Home :: The Whitetail Deer - A Trophy Deer
The whitetail deer, a trophy deer, is a majestic animal sought after by millions of trophy deer hunters.
By studying the biology of whitetail deer we are going to learn the origin, history, physical characteristics, life processes and habits of the whitetail deer. When looking at the biology of whitetail deer, we see that there are many subspecies of whitetail deer. As a serious trophy deer hunter, you should educate yourself about the biology of a whitetails senses and the habitat they live in.
The History of whitetail deer hunting on the American continent dates back before European settlers came here. Throughout history, rock paintings show that man has been archery hunting the whitetail deer for hundreds of years, in fact, trophy whitetail deer. We know this because the history of rock paintings of these whitetail deer almost always show trophy deer antlers. We also know that these trophy deer were whitetail deer from archaeological discoveries of Indian artifacts and the historical geographical range of the whitetail deer; forest edges, upland glades and riverside woodlands. I suspect that even back then a whitetail deer hunter took great pride in the size of his trophy deer. The larger the whitetail deer, the more value was associated with it. Early deer hunters prepared their venison in many various ways. Hunters cooked their venison meat over fires and hot coals and rocks. They salted and sun dried their venison then stored it to eat at a later time. The hides of deer were tanned for clothing, blankets, and protection from the elements. Very little went to waste. Even the bones were used for weapons, ornaments, handles and more. Whitetail deer provided early hunters much more than just food.
In our country State and national wildlife agencies must manage deer herds, and to some extent deer habitat. Back when our country was young, deer had plenty of habitat to live in. Natural predators and harsh winters kept the whitetail numbers in check. As man moved into the whitetail's environment, he hunted them for food and more. Venison meat became popular and whitetails were almost hunted into extinction by the late 1800's for their hides and meat. Venison was a delicacy and served in the finest restaurants from Chicago to New York. Refrigerated trains ran daily from the Midwest to these cites packed full of whitetail deer carcasses that had been harvested by professional hunters. People thought that the whitetail deer was an inexhaustible resource. They were wrong. Hunting laws had to be passed. In some cases and areas, hunting seasons were closed until whitetail populations rebounded to sustainable levels. Now in many areas, there are too many deer. It seems that when wildlife over populates, nature has a way of taking care of it in it's own way. Some wildlife managers are fearful of the return of a very harsh winter or series of long, cold, high snow depth - winters. Weather patterns are cyclic and harsh winters will return with severe cold and deep snow depths. In Minnesota, we have enjoyed about 9 straight years of mild to not-so severe winters; normal temperatures and sub-normal snow fall. A year or two of severe harsh cold winters with deep snow depths could devastate our whitetail herd.
Today, many trophy hunters manage private property for whitetail deer hunting. In some cases, private property is also managed for guided deer hunts as guided whitetail deer hunting has become more popular. This is primarily done through food plots, sanctuaries and a hunting practice called "Quality Deer Management" or "Q.D.M.". In the planning and practice of "Quality Deer Management" the primary goal of the of a private landowner should be the whitetail deer's habitat enhancement. When a trophy whitetail deer hunter does this on a small area of public hunting land, or on private hunting land, it is usually to supplement the deer's nutritional needs. There-by attracting the whitetail deer for selective harvesting.
Deer hunting ethics are passed down through deer hunting families, taught by approved state game officials or sportsmen, and even regulated by state agencies through game laws. It is our responsibility to pass on hunting ethics to our children and any person we mentor in the sport of hunting. State government agencies have developed and regulated deer hunting seasons to help manage the whitetail deer populations. A state's hunting fees and related taxes raise money needed to support whitetail deer populations; some of this money goes to purchase hunting land that is set aside for whitetail deer management areas and public hunting land. Government wildlife agencies, such as the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Fish and Game, and others publish and enforce whitetail deer hunting regulations. These game departments also offer and support various whitetail deer hunter educational programs that support hunting ethics. These activities help to inform whitetail deer hunters of the many various hunting issues and regulations; so that these hunters can make positive, ethical hunting decisions and choices, in their quest for that trophy deer of a lifetime.
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