Whitetail Deer Mad Stones & Deer Pearls

What are Deer Mad Stones?

A mad stone, also known as s bezoar stone, are naturally occurring masses that form in the stomachs of certain animals, particularly ruminants, such as white-tailed deer and goats. The are often called a deer pearl when found in deer. Referred to as deer mad stones, these “gems” are formed from the accumulation of indigestible materials, such as hair, fibers, and plant matter, which gather and compact over time in the stomach.

In white-tailed deer and other deer species, these mad stones are referred to as deer pearls since they are formed similarly to oyster-formed pearls. However, the presence of these stones is not universal among all members of a particular species. It’s not accurate to say that every whitetail has deer pearls or deer mad stones. The formation of these stones is influenced by various factors, including the deer’s diet, health, and other physiological factors.

A mad stone removed from a ruminant animal, possibly a deer.

Hunter Finds Deer Pearl in Buck

“This is what biologists refer to as a mad stone or deer pearl. They grow to baseball-sized proportions and are formed when calcium clings to a foreign object (like hair) in the deer’s stomach. The process is similar to how an oyster creates a pearl. And if you cut one open, you’ll find growth rings like that of a tree.

A deer mad stone.

It was once believed that mad stones had healing properties, and that those from albino deer were extra powerful. Some textbooks from the 1800s say these formations could cure rabies, snakebites, and more.

A smooth deer pearl from a buck's stomach.

A common treatment was to soak the stone in milk and apply it directly to the wound. When it was done absorbing the poison from your body, it was placed back into the milk to recharge.

The buck harvested by this hunter had a deer pearl.
Dalton Ellens (@salty_daltyyyy) harvested this dandy of a whitetail buck in South Dakota during the 2023 season.

Mad stones are rare, but it’s said they’re more common in the East where soil is calcium-rich. So next time you kill a hoofed animal, do some rockhounding by exploring its stomach. You might just find a pearl.”

Deer Pearls are a Rare Find

The Power of Deer Mad Stones

A mad stone or bezoar stone is a substance that was traditionally believed to have medicinal properties, particularly in folk medicine. It was thought to have the ability to neutralize or absorb poisons. The name “mad stone” comes from its historical use as a supposed remedy for rabies or “mad dog” bites.

The mad stone is typically derived from the stomach of a ruminant, such as a goat, whitetail, or other deer species. The belief was that these stones could absorb toxins and poisons when applied to a wound. In the case of rabies, it was thought that using a mad stone on the bite wound could prevent the onset of symptoms.

It’s important to note that the efficacy of mad stones in treating rabies or other poisonings has never been scientifically proven. With the advancement of modern medicine and the development of vaccines, the use of mad stones has largely fallen out of favor, and medical professionals strongly recommend seeking conventional medical treatment, such as rabies vaccination, in the case of potential exposure to rabies.

Early Season Deer Hunting

20 Tips for Early Season Deer Hunting

The most popular big game animal in North America is the white-tailed deer. However, less than 50 percent of hunters tag a buck each season. The start of the season offers the best chance of success, but early season deer hunting presents unique challenges and opportunities. Here are 20 tips to help you have a successful hunt during the early season:

Early Season Deer Hunting

Tips for Early Season Deer Hunting

Scouting: Get out in the field during the summer before deer season begins. Spend time scouting your hunting area to locate deer trails, feeding areas, and bedding sites. This basic information tells you where deer travel and spend their time. Whitetail generally have home ranges of 200-600 acres. Having an idea of deer movement patterns will give you a big advantage come hunting season.

Trail Cameras: Cameras are an extension of your physical scouting. Set up trail cameras while in the field to monitor deer movement and behavior. Camera photos can provide valuable information about the timing of deer activities and the size of the local deer population. Photos will identify animals you can target for harvest. Cameras will also identify areas that you should avoid.

Food Sources: Deer need to eat. Identify the available food sources in the hunting area, such as acorns, fruit-bearing trees, and agricultural fields. Deer will be attracted to these food sources and that increased your chances of spotting them. Your best chance at tagging an early season buck is knowing where his food is located.

Water Sources: Deer need to drink, too. The early season means warmer temperatures. This increases the need for high quality H-2-O. Locate water sources in your hunting area prior to the season. Rather than hunt right on the water source, hunt high traffic trails leading to the site.

Practice Shooting: Before hunting season starts, practice shooting to ensure your accuracy and proficiently. This tip is essential if you plan to hunt with archery equipment, but also important for gun hunters. Deer are not quite as wary early in the early season, but you still need the skill to seal the deal.

Scenarios and Drills: In addition to standard shooting repetition, go beyond and practice real-world scenarios. Shoot from elevated positions (if using a tree stand), shoot in low light conditions, and practice drawing your bow slowly and quietly. These drills will improve your adaptability and confidence in the field.

Scent Control: Whitetail have a keen sense of smell. This is by far their best defense against hunters. Want to tag a buck? Become nearly un-smell-able. Use scent control measures like scent-eliminating sprays and scent-blocking clothing. Most of them work. In addition, position yourself downwind of where you think the deer will be when hunting. This will reduce the odds of deer detecting your presence.

Camouflage and Concealment: Scent control is more important than the cloths you wear, but camo helps close the distance. Wear appropriate camouflage clothing that matches the surroundings. Additionally, use natural cover and terrain to your advantage. This will break up your outline and help you stay hidden.

Tree Stands and Ground Blinds: Stands and blinds also help conceal your presence. Use strategically placed tree stands and ground blinds near deer trails, feeding areas, or travel corridors. They help you stay hidden and can improve your vantage point. In addition, an elevated hunting position helps combat a whitetail’s sense of smell. Make sure you have clear shooting lanes.

Quiet Movement: Early season deer hunting means lots of leaves. This is good for visual concealment, but vegetation is noisy to move through. Practice slow and deliberate movements to minimize noise and avoid spooking deer, especially if still hunting.

Visualization and Mental Practice: For new hunters, it’s important to think about the task at hand. Think about a huge buck standing 15-yards away. How will you react? Spend time visualizing successful shots and hunting scenarios. Mental preparation can enhance your focus, confidence, and decision-making skills while in the field. Mental preparedness will allow you to harness all that repetitive, preseason training.

Deer Calls: The early season is not the prime time for aggressive calling. However, soft doe bleats or fawn calls can still attract curious deer in the area. Do some research and practice before using audible devices. These sounds can attract bucks as well as does and both taste better than tag soup.

Patience: Early season deer hunting is often challenging as deer may go form very predictable to not predictable at all. This is true when food sources are all of a sudden abundant and scattered. Deer movement patterns change quickly when new food sources become available. Deer that seem very predictable prior to the hunting season can turn on a dime. Be patient and prepared to spend more time in the field. Stay the course or identify the new pattern and respond accordingly.

Stay Flexible: A benefit of the early season is it often allows hunters to pattern bucks on food sources. However, both food and water availability can change quickly. Dry weather often means deer stay in a pattern, but a string of rain events will change forage availability. Warm, wet conditions tend to scatter food and deer. Likewise, so can the sudden availability of apples, persimmons, acorns, pecans, chestnuts and other foods in a hunting area. Stay patient if your hunting the right spot, but do not be afraid to move with the deer.

Weather Considerations: Pay attention to weather patterns. Early season hunting generally means warmer temperatures. Put more emphasis on hunting during cooler parts of the day, such as dawn and dusk, when deer are more active. Save those all day hunts for cooler weather or during the rut, if needed.

Safety First: Always prioritize safety. Though this bit of advice is not listed first, it should be on the top of mind. Always let someone know your hunting plans, where you are going, and expected return time. Doing this means help can be sent your direction should you need it. In addition, wear appropriate safety gear. This includes a tree safety harness if hunting from an elevated position and/or blaze orange. Consider ear protection if gun hunting.

Stay Hydrated and Prepared: As mentioned, early season deer hunting weather ranges from mild to warm to hot. Hunting in warmer weather can lead to dehydration, especially if you are fortunate enough to tag a deer early. A deer on the ground means the real work starts. Carry enough water and snacks to stay comfortable during long hours in the field.

Tick Awareness: Depending on your location, ticks can be prevalent during the early deer season. Wear appropriate clothing and use tick repellents to protect yourself.

Follow Regulations: Know the hunting regulations for the area you are hunting prior to the season. Follow all hunting regulations, including bag limits, hunting seasons, and licensing requirements. Do not ruin a hunt, or someone else’s hunt, by breaking the law.

Plan for Travel: If you plan to deer hunt in a different location this season, research the area, plan your accommodations, and familiarize yourself with local hunting regulations. Follow the tips provided, even if some of your work is done remotely. Planning and preparation is vital for success.

Key in on Deer Behavior & Prepare

Hunting early season deer generally means bucks are in still late-summer or early-fall feeding patterns. In addition, bucks have received zero hunting pressure leading up to the start of the season. Although this stacks a few things in favor of hunters, whitetail are still cautious animals. Furthermore, changing weather conditions, additions to the food supply, and the start of the breeding season will alter the movement patterns of deer.

Pattern early season bucks and use that to your advantage as much as possible. Moreover, use the provided tips to increase your chances of early season deer hunting success. Do not be afraid to switch gears when the deer you are hunting switch gears.

By dedicating time and effort to offseason preparation, you’ll be better equipped to make accurate shots, understand deer behavior, and handle all the challenges that come with early season deer hunting. The season will be here soon. Be safe and be successful!

Big Bucks Shot in 2019

Big Bucks Lurking in 2019

Opening weekend of the Texas 2019-20 General “Gun” Season is just days away and it’s time to get pumped about white-tailed deer hunting. As if you weren’t already, right? General indicators suggests good age structure and exceptional antler quality in whitetail bucks in Texas this year. Yes!!!

Talking big bucks is a tried-and-true way to work whitetail hunters into a frenzy, so let’s take a look at a couple big bucks already shot during the 2019 season. The good news is that neither of these monsters were shot in Texas, so that big buck you’re after may still be hanging around your stand.

Huge Bucks Shot in 2019

Big Buck Down in Oklahoma

Oklahoma is OK, but the state has produced some exceptional wall hangers over the years. They found a big nontypical buck in 2017.  Now, a new all-time, big buck leader may have emerged in 2019. Oklahoma teenager, Guner Womack, could soon hold the record for harvesting Oklahoma’s largest typical whitetail buck.

Source: Guner says the 8×8 initially came out into the field at 40 yards. Guner didn’t have a shot, and the buck jogged off. Not long after, he showed back up pushing younger bucks around and chasing does. This time he stopped broadside at 25 yards out from Guner’s stand, and Guner took a perfect shot.

Guner Womack Arrows Big Oklahoma Buck

Guner has hunted since he was a little boy, but this is his first season to hunt with a bow, and the bruiser buck is the first deer he’s ever taken with his bow. Beginners luck!

Guner’s family had a history with the free-ranging whitetail, they’d watched him grow up on their land in Pawnee County and estimate he was 4.5 years old. He also showed up on their trail cameras. Guner says last season the buck’s antlers were “all broke up,” likely from fighting. They knew he’d turn into a quality deer, they just didn’t anticipated a world-class buck.

Wisconsin Hunter Arrows Big Buck Too

If you like big bucks and cannot lie then Wisconsin is a great place to hunt monster whitetails. The Badger State grows big-bodied deer and big-bodied deer produced big, heavy antlers.

Source: When Matt Wachowiak, 23, of eastern Wisconsin arrowed this giant whitetail last month, he did a lot more than fill his 2019 buck tag—he put an exclamation point at the end of a three-year campaign to ultimately take this particular animal. Wachowiak’s monster whitetail, which he killed on September 28th, sported 15 scorable points and grossed 200-2/8 inches non-typical and netted 194-4/8 typical.

Matt Wachowiak takes Big Wisconsin Buck in 2019

“I walked in there well before light on opening morning and bumped what sounded like a big deer off the food plot. When I checked the camera later, I had pics of “The Prince” staring at me, then running off as I walked into the stand.

I was just sick. I was afraid he wouldn’t come back to the plot after that.”

Wachowiak decided to rest the farm in the wake of the encounter. “Ten days went by before I started getting pics of The Prince and Mr. Great, another buck, on that same food plot in the evening on my wireless camera,” he says. “I checked the weather, and there was a cold front coming in that weekend. The wind wasn’t right for the plot on Friday, so I decided to wait until Saturday to try him on an afternoon hunt.”

Wachowiak climbed into his stand and started seeing deer right way. “By 6:00 p.m. I’d seen 14 different deer, but no sign of the two big ones,” he says. “At 6:35 I stood up, and about five minutes later I saw Mr. Great approaching the food plot. I knew The Prince would be right behind him.

Prince stepped into the plot and was already in bow range. “I drew as The Prince stepped into the plot. He was already in bow range. I settled in, took the shot, and everything felt perfect,” Wachowiak says. “He just tore off the plot like crazy. I backed out and decided to call the neighbors, because they’d been a big part of this.

One question though: If he shot The Prince, then where is the buck they call The King? Perhaps there is another, bigger buck running around out there or they really are saving that name for something special. Now wouldn’t that be something?

Ranch Manager in Texas Busted for Under-the-Table Hunts

Selling Hunts Illegally

A ranch manager in Live Oak County, Texas, has been nailed for selling deer hunts on a property he was paid to look after. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TWD) game wardens recently wrapped up a six month multistate investigation of an illegal commercial hunting operation on a ranch in Live Oak County. The result: Ranch manager busted.

A landowner contacted game wardens regarding his ranch manager selling white-tailed deer hunts under the table and hunting without landowner consent. Sounds like a bad decision by the ranch manager. Furthermore, it’s a bad deal for everyone involved from the landowner to deer hunters.

Ranch Manager Busted in Texas - Illegal Deer Hunting in Live Oak County

Ranch Manger Busted

The landowner learned of the illegal deer hunting activities when contacted by a taxidermist regarding an unpaid balance for several buck mounts belonging to the ranch manager. The landowner did not give the ranch manager or his family permission to harvest any animals on the ranch.

During an extensive investigation, wardens determined the ranch manager sold trophy buck hunts to out of state clients, pocketing their money, and falsifying the ranch harvest records.

Ranch Manager Busted Over Bucks

The ranch manager was responsible for brokering illegal hunts for 14 white-tailed deer (with scores ranging from 245 B&C to under 100 B&C) and numerous exotic game animals. The ranch manager and his daughter also unlawfully appropriated $17,450 from the ranch owner. Okay, that’s just straight up taking cash out of the register.

Hunters paid for their deer hunts by check made out to the ranch manager or daughter instead of to the ranch. The wardens obtained arrest warrants for the ranch manager for hunting without consent for white-tailed deer and exotic animals. Basically, ranch manager busted. He was arrested without incident.

If you’ve got a deer hunt scheduled for this fall in Live Oak County, then you may want to touch base with the ranch to make sure you’re still good to go.

Texas Woman Charged for Interfering with Deer Trapping Program

Deer Trouble in Lakeway

Managing overabundant deer populations is an ongoing issue in many areas across the US. Such programs are almost always controversial. Now, a Central Texas woman is facing charges for interfering with one such program in Lakeway, Texas. And it was all captured on video.

Woman Faces Charged in Deer Trapping Incident

In the video, which was taken on March 8, you can see several white-tailed deer captured under a drop net, with some of them bleating. Now months later, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has charged Ashlea Beck, who also took the video, with criminal mischief and harassment after she freed two of the deer by cutting the net with household scissors.

Beck’s Deer Trapping Video

How Can Deer be Trapped?

Lakeway, located just northwest of Austin, has been managing white-tailed deer for over 20 years. The City of Lakeway maintains a permit by TPWD to reduce the the number of deer living within the city.

Whitetail deer are removed annually by trappers working under the City’s Trap, Transport and Process (TTP) Permit authorized by TPWD. Entities possessing a TTP are allowed to trap and transport deer to commercial processing facility, where deer are dispatched, processed and donated to local charities — a must under permit rules.

Drop Nets for Deer Trapping in Lakeway, Texas

The permit allows the City of Lakeway to address excessive deer numbers in an area where hunting as a means of reducing the deer population is not considered feasible. According to the TPWD web site, TTP permits are available to municipalities, political subdivisions, and certain qualified individuals.

Lakeway’s Deer Trapping in the News

At one point in the video, you can hear her ask the workers, “Why are you doing this?”

Angry with what she saw, Beck cut part of the net and released two deer.

“I think they should do it away from kids, away from families,” Beck told KVUE in an interview on March 14.

Months later, Texas Parks and Wildlife has charged Beck with criminal mischief and harassment. A TPWD spokesperson sent KVUE the following statement:

“Ms. Beck interfered with lawful efforts to trap and remove white-tailed deer, causing damage to private property in the process. It is a violation of the Sportsman’s Rights Act to intentionally interfere with another person lawfully engaged in the process of hunting or catching wildlife, or intentionally harass, drive, or disturb any wildlife for the purpose of disrupting lawful hunting.”

Citizen Advocates for Animals of Lakeway president Rita Cross told KVUE she thinks Beck’s punishment is too harsh.

“She was in shock, she was trying to protect her kids and the deer, and she released two of them when she cut the net,” Cross said.

Cross thought TPWD would give Beck a warning or a fine.