Big Blacktail, Updated info 12/8, Any Suggestions??? Please Help I Cannot Sleep!

[moocher97]

early mornings the only time youll see him

[Turner89]

I agree with those thinking 140+ gross.  Think he will lose 6 to 8" in deductions on the net score.  I have a 127+ hanging on the wall and this buck makes him look like a dwarf.  That's one dang fine blacktail!

[MuleyJam]

130+ You need to be out early in the morning big bucks like that normally  go nocturnal and you may only see him the first few minutes of light... If he's rutting hard and chasing does you may get a day time shot. I was dragging out my deer one year with my buddie and saw a monster blacktail on the edge of a clearcut during the rut, so they do occasionally come out during the day. Set the time up on your trail cam and see when he's moving you don't want to miss a chance on a AWESOME buck like that.  Good luck! 

[higunner]

140

[Mr T]

Here are a couple recent pics.  Have not seen him while in the field or during the daylight on my camera    Over the the last couple weeks all pics have him in the area before 3am.  Re-positioning of trail camera has given me a pretty good idea which direction he typically comes from.  Putting out a 2nd trail camera tomorrow to try and get more info on his whereabouts (Thank you stormin85).  He has appeared twice around 6:15pm, which has given me more hope. I am losing too much sleep thinking about this monster      I will have some consecutive days off before Christmas.  Any suggestions?

[bobcat]

Your camera is just on a trail, with not bait or scent? If so it could be that he's  still in the area at other times, just doesn't happen to go by your camera. Try using some apples for bait, or maybe some doe in heat scent.

[Mr T]

There are apples by the trail camera.  Had a trail camera in this location for a few weeks and it was not until I used apples that I had him on the camera.  The apples continue to draw him to the trail camera.  Have only been able to get out and dump apples on the weekends.

[deerhunter_98520]

Maybe lay a scent trail with doe estruss down the evening before your going to spend the entire day there....i did that and it kept the buck i was after around in the daylight...made him mess up and keep looking for the doe

This is him

[stormin85]

like i said when we were talking last week, because of the layout of his range, your best chance will come from long sits in a blind or tree stand, unfortunately pushing through the brush isn't going to work, its too thick and bringing someone to help a push could ruin it, long sits are going to be the trick, be in early, or potentially sit overnight, with my cam out there hopefully you can pinpoint his travel route and schedule, or at least an idea, and then every possible thing a deer eats goes out there, and cover the surrounding area with doe estrus.

i am working on a third cam for you, then hopefully you can spread them even further apart and get a good idea of what his range is, and hopefully his core to where he beds. then as the season gets close to end, you move closer and closer to his bedding area.

no matter what PLAY THE WIND, he's big because he's smart. hopefully he'll be dead because your smarter.

and remember WHEN you draw back to let the air out don't look at his rack, find a spot on his side and put your pin there, you can look at his rack once we drag it out.

also, even though there are a few other good looking BT's showing up, keep him in mind no matter how many shot opportunities they may offer, you let them walk.

[coastie hunter]

 unless that buck is chasing doe's you wont see him in the daylight.  even when they are on a doe a buck like that wont move until it's dark sorry man there is still that 1% chace that he will screw up just enough to keep you out there.

[Kowsrule30]

Find the trail HE usues.. Probably a different one then a main trail the rest of the deer use... It won't be as easy to find but will connect into the main trail when he come into the bait... Then get farther away then you normally do.... Still hunt the wind as quietly as possible and try to find a pinch, ambush point that he will come to early enough for a shot if he's still coming in after dark... Which he will be... 

[AOD]

I would use all of the tricks in your aresenal on this guy. Try a 3d doe target, scent, and doe bleats. Let us know if you stick him!!!!

[highside74]

A buck like that won't be on a main trail for very long. You need to spend time 20-60 yards on the down wind side of the main trail area looking for his travel route. This will be where you kill him I bet. He will move along the down wind side of main trails scent checking. Keeping himself hidden until dark.