collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Big Black tail Buck Habits???  (Read 16398 times)

Offline Jordanskylery

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 67
  • Location: Issaquah/Sammamish
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« on: July 29, 2012, 09:42:55 PM »
I was just hoping someone could shed some light on the habits of the big black tail bucks for me.

I have seen this guy for the past few years.  There are usually two groups of deer in this area.  The first is usually several large does and they often have a small buck or two with them.  The other is the this big 4x3 who is usually accompanied by one smaller doe and occasionally a larger 2x2 (shown in the last pic posted).  I have been seeing him every few days in the early evening for the past few months, but as of the last few weeks he has been nowhere in sight.  This has been the case for the past few years.

This is on my property (about 2 acres) and behind a large grass field there is a wooded ravine that slopes down a good 150 yards into a flat creek bottom and then back up the same distance to other properties on the other side. 

From what I have read, the closer it comes to the rut the more scarce the black tail bucks make themselves.  From the research I've done black tails typically only have a mile or so radius they stay in most of the time.

I am bow hunting so I can hunt him starting in September and then again late season.

Approximately when do they start to shed velvet? And when do they start to become more scarce?  And in general when does the rut start for the blackies?

Given this does anyone have pointers on how to go after this guy?  Different tactics for september as opposed to late season? 

I don't want to go into the creek bottom too often to check for signs as I will probably leave too much scent, but if I do what are good signs to look for to see if that's where he is spending his "hidden time"?

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated as I have been chasing him for years but am really serious about putting him on the ground this year!

First two are of the larger buck the third is of the 2x2.



 

Offline wraithen

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 2041
  • Location: JBLMish
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2012, 09:44:27 PM »
Not to be a *censored* but I would say ask boyd iverson. That book just has too much info to try and sum it up in a post. Its my deer bible for now.
the head has been lopped of the eagle.our country has become a nation of losers,them that feed on the teet and can do no more than suckle from them that toil. ~ Rasbo

Offline bobcat

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 39201
  • Location: Rochester
    • robert68
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2012, 09:58:32 PM »
Rotated and cropped your pictures so I could see them without rotating my head.  :)


Offline bobcat

  • Global Moderator
  • Trade Count: (+14)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 39201
  • Location: Rochester
    • robert68
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2012, 10:03:13 PM »
By the way, nice buck. I'd probably try using a couple of trail cameras to try to pattern him. Then I might think about setting up a tree stand or a ground blind, and possibly using some bait. Other than that, I don't know. Blacktails are tough to hunt. Being so close to people and houses, I would think that he may be mostly nocturnal during hunting season. Your best chance will probably be the first few days of September, or maybe during the rut (last week of October, first week of November.) But there's no telling where that particular buck may be when he's in the rut and searching for does. He could end up a mile or two away from his home area. You should get the multi season tag to give yourself more time to hunt him.

Offline wraithen

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 2041
  • Location: JBLMish
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #4 on: July 29, 2012, 10:04:52 PM »
Man! That guy has some serious mass. If he's wise he won't be shootable all season. He will go completely nocturnal and never show up in the daylight here in about 1 1/2 - 2 months. He most likely uses the other bucks as his body guards. Extra eyes and ears to keep him safe. Your best bet is to find all 12 of his bedding locations and figure out where he will be keeping his eyes and ears and HOPE that his buddies aren't around. If they are then odds are you will be busted before you get close enough to know it. Velvet should come off in the next month or twoish. Early season you may get a jump on him. Late season... good luck. That's all I can recall from boyd for now. Oh, and use a stand to ambush one of his more used routes. His routes will parallel a main route most likely.
the head has been lopped of the eagle.our country has become a nation of losers,them that feed on the teet and can do no more than suckle from them that toil. ~ Rasbo

Offline Jordanskylery

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 67
  • Location: Issaquah/Sammamish
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #5 on: July 29, 2012, 10:13:54 PM »
Thanks for the picture help :)

Yeah each time I see him he has gained some good mass, hope he keeps getting bigger! 

I'm not dealing with a terribly large amount of land I don't want to bust him out of the general area by walking the woods too much before hand.


I'm thinking a ground blind/tree stand and bait is a good way to go but I'm trying to gain as much info as possible before I put my game plan together.

Thanks for the info hope theres more to come, can never learn too much!!!There are so many good references on here!

Offline Jordanskylery

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 67
  • Location: Issaquah/Sammamish
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #6 on: July 30, 2012, 02:18:21 PM »
You mentioned find the bedding areas...

How do you know where a black tail buck is bedding?

What are other signs to look for, scrapes, rubs, etc?

Offline kentrek

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2012
  • Posts: 3493
  • Location: west coast
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #7 on: July 30, 2012, 02:43:33 PM »
first few days of september for sure,he'l be out scopeing out his compition still and still in summer habits..also he should be shed of velvet but thats hit or miss...every deer is different,but if its a very urbarn area you should be able to get away with tracking him down to see where he goes,have you ever just fallowed him ? but tracking would be safer bet..also take keep a log of when you see him..is it when your neighbor is gone ? or does he come out before the highway trafic pics up in the am ? lots of different factors when tryin to target one buck..esp an old one

Offline Special T

  • Truth the new Hate Speech.
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 25038
  • Location: Skagit Valley
  • Make it Rain!
    • Silver Arrow Bowmen
    • Silver Arrow Bowmen
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2012, 05:09:42 PM »
Boyd's web site for the book.
http://www.blacktailtrophytactics.com/

Deer that live near homes are much less concerned with human scent than you may think... They are also more accepting of human noises. read his book and it will answer many of your questions. I'd lay out some bait and set up your tree stand yesterday.  :twocents: Hanging a stand, placing some baint and trimming a few branches won't blow them out right now.... Letting your/neighbors dog chase the deer will.  :twocents: You live in my old stomping gounds and there are LOTS of nice deer near peopls homes... Good luck!
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

Confucius

Offline Sneaky

  • Savage
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 879
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2012, 05:42:48 PM »
get a trail cam and a tree stand  :twocents:

Offline oldcamper

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Jul 2010
  • Posts: 398
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2012, 05:50:40 PM »
I would say; plant some stuff in that garden area and keep em wanting more.  :dunno:

Offline Blacktail Sniper

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 5912
  • Location: Rochester, Washington
  • Kill'em all...let the gravy sort'em out!!!
  • Groups: blacktail sniper
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #11 on: July 30, 2012, 05:52:11 PM »
One very annoying habit they have is being where you are when you can't shoot, then not being there when you can!    :bash:
It is better to be consistently incorrect than inconsistently correct...

Sarcasm: The ability to insult stupid people without them realizing it. 

My level of sarcasm depends on your level of stupidity...

Sarcasm makes smart people laugh and stupid people mad.

Offline Jordanskylery

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Jun 2012
  • Posts: 67
  • Location: Issaquah/Sammamish
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #12 on: July 30, 2012, 07:28:09 PM »
Oh I already have some bait out and plan to put more in several locations. 

Do you guys think a tree stand or ground blind would be more effective?

Trust me thats been the case the past few years... here eating the bait and fruit trees all summer then POOF!

And Special T - funny you mention the dog comment because last time I saw them they were grazing through my yard making their way towards my neighbor who happen to be walking the dog.... dog was on a leash but gave them a good scare and haven't seen them in about a week and a half.  Think they might be gone for good or just taking a hiatus ?

Offline krapmit

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Sep 2011
  • Posts: 252
  • Location: elk country
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2012, 08:43:03 PM »
always go tree stand over ground blind if possible.  That is my opinion...

Offline Special T

  • Truth the new Hate Speech.
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+13)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2009
  • Posts: 25038
  • Location: Skagit Valley
  • Make it Rain!
    • Silver Arrow Bowmen
    • Silver Arrow Bowmen
Re: Big Black tail Buck Habits???
« Reply #14 on: August 03, 2012, 07:32:12 AM »
 :yeah:
Tree stands are great because they put you sent away from the deer and your small movements out of sight.  A hang on stand or ladder stand would be perfect for you back yard.... That or its time to make a "tree fort" for the kids!  :chuckle:
In archery we have something like the way of the superior man. When the archer misses the center of the target, he turns round and seeks for the cause of his failure in himself. 

Confucius

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Can’t fish for pinks area 8-2? by jackelope
[Today at 05:01:40 PM]


3 days for Kings by WAcoueshunter
[Today at 04:53:38 PM]


Upland Side by Side by ghosthunter
[Today at 04:23:50 PM]


North Peninsula Salmon Fishing by fishngamereaper
[Today at 03:51:01 PM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by GeoSwan
[Today at 03:02:21 PM]


Evergreen youth livestock show and sale by HUNTIN4SIX
[Today at 02:24:03 PM]


Public Land Sale Senate Budget Reconciliation by jackelope
[Today at 02:23:57 PM]


2025 NWTF Jakes Day by wadu1
[Today at 02:19:48 PM]


Dandy Bull by Buckhunter24
[Today at 01:29:37 PM]


Tricer AD tripod by gee_unit360
[Today at 12:40:45 PM]


How a Product That Changed Hunting FOREVER was invented in the 1980's by jrebel
[Today at 11:28:44 AM]


Ten Years, and still plugging along by JWBINX
[Today at 10:22:55 AM]


Sauk Unit Youth Elk Tips by high_hunter
[Today at 10:04:16 AM]


3BR Condo in Tacoma with views of the Narrows and Olympic Mountains by Gentrys
[Today at 09:44:45 AM]


Nooksack Archery Tag by high_hunter
[Today at 09:37:52 AM]


Selkirk bull moose. by greenhead_killer
[Today at 07:04:22 AM]


HUNTNNW 2025 trail cam thread and photos by Turner89
[Today at 06:47:37 AM]


Norway Pass Bull by Hunting Cowboy
[Today at 05:29:14 AM]


Challis/salmon idaho packstrings? by teanawayslayer
[Yesterday at 10:50:58 PM]


Iceberg shrimp closed by Mfowl
[Yesterday at 06:23:25 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal