West side blacktail frustration

[taylorpz]

I'm new to hunting blacktail (or really much of anything here in WA, since I didn't grow up out here).  I've been trying to work the area thats part of the Yacolt Burn State forest, mostly north and east of the Larch Mt forest camp.  So far it's been rough going.  I haven't seen any deer up and about, but some sign.  It's so overgrown in most places, just getting around on foot is hard, let alone doing it quietly.  Few clearcuts on fairly steep hill sides, with most of the slash just lying around.  Even the timbered sections are thickly undergrown with ferns.  Seems like all I see is other hunters driving along in their rigs, but no one ever on foot.  I've been trying to walk along some of the forest service roads.  Couple times I've worked my way in early and tried sitting in the clearcuts for sun-up.  Tried still-hunting the timber, but couldn't see more than 10-20' in most places and couldn't help but sounding like a rhino.

Only deer I've seen have been in residential areas on my early morning drives up to the public land (taunting me!).

I don't mind putting my time in, and I don't mind doing some walking.  I don't want to waste my time, though.  I don't have aspirations to a trophy at this point, mostly just want to connect with a legal deer for the meat (kids are interested). 

For you west side veterans, I'd like to hear if I'm going about this all wrong.  Should I just give in and drive around aimlessly?  Am I looking in all the wrong places?  If anyone can offer a suggestion of a better place to check out (I'd like to at least see a deer) I'd be most appreciative.  I don't mind making a bit of a drive (I'm in Camas, east of Vancouver), like even a few hours as long as it's productive.  And I don't mind camping out for a night or two to keep myself in a worthwhile area.

Thanks

[bigbeamhunter]

your not doing anything wrong there are alot of deer there if your hunting by the honor camp go east  or cross there east fork and go north the best thing i can tell you is to find a clearcut down a closed road and sit not for ten minuites but an hour or so things start moving  through deer get up i have learned this as i get older slower and smarter :)late buck the deer up there will really be moving just sit and wait

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Look in the clearcuts, not just for a min or two, glass it for 30 minutes, then glass it again. These deer will bed down in a clearcut and watch vehicles drive by all day long, and they don't move. Have you ever been hiking during the off season and seen a deer, alot of the times they will stand completely still, not moving an inch untill you get to close.
I couldn't tell you how many times i have jumped deer 20-30 feet in front of me. And i wouldn't have seen them if i didn't get that close to them. If you jump something stop and watch it, BT are curious, most likely they will stop and look back at what jumped them.

[257 Wby Mag]

Keep at it, WDFW gave some good advice. I saw 21 yesterday, 2 bucks. This morning I saw 1 yearling!! Next week things will pick up....

[Houndhunter]

if your in camas your in some good deer hunting, shouldnt have a problem getting a buck if your not to picky. try going to 3 corner rock or around there that'll put you into some deer. if you want some directions to some general areas give me a pm

[blacktail stalker]

If you don't want to waste a lot of time, stay home during the early season and when the the ground is too dry to walk quietly on. Westside you might have a chance at a good buck first thing on opening morning, as long as it hasn't been bumped by bowhunters or others. After that, I would wait till the end of Oct. or late buck, when some of the other hunters have tagged out on spikes and small forks. You might catch a good buck moving during the day if theres a hot doe to be found. Other than that you'll waste your time trying to stalk them if the ground isn't really wet and theres not a stiff breeze blowing in your face.

In other words pick your times to be outdoors, if time is important. Watch the weather and time of year. If you got time to burn, by all means head out, but early season to me is more of a scouting trip.

[huntnphool]

  Welcome blacktail stalker

[blacktail stalker]

Thank you, been lurking for some time. Forgot my login and password and was too lazy to rectify the situation for too long.

[klikboom]

i hunt the NW blacktail, but the GMU's you are near pull out large number of deer, so they are definitely there. Its been tough this season, I have been feeling discouraged too LOTS Of time spent, with no bucks seen (though lots of does). I'm just waiting because the time should be nearing when the bucks will be chasing said does.,... and then vengeance will be MINE! .......... =

[bankwalker]

ive been seeing deer in all the wrong places.

i havent seen any deer on the move yet this season. they have all been bedded down.

[Huntbear]

taylorpz, if you go into Yacolt, and turn right across the RR tracks, follow that road till you hit the Weyerhauser gate.  There should be someone there on the weekends taking tag #s etc.... (it is only open on the weekends from what I understand) once you get thru the gate, start looking for slightly overgrown clear cuts, and hike them, but be ready to have them bust on you from 10 ft. to 100 yds.  That is a huge area back in there, and there will be lots and lots of hunters, but most of them are road hunters, so you should be able to find you a spot.  I have shot most of my bucks in there, and have killed some real nice ones, including my 4x6, I can not afford to have mounted.

Good luck and keep a sharp eye.

[fluentvoo]

So high or low for tomorrow, sat.? I have seen some does up high, and some does down low.. so still trying to figure out where i wanna start the sunrise in the morning. 2k-4k feet, or 2k below. Any ideas?

[billythekidrock]

Don't be discouraged. I have been fairly successfull on BT deer and this year I have only seen a couple does and a couple spikes. I have not even seen a two point for weeks, but it will happen. You just have to believe it will happen and be ready when it does.

[edmondshunter]

Ive only seen 2 spikes and a hand full of does in 9 days hunting.  The moon phase and weather has been poor for BT.  Ive tired everything in my bag, nothing is getting them up.  I hunt near Stevens pass.  It was so warm today at 3600 ft. 

The bucks are like grumpy old men, want nothing to do with the kids or the wives.  Keep at it.  There might be a lot of unfilled tags this year on the westside

[taylorpz]

Don't be discouraged. I have been fairly successfull on BT deer and this year I have only seen a couple does and a couple spikes. I have not even seen a two point for weeks, but it will happen. You just have to believe it will happen and be ready when it does.

Thanks for the input (and encouragement).  Looks like I picked a helluva year to start trying my luck at blacktail...