If you spend any time around deer camp fire pits, internet hunting sites, or social media, you’ll notice some interesting terminology. It can be confusing to new hunters (and even seasoned ones). With that in mind, below are some popular deer and deer hunting terms. Some basic and some more obscure. Hopefully, this will help you get the most of your next whitetail-laden conversation.
Tree Stand: Though the term may seem basic, this can mean different things. Setups considered tree stands can come in the form of climbers, tripods, hang-ons, ladder stands, and even old school wooden platforms attached to a tree. Saddles (see below) are another type.
Bedding Area: This common term refers to an area that deer spend most of their time during daylight. While some hunters tiptoe around these sanctuaries, others more boldly hunt them. Either way, they are integral to whitetail hunting strategy.
Saddle Hunting: this is not hunting on horseback, rather a form of elevated hunting (typically for deer). While it’s been around since the 80’s, it’s resurgence over the last few years has been massive. Saddles provide much freer movement around tree trunks, enhancing a bow hunter’s ability to stay concealed and get quality shots. Saddle hunting rigs include a fabric seat, lineman’s belt, tether rope, and tree steps. Think telephone workers and arborists.
The Rut: a magical time of deer season where pheromones and love fill the air. Letting their guard down, whitetail bucks are relentlessly looking for hot does to breed. And hunters are looking for said bucks – especially the bigger ones.
Swamp Donkey: A big (usually mature) beast of a Whitetail buck. No, they don’t have to live in a swamp. Other related slang terms include mossback, toad, and pig.
Ghost buck: A buck that shows himself then seemingly disappears, much to the deer Hunter’s chagrin. They are usually wary, mature bucks that go nocturnal or just flat-out avoid humans. Their mystique is outweighed only by the challenge and frustration they cause.
There are many other popular whitetail and deer hunting terms. More to come in subsequent Hunting Briefs…
“Hunting Briefs” are bite-sized pieces of hunting information for anyone – but particularly aimed at the new or onset hunter.