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Heavy Metal
By Bob Humphrey
Are mineral supplements safe for deer? QUESTION: Browsing at a store, I noticed a mineral salt lick containing Selenium. I take Selenium supplement and wondered if this trace mineral in the lick is safe for deer. ANSWER: In the best of all possible worlds, deer should get sufficient nutrition from the food they eat. In reality, that’s not alw... READ MORE
The Comforts of Home
By Bob Humphrey
If you want to shoot bucks on a food plot, don’t shoot does! QUESTION: I want to take a few does for the freezer, but my friends said I shouldn’t shoot any from my food plots because then the bucks won’t come out later in the season. If the bucks aren’t there now, what difference does it make? ANSWER: They may not be there n... READ MORE
If You Plant It ...
By Bob Humphrey
Food plots and feeding programs don’t guarantee big bucks. QUESTION: If I plant food plots, how long will it take before I start to see results like bigger antlers on bucks? ANSWER: In and of themselves, food plots aren’t likely to make a huge difference in antler size, particularly if nutrition in general is not lacking in your area. A... READ MORE
Got Milk?
By Bob Humphrey
It’s not unusual to see fawns pestering does for milk during hunting seasons. QUESTION: I saw an obviously very young deer trying to get milk from a doe yesterday, and it’s October! Is that normal? I thought all the fawns would be eating regular food by now. ANSWER: It’s not all that unusual to see fawns, especially smaller ones, ... READ MORE
Under Pressure
By Bob Humphrey
Weather can get deer moving, but it’s not a simple formula. QUESTION: Several articles I’ve read recently said some weather fronts get deer moving during daylight. What should I be looking for? And is high or low barometric pressure better? ANSWER: There’s not a lot of supporting research, but my personal observations and those of... READ MORE
Bless You!
By Bob Humphrey
Deer sneezes likely caused by irritating flies. QUESTION: I was in my deer stand last weekend watching some does. One kept making a sound like a cough or maybe a sneeze. Do deer get colds? ANSWER: Most deer hunters are familiar with the cringe worthy sound a deer makes that we refer to as a blow or a snort. It’s very loud, caused by a rush of air t... READ MORE
Can’t Stand the Heat
By Bob Humprhey
There’s no one right answer to the question of spoilage. QUESTION: Archery season opens early and it’s often very warm where I live. I’m worried if I shoot a deer and have to leave it overnight that it will spoil. Will the meat still be edible if I have to do this? ANSWER: The quicker you can recover the deer, eviscerate it and co... READ MORE
Handle With Care
By Bob Humphrey
Despite the smell, tarsal glands should not affect meat. QUESTION: Someone told me I should cut off the tarsal glands from my buck before I hang it or it will taint the meat. Is that true? ANSWER: No. Although the odor can be quite strong, especially during the rut, tarsal glands are external and won’t come in contact with the meat unless the... READ MORE
Not a Clue
By Bob Humphrey
You can’t judge a book by its cover, nor a buck by a track. QUESTION: I have been scouting the area I plan to hunt this fall and I’m trying to determine where I’ll be more likely to find the bucks. I’ve found some big tracks and large scat, but someone told me you can’t tell the sex of a deer from its tracks or turds. ... READ MORE
Pressure Point
By Bob Humphrey
The best way to see more deer on your food plots is to reduce pressure. QUESTION: Is there a way to get the deer to come in to food plots during daylight hours. They come into our plots all night long, but we hardly see any during the day. Answer: Your situation is not that unusual, and there could be several reasons. The most likely is hunting pre... READ MORE
Not Much of a Plot
By Bob Humphrey
Exclosures are an easy way to narrow down your food plot struggles. QUESTION: I own 10 acres and have only small area for a food plot back in the trees. It gets some shade and some sun. I planted clover in that area, but the deer ate it before it got very big. What do you think I should do? I’m just trying to draw the deer to my area. Answer:... READ MORE
Fat Chance!
By Bob Humphrey
Not all fats are the same, so be careful what you use in ground venison. QUESTION: The deer I shot last year was loaded with fat, especially around the belly. I’m going to try to process my own deer this year and am wondering if I should include some of the fat when I grind it up. ANSWER: No! Not all fat is the same. Most of the fat you find ... READ MORE
Gene Therapy
By Bob Humphrey
Sometimes even bucks that have everything don’t have much headgear. QUESTION: I know age, genetics and diet influence antler size. The bucks in the area I hunt seem to have decent mass but short tines and not very big racks. Other bucks nearby seem to have bigger racks. Which do you think is the reason for this? ANSWER: It could be any one or... READ MORE
Branch Out
By Bob Humphrey
Deer visit scrapes all year, but what does the mean for you? QUESTION: I’ve starting making mock scrapes, and it seems like I get more deer activity on my trail cameras around them than before they were there. I’m wondering when I should start putting my drippers out. Is there a time when it’s too early and just a waste of effort?... READ MORE
Corny Question
By Bob Humphrey
Corn can be beneficial when supplied in the correct manner. QUESTION: Should deer be fed corn year-round, or should it only be used in the fall/winter? ANSWER: We get a lot of questions about how, when and if to feed corn to deer, so it’s worth revisiting from time to time. Corn can be beneficial to deer when provided properly, and harmful wh... READ MORE
Sun and Sand
By Bob Humphrey
Are great for vacationing, but too much are not good for food plots. QUESTION: What’s the best food plot plant for sandy soil? ANSWER: A lot depends on climate and moisture, as well as the specific soil type – whether it’s sandy loam, loamy sand or just plain old sand. However, you do have several options for food plots in loose, ... READ MORE
Tick, Tick, Tick ...
By Bob Humphrey
That’s not a clock, it’s the never-ending problem of biting insects. QUESTION: Hi from Elizabethtown, Kentucky! Attached are trail cam pictures of a doe covered with ticks. I have not seen her on the hoof to see her behavior. I have not seen a fawn with her. No other deer I have seen have this problem. Two questions: 1. Will she be okay... READ MORE
We’re Having Twins!
By Bob Humphrey
If does could talk, you’d hear that a lot. QUESTION: I live in Massachusetts, south of Boston and just north of Cape Cod. I think it was about May when a doe came out of my backyard woods followed by two tiny babies. I was so excited. It looked like the same doe from last year when she had just one fawn. Later, on July 22nd, another doe came ... READ MORE
It’s Personal
By Bob Humphrey
When filling doe tags, it’s really just about preference. QUESTION: My state allows us to harvest two does in addition to a buck. I’m wondering if it’s better to shot one early or wait until later in the season. Will it reduce my chances for taking a buck if I do that? ANSWER: There are several factors involved when considering th... READ MORE
Like a Fine Wine
By Bob Humphrey
Age is the easiest component to manage when growing bigger bucks. QUESTION: I’ve heard it takes three things to make bucks grow big racks: age, nutrition and genetics. Which one is the most important? ANSWER: As with many things, it depends. Most bucks probably have the genetic potential to grow a large set of antlers, given the proper amount... READ MORE