Born and raised in Indiana, Brantley spent his youth chasing deer and turkey and, along the way, developed a passion for bowhunting. Although he still enjoys other types of hunting, his true passion is bowhunting, and he has or will author most all the bowhunting content on this site. Outside of work, Brantley is married and the father of two beautiful little girls. Brantley has worked in the hunting industry, with an emphasis on archery and bowhunting, for more than ten years.
whats the best location for a tree stand

What’s the Best Location for a Tree Stand

I’ve always believed that strategic deer stand placement is the key to a successful hunting season. Stand placement can make or break a successful hunt, so it’s an integral part of any deer hunting strategy. It’s all about finding the perfect spot to set up your stand, taking into consideration factors like wind direction, access,…
How Long Does Human Scent Last in the Woods

How Long Does Human Scent Last in the Woods? The Answer Might be Surprising

One thing that still amazes me about whitetail deer is their extraordinary sense of smell. While a few other species in the animal kingdom have a better nose, whitetails are near the top of the list when it comes to having an incredible olfactory system. This acute olfactory ability enables them to discern multiple scents…
How Many Acres Do You Need to Hunt Deer

How Many Acres Do You Need to Hunt Deer?

At my day job, I spend a great deal of time answering questions about all kinds of hunting gear, tactics, and techniques. Given the incredible popularity of whitetail deer, it’s probably no surprise that I spend most of my time discussing various aspects of deer hunting. One question that seems to pop up every now…
Will a Deer Come Back After Blowing

Will a Deer Come Back After Blowing or Being Spooked?

Analyzing and understanding whitetail behavior can be a significant part of the deer hunting process, especially when chasing an older, mature buck that has been hunted before. While I certainly don’t consider myself an “expert” on whitetail behavior, I do have extensive deer hunting experience, and my day job gives me access to many other…
How Often Do Deer Visit Scrapes

How Often Do Deer Visit Scrapes? The Answer Might Surprise You

A whitetail deer’s greatest weapon is its highly acute sense of smell. Based on that information, it’s no surprise that scent is their primary method of communication as well. Not only is it the scent they carry on their bodies, but also the specific scents they leave behind. The primary way that deer leave their…
Understanding the Buck to Doe Ratio

Understanding A Buck To Doe Ratio, And How It Impacts Deer Population

Deer populations are an essential factor in assessing the overall health of the herd. As such, it’s beneficial for deer hunters and land managers to have a good understanding of deer population dynamics. One critical tool for analyzing these populations is the buck to doe ratio. In this post, I’ll explore what this ratio means,…
Do Deer Decoys Work?

Do Deer Decoys Work? They Can Under the Right Circumstances

Do deer decoys work? I wish I had a dollar every time I’ve heard that question asked at my day job. The answer is yes, they can, but not all the time. Under the right circumstances or conditions, whitetail decoys can be a helpful tool to lure that big buck into shooting range. However, there are…
Tinks Natural Non-Estrous Doe Urine

How Long Does Doe Urine Scent Last?

As the annual deer season approaches, hunters start researching different types of deer attractants and scents. One such scent that I’m routinely asked about is urine scent from a doe. Doe urine scent can be a great way to attract bucks to your location, but one common question that arises is how long does doe…
Why Am I Not Seeing Deer While Hunting

Why Am I Not Seeing Deer While Hunting?

At my day job, I have the opportunity to pretty much talk about hunting all day, and a great deal of that time is spent answering or trying to answer various hunting-related questions. One question that I hear asked over and over is, why am I not seeing deer while hunting? While it can be…

10 Ways to Improve a Deer Hunting Property

One of the most common ways to grow more giant deer on a property is to follow or utilize some QDMA guidelines. While I agree with about 95% of the more common QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) guidelines, I also have a few that I’ve found to be especially helpful for growing bigger deer. Over…