Dr. James C. Kroll
There aren't many deer hunters across the nation who aren't familiar with Dr. James C. Kroll, the doctor on call for the North American Whitetail magazine, television and social media franchise.
Kroll, known affectionately as Dr. Deer to millions of outdoors enthusiasts across North America, isn't just a celebrity deer hunter, however. He's the real deal, the Professor Emeritus of Forest Wildlife Management at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he lives with his wife Susie.
Kroll grew up in Waco, Texas, getting his B.S. and M.S. degrees from hometown Baylor University. After completing his master’s degree, Kroll went on down the road a few miles to College Station where he graduated in 1973 with a wildlife Ph.D. degree as a distinguished graduate from Aggieland.
After a brief teaching stint at Salem College in West Virginia, Kroll returned to the deer rich Lone Star State, becoming an assistant professor at SFASU in 1973. As he rose up through the ranks of teaching in the Pineywoods of East Texas, Kroll went to work and was largely responsible for building the Lumberjacks’ wildlife management program from the ground up.
Kroll also created the Institute for White-tailed Deer Management and Research, embarking on a highly successful research career that saw him teach students how to scientifically manage land for better populations of white-tailed deer and other wildlife species. With dozens of published papers and numerous awards to his credit, Kroll was soon one of the nation’s top go-to authorities on a scientific approach to deer management efforts.
Along the way, he also developed a reputation as one of the nation’s leading authorities on teaching regular hunters and private land managers how to manage their properties for better deer production and top end hunting prospects. Through his annual Field Day in Nacogdoches, hunting show seminars, and numerous books, articles, and television show appearances, Kroll became known as Dr. Deer when the late Dallas Morning News outdoor writer Ray Sasser gave him the moniker in a story about Kroll’s management principles and teaching efforts.
While Kroll is retired from actively teaching college students these days, he’s busier than ever as he helps instruct 21st century deer hunters in the art of growing deer and maximizing the potential of vital wildlife habitat. Through his monthly articles in North American Whitetail magazine, weekly appearances on the North American Whitetail television show, and through instructional videos on DVD and social media platforms, Dr. Kroll is always on call for America’s deer hunting camp.
No matter what dilemma a property’s deer herd might be facing this year, Dr. Deer has the perfect prescription for maximizing herd health, reaching top-end antler development, and improving local hunting potential. When the good doctor from Nacogdoches is in his woodsy office, the answer that a deer hunter needs is never very far away!