“whitetail hunting”

It may start to feel like fall this month, but many deer hunters still find little to no luck in the woods. Here’s how to make the most of your time when the rut is still weeks away.

You see a buck across a field in the soft, late light of a summer evening. You tell yourself he isn’t really that big. The velvet on his rack in the diffused light is giving the buck cartoon proportions. But he is big enough. You next look at the woods beyond the buck and wonder how you can get him in your sights in autumn daylight. To make that happen you have to concede and understand a few things.

South Dakota is famous for a raucous motorcycle rally, Mt. Rushmore and pheasant hunting. But in the author’s mind it’s a world-class destination for high-odds whitetail hunting—if you don’t overthink it.

When used appropriately, scents can be an effective way to attract a whitetail or, at the very least, stop them long enough for you to take a shot—but which ones really do the trick?

After several years of study in “whitetail university” among the oak-covered landscape of his small piece of Kansas, the author has learned two valuable lessons: The deer do the teaching, and he’s a pretty dumb student.

Field Editor Brian McCombie had an opportunity to put SilencerCo-equipped firearms to use on a South Texas deer hunt. What's hunting whitetails with a suppressor like? Get Brian's take here.

Even with a super-accurate Beanfield Rifle from the legendary Kenny Jarrett, you have to do your homework to hunt at long range.

Start with the board, consider the pieces, and then you’ll see the moves to make on Western bucks.