Deer

Do you know your deer calls? A solid understanding of deer communication patterns, knowing how to use calls, and applying a repertoire of essential vocalizations can help you lure in a big buck that would otherwise walk right by and out of your fire zone. 

Deer hunting in South Carolina is a much-loved and profoundly cultural tradition that attracts thousands of local and interstate hunters to try their luck during the deer season.

Florida is not for the faint of heart. From the alligators slicing through the swamplands to the dense and challenging forest environments, Florida is the place for deer hunters who want to test themselves and be rewarded with up to five deer per season to fill the fridge. 

The 2026 California deer hunting season begins with archery (A, B, C, D, X zones) starting July 11, 2026, with Zone A. General season tag-specific hunts for X zones run from mid-August through late November. Key dates include the general season opener around late August/early September, with tag applications due by June 2, 2026.

Alabama's deer seasons for 2026–2027 generally run from October through February, varying by zone and method (archery, gun, or muzzleloader). Key frameworks include Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C, with specific dates managed by the Outdoor Alabama Deer Season Guide

There is an undeniable sense of satisfaction that comes from doing something yourself. Other than spending time outdoors with family and friends, the second-best part of any successful hunt is bringing home dinner from the woods.

The axis deer is a captivating creature with its unique spotted patterning, golden brown coat, short tail, and impressive antler structure, which they grow and shed yearly.

Wandering old-growth forests searching for ghosts. If you've ever targeted black tailed deer, you'll know exactly what this means.

Identifying a button buck (i.e., a 6-month-old male) from a doe in the field requires looking for a flat forehead, "blocky" head shape, and a square-shaped body compared to the rounded head and rectangular body of a doe. Additionally, button bucks, named for the small hair-covered pedicles on their heads, are often solitary and "first to enter a field."

Melanistic (black) deer are extremely rare — estimated at less than 1 in 500,000 whitetails, rarer than albinos. Most documented sightings occur in Texas's Edwards Plateau region. Several states protect melanistic, albino, and piebald deer.

The white-tailed deer is one of the most iconic and sought-after game animals in North America. These highly adaptable animals can be found coast to coast, as far north as the Northwest Territories in Canada, and as far south as Bolivia in South America.

As deer hunters, we look forward to the opening day of hunting season with the same excited anticipation a seven-year-old might look forward to their birthday or Christmas morning. As the opener looms closer, we take various steps to make sure we are as prepared as possible.