You would think after 8 yrs.......

[Rooster1981]

Honestly, you need to find a new area or hunt that area better. Spend more time out there during the off-season. That will tell you if it's a spot worth hunting.

 

Scouting,Scouting,Scouting

[hntrspud]

I agree. In reading and thinking about it all, I have thought to myself that I need to change areas. I have been very adimate? in getting to know the areas that I do hunt. In that I may have put on blinders, so to speak. I do know the areas very well now, but it would be nice to find a higher population of deer in an area. I will post something in the partner/hunt swap forum and see if I can find someone to go with.

[longstevo]

Hntrspud I feel your pain. 

I've always been fortunate enough to see bucks almost every year that I hunt, but most years they're pretty sparse.  I hunt muzzle in Wash. and each year that I've been able to put forth an entire season (or at least a full week), I've got shooting.  But, that being said, it my fifteen plus years of hunting, I only have two muzzle bucks to my name. 

Its tough not to think that the woods are empty when you're putting mile and mile down and you aren't even seeing fleeing deer. 

I don't know what to tell you.  If I were you, I'd be hooking up with your friends and family in Idaho.  Even then though, $500 is a pretty steep price to pay.

[CoryTDF]

Ok, I have everything on the list, but I am missing 3 barbie legs. Cory, do you have a couple I could use for a bit?   

I'll have to check but I think I might have a few in reserve.

[billythekidrock]

Honestly, you need to find a new area or hunt that area better. Spend more time out there during the off-season. That will tell you if it's a spot worth hunting.

 

Scouting,Scouting,Scouting

 

Like today. Today would be great day to scout for late buck and beyond, as would next weekend.

Today I checked a cam on state land and ran into an elk hunter who told me about a 3pt buck that crossed the road minutes before I got there.

No one I talked to this year saw anything larger than a fork during the season, but now I know we should still be looking for this 3x3.

(Steve, if you read this, it was at the 4 way)

Some other things to think about:
The BT rut is never really "early" or "late". It is what it is and it always peaks at the same time. Don't let posts about the rut change your plans. Just because someone did or did not see what they think they should does not mean that it isn't happening. Opening weekend I saw a nice three point sniffing some does on private property. That does not mean the rut was early..it just means that I actually saw some prerut activity. I saw the same 3 does in the same field today without a buck...does that mean the rut is over already? No, it just means that I did not see any rutting activity.

Knowing a lot of areas is good, but knowing fewer areas better is best. Have back up places, but know your primary area inside and out. Know every trail, creek and falling log. Note when you see things out of the ordinary like ravens, tracks or toilet paper. Know how others hunt the same area and learn to use that to your advantage.

Finding large deer populations can be key, but that also means you will face more competition from other hunters. You only need one to fill your tag. If there are not many bucks in your area, get to know them as individuals. Know where they go when pressured and where they will feed during the season. I would rather hunt 1 or 2 bucks and not see hunters than move to an area with more deer and more pressure.

[hntrspud]

Thanks Billy. I do have one area I know in and out. I just dont see as many does as I guess Im thinking I should see. I know they are in that area, just not many. Funny you say that about other hunters. I know how they hunt it and had never thought about it that way. Most will walk the roads. There isnt really any clearcuts, just thinning out in areas. No re-plant. Funny how I thought I knew that area so well and then this year, I go just a little farther down one trail and low and behold another spot I didnt know about. So, I will just keep persisting. I would like to find another area tho.

[FLIZZ]

I understand, My first 4 years of hunting I never saw a single buck, but then I killed 3 in the 4 years after that (one was a pig). Passed up 5 last year and 3 so far this year. Trust me, it will only get better from here on out for you. A lot of people think its a hoax, but I would get some HS scent away laundry detergent, deodorant, shampoo, and fresh earth spray and follow that regimen before your  hunts. If you aren't already doing so, you might as well try it. AND HIT LATE BUCK HARD BECAUSE THE RUT WILL BE ON. ps; pack a headlamp so you can walk out in the dark, so you can sit watching a cut for the last half hour of light. Unload your gun after legal light though.

[jnevs23]

Late rifle NE corner opens next weekend...

[Jonathan_S]

My buddy calls it armed hiking...


Best advice on this thread I have read is to get a mentor.  Or at least find a hunting buddy to go with.  Helps to have someone who is in it with you, and will strategize with you when the deer are not where they are supposed to be.

  that's all there is to anything, find somebody who has what you want and mirror their efforts.  Find a hunting buddy.

[hntrspud]

Im trying to find one. If I knew where to go over there in NE corner, I would. But that is a long way to drive for a public spot that "not a bad spot to hunt".

[bowhntr]

Trail cams help keep me motivated. They are nice reminder that blacktail bucks do exist while I am out there hunting.





 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I have a bow now, but they would not let me switch tags. I have archery elk. I will probably change to archery next year. I am just tired of saying "next year", it will be next year I do better. Its not happening.

This is your best option  practice hard and put the rifle in the closet ...once you stick an animal with an arrow you will become hooked for life .....and you have way more opportunity to hunt longer ...like 2 1/2 months 

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

I bought a rifle tag first year 2008 hunted hard as ever!  Did the alpine high hunt. Every chance I got i went....  vail and capital peak and other spots local too.  I even went to friggin colville !!!!  No buck!  The next year archery tag went east seen good deer numbers and got to spot and stalk archery mule deer hunt.  Best thing on earth btw.  No buck for three straight years of archery I was discouraged to say the least.  The fifth year 2012 I got a rifle tag and went at it as I normally would have to start the season.  I saw lots of guys by no deer.  Untill about my tenth trip hiking behind a gate right by my home even with guys trespassing I got a Nice two point down!  Iron sights spined him!  I see a lot more deer bow hunting.  But killing one with an arrow has proven very difficult.  I meat hunt so every doe I see gets me going w a bow.  I you go to the bow become very efficient with it at long range on a target before hunting.  Archery is a lot more meticulous than rifle hunting.  Your gear mus be tuned and re tuned and way more effort is required to make a leathal one shot kill.  I encourage you to try but just some lessons I've learned.  After you find he deer stay put a buck will show himself.  Good luck .   

[sirmissalot]

Blacktail hunting is frustrating that's for sure. I think the biggest reason I've been successful at it is because I spend every waking moment possible out in the woods when the season is open. A lot of it is luck and being in the right place at the right time, and more time in the field just gives you more opportunity to get lucky.

I never see a lot of deer. I find areas that consistently have does, and just wait for the bucks to come, because they will. Eventually they will slip up and come out before dark. Don't get frustrated because you don't see a lot of deer, because you only need one.

[AKBowman]

Honestly, you need to find a new area or hunt that area better. Spend more time out there during the off-season. That will tell you if it's a spot worth hunting.

 

Scouting,Scouting,Scouting

 

Like today. Today would be great day to scout for late buck and beyond, as would next weekend.

Today I checked a cam on state land and ran into an elk hunter who told me about a 3pt buck that crossed the road minutes before I got there.

No one I talked to this year saw anything larger than a fork during the season, but now I know we should still be looking for this 3x3.

(Steve, if you read this, it was at the 4 way)

Some other things to think about:
The BT rut is never really "early" or "late". It is what it is and it always peaks at the same time. Don't let posts about the rut change your plans. Just because someone did or did not see what they think they should does not mean that it isn't happening. Opening weekend I saw a nice three point sniffing some does on private property. That does not mean the rut was early..it just means that I actually saw some prerut activity. I saw the same 3 does in the same field today without a buck...does that mean the rut is over already? No, it just means that I did not see any rutting activity.

Knowing a lot of areas is good, but knowing fewer areas better is best. Have back up places, but know your primary area inside and out. Know every trail, creek and falling log. Note when you see things out of the ordinary like ravens, tracks or toilet paper. Know how others hunt the same area and learn to use that to your advantage.

Finding large deer populations can be key, but that also means you will face more competition from other hunters. You only need one to fill your tag. If there are not many bucks in your area, get to know them as individuals. Know where they go when pressured and where they will feed during the season. I would rather hunt 1 or 2 bucks and not see hunters than move to an area with more deer and more pressure.

It is interesting to hear what experienced hunters have to say about this. It sure as hell helps to have a father or mentor to show you the ropes anda how to kill Blacktails like you had Btkr. The thing is lots of guys do the right things but just give up after they aren't successful b/c hunting bts in this thick country can mentally defeat the most experienced hunter let alone the guy who hasn't killed anything before. Now if you hear a guy who's killed a lot of big bt's that you are doing things right and just keep it up then you are more likely to persevere and perseverance is usually the difference between success and failure with Bt's.
I went two years without killing anything archery then killed a spike followed by a doe the next yr. Finally started scouting and missed a really nice buck last yr. I put in 15 days in the field to get the shot at that buck last yr. Now this is where the luck thing comes into play...I showed a guy a little out of the way spot not too far from the gate to sit and he sat there one day and killed a great 4X4 with eyeguards. I sat in that spot for 5 days and never saw a thing. He killed another buck in that same spot this yr after hunting no more than a few hrs in the spot...I had a camera in there all summer and got pics of bucks only a dozen or so different days. It just happens that way sometimes, I hardly ever see deer in the area when I'm scouting but they are there.