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

[hntrspud]

I guess then I need someone to go out with me and observe what I do and give some criticism or encouragment.

[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.

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.

Yes, I was very fortunate to have learned to hunt deer and elk from my father. He was basically a self taught big game hunter but did have friends that hunted as well. I also learned a lot from those friends as well as by comparing experiences with my brothers. So in my opinion, the more styles or experiences the better.

I think you took the right aproach by getting a few legal animals under your belt to learn and to fend off feelings of defeat. Too many hold out, are not successfull and then give up.

You also mentioned a very important key to BT hunting. Knowing they are they is paramount to success and helps endure those blank afternoons of cold and rain.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

2 books that are a must read and will help you kill your buck.

Cameron Hanes "Bowhunting Trophy Blacktail" Oh yea, he has a BT DVD out as well.

Scott Haugen's "Trohpy Blacktail" The Science of the Hunt.

These 2 books give you everything you need to know and if you basically follow them as an instruction booklet, you will kill blacktail bucks.

Just remember, if you want to be successful on a consistent basis, you have to do it basically year around.

Good luck.

[billythekidrock]

Blacktail Trophy Tactics I & II by Boyd Iverson are better.
http://www.blacktailtrophytactics.com/

[enaz]

This has been an extremely humbling thread for me, and for that I thank you. I've been wandering around pouting because I couldn't get my fiance on a buck during rifle season. Her brother came over from the eastside and hadn't shot a buck in 11 years and is inexperienced. He got a good 2 point the first day. I got my first elk during archery this year after hunting hard for 2 years. What do I have to complain about? DO NOT switch to golf or quit hunting to take up something else. After going at it for 8 years you must  love just being out there like I, and everyone else on this site. I've been lucky enough to have a great mentor in my Dad and other friends and family and that really is a key. Reading the book Blacktail tactics is an awesome idea ,I love that book. But having someone show you the ropes first hand is what is needed in my opinion. Take all this advice, find yourself a partner who shares the passion ( unless you wanna fly solo ) , and find where the deer are. If you want to find the deer, get out and scout early ( may, june, july ). The deer are alot less spooky and seem to show themselves more, and they also are wearing their summer coats that are way more orangish/tan colored and easy to see. Picking them out of clearcuts is really easy this time of year. Continue watching them as they change coats through september, and you will be able to pick them out much better. Being able to spot a deer in october in the pouring rain is not easy, and you may be overlooking many deer. As much as I'm sure your inspired like me by all the success stories and pics on here, I'm even more inspired to hunt harder after reading your thread. I'm not too lucky when it comes to hunting so I have to bust my ass for everything I harvest.  Keep at it man, get out there and make your own luck.

[kentrek]

hmmm...i remember a saying.. Thomas Edison had over 1200 light bulb designs that faild,when asked about his lack of discovery he said ,he had made a great discovery...over 1200 different ways on how not to make a light bulb

stay positive,negativity doesn't belong in the woods.. easier said then done i know

a guide could make for a great investment aswell


good luck 

[Rickyrebar]

Keep the faith, it will happen.
I hunt with a couple of fellas who's father hunted for twenty years before putting his first one on the ground. It happened 2 years ago and wouldn't you know it he was the only one in camp that year to score!
The following year (last year) the beast gods granted him another!
I don't wish a 20 year dry spell on anyone, but the point is don't throw in the towel.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

hmmm...i remember a saying.. Thomas Edison had over 1200 light bulb designs that faild,when asked about his lack of discovery he said ,he had made a great discovery...over 1200 different ways on how not to make a light bulb

stay positive,negativity doesn't belong in the woods.. easier said then done i know

a guide could make for a great investment aswell


good luck 

This is why after a long scouting trip or hunt with no game spotted " I found where there not at" and it's important to know where not to go as to not waste time and money so the discovery of no game benefits me for next time.  You might not shoot one this year but from the couch for sure you won't shoot one.  Point is get out an hunt! I saw a smasher buck yesterday w my lady while elk hunting.  She was mad as she walked for 15+ days during deer season w no shots then he steps out and teased her.  We found this same bucks shed in April and seen him without bone shortly after bedded off the road we walk.  Building a preseason relashionship with blacktails is helpfull in finding them.  Stay at it and one will show himself on the 15th. 

[hntrspud]

I am definatly not negative with myself. I really enjoy being out there. I went out today to scout out a new area, thanks to some help from billythekidrock! He didnt give me an area, but helped me understand mine better. Sure enough, with that advice, I saw more sign, and even some Elk. I put my trail camera out in a better place, and cant wait to see what shows. I cannot however hunt this spot the rest of the season for elk or deer, but I sure as heck will be out there lookin anyway. I cant wait till the snow flies, kinda hard to see tracks in leaves....

[Labs07]

Hang in there!  I have killed many, many deer over my life!  I do more sitting then walking and when ever  I break a twig or something I stop for a few minutes and crouch down and look, I have killed many deer doing this as they are trying to sneak away!  The other thing though is I have been hunting the same mountians all of my life so I knwo where the big boys are and I know where they go when they get some preasure.  Hunt the wind!  It is the biggest advantage you have!

[264winmag]

Hang in there!  I know I have gone an entire early season without seeing any deer on public land let alone bucks. When I go to eastern WA I can't go half a day without seeing a buck even if I tried not to see one.
 I chased around 14  4point or bigger bucks for the first four days of archery, closest I got was 85yds. I chased around 17 4+point bucks for 5 days during Muzzle Loader, closest I got 220yds.
     My point is, if you can do some homework, hook up with another hunter and go to eastern wa.  It's very different hunting but I am a better BT huntr because of it. I spot them better, use the wind better, and watch my movement better!  Things you can easily forget here on the west side bescause like the deer you feel at ease in the surrounding thick crap.

     The wife would not let me go to the eastside for a third time during modern for the first year in a while. I spent to much money I guess. So I hunted 8 days out of the early season on this side.   I saw  81 deer, 6bucks.   My buddy shot one spike, I passed on a spikey, I passed on 2 spikes and a small forkie that were running together and the last day (wednesday) I saw a great forkie that refused to cooperate!

      Expect to see deer!  if the sign is there, they are there!  You live north of me, but i would take you out late buck if you want. Somthings gotta give and someone needs to help you if your that sincere. I'm no expert by any means. There's alot of guys on here that shoot way bigger deer than me. I wish I could get in on what and where they know. If i help you, mabe carma will come back to me. It took me 5 years to tag my first BT. And I'm still looking for my first bruiser! Most are.

[billythekidrock]

I am definatly not negative with myself. I really enjoy being out there. I went out today to scout out a new area, thanks to some help from billythekidrock! He didnt give me an area, but helped me understand mine better. Sure enough, with that advice, I saw more sign, and even some Elk. I put my trail camera out in a better place, and cant wait to see what shows. I cannot however hunt this spot the rest of the season for elk or deer, but I sure as heck will be out there lookin anyway. I cant wait till the snow flies, kinda hard to see tracks in leaves....

Glad to help. Can't wait to see some trail cam pics.
Oh yea, you might check that valley up to the NW. That would be my second bet to start scouting. Good luck.

[BlacktailBowhunter]

Blacktail Trophy Tactics I & II by Boyd Iverson are better.
http://www.blacktailtrophytactics.com/

I have read all 4 books and I believe they all have equal value.

Scott Haugen's is almost too scientific for most guys to grasp, but it offers a lot of stuff that I have never read anywhere else.

Cam's book is very simple and straight forward, which makes it an easy read.

[mtman]

90% of the blacktail bucks I see are During the early archery season. I don't hunt archery seasons but it is nice to Know were the big ones are before the velvet comes off. After that good luck until the rut, unless you got them figured out. Blacktails are hard to hunt Read some books and put alot or time in. I still haven't got the blacktail of my dreams but I see them every year. My dads got 4 bucks that I would be happy with for the rest of my life. But I just got to keep trying and it will happen never give up. Mine is coming neat year. Hope yours does too.