![According to cementum annuli aging, this Pennsylvania buck was 8½ years old when Wildlife Biologist Kip Adams (pictured with his daughter) shot him. High hunter densities in the area typically prevent bucks from reaching half of that age, which makes it a truly special trophy.](https://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/Kip-Adams.png)
Tom Miranda of the Whitetail SLAM has authored a new book, The Rut Hunters. This Tom Miranda blog features excerpts from that book.
Certified Wildlife Biologist Kip Adams is extremely familiar with the Northern Woodland region. “This subgroup is one of my favorites thanks in part to my time spent as the Deer & Bear Biologist with the New Hampshire Fish & Game Department.
“No matter where you plan to hunt in the Northern Woodland region, it’s necessary to become at the very least an amateur botanist. Deer can eat more than 600 species of plants and forage and you just might find yourself hunting deer that are munching on soft-mast like apples, hackberries, dewberries, or hard-mast like acorns and beechnuts.
“Identifying these types of foods might not seem that important but consider this fact: Last year in the Northern Woodland region Illinois grew 13 million acres of corn, while the entire Northeast produced only 4 million acres. Typical agriculture hunting practices will work in this region, but opportunities are very limited.
“Another limited and truly unique hunting opportunity that occurs almost exclusively in this region, though, is big woods tracking. Huge tracts of public land or paper company land that is open to the public provide the chance to get on a good buck’s track and follow it until you catch him off guard or bump him from his bed. This is an old firearm’s hunting strategy and is one of the toughest ways to kill a buck, and demonstrates a serious level of woodsmanship and perseverance.”
If you’re into big-bodied bucks, big woods, and challenging hunting then look no further than the Northern Woodlands region when planning out the next phase of your Whitetail SLAM. It’s fair to expect a challenging hunt, however tagging out on a buck in this region might just prove to be your most rewarding deer of the SLAM. You’ll never know until you try!
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Get This Great Cooler/Dry Box and You’ll Be Set!
Whether you’re going to the beach on vacation, relaxing at the fishin’ hole or sweating your butt off in summer at a deer camp work day, this Engel Cooler/Dry Box will be a great benefit.
Three sizes are available and they all come with these great features:
- Quality injection molding and high-grade molded polystyrene foam insulation keeps your food and drinks cold
- Air-tight EVA gasket seals the entire lid
- Carrying is comfortable with recessed ergonomic carry handles and an integrated shoulder strap
- Stays shut with stainless steel latches and fittings secured with stainless steel screws
- No foul smells, thanks to stain and odor resistant surfaces
- Easy to clean with a non-absorbent surface
- Compact and lightweight
- Self-stopping hinge
- Includes a convenient hanging accessory tray