Even a buck with superior genetics and the best diet will never reach his full antler-growing potential if he’s killed after only a few years. Hunting folklore is full of stories about giant swamp bucks, and the swamps themselves are why the deer get so large. They dwell in inhospitable places where predators can’t sneak up on them. Swampy terrain serves as ideal bedding cover for all deer, but mature bucks in particular. Whether you’re in cattails, bottomland hardwoods, riparian alder thickets or coniferous swamps, the cover provided by a swamp is thick, and the presence of water makes it dif ..read more

Whitetail bowhunters live for the rut. That’s when many request vacation days and count on hunting hard throughout November. The rut often provides buck action and increased shot opportunities, but don’t make the mistake of wishing away October. While the month can provide challenging hunting conditions, it also holds unique experiences. Here’s how to overcome October’s bowhunting obstacles and make the most of its opportunities.   Obstacle: Variable Weather Conditions     Across most of the U.S., October marks the change of seasons. The leaves transition into fall foliage and ..read more

Forget football, fishing and pumpkin carving with the kids; bowhunters must focus on finding and following deer if they want to punch a tag in October. While the month is filled with satisfying cold fronts and beautiful fall foliage, it’s also packed with undeniable change. For bowhunters who don’t adapt, the misunderstood October lull can seem very real.     We spoke with Beau Martonik, founder of East Meets West Outdoors, to get the rundown on hunting white-tailed deer in October. Martonik, 31, is an avid adventure hunter with experience hunting elk, moose, caribou, mule deer, bla ..read more

Archery season is well underway and as the days pass by, we get closer and closer to the whitetail breeding season, or rut. The rut happens in three general phases including the pre-rut, peak rut and post-rut. Here, we’ll share approximate dates for each phase, overview the deer activity you can expect to see, and highlight hunting strategies you should use to your advantage.   Pre-Rut: Mid-October to Early November     In most regions, the pre-rut phase begins a week or 10 days before Halloween and continues through early November. It’s a great time to hunt. During the pre-rut ..read more

White-tailed deer hunting seasons vary across the country. But in most states, bowhunters can target bucks at various points throughout the fall and winter months. What time of year you hunt could determine the tactics you use.    Early Season     Scout Before the Season: Around the end of summer, deer movement often shifts as bucks move toward the breeding season, which roughly takes place in October and November. If your hunting season opens in September, patterns may remain the same for a few weeks. Glassing or using trail cameras before the opener gives you excellent i ..read more

On May 2, 1972, President Richard Nixon proclaimed the first National Hunting and Fishing Day, saying, “I urge all citizens to join with outdoor sportsmen in the wise use of our natural resources and in insuring their proper management for the benefit of future generations.” For more than 50 years now, the fourth Saturday of September has been designated National Hunting and Fishing Day.   The celebration will hopefully introduce new hunters and anglers to the outdoors. Photo Credit: National Hunting and Fishing Day Facebook   National Hunting and Fishing Day not only celebrates ou ..read more

If you’ve hunted for any length of time, you’ve probably seen and heard contradictory opinions and research regarding the best time to hunt. There are varying opinions on which moon phase is best, what the optimal air temperature should be, and if your chances of success are better in the early season, rut, late season, or somewhere in between. Research proves that human pressure, weather patterns, moon phases, time of year and the breeding seasonall affect deer movement. So, logically, if you combined all the research, you should be able to pinpoint the prime time for deer movement, right? No ..read more

Bow season is long, and your strategy will need to adapt along the way. Along with ever-changing seasonal and weather conditions, deer behavior is also constantly changing. This requires a delicate balance of aggressive and conservative hunting styles, but with a thorough understanding of deer behavior to determine the appropriate tactics for the appropriate time. If you’re after a particular big buck, should you venture into his core area, or play the waiting game on the fringe? Many factors, including time of year, rut phase, hunting pressure, and situational awareness dictate the best answe ..read more

Bowhunting close to home is fun. You might have watched a particular buck grow from a basket rack to a real bruiser, obtaining numerous scouting-cam photos over the years. And because you know the terrain, you’ll have an edge when it’s time to hunt him. Although hunting on familiar turf is rewarding and productive, you might feel the pull to hunt in distant lands for species you can’t pursue around home. If you’re feeling a little wanderlust, follow these tips to make sure your next out-of-state bowhunt is memorable in a good way.   Consider Driving   Consider taking a road trip to ..read more

The midmorning sun warmed my face as I rested on my hunting pack. Dressed in head-to-toe camo, my sleeping body disappeared into the forest floor. As I dozed, I heard bugles. I can’t be the only bowhunter whose dreams are filled with that sound each September, but these bugles seemed to be drifting out of my dreams and into the timber around me. The snap of a branch, a far-off bugle and the chirp of a cow are all subtle sounds that can signal incoming elk. They’re also easy to make up in your head. But today, the bugles that interrupted my nap weren’t living in my imagination. After a complete ..read more