Hunting Tips

The early spring pastime of choice for hunters across the country, shed hunting gives thousands of whitetail hunters a new excuse to get outdoors. For many, springtime exercising and experiencing the whitetail woods open new insights into the whitetail life cycle and familiarize hunters with cold-weather deer habitats.

Members of the Cervidae family (deer, elk, moose, and caribou) shed their antlers every year. Understanding when and why will help you become a better shed hunter, and we've put a guide together to help.

With snow on the ground and deer season in the rearview, winter rabbit hunting offers an exciting off-season pastime for whitetail hunters. Rabbits are plentiful between cottontails, rabbits, jackrabbits, and snowshoe hares in most areas throughout the U.S.

Just because bow and gun season might be over doesn’t mean the chase for whitetails has to be. Many of us have deer on our minds year-round. This is one reason shed hunting has become so popular. Off-season doesn’t just include scouting, but now introduces the concept of searching for that elusive whitetail shed.

It's no surprise that trapping remains such an essential practice in Missouri. The Show Me State has a long history of trapping and benefited greatly from the booming nineteenth-century fur trade. With a 3-4 month trapping season starting mid-November, you'll have plenty of time to bring home some nice pelts.

Just because the primary fall hunting window has wrapped up doesn't mean you must hang up your bow or lock away your rifle. In many states, including the northern part of the country, the extended season offers a unique and exciting late-season opportunity for deer hunters. 

If you've seen a bobcat, it's likely it's already seen you first. And if you've ever raised chickens, you've likely experienced just how much damage bobcats can do. 

December is almost over, and it is probably safe to say that the majority of whitetails have hit the brakes. But there's still time to get out and hunt some blizzard bucks before the late-season ends!

Late-season deer hunting efforts often include a mixed bag of opportunities for mature bucks. Focusing on food, warmth, and less pressure can be the shift in strategy that helps those hours in the cold pay off.

After the grunts and bleats of the rut turn silent, deer shift their attention to recuperation and rest. During this critical period, food sources for late-season deer must do more than replace fat reserves. They must also replenish minerals and vitamins, build the deer's immune system for the upcoming winter, and promote overall conditioning.

If you're reading this, chances are you didn't fill your buck tag during the rut. No need to worry: late season is still a great time to harvest a mature buck if you have the right winter deer hunting strategies.

I fully understand the burnout and frustration that can set in by the time December rolls around: you've just finished grinding out hours in the stand during the rut, and the idea of continuing to freeze as temperatures drop during winter deer hunting doesn't sound appealing.