Hunting and Fishing News Blog Articles

I had been waiting for months to get back into a treestand to pursue whitetail deer. Throughout the week, I kept an eye on the weather, hoping to get to the lease in Ohio for the opening night of hunting season. My soccer team was scheduled to play a game at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, but it was canceled at the last minute. I decided it would be best to make the hour-long drive to the lease and go hunting. To say I was excited would be an understatement! I loaded up all my gear and headed to the lease, hoping to fill a tag on opening night.

20 Feet Up

I arrived at the lease around 4 PM and dressed appropriately for the weather. It was 80 degrees and overcast, but the temperature was dropping quickly. After getting dressed, I grabbed my gear and stealthily made my way to my stand. Before climbing in, I refreshed the BuckBranch and the mock scrape that the deer had been using. I had a good feeling that the night was going to be an action-packed one.

Settled In

Safety is always a concern when climbing into or out of a treestand. To ensure I remain securely attached to the tree, I use a lifeline and a Treestand Wingman. I settled into my stand, which overlooked a river and a natural funnel. My Darton Sequel 33 hung from a bowholder to my right, and I adjusted my HHA sight to 24 yards.

Last week was quite busy as I focused on setting up all my early-season stands. After twelve days without rain, the skies finally opened up and watered my plots. With the season approaching, I’ve noticed that scrape activity is increasing daily. Want to know what kind of action I observed throughout the week? Read on!

View to a Kill

I’m excited about this stand placement because several bucks are consistently visiting the scrape. I quietly approached the area and used my XOP X2 sticks to hang my XOP Vanish Evolution stand. The lightweight X2 sticks and the Vanish Evolution stand are easy to set up and comfortable to use while hunting. The stand is positioned on the inside corner of a bean field that is frequently used by multiple shooter bucks. If any of the shooters come by to investigate the scrape, I will have an open shot of less than 20 yards. My expectations for this spot are high.

Welcome Back TT8

The Tall-Tined 8, or TT8, has been the top buck on this farm since I first spotted him in velvet back in June. I know him well, as I passed him up several times last year. I believed that if he was able to reach 4.5 years old, he would become a truly special buck. I’m pleased that he made it through last season and has returned to the farm again. In the SpyPoint Flex Dark video, you can see him enjoying the beans in the field well before sunset. TT8 seems comfortable coming out to eat beans and visit the mock scrape. I hope he maintains this pattern for another week.

The weather can significantly impact activity at your scrapes. If you’re experiencing unseasonably warm weather, you may notice that scrape activity occurs more frequently after sunset. Conversely, during dry conditions, you might find that scrape activity decreases due to the lack of moisture in the ground. In hot and dry weather, deer tend to be less active at scrapes. 

In Northwest Pennsylvania, we’ve had a dry fall, but temperatures have been below normal. Despite this, I’ve observed a consistent level of deer activity at my scrapes, and I expect it to increase soon.

My Scrape is Not Your Scrape

The young buck in this video came in to work the BuckRope and then bedded down in the scrape. As he was bedded down, other bucks tried to work the scrape, and he wouldn’t let them. I have seen this type of behavior many times before, but it is usually later in the fall during the rut. A well-placed community scrape will attract does that will bed down in the scrape and wait for a buck to come breed them.

Under the Scrape

Young bucks are like adolescent boys; they love pushing each other around to see who’s in charge. After shedding their velvet, young bucks walk around the woods as if they own it, looking for another buck to push around. These two bucks met at the community scrape and decided to have a little tussle. Turn up the volume and listen to the antlers hit each other. The older buck takes a short break to work the licking branch before the younger buck comes at him again. This type of interaction will become more frequent as the deer gear up for the rut.

An early-season doe makes incredible table fare.  As the season begins, most bowhunters have exhausted last year’s venison supply, and harvesting a fat doe in early season makes sense on many levels.  The video, “5 reasons Deer Hunters Should Harvest Does Early,” concludes this post and is very well done.  Before proceeding, I’d like to add a few reasons of my own.

Confidence

Does and fawns are just as wary as a buck, yet they tend to feed and move much more in daylight than early-season bucks.  You have been practicing for months, and making a good shot on a big doe will significantly increase your confidence for later in the year, as well as prove the competence of your gear.  Any deer with a bow and arrow is a trophy of sorts, and if you come up short, it demonstrates how you need to double down on successful tactics.

Venison Excellence

Sam Zircle, shown above, is a good friend and hunting buddy who lives in Central West Virginia and helps me with “game management” when I hunt there.  Since the archery bear and deer seasons open on the same day, Sam was gracious enough to process my big doe while I tried for a bear on the evening hunt.  He skinned and quartered the doe soon after the harvest, and we cooled it with ice in a large cooler.  I was able to bring it home and take it to my favorite butcher, who adds 25% bacon ends to the ground meat, rendering it absolutely delicious.

Here’s the Video

The Corn Moon, also known as the Harvest Moon, occurs in September, signaling that archery season is just around the corner for most hunters. In the past, I would begin creating my mock scrapes around the time of the Harvest Moon, as it seemed that bucks were becoming more active during this period. Bucks would shed their velvet, change their food sources, and establish their social hierarchy. Nowadays, I maintain scrapes year-round, and my main tasks involve hanging new cameras or relocating existing ones deeper into the woods.

Timber Ridge Scrapes

A few days before the Harvest Moon, I started to notice bucks active during the daylight hours, working scrapes in the timber. This community scrape, located on a ridge of the 40-acre farm, experiences plenty of activity from September through December. I observed a buck using his nasal gland to scent-check both the licking branches and the scrape itself. When he interacts with the high-licking branches, he tends to tip his head back, allowing me to see the length of his main beams. Watching this great scrape interaction is truly exciting!

“JD is so excited,” said his grandfather on the eve of opening day.  “And, I’m even more excited,” he exclaimed, “We’ll meet you at your camp’s clubhouse at 5:30, ready to go.”  That was the plan, but despite the practice, dressing and getting all the gear, including snacks and drinks, arising at 4 am is a challenge for a 10-year-old boy.

To The Stand

Deer parallel a stream just below the clubhouse, and posted along a trail is a two-man ladder stand that is ideal for two people, especially an adult and a youngster.  Only two ladder sections were deployed, resulting in a height of approximately 12 feet.  I drove the duo to the edge of a field and walked them within sight of the stand, waiting until they were settled in.  It was humorous to see JD climb the ladder like a squirrel while Grandad wrestled with a pack containing all the treats for the morning. I snapped the above picture through a window in the foliage as they settled in.  JD had been practicing on a 3-D target with a Barnett Wildcat CRX and had shown the ability to put an arrow precisely in the kill zone.

Ready and Waiting

Grandad, not immune to the excitement, left his cell phone in his vehicle, which meant I had to wait to hear of progress.  I returned to the cabin like an expectant father, hoping for a “delivery.”  I planned to pick them up at 9:00, thinking that two hours in a stand would be about the longest a youngster could wait out; however, at 8:30, the duo showed up at the cabin, choosing to walk back.  Sitting still and quiet had reached its limits.

High Adventure

JD and Grandad heard sticks cracking behind their stand, but didn’t see any deer from the stand.  I needed to replace a battery on a mountain-top camera and asked JD if he was up for a little mountain climbing in my UTV.  A big smile answered that question, and we bumped and bounced along logging roads for the two miles to the top of the hill.  JD rode shotgun in the side-by-side, while Grandad wrangled a bench seat in the back like a bucking bronco.  Nearly there, deer suddenly jumped up all around us, standing and staring at this noisy intruder.  “Step out and shoot,” whispered Grandad, but JD’s rubber boot strap had snared the seat flange, and he couldn’t leave the rig.  He pulled, and I pried, but it would not let go.  Eventually, it broke free, but by that time, the deer were 50 yards away and fleeing.

Hot Mock Scrape

When I replaced the camera battery more than a month ago, I made a mock scrape and was delighted to see that it had been “freshened” recently with no leaves on the open dirt.  I used a large stick and dug deeper in the ground, and then the three of us “natuized” the spot.  What 10-year-old ever dreamed of such a prank?  Supposedly, human urine works the same as that of deer, and the camera will tell the tale.

Labor Day has come and gone, marking an exciting transition as we shift our focus to the eagerly awaited hunting season! Whitetail deer hunters across North America are buzzing with anticipation for the start of archery season. Some lucky hunters are already celebrating filled tags, while others are busily preparing food plots, hanging stands, and refreshing their mock scrapes. With daylight dwindling and temperatures starting to drop, I’ve noticed some increased activity at the scrapes, which is thrilling! On the evening of August 31st, I had the incredible experience of watching six different bucks visit one of my scrapes over a six-and-a-half-hour stretch. I captured all the action with my SpyPoint Flex M camera—it’s a must-see! 

Twilight Action

The BuckRope that I hung in the inside corner of a bean field has been attracting plenty of attention since April. Last week, on the evening of August 31st, the BuckRope was a hotspot. Around 8:30 PM, a group of does arrived and began interacting with the rope. A few minutes later, a young buck walked in, using his forehead and preorbital gland to mark his territory with his unique scent. Still in velvet, the buck wasted no time claiming the scrape after the does had worked it. You can see in the video that he was enthusiastic about using the BuckRope.

#1 Arrives at 10:57 PM

Last week, I introduced you to the top buck on my farm. Since his arrival and rise to the top of my list, he has been visiting the BuckRope scrape more frequently. Two and a half hours after a spike deer worked the scrape, my #1 “Hit List” buck showed up and took over the scrape. This buck really enjoys being in front of the camera and worked the rope multiple times before heading to bed for the night. I’m confident that he will shed his velvet in the next week, and I hope he continues to stay on the farm! However, if he keeps tempting me, I might have to use a Black Eagle Spartan on him.

Labor Day has come and gone, marking an exciting transition as we shift our focus to the eagerly awaited hunting season! Whitetail deer hunters across North America are buzzing with anticipation for the start of archery season. Some lucky hunters are already celebrating filled tags, while others are busily preparing food plots, hanging stands, and refreshing their mock scrapes. With daylight dwindling and temperatures starting to drop, I’ve noticed some increased activity at the scrapes, which is thrilling! On the evening of August 31st, I had the incredible experience of watching six different bucks visit one of my scrapes over a six-and-a-half-hour stretch. I captured all the action with my SpyPoint Flex M camera—it’s a must-see! 

Twilight Action

The BuckRope that I hung in the inside corner of a bean field has been attracting plenty of attention since April. Last week, on the evening of August 31st, the BuckRope was a hotspot. Around 8:30 PM, a group of does arrived and began interacting with the rope. A few minutes later, a young buck walked in, using his forehead and preorbital gland to mark his territory with his unique scent. Still in velvet, the buck wasted no time claiming the scrape after the does had worked it. You can see in the video that he was enthusiastic about using the BuckRope.

#1 Arrives at 10:57 PM

Last week, I introduced you to the top buck on my farm. Since his arrival and rise to the top of my list, he has been visiting the BuckRope scrape more frequently. Two and a half hours after a spike deer worked the scrape, my #1 “Hit List” buck showed up and took over the scrape. This buck really enjoys being in front of the camera and worked the rope multiple times before heading to bed for the night. I’m confident that he will shed his velvet in the next week, and I hope he continues to stay on the farm! However, if he keeps tempting me, I might have to use a Black Eagle Spartan on him.

A buck rub post can be a great addition to a mock scrape or other strategy to lure a buck to a specific spot.  You not only want to attract bucks to your stand, but also to a location with a known distance, the best wind, and in a position where you can draw or raise your bow for an undetected shot.  Brian Kighlinger writes regularly for this site, and his mock scrape ideas are ideal, yet here’s one more trick to try that may complement a mock scrape.

The Bigger the Better

Larger, more mature bucks rub larger trees, and when you find a rub on a tree six inches in diameter, it’s time to get serious.  I once hunted a deer known as the “fence post buck” in South Dakota because it repeatedly rubbed a large post in a deep draw.  A friend watching from a distant ridge said I stalked within 50 yards of the deer, but couldn’t get a shot because of thick brush.  A 150-class buck was taken in Pennsylvania on a farm next to my hunting spot, and I’m convinced that that deer made the rub shown above.  A buck rub post takes some serious planning, and this video shows you the ropes:

Here’s How

The force of a mature buck can’t be overestimated, and you need to do way more than push a stick in the ground.  Here’s the whole story from the National Deer Association.  Click here.

We’re now halfway through August, and the scrape activity is heating up. My SpyPoint cameras have been sending me intriguing videos every day. I’ve set up a few new cameras over fresh scrapes because I want to be proactive as the food sources start to shift. Two of my new scrapes are located deeper in the woods, and I’m pleasantly surprised by the amount of activity they are capturing.

Bears

I receive many questions during my seminars about bears. One key point I’ve learned is that bears are attracted to the scent of the preorbital gland, and they will investigate mock scrapes just like deer do. Over the past few years, I have noticed an increase in the bear population in the area where I hunt. Recently, the BuckRope on an inside corner scrape received attention from a bear. In the video, you can see the bear approaching, smelling the ground, and then sniffing the rope. It gets even more interesting as the bear tries to bite the rope. Some hunters worry that the scent left by bears will drive deer away from the scrape, but that is not the case at all!

Built to take down game with confidence without draining hunters’ wallets, the Wildcart CRX combines the field-proven simplicity of a
recurve design with modern technology that is easy to use, accurate, and effective on every hunt.  I ordered this bow for opening day and can’t wait to test it.  In the meantime, here’s the press information on the Wildcat CRX that may be just the bow you are looking for.

The simple, recurve design makes it easy to operate, while also being full of advanced features typically found in much higher-priced
crossbows. With a tip-to-tip length of 18 inches cocked, the Wildcat CRX is ideal for hunters who want a highly maneuverable yet effective crossbow.

Arrows are held securely by Barnett’s Soft Lok Floating Bristle Retainer System, ensuring accurate and reliable shots. The Wildcat CRX does not compromise on safety, featuring an Anti-Dry-Fire Trigger system and finger safety reminders above the pass-through foregrip.In addition, the CRX has a high-quality, Metal Injection-Molded trigger with no creep, ensuring shots hit their mark in the most stressful hunting conditions. The Wildcat CRX features a compact 12.25-inch power stroke that sends arrows up to 280 FPS, which ensures deep penetration and quick recoveries. These features add up to an unrivaled recurve that gives hunters a safe and easy-to-use crossbow that delivers deadly performance in the field.

This recurve crossbow is ready to hunt straight out of the box. Each Wildcat CRX package includes a precision red dot scope with protective neoprene ‘scope armor’ cover, a rope cocking device, two 20-inch Headhunter arrows, and a lightweight, quick-detach arrow quiver. With over 60 years of experience designing and building the best crossbows for hunters from all walks of life, hunters can rely on the superior performance of Barnett Crossbows

Wildcat CRX Features:

Heavier draw weight creates a flatter arrow trajectory, giving the hunter a greater margin of error on targets and big game.  Drawing a bow becomes easier if you use a large muscle group instead of the smaller ones in your shoulder.  Additionally, it’s smart to warm up before shooting in practice and as soon as you climb into a stand.

Oh My Aching Arm

Many years ago, I received a new bow in the mail after ordering it from a large supply house.  When the box arrived, I was so excited I couldn’t wait to come to full draw.  It was probably set at 70 pounds, which is more than my usual shooting weight, but I didn’t care.  Using all of my might, I drew the bow and, after a few seconds, let it down.  The next morning, my shoulder ached so much I couldn’t touch my ear.  As a teacher, I could only write on the chalkboard just above waist height.  I was in misery.

Sports Medicine to the Rescue

Luckily, there was a sports medicine office in town, and I saw a therapist. After six months, I had most of my strength back.  On the last visit, the therapist taught me three warm-up routines that were quick and solved my shoulder problem for decades.  First, grab your bow by the handle and thrust it up and down above your head 20 times using your drawing arm.  Next, hold the bow by each limb and touch the back of your neck with the bow 20 times, raising it parallel to the ground and over your head.  Finally, and most importantly, for a right-hand shooter, hold the bow grip with the right hand and push up on the bottom of the bow with the left.  This will stretch the shoulder muscles.  All professional athletes stretch and warm up before a game, and archers should too.  You may be able to add draw weight by changing your form, and this short video shows you how.

How You Draw Matters

Are you as excited as I am to watch deer interact with scrapes? It’s truly fascinating! Throughout the year, I enjoy observing their intriguing communication at my mock scrapes. Each experience teaches me more about their unique behaviors and the fantastic way they use glands to connect with each other. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together from the scrape!

Action Every Night

Since the beginning of August, the activity at my scrapes has been intense. In Northwest Pennsylvania, a small cold front recently moved in, causing temperatures to drop into the high 40s overnight and early morning. Bucks have been actively visiting the scrapes, using their preorbital gland as well as their foreheads. I observed a 9-point buck vigorously hitting the BuckRope with both of its preorbital glands.

Competition at the Scrape

Competition at the scrape will pick up throughout August. Older bucks will maximize time at the scrape while younger bucks usually patiently wait their turn. During this time, most older bucks will tolerate younger bucks around them in their bachelor groups. This 9-point is hogging the scrape, but the young buck doesn’t want to wait. Watch the younger buck wrap his antlers around the 9- point’s neck and forcefully move him out of the scrape. 

Are you as excited as I am to watch deer interact with scrapes? It’s truly fascinating! Throughout the year, I enjoy observing their intriguing communication at my mock scrapes. Each experience teaches me more about their unique behaviors and the amazing way they use glands to connect with each other. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together from the scrape!

What is Your Secret?

I enjoy accepting speaking engagements and teaching people about mock scrapes. One of the most common questions I receive during my presentations is, “What is your secret to successful mock scrapes?” Before I provide my answer, I typically show the audience a video similar to the one above.

My secret is Gland Lure, which plays a crucial role in how deer communicate on a daily basis. In the video, you’ll see a young fawn stop under the scrape and stand on its hind legs to smell the scents left by other deer. That fawn instinctively knows how to interact with its environment because it was born with the natural ability to communicate using its glands. Whitetail deer are truly remarkable creatures!

Does Know!

Have you ever observed a doe working a scrape? Whitetail does produce secretions from their preorbital and forehead glands, just like bucks do. I’ve heard many hunters express frustration when does visit their scrapes, and I’m not entirely sure why they feel this way. By hitting the scrapes, does are communicating with bucks, providing them with important information about themselves. When bucks come to a scrape after a doe has visited, they can identify her by the unique odors from her preorbital, forehead, and interdigital glands. This information will play a crucial role later in the fall as the rut begins.

Trail cameras and cellular cameras are continually improving, particularly in the area of battery life. There’s nothing more frustrating than having a camera die after just a few months. Consider the time you invest in reaching these cameras, putting unwanted scent in the woods, and the expense of high-quality batteries. That’s why, over the past few years, I have transitioned to using only solar cameras and solar panels—and I’ve never looked back.

SpyPoint Force Pro Series

I love the SpyPoint solar trail cameras, notably the Force Pro Series, which includes two models: the Force Pro S and the Force Pro S 2.0. Both cameras are equipped with an internal lithium battery that you can charge before taking them into the woods. Additionally, they accept eight AA batteries as a backup power source.

Over the past few years, I have used all my Force Pro Series cameras without the AA batteries, and they have consistently performed well in the field. These cameras store footage on SD cards, which means they don’t drain the internal battery. I have three of these cameras, and they have never run out of internal battery life, even while running them in 1-minute video mode all year round.

Force Pro S                                                                Force Pro S 2.0

30 Megapixels                                                           48 megapixel camera

0.2-second trigger speed                                          0.2-second trigger speed

4K video with sound up to 1 minute                       4K video with sound up to one minute

110-foot flash detection range                                110- foot flash detection range

                                                                                    Color LCD viewing screen

Check out the Force Pro S in action…..

Solar and Cellular Together

In 2024, SpyPoint introduced the Flex S camera, which features an internal lithium battery that charges via a solar panel located on top of the device. Additionally, the Flex S allows for the use of a tray containing eight AA batteries or the LIT-22 battery as an extra power source. I purchased several of these cameras, charged the internal lithium batteries, and I’m pleased to report that all of them remain in the woods without needing a recharge.

Recently, I bought the 2025 Flex S Dark camera. This model has a larger solar panel on top, and I’ve noticed an improvement in battery life. I run all of my Flex S series cameras in video mode, and the internal lithium batteries are consistently staying charged. It’s fantastic to see the Flex S series cameras sending a large number of videos without depleting the battery power.

July 28, 2025, will be a historic day for hunters in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has made changes to the 2025-2026 hunting season by allowing hunters to pursue wild game on thirteen Sundays. For decades, Sunday hunting for large game, including deer, bear, and turkey, was prohibited due to outdated “Blue Laws.” However, thanks to the dedicated efforts of several state senators, Sunday hunting will be allowed in Pennsylvania starting this fall.

PA Senate Bill 147

In 2019, Pennsylvania Senate Bill 147 was introduced to allow Sunday hunting in the state. Since 1873, Pennsylvania has maintained a “Blue Law” that prohibited hunting on Sundays. The Pennsylvania Game Commission worked with the state legislature to adopt a resolution that would permit hunting on three selected Sundays during the 2020 hunting season. Pennsylvania hunters celebrated the chance to hunt on these three Sundays. My son harvested a beautiful buck on the first Sunday of the Pennsylvania rifle season.

Not Giving Up

The success of the 2020 hunting season, which included three additional Sundays, motivated Pennsylvania Senator Dan Laughlin (R) to intensify his efforts to repeal the 1873 law. He sought support from his fellow senators to amend this law. Senator Mandy Steele (D) joined him in this effort, and together they successfully introduced House Bill 1431 in May 2025. After its introduction, the bill swiftly advanced through both the House and the Senate. On June 30, 2025, the House and Senate approved the bill and sent it to Governor Josh Shapiro for his consideration. Shapiro signed the bill on July 9, 2025, receiving substantial bipartisan support.

Moving In The Right Direction

Although Governor Shapiro signed House Bill 1431 into law on July 9, the Pennsylvania Game Commission still needs to make adjustments for the 2025-2026 seasons. During the PAGC meeting on July 28, thirteen Sundays were added to the fall hunting season. The image above lists the Sundays when hunting will be permitted. Additionally, the Pennsylvania rifle season will conclude on Saturday, December 13, so hunters should be mindful of the closing dates for each season.

Check out the back-to-back-to-back action at my mineral site where predators and prey satisfy their mineral needs.  The dates on each camera image demonstrate the compact nature of the action.  The large boar black bear, shown in the previous picture,  visited on July 15th.

Lighted nocks have been on the market for over a decade and have undergone significant improvements during that time. If you visit an archery shop, you’ll find several well-known brands available. Recently, I visited my local shop and picked up three popular brands of lighted nocks: Halo Nocks, LIT Nocks, and Nockturnal Nocks. I want to address some common questions that hunters often ask: What are the differences between these nocks? How much do they weigh? Which one is the brightest? Are they easy to turn on and off? What do they cost?

General Observations

The picture above showcases four types of nocks: an orange standard nock, the Halo Nock, the LIT Nock, and the Nockturnal Nock. As illustrated, the Halo Nock closely resembles the size of the standard nock. Both the LIT and Nockturnal nocks are slightly thicker in the throat. Additionally, the Halo and Nockturnal nocks come with bushings, which allow them to fit different diameter arrows. In contrast, LIT Nocks must be ordered specifically for arrow diameters of .166, .204, or .246. All of the nocks are sold in packs of three and are available in multiple colors. Overall, the Halo Nock is most similar to the standard nock. This similarity is important because it enables the Halo Nock to fit onto your bow string more easily, without requiring any adjustments to your D-loop.

An African plains game safari is the best value in hunting today.  Bowhunters can choose from dozens of species and have the option to take multiple animals, which are eaten in camp, shared with the families of workers, or sold in local markets.  Nothing in Africa goes to waste, and the fees you pay support local businesses and those who work on the hunting concessions.

Deer Gear Works Well

Some hunts require special gear, like heavy arrows, excessive draw weights, or unique broadheads.  I’ve hunted plains game in Africa for decades using my standard whitetail gear with great success.  When carbon arrows and expandable braodheads were new, I hunted with them with 100 percent success, even on animals twice the weight of a Yellowstone elk.  African animals have excellent eyesight and sense of smell, so you will need all of your scent detection strategies to avoid spooking them.

The Perfect Prep

The best preparation for deer or elk season is an actual hunt where you must face the heart-pounding excitement of game at close range, the suspense of waiting for an animal to offer the perfect shooting angle, and the thrill of seeing dozens of animals in a single day.  Bowhunting safaris are like a cruise for hunters.  You will sleep in comfortable accommodations, enjoy great food, including local wild game, have a personal guide, and have the skinning and butchering done for you by those who have done it many times before.

Tim Wells Shows You How

This short video from Tim Wells shows many of the tactics of African hunters.  He hunts from a tree stand like many whitetail hunters use, deploys an ozone generator to help prevent scent detection, and tries a new 4-blade Grim Reaper broadhead.  This clip is fun to watch and very realistic.

Deer season is just seven weeks away, and I already know where I’ll be on opening day.  I’ve been experimenting with mineral sites and have two locations that should be visited regularly, hopefully during daylight hours.  The deer woods are hot and buggy these days, yet it’s not too soon to visit your stand sites, clip access trails, and assure your stands are safe and ready.

Drill a Rotten Stump

A savvy West Virginian alerted me to this trick.  He has many mineral sites spread across a large area, and he forms them by locating a rotting stump in a good hunting area and drilling holes into the rotting wood, allowing it to hold minerals and scent more effectively.  He often finds that these stumps are wholly consumed by deer, but realizes they also may attract bears.

Multiple Mineral Sources

I enjoy shopping at rural farm stores and have learned that the price of a mineral block doubles if it features a picture of a deer, even if the blocks contain similar minerals.  It pays to read the ingredients before you make a purchase.  One of my favorites is a large 50-pound trace mineral block, which I break into two or more pieces.  As you can see in the picture above, I also use Big&J Dig It liquid, which soaks into the wood and has a strong attractant.

Great Camera Sites

If you don’t have your trail cameras clicking away, now is the time to post them.  Locating one near a mineral site will capture a wide variety of wildlife and provide a good indication of your deer population.  By now, you should be seeing does with fawns.  If only single does are seen, you may have a fawn mortality problem, likely caused by coyotes, bears, or bobcats.  Are you seeing branch antler bucks?  That’s a good sign, and I’m already hopeful that the buck in the lead photo will keep my stand in his territory.