Ask The Biologist

Entries for February 2022

Enough Nuts

Enough Nuts

By Bob Humphrey

Competition for acorns isn’t a big problem for deer and turkeys. QUESTION: We’ve had a pretty bad winter so far, and there was a very light acorn crop where I hunt. I’ve noticed a lot of turkey sign. Should I be worried the turkeys will eat all the acorns and the deer won’t have enough food? ANSWER: This is one of those myths that just won’t go awa... READ MORE

Not One and Done

Not One and Done

By Bob Humphrey

You won’t make a dent in predation by taking just one coyote. QUESTION: I see a lot of social media posts about hunters killing coyotes to save the deer. Does removing coyotes really help deer survival? ANSWER: The answer is not as simple as you might think. There is no question that coyotes are a significant predator of deer, and removing a coyote... READ MORE

Gone Too Soon

Gone Too Soon

By Bob Humphrey

What happened to my hit-list buck’s rack? It’s gone! QUESTION: I live in central Kentucky and am accustomed to bucks beginning to shed their antlers in mid- to late January. Unfortunately, a hit-list 10 pointer shed just before Christmas. Is there a rule-of-thumb date a buck sheds its crown? ANSWER: We get this question often, so it&rsq... READ MORE

High Cotton

High Cotton

By Bob Humphrey

Like most things, moderation is the key to using cottonseed as deer feed. QUESTION: Do you know of studies you can direct me to that show cottonseed does not impact the fertility of whitetail bucks? ANSWER: Not exactly, but I can provide some information on the use of cottonseed as an attractant or supplemental deer feed. It’s high in crude p... READ MORE

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