A flurry of factors is compiling now to make this your best whitetail hunting season…ever.

The first cool nights in October are a bellwether for the chaos that will soon occur in the deer woods when lovestruck whitetail bucks roam the countryside seeking out the first does that come into estrous. Like clockwork, the familiar scent of decomposing leaves and musty smoke drifts across the land and the deer hunter’s soul is triggered by primal instincts that even the most pedestrian lifestyle cannot conceal. This is Late October Magic.

Generally, big cool downs occur sometime in early to mid-October, but warm stretches of weather are less than ideal for deer hunting as well. That said, savvy deer hunters know the deer are still active.

“Weather trumps everything, but at the end of the day, I’ve learned deer are going to do deer things regardless,” says TheGame TV host Matt Jennings of Woodland, Alabama. “The weather bothers us more than it bothers the deer. They’re still going to do their thing, you just have to be in the right spot at the right time.” Read more

In many cases, a large portion of your scouting will be done ahead of season at fairly long distances, so a quality spotter will be your best piece of equipment. Our favorite units are heavily farmed and relatively flat without much in terms of coulees or cover.

From Summer 2020 Fair Chase Magazine
By Justin Spring, B&C Professional Member, photos courtesy of author

Pronghorn is probably the most straightforward western species to hunt on your own. While they are commonly (though incorrectly) called antelope (and also oftentimes referred to as speed goats or goats), they are more closely related to giraffes than Africa’s true antelope species. Antelocarpa americana has a couple of very unique traits that are extremely interesting. First, they are the only species that loses its horns every year. Secondly the pronghorn reaches maturity at 3 years, meaning with the right conditions, a third-year pronghorn has the potential to express his largest set of horns. Interestingly, a pronghorn’s age is easily determined to age 3 as each year they add an additional front incisor until they reach maturity.

I am clearly intrigued by this species for its uniqueness and also the fact that pronghorn are only found on the North American continent. Their popularity is relatively low compared to many other western species, which can work to the visiting hunter’s advantage. Especially in areas of high abundance, access can usually be obtained. Although the same rancher that will gladly let you on for pronghorn is more likely to give you some of his water or a date with his daughter than permission to hunt mule deer. Read more

Rooster pheasants will be released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan this fall. Releases will take place from Oct. 20 to Nov. 14 on all 13 areas and Dec. 1-31 on 10 areas, coinciding with pheasant hunting season.

Adam Bump, Department of Natural Resources upland game bird specialist, said, “For seasoned hunters and newcomers alike, this is a great opportunity to connect or reconnect with upland bird hunting in Michigan.”

This year, directions to parking lots at release sites are provided online.

Parking Lot Directions

Releases will take place during the regular pheasant season at locations below. Locations include: Read more

Hunters can take precautions and prepare for an unexpected situations in the woods.

Every hunting season, hunters get lost in the woods, and while most escape no worse than tired, chilled, and hungry, the hazards of being lost in Idaho’s woods shouldn’t be underestimated.

Hunters can take precautions and prepare for unexpected situations in the woods. Read more