key is connecting food sources to travel routes. If I can figure out how deer enter ag fields now, those patterns usually hold through early September. What's your July prep priority? Food plots or stand locations? #hunting #HuntingPrep #DeerHunting #OutdoorLife

What I’m doing this July to prep for fall hunt 🦌
Eric Ford

Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!

When I first got into hunting, I honestly couldn’t tell the difference between an elk and a moose to save my life. I’d be glassing a distant shape thinking, “Big body, antlers—must be an elk?” Then I’d Google it later and realize I’d been watching a moose the whole time. Over the past year, I’ve spent more time in the field, talked to experienced hunters, and slowly started picking up the visual cues that separate these four species. Here’s what finally helped me get it straight: 🦌 Deer (White-tailed, mule deer, red deer) Much smaller than the others. About 3 ft at the shoulder, 100–300 lbs. Males have classic branched antlers. They move quick and tend to be alone or in small family groups. That short tail is an easy giveaway. 🦌 Moose These are massive. Think 5–7 ft at the shoulder and up to 1,500 lbs. The “bell” hanging under their throat and the wide, paddle-shaped antlers on bulls are dead giveaways. I learned quick that if I’m looking at something that looks like a horse with antlers, it’s a moose. Usually alone unless it’s the rut. 🦌 Elk Bigger than deer, smaller than moose. Thick necks, pale rump patches, and loud bugling during rut. Males have symmetrical, tall-rising antlers. They tend to move in large herds, especially in more open terrain, which makes them easier to ID once you’re familiar. 🦌 Caribou (Reindeer) A bit confusing at first. Both sexes grow antlers, and their body shape is stockier. Their hooves are wide and built for snow, and they travel in huge migratory groups. I haven’t hunted them yet, but watching wildlife footage helped me recognize the differences. Looking back, the learning curve felt steep—but it’s incredibly rewarding when you can spot an animal at a distance and know exactly what it is without second guessing. If you're just getting started, don't stress—it clicks with time, field hours, and a lot of asking “what was that?” Curious—anyone else totally confused these at first? What helped you learn to tell them apart? #hunting #HuntingTips #BigGameHunting #DeerHunting

Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!Mastered ID'ing All 4 Deer Species Finally!