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SC Learning Ctr Field Notes Tony Peterson
Tony Peterson has hunted game in multiple states and South Africa. His main focus is the pursuit of whitetail deer without the aid of guides or outfitters. Tony is an admitted hunting addict and, in addition to big game, hunts turkeys and upland game birds. He writes and photographs for several outdoor publications, and resides in Minnesota.


February 2012: A Great Start for Wildlife

It’s clear that deer throughout much of our country have a leg up on the winter already. Extremely rare warm temperatures and a lack of snow across much of the midwest, west and east means different things to different folks, but to us hunters it means a bumper crop of deer in the coming season. READ THE REST.


January 2012: Supplemental Deer Feeding in Winter

The new year gives hunters the chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. Many of us will choose to begin 2012 with a supplemental feeding program in an effort to carry our deer through the winter months. These programs can vary from sophisticated, regimented plans with quality food sources that cover everything from A to Z or they can be as simple as dumping a bag of corn in the woods every week or two.  READ THE REST


December 2011: Managing Deer Populations

Successful companies that produce, handle, or sell merchandise of any sort are typically run by individuals who understand inventory. They control the ebb and flow of products and keep the balance between too much and not enough. Every few months they take stock in what’s on hand, which provides necessary direction for future decisions. This mindset doesn’t seem to have anything to do with deer, but it does. If you’re trying to manage a whitetail property it’s extremely beneficial have a ballpark idea of deer numbers and deer quality.  READ THE REST


November 2011: A Hunter's Favorite Month

True hunters are wildlife managers, conservationists and in many ways - a deer’s best friend. While this is a hard concept for the non-hunting crowd to understand, considering our goal every year seems to boil down to 40 or 50 pounds of tightly-wrapped packages of venison in the freezer. But, we are the stewards of the resource for the entire year despite the fact that we take to the field’s each fall with chosen weapon in hand.  READ THE REST


October 2011: Hunting the Weather Conditions

If you follow the stock market lately you’ve probably noticed that one thing is certain and that is that nothing is certain. Rallies are followed by major drops, and it seems that the slightest hiccup in the global economy can erase gains. For hunters, October’s weather mimics this erratic pattern, which can mean a boon or a bust depending on your attitude.  READ THE REST


September 2011: Hunting Seasons Begin

September represents one thing for a lot of hunters across the country - the time is pretty much up on planting food plots, hanging stands, and setting up bait sites. If you’ve procrastinated throughout the summer then you might be in trouble.   READ THE REST


August 2011: Prepping for the Fall

If you’ve kept up with the process of scouting, hanging stands, cutting trails and tending to your food plots throughout the summer, let me be the first to say ‘congratulations’. But, if you’ve slacked off a little or thought the heat wave of July would eventually break and provide ideal conditions for outdoor work, it’s time to get out there.   READ THE REST


July 2011: Big Bucks and Little Fawns

Recent scouting forays have revealed that my local deer herd, with each member sporting a highly-visible red summer coat, is progressing along nicely.  Abundant does with single and twin fawns seem to be everywhere, and I've been fortunate to glass a few good-sized bucks mixed in with the other bachelors.  Antler growth even on young bucks is an amazing process, but it's the does that are truly interesting right now.  READ THE REST


June 2011: Simultaneous Drop

While trudging along toward my college degree I needed to find a way to make ends meet so I ended up working at a fairly classy restaurant. One of the tricks the servers would employ to showcase their skills was to “simultaneously drop” all of the entrée plates at the same time. The more customers at the table, the more overwhelming the “drop” seemed. This was all I could think of as a wildlife biologist explained to me the timing of the rut and the resulting drop of fawns.  READ THE REST


May 2011

Before traveling to Nebraska to try my hand at bowhunting turkeys in April, I took some time to carry a Record Rack Deer Block into the woods. The area I deposited the Deer Block in is heavily-used travel corridor I found while scouting this winter. A swamp, pond, and steep hillside all come together to force deer movement through a high ridge of land.  READ THE REST


April 2011: A Month of Minerals

Although bucks, does and fawns all require minerals throughout the year, certain needs are at their peak right now. For does, spring and early-summer months require additional salt intake.  READ THE REST


March 2011: Two Kinds of Winter Scouting

Whether I’m shed hunting or just taking a stroll through the woods this time of year, I’ve got my eyes open for a couple of different things.  READ THE REST


February 2011: Caring for the Whole Herd

Deer herds throughout the northern half of the U.S. haven’t received much of a break this winter. Record snowfalls and bitter cold have become the norm. I’ve talked to more than a few hunters that are concerned about increased winterkill this year. Their concerns are somewhat grounded in reality, but it’s important to remember that we can certainly help out.  READ THE REST


January 2011: Starting a Deer Feeding Station

In past years, the thought of post-holing my way through January snowdrifts with a sled in tow was abhorrent. Cold North winds, difficult walking, and a deer season that sits beyond the horizon revolving nine months away somewhere in the Great Beyond were all powerful deterrents.  READ THE REST


December 2010: Feeding Post-Rut Deer

While there is plenty of talk surrounding the second rut during December, the reality for most hunters is that they won’t witness it. What little chasing and breeding occurs is usually few and far between and the best bet is to focus on what all whitetails need this time of year: food.  READ THE REST


November 2010: The Toll of the Whitetail Rut

There’s no question that November is prime time to sit perched in a treestand waiting for a buck to cruise by. As hunters, we wait the entire year for the pre-rut and rut to increase our odds of getting a shot or two.  READ THE REST.


October 2010: Scouting Now? You Bet!

The tenth month of the year represents transition across the country. While the leaves change, crops get picked, and the deer start to feed heavily for coming rut and eventual winter, hunters should be looking for the freshest sign. READ THE REST.


September 2010

While there is plenty of ink spilled on the importance of finding a bachelor group and hunting them on the opener, the reality is most hunters would benefit from taking a walk through their hunting area with an open mind while noting the available food and the likelihood of it changing in the next 30 days or so. READ THE REST.


July 2010: Time to Get Serious

Bucks like this Minnesota eight-pointer need plenty of essential minerals and vitamins to reach their full potential. Record Rack® Super Premium Mineral Supplement is a perfect choice for hunters that wish to provide their deer with the best chance to optimize antler growth and overall deer health. READ THE REST.

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