If you’re anything like me, I want to get the best of what my money can buy.

I set a criteria for the best binoculars under $100 from Vortex, Celestron, and Bushnell.

But I also recommend a couple cheap binos that are worth it – real glass, decent focus, and a good build.

To provide some real input, I also field-tested some of my very own personal cheap binoculars!

8 Best Binoculars Under $100 In 2024

1. Nikon Aculon A211 8X42 – Editors Choice
2. Celestron Outland X 10X42 – Best All-Round
3. Bushnell H20 10X42
4. Vortex Raptor 8.5×32
5. Bushnell PowerView 10×50
6. Celestron SkyMaster 25×70
7. Binoteck 10×42 – Best Under $50
8. Tasco Essentials 10X25

The Best Cheap Binoculars Under $100

Not all binoculars cost several hundred dollars. But not all binoculars will be a one-time, lifetime pair. However, you can still get something that’s worth it for daily use for less than $100.

You don’t have to compromise for plastic “glass” or generic no-name brands. Vortex, Bushnell, Nikon, and Celestron have quality binoculars in this cost-conscious price range.

Though these budget binoculars don’t have industry-level resolution or military-grade toughness, they can get the job done.

For the money, they’ll perform for recreational applications, some hunting, and definitely neighborhood spying – oops, I meant, “observation.”

With decent to above-average glass and performance, my top 8 binocular picks, including a couple of my own field-tested models, meet my criteria.

Our 8 Top Binoculars Less Than $100

1. Nikon Aculon A211 8×42 – Editors Choice

The Aculon is always priced below $100, no matter what!

With this Nikon hanging from your shoulder, you’ll have an extremely wide field of view, fully multi-coated lenses, and aspherical glass elements to help you get the best image quality possible from a cheap binocular.

Even with only 8X power, you can still mount this baby to a tripod. Nikon knows how to jam in quality for the lowest prices possible. It’s probably why it’s such a popular buy among the hunting community. Are you ready to join the “in” crowd?

2. Celestron Outland X 10×42

Unlike most binoculars in this price range, you’re getting a lightweight roof prism bino from the Celestron Outland unit. For under 100 bucks, you’ll be set to go without the added weight holding you back.

Pros:

• BaK4 glass
• Waterproof
• Fogproof
• Better quality strap

Cons:

• Multi-coated

I’ve had my hands on the Outland X and they were an extremely convenient pair to have for quick glassing and some occasional birding. It’s light weight at 23.6 oz – not the lightest out there, but still good for today’s standard.

The strap is better quality than what comes with most cheap binoculars – the case is better too. I think its real value will be from its clear glass performance. Though it has only multi-coated lenses versus FMC, it’s not unlike similar alternatives from known manufacturers in this price range.

The entire body is fully protected by a rubber armor, and as is typical with roof prisms, it’s fully waterproof and has been nitrogen-purged. This is a big deal because most budget binoculars will be weather-resistant at best.

If you’re looking for a slimmer binocular versus the bulky builds of the Porros, the Outland is your pick!

3. Bushnell H2O 10X42 Roof

Bushnell knows how to appeal to the cost-conscious buyer. They have a wide inventory of binos priced just right and the H2O is a winning optic among them all.

Pros:

• Eye relief
• Lightweight
• BaK4 glass
• Roof prism
• Waterproof

Cons:

• Multi-coated

For under 100 bucks, having multi-coated optics is the standard. However, this “standard” paired with roof prisms without the addition of phase or prism-specific coatings does result in a slightly darker image than what you’d expect. It may not be as clear a picture compared to a Porro prism bino with multi-coated optics, but on a good day for being outside, you likely won’t notice the difference.

For recreational purposes like observing wildlife while at the lake, casual bird watching, or on a hike, the H2O binos should be just what you need. Because of its roof prism design, it can be made waterproof which it is. It’s also lightweight at 25 ounces that is around the standard for a 10×42 bino these days.

Keep your glasses on with this small pair because it has decent eye relief of 17 mm and twist-up eyecups which is a step up from the fold-up or winged kind often seen in this price range. The compact bino comes with the usual: neck strap, nylon carry case with belt loop, looped rubber lens caps, and a hinged eyepiece cover.

As an entry-level bino that has been bought, used, and put through the ringer by several hundred buyers, it’s a solid buy.

4. Vortex Raptor 8.5×32

You read this right! There’s a Vortex in this price range. It’s no gimmick. The Raptor is a high quality binocular that smokes many other Vortex units when it comes to the ratings.

It’s extremely popular with the masses, and us, for its wide field of view, fully multi-coated lenses, and weatherproof-ability. Even better, it’s more compact and lightweight than its Porro prism bino competitors!

Plus, the warranty on it is practically unbeatable. Technically, this Vortex doesn’t belong in this price range, so if you’re going to spend less than 100 bucks, you better get it while it’s on sale!

5. Bushnell Powerview 10×50

If you’re looking for that Mossy Oak finish that compliments every hunters’ gear, the Powerview 10X50 more than gets the job done.

It’s extremely popular, and it’s been built to impress. With large objectives and the InstaFocus system, you’ll be glassing past sundown.

It’s an impressive, all-purpose binocular that has basic features, but the price can’t be beat for the 10X50 platform with the stylish finish. Thanks to the PowerView, you’ll have max power for max hunting success!

6. Celestron SkyMaster 25X70

For long-distance viewing in the skies or on the ground, you’ll need the long reach of the SkyMaster 25×70 binoculars. With high power and low cost – we’d say Celestron has found the perfect balance in this SkyMaster model.

Pros:

• Price
• High power
• 70 mm aperture
• BaK4 glass
• Porro prism

Cons:

• Short eye relief

A SkyMaster is no small binocular. It has big expectations to fill and so its large frame is a direct reflection of its capabilities. Weighing a heavy 52 ounces and measuring 8.7 x 4.3 x 11 inches in size, this bino is not meant to be handheld by any means. It’s intended to be mounted to a tripod that you’ll have to purchase separately, but it does come with an included tripod adapter that’ll save you a few bucks.

The large objective lenses that are 70 mm in diameter are directly related to the overall weight of the bino. With those large peepers, it’ll allow in as much light as possible to provide a bright, clear picture of celestial bodies or that far-away herd of caribou in the distance.

As a Porro prism bino, it doesn’t need any fancy prism coatings – good thing because it doesn’t have any. All air-to-glass surfaces are multi-coated, it’s water-resistant and not waterproof, and it lacks gas-purged chambers for fog-proof protection – all of which is standard for an optic under 100 bucks.

However, the downer is the short eye relief. For those who don’t wear spectacles or sunglasses while using binoculars, the 13 mm should be fine. For everyone else – it may be uncomfortable to use.

This SkyMaster giant is for adventurers on a budget who enjoy seeing stars or wildlife. It’s not a professional-grade optic, but it is a fun one the entire family can get hours of enjoyment from.

Best Binoculars Under $50

Yes, I have a couple suggestions for this very low price range. You really can’t go cheaper than this if you plan on taking your binoculars seriously. So, here is my recommendation if you have less than $50 to spend.

(By the way, the Bushnell PowerView 10X50 mentioned above is just barely over the $50 price tag. It’s also worth considering if you want a full-size binocular and can stretch your budget by just a few dollars more).

7. Binoteck 10X42 – Best Under $50

The Binoteck 10×42 binoculars are surprisingly very good considering its very low price point. With BaK4 glass, fully multi-coated lenses, and a 305 ft FOV, the Binotecks do ‘cheap’ very, very well.

Pros:

• FMC coatings
• BaK4 glass
• Adjustable eyecups
• Good focusing
• Tripod adaptable

Cons:

• Not waterproof

The Binotecks are water and dust-resistant with an IP55 rating, so heavy rain and even accidental submersion must be avoided – you do not want water in the eyepieces. Yes, I did it and they survived, but do as I say not as I do. Though not fog-proof, they did fantastic with moving from a warm truck to freezing temperatures outside.

I really don’t have any serious complaints about them. I took them on a December elk hunt in mountain timber a couple years ago. To my surprise, they did well for around 20-100 yards. When I had longer glassing terrain, I couldn’t get the sharp resolution I wanted. Though they won’t be going for another hunt, the clarity was beyond what I expected for under $50. Don’t let the digiscoping fool you – the image quality is much better in person.

The Binotecks have adjustable eyecups, a diopter, and a tripod receiver. I don’t think you’ll need to mount it since it’s exceptionally lightweight at 16 oz. I’m accustomed to 10x42s weighing in over 21 oz and I can feel the difference. Though it has a good rubber armor, the weak points are at the objective and eyepiece bells. I suggest resisting the temptation to peel it back.

I’m happy to report that I could acquire collimation (no double vision) with these cheap Binotecks. I adjusted with the diopter for my vision thus avoiding the need to wear my glasses. I’d say the eye relief is around 15mm. With my glasses on, it’s tight – doable but uncomfortable.

Overall, my box only came with the rainguard (eyepiece cap), lens caps, neck strap, and lens cloth. I’ve been impressed enough with the Binotecks to keep and recommend them as a recreational and convenient pair for quick glassing.

Available at: Amazon

8. Tasco Essential 10X25

Spending bare minimum doesn’t mean you have to settle. What it does mean is you can have the Tasco Essentials 10X25 binoculars with the roof prism design, fully multi-coated optics, and a plethora of available color finishes.

They are compact, foldable, and lightweight. Are you landing a quality binocular for a song – oh yeah!

In fact, this Tasco has a surprising number of reviews online, and a very impressive customer satisfaction score considering they will put you back a mere $25. They might not be your lifetime buy, but at this price they will make a great starter binocular.

What to Look for in a Cheap Binocular

Making the most of every penny when you’re spending in this price range comes down to knowing a bit about binoculars. Keep it simple by maintaining your sights on quality glass and durability.

Glass Quality

While you’re not going to get Zeiss or Swarovski glass in this price range, you can still look for the best coatings of what this price category has to offer and that would be fully multi-coated lenses.

Since special coatings for roof prisms are rare on binoculars under $100. You may want to put your money into a Porro prism binocular if you want the best glass performance in this price range. If you don’t mind glassing with something a little bulky and heavy, it’s likely to be your best buy here.

You’ll see a lot of standard configurations, examples: 8×42 and 10×42, in this price range. Going higher in magnification with the glass expected at this price point may result in degraded image quality.

Eye Relief

The eye relief is the distance from your eyes to the eyepiece in which you can acquire a full field of view free of aberrations.

The lower the number, the tighter the eye relief. Physically, this means it brings the lenses closer to your eyes and they can can dig into your brows and the bridge of your nose. The higher the number, the longer and more comfortable it is – especially for those who wear glasses.

*Not disclosed: best guesstimate from personal hands-on experience

Durability

Not all binoculars in this price range will be weatherproof – if it is, excellent! Most will be water-resistant at best, but it’s common sense to avoid heavy rain and submersion with budget binoculars.

The very best in this price range will not only be waterproof but fogproof too. The barrels are purged of oxygen with an inert dry gas like nitrogen. This keeps mold and fungi from growing on the inside and from internal condensation from fogging up the lenses. Body armor will also help your binoculars last longer.

*Water-resistant – not waterproof

Cheap VS Junk: The Difference

There’s a difference to buyer satisfaction when buying low budget binoculars when you’re informed. When you don’t know what to look for, you are at risk of buying junk – plastic lenses and the lot.

Look for the type of glass the prisms have been made with, what level of coatings they have, if they have a wide FOV, are tripod adaptable for mounting, or if they’re water and fogproof. When you know to look for at least a few of these things, you’ll know how to make the most of your hard-earned money.

Not all cheap binoculars are bad. These are the gems that are worth the money!

Further Reading

• Bushnell Fusion 1-Mile ARC Rangefinding Binoculars Review (w/ Angle Compensation)
• Celestron Outland X 10×42 Review – Popular Binoculars (Model 71347)
• Celestron TrailSeeker 8×42 Binocular Review (Model 71404)
• Bushnell Legend 10×25 Ultra HD Binocular Review – With Compact Roof Prism (Model 190125)
• How to Adjust Binoculars: 4 Essential Adjustments to Master Today

South Africa isn’t often associated with long-range hunting. Many of the game ranches in this vast country are covered with dense bush that limits shots to a couple hundred yards or less. There are exceptions, however, and the Umkomaas Valley is one of them. Located in the KwaZulu-Natal province on the eastern edge of South Africa, the Umkomaas Valley is a 120,000-acre wilderness that borders its namesake river. KwaZulu-Natal is the homeland of the Zulu people, whose warrior King Shaka developed new weapons and tactics, allowing the tribe to gain control over many of the surrounding areas stretching as far north as Mozambique and deep into the interior of South Africa. It’s been said the Zulu stopped the southward expansion of East Africa’s powerful Masai warriors—or perhaps the Masai stopped the northward expansion of the Zulu.

Our hunting party flew from Johannesburg toward the city of Durban, one of the busiest ports on Africa’s Indian coast, passing over a patchwork of agricultural fields perched on the east and west rims of the Umkomaas Valley. The valley itself is a dark, irregular scar on the landscape with high, rocky cliffs and steep slopes covered by snarled thorns. With no fences and minimal hunting, the valley is home to a wide array of endemic African antelope species including Cape bushbuck, Cape kudu, zebra, eland, duiker, and others.

There are also many warthogs, a half-dozen of which were kneeling on their forelegs and trimming the grass around Crusader Safaris’ Umkomaas Valley tented camp when we arrived. The sun was already behind the canyon rim when we began unloading our gear. Crusader Safaris owner Andrew Pringle directed me toward my own canvas tent while a baboon barked in the high rocks above us. By the time I was settled the only sounds in the valley were the hum of insects and the sloshing of the river.

Of the dozens of species of game to pursue in the Umkomaas, a big bull nyala was what I wanted most. Properly referred to as the common nyala (which doesn’t do this species justice: How could a 400-pound animal with ivory-tipped horns, striking chestnut, gray, and white markings, and a magnificent mane qualify as common?), this spiral-horned antelope exists naturally in few places in Africa, and nowhere does it exist in higher concentrations than in KwaZulu-Natal. In fact, some of the biggest nyala bulls on record were killed within a few miles of Crusader’s Umkomaas camp.

The Rifle & Cartridge

By the time I arrived in South Africa in late 2018, the .300 Precision Rifle Cartridge (PRC) had been announced to the public and a handful of long-range shooters were already using the round to ring steel out past a mile. The powerful new cartridge promised good things: based on a .375 Ruger case, the .300 PRC requires a magnum bolt face, but unlike belted magnums, the full-diameter .375 Ruger case allows for substantial powder payloads. The .300 PRC headspaces off its 30-degree shoulder and chamber drawings are precise. Hornady’s initial match load pushes a 225-grain, polymer-tipped ELD Match bullet with a ballistic coefficient of .777 (G1) at 2,810 feet per second, which is nipping at the .338 Lapua’s heels.

The Lapua excels at long-range shooting, but there are only a handful of hunters that carry Lapua rifles in the field. What about the .300 PRC? I wondered if it would make a sensible all-purpose rifle, especially given the popularity of established rounds like .300 Win. Mag., .300 Weatherby Mag., and the .300 WSM. The .300 PRC hadn’t been used extensively in the field to that point. It was powerful and accurate, but was it practical? And did it offer any real advantage over older rounds?

George Gardiner at GA Precision built several early .300 PRC rifles using Templar V2 actions and I carried one of those guns in the Umkomaas. It wasn’t particularly light, with its 26-inch barrel and removable brake, but it was supremely accurate. At 100 yards the GA rifle would place three 212-grain ELD-X hunting bullets close enough to touch, and five shots under an inch was no problem. The early adopters of the .300 PRC said it was the most accurate of the .30-caliber magnums they’d shot, and I’ve found the same to be true.

I topped the rifle with a Trijicon AccuPoint 2.5-12×42 with a green illuminated reticle. For dedicated long-range testing, I would have chosen greater top-end magnification, but the Trijicon’s low 2.5x magnification was important. While I might shoot a nyala at 400 yards, a 40-yard shot through thick brush was also possible. For that, I needed the additional field of view. I also needed a scope that could withstand being bounced around in the bellies of planes, abuse from baggage handlers, and heavy recoil. The AccuPoint checked all those boxes. I double-checked my zero at 100 yards when I arrived at camp and there was no shift in point of impact.

The Nyala Trail

African winter nights can be quite cold. As dim purple light brightened the eastern horizon and the jackals yapped on the crest of the ridges, I slipped from my bed and pulled on extra layers of clothing. After coffee at the main dining patio, I met Professional Hunter Rad Robertson and together we loaded my gear into his Toyota Hilux pickup. We were hunting farther up the valley and needed an early start. The rest of the camp began to stir as we left and began climbing to the rim of the valley.

By sunrise the Hilux was bouncing through dry watercourses along the river’s edge. I’d seen a half-dozen nyala that morning, including what I thought was a particularly good bull, but one that Rad elected to pass. Nyala are creatures of habit who follow the same trails and prefer to hide in familiar patches of thorn. Late in the morning Rad and I found one trail that was particularly well-worn. We climbed through a forest of tombstone-gray eucalyptus trees and settled on a narrow hummock—an ideal glassing point. We did see several nyala cows, which are lighter in build and color than bulls, browsing along the edge of the primary trail that wound through the trees along a dry riverbed below.

It was late in the day when Rad decided to move and check a narrow bowl higher up the mountain. The higher country was much more open and if we found a bull the shot might be 400 yards or more. It wasn’t long until we saw game: A herd of dusty-gray kudu cows were browsing in the blackthorn trees halfway to the top. Their broad ears flapped as they stretched their long, thin necks up to pick the choicest leaves.

Rad, who was resting against the base of an aloe tree, told me he saw a bull. Above the cows a single dark animal moved through the knee-high, winter-dry grass. I looked at the bull through my binocular and waited in silence for Rad’s decision. When the bull started down the spine of the hill 300 yards away, Rad decided the horns measured between 25 and 26-inches. We could find a bigger bull.

We were ready to pull stakes and head back to camp for a braai when Rad told me saw another nyala. He had seen this bull before and recognized its wide, heavy horns which measured perhaps 27 inches in length, which wasn’t much better than the first. But the second bull’s horns were much wider with deeper curls and greater girth. The animal’s shaggy body was noticeably larger than the first, too.

The bull vanished into a thin band of trees and our only course of action was to drop down into the valley and slip back up the other side. With all the game scattered throughout the bowl and across the ridge it would be hard to avoid detection, but we decided to try our luck.

Grey columns of clouds pushed inland from the Indian Ocean and darkened the hills. Carefully avoiding the wait-a-bit thorns and ever vigilant for snakes in the hip-high grass we made our way up through the forest, past the kudu herd and into the trees where we’d last seen the nyala. The bull had moved and Rad spotted him just 70 yards away. I shouldered the rifle, but could plainly see a single bent branch that had been invisible to the naked eye. The branch covered the bull’s vitals, and I held my shot until the bull disappeared into the dark forest.

Minutes later we saw a bull come out along the far edge of the trees farther down the slope. Rad insisted on glassing the animal first because he didn’t want to shoot the smaller bull by accident, but soon confirmed the animal walking across the ridge below us was indeed the older bull.

With shooting sticks to stabilize the rifle and an aloe tree serving as a brace I was quite steady and could see the seam of the front leg. Holding a third of the way to the top of the shoulder I pressed the safety forward, slowed my breath, and shot.

There was a flash of orange flame from the muzzle and all I could see was a halo of light impressions dancing in my eyes. The tracker initially reported that he didn’t find any blood or signs that the nyala had been hit, which concerned me, but in the tall grass thirty yards from where the bullet struck, the bull lay stretched out dead in mid stride. Nyala are impressive animals, but being close enough to touch one offers a close look at their striking features.

The horns are deep walnut in color with semi-translucent tips and are neatly curved. White marks like warpaint dot the face (including the characteristic chevron) and the long hairs of the animal’s mane are banded in shades of black, gray, and tan. At nightfall, we headed down the mountain with my bull.

Mixed Bag

With a bit of luck and some good shooting, a hunter in the Umkomaas Valley could harvest more game in a week-long safari than most North American hunters collect in a decade. Modern safaris are a great way to experience Africa as it was in the glory days, and it’s an important means to feed a community where cattle are scarce and beef is costly (which, in turn, prevents the need for poaching).

These hunts are also a great way to test bullet performance because you have animals of varying sizes offering differing shot angles and ranges. Hornady’s Neal Emery hung around the skinning shed collecting .300 PRC ELD-X bullets from the game that he and I shot. We had a broad selection of animals, too. By the middle of the week, I’d killed a cape bushbuck ram with a high uphill shot measuring about 320 yards, and I tagged an incredibly old common reedbuck ram under almost the same conditions the following day at the far end of the valley.

On the day I killed my reedbuck, Emery shot a larger ram in the same area at about 400 yards. Interestingly, we were able to collect bullets from other hunters in camp who were using .300 Win. Mag. and .300 H&H rifles, and the .300 PRC performed well compared to those older rounds. The .300 PRC didn’t create excessive wound channels and terminal performance was superb on animals ranging from 100 to 450 pounds at distances from 50 yards to over 500 yards. We finished the safari by shooting across a canyon at distances to 1,400 yards. The .300 PRC shines as a target round, of course, and the extraordinarily accurate GA Precision rifles made hitting targets at long range no chore.

The .300 PRC is indeed a great target round, but it’s an equally adept big-game cartridge capable of taking most any game at extended ranges. I came away from the Umkomaas Valley with an appreciation not only for the forward-thinking design of the cartridge but a sincere appreciation for its outstanding versatility.

If you own a good rifle chambered in .300 PRC there’s little you can’t do with it so long as you can handle the recoil, which is substantial but manageable. Hornady makes a compelling case that they’ve developed a multi-purpose cartridge that’s perfectly suited for the shooter who wants a target gun that’s also capable of tackling big-game hunts in every corner of the globe.

We’re getting closer. Can you feel it? The whitetail rut is getting into gear, and with it comes the best chance of the season for a buck of a lifetime for deer hunters.

This is Week 2 of the 2024 Game & Fish Regional Rut Update, a series of seven exclusive weekly rut reports from the field by whitetail contributors Doug Howlett (East), Darron McDougal (Midwest) and Josh Honeycutt (South). Click here for last week’s report. This week’s report includes:

• In the East, Howlett reports food sources are getting most of the attention from bucks right now, but he believes “big things” are about to happen.
• In the Midwest, McDougal reports mature bucks have been primarily active at night, but that’s about to change, too, and perhaps by this weekend.
• In the South, Honeycutt reports rut activity has been on the rise in some states, though your hunting focus should be on food. Cool weather ahead should lead to increased deer movement.

EAST REPORT

Rut Activity Spotty; Food Is Still King for Bigger Bucks

• Despite a slow week, the East seems to be on the cusp of major rutting activity.

By Doug Howlett

Persistent warm weather continues to plague the region, though a short cold snap last week did kickstart some activity.

Hunters in New Jersey, according to David Sichik of Triple B Outfitters, began experiencing increased movement with a number of smaller bucks harassing some of the first does. Sichik’s trail cams began picking up bucks chasing early last week, and by the end of the week he had clients steadily scoring on bucks as well as the meat deer they came to fill their freezers with. Tiffany Jade, a New York hunter who made the drive over to the Garden State, scored with a nice 7-pointer (see Tagged Out below). Sichik loves this time of year. The week of Halloween is when his hunters traditionally do very well. So far, things are living up to his expectations.

In Virginia, deer sign is becoming more prominent in the eastern half of the state, as evidenced by the number of rubs and scrapes beginning to pop up. Cut corn and still-standing soybeans are serving as afternoon buffets for legions of deer, making those the places to target wall-hangers, which have not yet been harassed by too many hunters. Meanwhile, in the mountainous half of the Old Dominion, deer movement is still sluggish until after dark and there remains little sign even among the flats and shallow ridge passes.

West Virginia’s Larry Case says there’s been very little rut activity in the southeastern part of his state, stretching down into the southwestern part of Virginia. But that is all about to change. The very first reports of big bucks chasing does started to come in about the middle of last week.

In New England, hunter Michael Wheeler reports, “In the last five days, I’m finally seeing bucks on cameras in the mountains of Vermont, northern New York and New Hampshire. They’re using terrain features like funnels and saddles and beaver dams along swamps. They are cruising at night in locations that normally don’t see bucks cruising except when the rut is close or coming on. I haven’t seen daytime cruising in transition areas yet, but that should start by this week.”

Wheeler is, however, beginning to find more rubs and scrapes opening up on ridges and down low near river bottoms. He notes a number of youth hunters had luck last weekend in farm country down in the valleys, hunting edges of cut corn in the morning and evening. “A few youth hunters I know were successful hunting the edges of clear-cuts and old logging roads in the evening, catching bucks browsing,” he says. There’s been little chasing going on, but by next week sightings should begin picking up rapidly.

Also in New England, Ken Fecteau Jr., says there aren’t a lot of acorns this year, and much of the activity is occurring at night. He notes there still aren’t a lot of rubs and scrapes.

Pennsylvania has seen some dandies fall in the early part of the season, with deer activity just starting to kick in. With the moon at full blast this coming week, look for activity to go into high gear from early afternoon until dark. However, if more heat shows up as predicted, early chasing activity could push back until the sun is about to dip.

We are right on the edge of big things happening, and I fully expect by the next report to hear that chasing is kicking into high gear and more tags are being filled.

TAGGED OUT

Garden State Success

• Hunter: Tiffany Bezel
• Date: Oct. 20, 2024
• Location: New Jersey
• Method: Crossbow
• Stats: 7 points

Tiffany Bezel killed this 7-point buck Oct. 20 while hunting in New Jersey with Triple B Outfitters. She was in a treestand using a new TenPoint crossbow her parents had bought her as a gift. She had seen the buck on camera, along with a spike and another decent buck, the night before when the trio appeared after 4 p.m. On the afternoon of her hunt, however, the 7-point buck came in alone along a runway cut in the forest and well ahead of 4 p.m. In fact, Bezel had only been in her stand about a half hour when he appeared. “It was the earliest I’ve ever harvested a buck in the evening,” she says.

VIDEO

MyOutdoorTV: ‘Drury’s Thirteen’ Monsters of the Pre-Lock

The pre-rut can be one of the most thrilling times to hunt whitetails, and thanks to our friends at MyOutdoorTV, we’re excited to bring you big-buck footage that captures the essence of hunting during late October. In this episode of “Drury’s Thirteen,” Mark Drury has his sights set on what could be the largest Missouri buck of his life, while brother Terry is in hot pursuit of an Illinois brute he calls the “Decoy Buck.”

Want more whitetail action? For a limited time, use promo code GAMEFISH30 and get a 30-day free trial of MyOutdoorTV.* MyOutdoorTV gets you motivated with world-class hunting, fishing and shooting content. Choose your favorites from adrenaline-pumping hunts, thrilling fishing escapades, valuable shooting insights and delectable wild-game recipes. MyOutdoorTV is the outdoor enthusiast’s streaming service.

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MIDWEST REPORT

Scrapes, Rubs and Sparring Increase; Hunt Scrapes Downwind of Beds

• Although mature bucks are still primarily moving at night, expect daylight activity to begin increasing by this weekend.

By Darron McDougal

Despite numerous recent social-media posts in which hunters say they’re seeing bucks with does, most mature Midwestern bucks are still homebodies and hitting scrapes at night. According to HuntStand Pro Whitetail’s Whitetail Activity Forecast, daylight movement should be on the rise by Saturday and Sunday. For now, here are some observations from the past week.

Kansas has traditionally treated Nate Hosie of HeadHunters TV well during mid-October, but he didn’t kill a buck during his hunt there last week. He says an abundance of food has bucks spread out this year. “I had some close calls,” he says, “but the big fellas were mostly nocturnal.”

Whitetail expert Bill Winke shares that things have also been slow for the past few days in Iowa. “There was a good flurry of daylight activity around the middle of October but not much since,” he says. “Trail cameras are showing that bucks are covering a lot of ground, but it is all at night … at least here anyway.”

Josh Honeycutt, the South correspondent for Regional Rut Update, killed a monster Kentucky buck in September, but he has tags for Ohio and Indiana as well. While he’s been keeping tabs on cameras in those states, he says daylight movement has been minimal. However, he’s starting to see more action during legal light, including evidence that rubbing and scraping are ramping up, too. Still, for the next week or so, he says the action should be centered near white oaks. [Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out Honeycutt’s report on the Southern rut below.]

Michigan’s Nick Vander Schuur took a dandy buck and observed some promising activity on Sunday. “I watched two mature bucks chase a doe,” he says. “Most young bucks are looking. I know of some bigger bucks that aren’t chasing yet, but they’re marking their territory with lots of rubs and scrapes. I’ve heard some sparring in the distance. The rut should be going good by this weekend.”

READ: Best Days to Hunt the Deer Rut in Each Region

TAGGED OUT

Hoosier Hunter Bags Brute with Hand-Me-Down Bow

• Hunter: Logan Splater
• Date: Oct. 15, 2024
• Location: Hancock County, Ind.
• Method: Compound Bow
• Stats: 157 5/8 inches

Logan Splater had been seeing only young deer in the first few weeks of the season. Then, on Oct. 15, he finally had an encounter with a massive, mature buck he’d been chasing for four years. In fact, the deer had only shown up on his trail camera a few days prior.

“I knew where he was bedding,” Splater says, “and on the 15th, the wind was perfect during the peak of a cold front. When I arrived at the property, the landowner told me he had been brush-hogging paths throughout the woods all morning, which crushed my excitement, but I went hunting anyway.

“Around 6 p.m., some does appeared, so I was ready with my bow when the buck silently stepped out,” Splater continues. “He spotted me in the tree, and we had a staredown for about 10 minutes. Finally, he took a few steps. I drew and made a quick 25-yard shot. I was shooting my dad’s hand-me-down bow from the early 2000s, which made the hunt even more memorable.”

RUT GEAR

Gear Essentials for Hunting the Early Rut

As the rut continues toward its Novemeber peak, old- and new-school gear and tactics can help you score big. Here’s a look at gear trends and strategies for rut hunting, including hot items from Moultrie Mobile, Dryshod and Bushnell.

Click to Read More

SOUTH REPORT

Deer Movement and Buck Sign on the Rise; Still Focus on Food

• Cooler weather should lead to more deer activity in the week ahead.

By Josh Honeycutt

As we enter the final weekend of October, some areas in the South are experiencing a sharp increase in deer movement and buck sign. This is mostly limited to the northern stretches of the region and a few areas farther south. Small parts of Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee are seeing the beginnings of pre-rut movement.

Outdoor writer John Radzwilla is in southeastern Oklahoma where he’s starting to see more sparring on camera. Some younger bucks are even pushing does, he says. “My favorite days to hunt are cold and overcast days with rain in the forecast,” he says. “I really don’t pay much attention to the moon as much as I do the cold. You’ll drive yourself crazy trying to line everything up. Just get out there. You have to put in the time.”

BuckVentures Outdoors’ Jeff Danker is in northwestern Oklahoma, and he says the bucks are spread out and unpredictable. This is mostly due to a lot of rainfall earlier in the year. “The crops are thriving and everything is still green,” he says. “Deer are not hitting corn or feeders. Big bucks are starting to hit scrapes somewhat. There’s some movement in the evening but mostly at night. Milo is being cut now and should move deer and have new ones show up. I think it will be a great year for big deer, but so far, with all the rainfall, everything is grown up and deer can hide and eat everywhere.”

In Arkansas, Phillip Vanderpool of Legends of the Outdoors reports a massive mast crop—the best he’s seen in the Ozarks in a very long time. The Huntin Grounds’ Steven Fuller is also in Arkansas. He says it’s about time to start hunting harder. A big front that’s on its way is going to push even the big old bucks to start moving better. “In the last four days, new bucks are starting to show up in new areas,” he says. “The 2 1/2-year-old and younger bucks have been consistent on scrapes, but the older bucks should start hammering scrapes consistently this week. Does are on edge and already have their head on a swivel, so you know they are feeling some pressure.”

That said, continue to focus on food. Interestingly, Fuller is seeing very few acorns on the ground, which goes to show just how localized mast crops can be. “White oak and red oak acorns are few and far between,” he says. “I’m seeing deer even hit on what pin oaks and smaller acorns we have, and that’s not usually the case until much later into fall or early winter. Food plots and good native browse are going to be key. With cold temps and rain coming back to the forest later this week, it’s time to key on scrapes.”

TAGGED OUT

South Carolina Muzzleloader Monster

• Hunter: Jamie Holler
• Date: Oct. 19, 2024
• Location: South Carolina
• Method: Muzzleloader
• Stats: 14 points

On Oct. 19, after working a 12-hour shift and a short nap, South Carolina’s Jamie Holler gathered his gear and eased into position at his hunting grounds. He located a scrape that piqued his interest and settled in for the morning hunt, setting up camp in a small brush blind. A nice buck cruised through at first light, but it was out of range for Holler’s muzzleloader. Then, two does appeared and walked through. He thought about shooting one of them but didn’t. Seconds later, a spike ran down off the ridge.

About 15 minutes after that, a doe and two fawns ran into view. A nice buck was behind them, and they all worked toward Jamie’s position. Eventually, though, the doe spotted Holler and they all moved off. Around 9:10 a.m., he heard a stick break and looked up to see a huge deer walking down the ridge toward him. Holler slowly raised up into position, readied his muzzleloader and waited for an opportunity. The buck disappeared, reappeared and stopped in an opening 22 yards away.

“I bleated and began working the trigger,” Holler says. “I could feel the sear in that 12-pound trigger. I took the creep out and the hammer fell. My post was centered in the rear sight and positioned right behind his shoulder when the cap and powder ignited.”

The buck turned and ran back up the hill. After an hour, Holler followed blood up the incline about 150 yards before the blood trail got tough to follow. On hands and knees, he pressed on.

“I remembered how much I enjoy hand-tracking deer,” he says. “I love being forced to slow down and pay attention to every little detail, like how every third step he was landing hard, and how the smallest blood splatter gave away his direction of travel.”

After a while, Holler heard a deer crash through a nearby creek on the other side of a hill. He decided to take a peek, but told himself that if his buck wasn’t there, he’d back out. Fortunately, the deer was floating belly-up in the creek below. Holler had centered the lungs with the shot, and the buck went about 250 yards total. The deer weighed 202 pounds and sported 14 points.

“I couldn’t have dreamed it up any better,” Holler says.

WHEN TO HUNT DURING THE RUT

Game & Fish Best Hunt Times

• This free interactive Solunar calendar offers the best deer hunting times based on your exact date and location. Click below to access before planning your next trip.

Search for the Best Hunting Times in Your Zip Code

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Deer – also known as venison – liver may not be a staple in your kitchen. We’ll make sure you are prepared whenever you decide to cook up a delicious deer liver pate.

This article will cover how to tell if deer liver is bad and other common questions surrounding its storage.

Signs That Deer Liver Is Bad

Brown Color

If the deer liver has changed from brown to red, then it has gone bad.

Liver should be a rich, deep red. The liver will also contract a metal-like shine when it starts to deteriorate. Although, this can be hard to notice as the liver is already a little shiny. It is best to look out for dramatic color changes.

As a general rule any form of discoloration is a sign the liver has spoiled. The liver will need to be immediately disposed of.

Sour Smell

Deer liver will start to smell when it begins to expire or deteriorate. It is common for the liver to contract a pungent, sour smell when it has gone bad.

A fresh deer liver has a non-distinct, semi sweet smell. Any smell that is different from this is a sign the liver can no longer be eaten.

Slimy Texture

The texture of deer liver begins to change when it has gone bad. A thick slime can appear on the liver when it has gone bad or has started to deteriorate.

This occurs because the liver is breaking down. If this happens, it is likely that it has been too long since the deer was killed and the liver is losing freshness. Alternatively, the liver may have been exposed to the elements, in particular, heat.

Do not consume the deer liver if you notice any of these signs.

What Do White Spots on Deer Liver Mean

White spots on deer liver are a symptom of liver fluke or tularemia. Liver fluke is a name for the parasites that infest the liver. Liver fluke can happen to both animals (like deer) and humans.

Tularemia is an infectious disease that attacks the internal organs of animals. Tularemia also presents as white spots in a deer’s liver.

It’s really important to inspect the deer liver for white spots before you consume it. White spots mean that the liver is not safe for human consumption.

If you do eat liver that has been infected with liver fluke or tularemia you may become unwell. Cooking can kill bacteria, however, it is better to be safe than sorry.

What Happens if You Eat Bad Deer Liver

Eating spoiled meat can make you very unwell. It contains pathogenic bacteria which are the cause of food poisoning and other food related illnesses. Bad deer liver should be immediately disposed of.

It’s good to note that a lot of problems derive from the freshness of the meat. To protect the liver (and yourself) make sure you refrigerate as soon as you have purchased or killed the meat.

Similarly, throw away any liver that has sat around for too long (regardless of whether it is in the fridge, freezer, or on the counter).

Can You Eat Deer Liver Raw

Technically you can eat deer liver raw. Although, medical practitioners do advise against it. This is because deer liver contains pathogenic bacteria like hepatitis e, salmonella, and campylobacter, which can make you very unwell.

It is best practice to thoroughly cook deer liver before you eat it. Cooking will immediately kill any bacteria in the liver.

Raw liver has an overpowering metallic taste to it due to myoglobin from the deer. You’re not missing out on much, it’s not even that nice to eat raw!

How to Clean Deer Liver

Before cooking, freezing, or refrigeration, you will need to clean the deer liver. Deer liver is a notoriously dirty cut of meat. It has a lot of blood, slime, and other moisture attached to it.

The more excess you can remove from the liver, the better it will taste. Follow these steps for a thorough clean;

1. Slice the deer liver into bite sized chunks.
2. Remove any grisly bits attached to the liver.
3. Dissolve two tablespoons of salt in a bowl of water.
4. Place the liver chunks into the water.
5. Place the bowl of water with liver in the fridge.
6. Leave to soak for a couple of hours.
7. Pat dry with paper towels.
8. The liver is now ready to be cooked

How Long Does Deer Liver Last?

On the Counter

Deer liver (both raw and cooked) can be left on the countertop for up to two hours. Raw, exposed meat can easily spoil at room temperature. Do not eat or cook deer liver that has been left on the counter for longer than 2 hours.

In the Fridge

Raw deer liver should only be kept in the fridge for 1-2 days. You can keep cooked deer liver in the fridge for 3-4 days (this also applies to pate). Offal goes off far more quickly than other cuts of meat.

In the Freezer

Deer liver (both raw and cooked) can be frozen for up to 3 months. After 3 months, the liver can deteriorate from freezer burn or it will start to lose its freshness.

Is It Okay to Freeze Deer Liver?

Yes, deer liver can be frozen. Here’s how we like to freeze our deer liver;

1. Drain excess liquid and blood from the liver before you freeze it.
2. Portion and divide your liver into meal sized portions. You don’t want to necessarily thaw the liver at a later date.
3. Wrap your liver in clingfilm and place it into airtight bags. A vacuum sealer is the best option, however, this is not always feasible. At the very least make sure you double wrap the liver. This helps the meat stay as fresh as possible, for as long as possible.
4. Label your liver with the date you placed it in the freezer and the date it should be used. A good rule of thumb is a 3 month expiry.

How to Store Deer Liver

Deer liver can be stored in its original package or an airtight container.

When you first purchase the liver it will come in plastic packaging. It is secure, safe, and convenient to keep the liver in this packaging.

Alternatively, you can remove the original plastic package and store the deer liver in your own airtight container. Find a container that has enough room and a locked lid.

You can also store the liver in a ziplock plastic bag. Both are great options if you want to marinate the liver before cooking.

It is best to place the liver in the fridge immediately after you purchase it. Leaving liver on the counter, while temporarily fine, can encourage product spoilage.

It is better to throw it straight in the fridge to ensure it stays fresh. You should only leave the liver on the counter if you are going to cook it straight away.

Remember, meat should be stored in a refrigerator at a temperature of 10°C. Bacteria can start to grow at temperatures under 10°C. Find the coldest part of your fridge and store the liver close by. If you need to keep the liver past its use by date then the freezer is your best bet.

Health Benefits of Deer Liver

Deer liver is rich in nutrients. It is filled with B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, and copper.

Liver is also high in protein, and low in fat. Deer liver can help you achieve a balanced, filling, and nutrient dense diet.

You should make sure that you get your deer liver from a responsible source.

The liver is a filtering organ which means that some nasty bacteria can sneak onto your plate if you’re not careful!

To Sum Up

Deer liver requires a bit of extra preparation and care than average meat. You should not eat deer liver if you notice any discolouration, slimy textures, sour smells, or white spots. If you see or smell any of these symptoms you should immediately dispose of the liver.

Deer liver can be stored in an airtight container or a ziplock bag. You can store liver on the countertop for up to 2 hours or it can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can freeze the liver for up to 3 months if you don’t want to cook it straight away.

Shotguns may be the most versatile weapons on the face of the planet. When loaded with the right ammunition, the modern scattergun can effectively drop everything from tiny upland quail to charging, big-bodied bruins.

By using the best 12-gauge slugs, you can turn a simple shotgun into an impressively accurate powerhouse. The trick is matching your slugs to your shooting application.

Whether you’re looking for slugs for whitetails, dangerous game, home defense, or high-stakes competition, we’re here to help.

RIFLED VS. SABOT SLUGS

Most modern shotgun slugs fall into one of two categories – rifled slugs and sabot (pronounced “SAY-bo”) slugs.

Rifled slugs are designed to be used in smoothbore shotguns. The rifled slug’s defining feature is a set of exterior grooves that resemble barrel rifling. Unlike barrel rifling, the slug’s grooves do not spin the projectile. Instead, the channels allow the slug to compress slightly so it can fit through a shotgun’s choke tube.

Sabot slugs lack the rifled slug’s exterior grooves because they are designed to be used in shotguns with rifled barrels or with a smoothbore paired with a rifled choke.

The sabot isn’t the slug at all. The word actually refers to the plastic sleeve surrounding the projectile. As the slug travels down the barrel, the sleeve contacts the rifling, causing the whole package to spin. After the slug exits the barrel, the sleeve falls away, but the projectile continues to spin like a football, which results in better in-flight stability.

Accuracy and Energy

Sabot slugs, with their gyroscopic spin, are generally more accurate than rifled slugs – but not by much. A rifled slug can travel a good 400 yards, but it drops pretty rapidly once it passes the 100-yard mark. Hitting a target beyond that is tricky, and a rifled slug isn’t carrying a ton of kinetic energy past that point anyway.

Sabots have a slightly longer effective range, typically around 125 to 150 yards, although some designs can stretch to 200 yards. The sabot’s football-like spin and higher ballistic coefficient make it slower to shed speed.

Rifled slugs, with their blocky cylindrical profiles and exterior grooves, aren’t nearly as aerodynamic as the sleeker, more pointed sabot slug. Because it holds velocity better than a rifled slug, sabot slugs also retain more energy as it travels down range.

BEST SLUGS FOR HUNTING

While a rifle will always be ballistically superior to even the most cutting-edge shotgun load, slugs do have a place in the hunting world. They are highly effective at typical whitetail ranges, especially when hunting big woods (think inside of 100 yards).

Also, because slug velocity and power peter out past 200 yards, slugs are a safer option than a rifle when hunting in populated areas. In fact, several Midwest states limit deer season to shotguns only for that very reason.

If you plan to use your 12-gauge to punch big game tags this hunting season, here are some of the best options on the market.

Federal Premium TruBall Rifled Slug

Federal TruBall slugs have been putting venison in family freezers for decades. Designed for smoothbore scatterguns, the TruBall system features a plastic ball positioned between the wad and the slug. The design helps keep the slug centered in the barrel. The components separate at the muzzle.

The TruBall system helps these rifled slugs perform more like a sabot, and the company claims they deliver 1.4-inch groups at 50 yards, which is pretty freakin’ impressive for rifled slugs.

Hornady American Whitetail Slug

Loaded with a 325-grain Hornady InterLock bullet, American Whitetail slug loads deliver excellent weight retention and massive expansion. The hollow point projectiles feature a tough copper jacket surrounding a serrated lead alloy core. These babies are tough enough for the biggest-bodied whitetails in North America. They can even be used to bag close-range elk and muleys.

The loads also feature a rigid polycarbonate sabot with a unique buffer disc that delivers serious accuracy. If you need to stretch the effective range of your shotgun, this is the way to do it. Hornady says their American Whitetail slugs carry enough power and accuracy to drop bucks beyond 200 yards.

Winchester Super X

Winchester Super X loads have a reputation for offering reliable performance at a super-affordable price point, and their slugs are no different. The line-up includes 12-gauge rifled slugs and sabot slugs.

If you don’t want to invest a ton of cash, but still want serious knock-down performance, these are the loads you want with you in the deer woods.

Brenneke Black Magic Magnum Slugs

Sometimes when we’re in the woods, we run into things bigger and more dangerous than whitetail deer. These 602-grain slugs are designed for just such an encounter.

Brennecke’s hefty slugs have notched ribs and a lead point to guarantee seamless passage through your shotgun choke. These slugs leave the muzzle at over 1500 fps and are still packing 1219 foot-pounds of power at 100 yards.

BEST SLUGS FOR HOME DEFENSE

Slugs are regularly used for deer hunting, especially in rifle-restricted states. Deer and humans aren’t all that different. They share similar body weights and depth to vital organs. When we boil defensive shooting down to pure biology, if slugs are effective for deer, they should be just as effective on nefarious bad guys.

However, there are a lot more factors to consider in a home defense scenario than basic biology.

While you might use a slug to drop a monster buck at 75 yards, most home intruders are engaged at close range, usually inside five yards, which is about the typical length of a suburban hallway.

A heavyweight slug has tons of penetration power, which is the main reason big game hunters use them. While penetration is a positive when you’re hunting whitetails, it can be a major liability in a home defense situation. At close range, a 12-gauge slug will smash through anything in its way, plowing through furniture, doors, drywall, and wall studs, and still have enough energy to eff up a body standing on the other side.

Needless to say, shooting a slug inside your home could cause serious collateral damage.

With all that said, modern ammo technology is a marvelous thing. Ammo engineers are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to defensive ammo, and a few companies offer shotgun slugs designed specifically for defensive shooting. These loads are made to deliver effective stopping power, while minimizing the chance of dangerous over-penetration.

Still, this isn’t our top choice for home defense. But if you want to use slugs, here is what we like.

Winchester Elite Defender Segmented Rifled Slug

Winchester has several innovative loads for home defense, and one of the most appealing is their Defender Series segmented rifled slug. This one-ounce piece of lead has strategic notching on both the exterior and inside the hollow-point cavity. On impact, the slug separates into three segments to compensate for aiming errors and maximize internal damage.

The fragmentation slows the projectile, which helps minimize over-penetration, making them a somewhat safer option when confronting bad guys, especially in situations where your kids are sleeping in the next room.

Winchester PDX-1 Defender Rifled Slug/Buckshot Combo

Winchester’s Defender line also includes a unique load that contains both a one-ounce rifled slug and three pellets of 00 buckshot. The load is engineered to compensate for aiming errors that often occur during adrenaline-pumping encounters, especially for inexperienced shotgunners. Because the load has extra pellets, it is still possible (at least theoretically) to hit the target even if the slug misses.

There are still some penetration issues with this load, so it may not be the best option for defensive shooting in populated areas like apartment buildings or cookie-cutter suburban neighborhoods.

BEST SLUGS FOR 3-GUN COMPETITION

Most 3 Gun matches require shooters to use both birdshot and slugs. However, using a run-of-the-mill hunting slug is going to bruise your shoulder and leave you frustrated. Low-recoil options designed specifically for competition will help increase accuracy and speed up your shot times.

Here are some options to get you started.

Fiocchi 3 Gun Legacy Series

Italian-owned Fiocchi makes a low-recoil slug designed specifically for 3 Gun competition. Fiocchi 3 Gun Legacy Series loads were engineered with the help of American professional speed and competition shooter, Jerry Miculek.

Packed with a 7/8-ounce rifled slug coated in red Teflon, these loads are designed to produce minimal smoke so you can pop off quick-succession shots with an unobstructed view of your target.

The slug works best in a smoothbore and leaves the muzzle at a healthy 1300 feet per second.

Fiocchi loaded these slugs in clear, easy-to-identify hulls, so you won’t mix them up with your buckshot loads on the competition field. They also feature a radiused crimp for super-fast reloads.

B&P Competition 3 Gun Slug

Baschieri & Pellagri have been producing top-quality shotgun ammo since 1885. To say these guys know their way around a shotshell is a major understatement. The company’s 3 Gun slugs are specially engineered to deliver consistently reliable performance, pinpoint accuracy, and reduced recoil.

LOOSE ROUNDS

With the best 12-gauge slugs, you can increase the accuracy, power, penetration, and range of your shotgun. As with all shotgunning applications, the key is pairing the right type of slug with your shooting needs.

READY FOR MORE?

• 12-Gauge Vs 20-Gauge Shotguns: Does Size Matter?
• Best Pump-Action Shotgun: Field & Home Defense [2022]
• Best Semi-Auto Shotguns [2022 Buyer’s Guide]
• Best Tactical Shotgun For Home Defense [2022]

Private land ownership and property information is a key value of onX Hunt—and, for many, one of the key reasons they choose to continue their onX membership. Hunters, hikers, and anyone heading into the outdoors depend on the onX Hunt App to show them an array of information, including public/private boundaries and land ownership information.

We have a variety of in-house teams here at onX who spend their days aggregating and managing data from various sources; information which then flows into our three apps. Day in and day out, we’re working within our system to ensure we remain the source to which you can confidently turn when you’re heading into the field and need accurate information.

While we source all information from a broad variety of sources, one of the most challenging is maintaining updated private land ownership information. We’re beholden to external sources for this information, and can only update our information within the onX Hunt App when these sources themselves are updated.

In an effort to ensure the most accurate land ownership information enters the App, we work with a variety of data sources around the country to gather information, including several private data providers as well as directly from a state and/or a county. Some government sources only update their files once a year, while others update weekly or not at all. The ownership info found in the 3,143 U.S. county databases doesn’t always match other databases—we know, because we check. Utilizing private data providers in addition to government sources allows us to unlock new methods of update delivery and frequency that, put quite simply, government sources sometimes lack. For some counties and some states, accurate and updated government public parcel data is challenging to source, and private sources can help us bridge those data gaps.

This parcel data comes in two different categories: spatial and attribution. Changes in spatial data means the parcel size itself has changed (for example, a single parcel has split in half, or two parcels have merged), and this information always comes from the relevant county. Attribution, as the name would suggest, represents the name of the parcel owner and other details such as address, tax ID, and additional details. We use both private and county sources to source this attribution information, as sometimes private vendors have faster ways of updating this information than the counties themselves. Eventually, the county will update attribution information and send it out; however, that process has been known to take years.

At onX, we have individuals who seek out and vet sources throughout the year to determine whether the data they provide would be better than whatever data a given state or county is currently supplying. Each of these sources is updated at various intervals depending on the state or county, and then we take their updated data and verify it through our own systems before moving it into the apps.

Once we have the updated private parcel data information, our in-house mapping team works to confirm the changes using a mixture of manual and automatic review processes, cleaning the parcel geometries and ensuring boundaries match. If there are issues, our curation team will step in and assist with the process. Once the data is ready, we adjust the information within our system, and then confirm the alignment of the new boundaries to existing public lands boundaries. Once the information is confirmed and verified, it will then be added to the next App update flow.

In short, if an official data source has not updated its land ownership records, we don’t have new information to flow into our Apps.

So, what does this mean for you if you or a friend has a property that’s showing incorrect ownership information in the onX Hunt App? While we may be waiting for new data to process through the county or state level, you can reach out to our team directly and submit a map error. Include as many details as possible—the more information, the better! The error report is sent directly to our mapping team, who will verify the information. If the report is verified, it will be corrected the next time we update the area. We continually work to help make all of these processes more efficient so we can move data more quickly while maintaining our high standard of quality.

Map accuracy is a cornerstone of how we work at onX. While many of our competitors only pull ownership data from a single source, we utilize a variety of different sources, cross-referencing and doing our own in-house comparisons to ensure the data that makes it into the Hunt App is as accurate as possible. However, we’re still held to relying upon the counties and our other data partners to keep their information up-to-date and accurate. It takes a great deal of time and effort to gather the data, format it for use in our maps, double-check everything and finally release the update, so we appreciate your patience throughout the process.

Thank you for helping us correct any errors from our data sources. You have the power to help us correct these errors—help us find the mistakes and to keep the information updated. We take the data within our maps very seriously, and work intently to ensure you’re getting the best possible information within our apps.

Yes, deer really like salt blocks and salt blocks are among the most used deer attractants around. And the reason is that deer can’t seem to get enough of salt or salt blocks in the wild. But why are deer so hooked on salt? This is the question we will be looking to answer in this article.

Why Do Deer crave Salt?

There is a heated debate among hunters and even biologists as to why deer love licking salt blocks. And the debate centers on whether salt is necessary for deer growth or not. But, regardless of which side of the argument you fall, there is no denying that sodium is rare in nature. So sodium deficiency creates more craving for salt.

Also, there is no denying that deer and other animals, humans included, can get addicted to salt. I am sure you know a friend who can’t seem to get enough of salty foods. This is because salt causes a spike in the brain’s dopamine, known as the pleasure hormone.

Because of this, deer typically get a strong urge to lick salt blocks. And since sodium is a rare compound in nature, salt blocks provide a constant supply of salt for deer. This is why deer are so hooked on salt; salt blocks are such effective attractants.

Do Deer Really Need Salt?

This is the question that elicits heated debate among hunters and biologists. However, research on the subject reveals that deer are attracted to sodium chloride and calcium chloride salt licks.

And for those unaware, sodium chloride is the scientific term used to describe table salt. Researchers have also found that calcium and sodium are important to deer bodily functions.

For instance, deer antlers comprise 20% calcium and 10% phosphorous. As such, in one way or form, calcium and sodium are essential to deer. Thus researchers and scientists recommend a salt concentration of 16% calcium and 8% phosphorous.

Why You Should Add Calcium And Phosphorus In Salt attraction Areas?

Deer are known for their impressive antlers. But how do deer get the calcium they need to grow them? For example, bucks extract 40% of their needs from their skeletal structure and apply it to growing antlers. This is why many people recommend adding about 16 to 20 percent calcium, and eight to ten percent phosphorus in deer feeders or salt attraction areas for deer. In these ways, you actually help supply the deer with what they need and help maintain their habitat.

Types Of Salt Attractants

When you decide to use salt to attract deer, there are different varieties to choose from. Some come with additional minerals, such as proteins. You can also find flavored salt attractants such as apple-scented attractants.

But where salt attractants vary significantly in their physical forms. For example, you can get attractants in the form of either powder or a rock-like block.

Which Is Better, Powder Or Salt Blocks

So should you go for powder salt attractants or solid salt blocks? Well, both have their pros and cons. Powder salt attractants are easier to use for attracting a herd of deer. You can spread the powder attractant over a wider area to attract more deer.

With a salt block, only one deer at a time can lick the block, depending on size. This means attracting a herd of deer using a salt block is a bit tricky. Also, salt blocks can be heavy, making them challenging to transport and set up.

However, salt blocks, which typically look like rocks, have one thing going for them. Because they look like natural rocks, they blend in better with natural surroundings.

How to Attract Deer With a Salt Block

Research shows that deer get attracted to salt during spring and summer. This is when the vegetation is lush, and deer are growing their antlers. Also, this is the time of year when most does are rising their fawns.

When To Put Out Salt Blocks For Deer: Best Time To Use Salt Attractants

The best moths to use salt attractants seem to be the months of April, May, and June. This is because usage and the need for salt among deer gradually decrease after June.

Where And How To Apply Salt Attractants

To attract deer with salt attractants, you must know how and where best to do it. Here are some Tips

1. Using powder attractants, the best soil to spread it over is heavy clay soil.
2. Salt leaches into the soil and disappears. Therefore powder salt attractants do not work well in sandy soils.
3. Also, you want to apply your attractant on flat ground. Typically you cant to place the attractant in a ridgetop in a shallow depression.
4. Also, I will advise you to place the salt brick under any kind of cover because if you do not so after a few rainfalls the brick will dissolve which is just a waste of money. If you can’t cover the brick then just rely upon the block.
5. You can also apply the attractant on a known deer trail, where you know deer pass frequently.
6. As for when to use the attractant, the best month is March. This will ensure the attractant will be fresh when the deer demand for salt peaks in the summer and spring.
7. When placing a salt block, choose areas surrounded by bushes or trees. Ideally, a place where you can hide and stalk deer without being detected. Salt blocks have a hole drilled into one end.
8. Take a wooden or steel post, drive it into the ground, and mount the block onto it using the hole drilled into it. The pole should be about 3 feet tall, so the block is 3 feet from the ground.

Regular Salt Licks Vs. Mineral Blocks

Mineral blocks differ from salt licks because they have additional nutrients such as proteins. Salt licks, on the other hand, contain salt only. So which ones are better? Salt licks may be a good option during summer or spring when deer crave salt.

But come winter, their appetite for salt will have decreased. Using mineral blocks instead will be a good idea. These blocks can be scented to attract deer all year round. Therefore mineral blocks can attract deer all year round, while salt leaks are suited to summer and spring.

Thus for the best results, you are better off going with mineral blocks over salt licks. The best place to place mineral blocks is along a trail leading to a food source. So you can use mineral blocks with food plots, where you put the blocks on a trail to the plot.

FAQ

Conclusion

There is a lot of information and debate about whether salt is essential to deer growth. But all parties agree, though, that deer, like most other animals, love licking salt. Therefore salt attractants in particular mineral blocks will be a good choice if you want to attract deer.

Salt attractants come in a variety of types, and there are many options available for you to choose from.