HUNT 220: Whitetail Deer Hunting

View an overview

Course at a Glance

  • Learn whitetail deer hunting strategies and trends
  • Effective whitetail deer management principles
  • Latest whitetail biology discoveries

Meet the Instructor Back to top

David Samuel, Ph.D

Dr. David Samuel spent 30 years as a professor of wildlife management at West Virginia University. Since 1971 he has been the Conservation Editor of Bowhunter Magazine, where his Know Hunting column still appears. His activities on behalf of wildlife are diverse, from starting a local National Audubon Society chapter to initiating the West Virginia Bowhunter Education Program.

He presently serves, or has recently served, on several boards, including the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board, the board of the Native American Fish & Wildlife Foundation, the board of the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America, Advisory Board of the Westvaco Ecosystem Research Forest, and the Pope and Young Club. Now retired from university work, Dr. Samuel spends his time writing, bowhunting, traveling and gardening.

About This Course Back to top

This course is an in-depth study of the most sought-after game animal in the world. Students will learn habitat and adaptability, feeding patterns, topography, population trends, breeding, and effective management strategies. Students will also learn live trophy scoring from today’s leading experts.

Course Outline Back to top

Whitetail Deer Hunting Outline

Module 1: Introduction

1.0 Getting Started
1.1 Welcome
1.2 Objectives
1.3 Why Whitetail?
2.0 Hunting Whitetail
2.1 Some Statistics
2.2 Whitetail Magic
2.3 Think About It

Module 2: Overview of the Whitetail Deer

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 History
2.1 Evolution
2.2 Pre-European Settlement
2.3 Colonial Period
2.4 Modern Period
2.5 Think About It
3.0 Range and Characteristics
3.1 Sub-Species
3.2 Details
3.3 Characteristics
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 3: Biology and Behavior

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Anatomy and Physiology
2.1 Basic Anatomy
2.2 Body Size & Growth factors
2.3 Fur
2.4 Antler Growth
2.5 Shedding Velvet & Antlers
3.0 Feeding
3.1 Feeding Patterns
3.2 Food Types
3.3 Think About It
4.0 Reproduction
4.1 Whitetail Rut
4.2 Buck dominance & Fighting
4.3 Establishing Ranges
4.4 Fawn Production
4.5 Think About It
5.0 Sense and Defenses
5.1 Communication
5.2 Eye Sight
5.3 Hearing
5.4 Smell
5.5 Think About It
6.0 Seasonal Movement & Migration
6.1 Movement
6.2 Migration
6.3 Winter Survival
6.4 Think About It
7.0 Disease & Parasites
7.1 Chronic Wasting Disease
7.2 Hemorrhagic Disease
7.3 Blue Tongue
7.4 Other Common Diseases & Parasites
7.5 Think About It
8.0 Quiz and Summary
8.1 Quiz Questions
8.2 Key Points

Module 4: Equipping the Hunt

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Clothing
2.1 Blaze Orange
2.2 Outerwear / Rain Gear
2.3 Underwear Layers
2.4 Footwear
2.5 Headgear
2.6 Gloves/Mittens
2.7 Think About It
3.0 Hunting Aids & Equipment
3.1 Game Camera
3.2 Navigation Aids
3.3 Tree Stands
3.4 Scents
3.5 Deer Calls & Decoys
3.6 Optics
3.7 Knives
3.8 Day Packs
3.9 Think About It
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 5: Tactics for Hunting Whitetail

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Prebreeding Stage
2.1 Prebreeding (Prerut)
2.2 Timing
2.3 Signs
2.4 Planning
2.5 Think About It
3.0 Initiation of Breeding Stage
3.1 Initiation of Breeding
3.2 Timing
3.3 Signs
3.4 Scrapes & Rubs
3.5 Man-Made Scrapes
3.6 Rattling
3.7 Deer Calling
3.8 Think About It
4.0 Peak Breeding Stage
4.1 Breeding
4.2 Timing
4.3 Signs
4.4 Scent Trails
4.5 Think About It
5.0 Post Rut Stage
5.1 Post Rut
5.2 Timing
5.3 Signs
5.4 Techniques
5.5 Think About It
6.0 Quiz and Summary
6.1 Quiz Questions
6.2 Key Points

Module 6: Whitetails Across the Continent

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Snowbelt Whitetails
2.1 Range
2.2 Techniques
2.3 Think About It
3.0 Midwest & Mideast Whitetails
3.1 Range
3.2 Techniques
3.3 Think About It
4.0 Southern Whitetails
4.1 Range
4.2 Techniques
4.3 Think About It
5.0 Western Whitetails
5.1 Range
5.2 Techniques
5.3 Think About It
6.0 Urban Whitetails
6.1 Range
6.2 Techniques
6.3 Think About It
7.0 Quiz and Summary
7.1 Quiz Questions
7.2 Key Points

Module 7: Trailing & Recovering Deer

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Trailing the Deer
2.1 Assessing Your Shot
2.2 Assessing the Situation
2.3 Trailing
2.4 Trailing Tips
2.5 Think About It
3.0 Recovering the Deer
3.1 Approaching a Wounded Deer
3.2 Field Dressing
3.3 Taking Out the Carcass
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 8: Fruits of the Hunt

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Trophies
2.1 Capturing Your Hunt on Film
2.2 Trophy Ranking and Preparation
2.3 Antler Mounts
2.4 Caping
2.5 Other Deer Trophies
2.6 Think About It
3.0 Venison
3.1 Meat Handling
3.2 Skinning Deer
3.3 Cooking Venison
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 9: Safety and Ethics

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Hunting Safety
2.1 Hunter Safety
2.2 Safety Afield
2.3 Deer Hunting Safety
2.4 Think About It
3.0 Hunting Ethics
3.1 Deer Hunting Ethics
3.2 Responsibilities
3.3 Pass Along the Tradition
3.4 Future of the Whitetail Deer
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 10: Perspectives on Whitetail Hunting

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Objectives
2.0 Trophies
2.1 Advanced Whitetail Hunting
2.2 What is a Trophy Hunter
2.3 Finding Big Bucks
2.4 Trophies Close to Home
2.5 Wilderness Whitetails
2.6 Think About It
3.0 Additional Considerations
3.1 Guided Hunts
3.2 Antler-less Deer Hunting
4.0 Quiz and Summary
4.1 Quiz Questions
4.2 Key Points

Module 11: Summary

1.0 Review and Next Steps
1.1 The Whitetail Hunt
1.2 Action Items

Related Courses Back to top

Why Choose Outdoor Adventure University? Back to top

Through an innovative distance learning approach to outdoor education, Outdoor Adventure University is the first to bring together renowned field experts and sportsmen, industry leaders, respected outdoor educators, prolific outdoor life authors, and outdoor media personalities to create this ground-breaking curriculum of the highest academic standard.

OAU will help you grow personally as a sportsman, and professionally for those who work in the outdoor recreation industry.

  • Learn life-saving wilderness survival, orienteering, and wilderness first aid skills
  • Be more effective in hunting or fishing a specific species
  • Better understand the history and management of wildlife
  • Be a confident sportsmen
  • Understand ecology and environmental issues in relation to outdoor recreation
  • Get secret insider tips from industry leaders
  • Get sneak previews and expert instruction on all the latest and greatest in gadgets, electronics, gear, and equipment
  • Be trained in game preparation and outdoor/wilderness cooking
  • Become skilled at outdoor photography, video production, and film editing

Affordable Outdoor Adventure Education for Anyone, Anywhere, and at Any Time