Interesting Stat

[CP]

This from Eric Holman, WDFW wildlife biologist, on Black tail hunting in SW WA

“About a third of the region's annual deer harvest by hunters using modern firearms usually occurs during the four-day late-buck season” 


Why such a big percentage in the late season?  Is the rut on?  Leaves off the foliage?  More hunters?

[Intruder]

Rutting activity is a big part.  Depending on elevation, the year, etc. leaves can play a role.  Not sure if the numbers are up for late season or not.  I'd say you pretty much hit it on the head. 

[boneaddict]

All the above, but buck movement is probably the biggest factor.

[Skyvalhunter]

I would have to say rut. When there used to be a 4 day rut late hunt (now its a 4 day special permit) in 448 and 460 I used to take a majority of my blacktail. Even though blacktails don't typically have much of a summer to winter range they do move out and will cover some ground during the rut. Also when there is does during the reqular saeson you typically wont see larger bucks around but during the rut if there is a doe there very likely will be a rut.

[Firstlight]

Before the rut the bucks dont care about anthing except eat and sleep. They mainly feed at night and bed down most of the day. The rut changes there schedual around quite a bit. They will fallow those doe's around to make sure there is no other compatition. To sum it all up they just get stupid, and I love it.

[fc2038]

Two things I think are the rut and cover. All the leaves are on the ground that time of the year. It is easy to glass into wooded areas later then in the early part of the season when the trees are full of leaves.. Less cover.

[WildBear]

Is an interesting stat.. Hope it works out. Took the four days off for that hunt. Hope to fill my tag. Not sure where I'm heading yet, pretty unsuccessful with blacktails...

[Swiftkid]

I think the rut is a big thing to do with it,actually i know it is...opening day of modern i hunted klickitat unit 382, saw lots of does groups 3-12...didn't see one buck with any of the does....the weather started cooling off later in the season, finally on the last day it was quite cool and breezy...went to spots where i knew there would be does for sure in hopes of finding a buck chasing them. Every where i saw a doe that day there was a buck to follow...all big 2pts but finally did find one rinky 3pt chasin 3 does....my buddy missed him, i already had got my buck a week before...but its definately because of the rut!

[Curly]

Why such a big percentage in the late season?  Is the rut on?  Leaves off the foliage?  More hunters?

Rut is on and leaves are mostly gone.  But as far as hunter numbers...........I suspect there are actually less hunters during the late buck season.