Hunting pressured blacktails

[Mike450r]

If you are hunting a spot and not seeing anything and thinking to yourself "I can't believe there are no deer here" they are probably there.  Most times when I am checking out a spot or glassing I end up seeing deer right at the moment I am ready to give it up.  A lot of times standing right there in the open perfectly still, other times partially hidden.  Blacktails can stand perfectly still for so long it boggles the mind.

People like to use the term nocturnal and that isn't the case,  just more active at night but still out all day long.  Just as an experiment next time you come across a clear cut that has a lot of trails coming to the road walk across it.  you will more often than not jump a few deer.  You probably know this but those clear cuts are nastier than they look and even the flattest ones have a lot of spots that you can't see and plenty of places for a buck to be bedded down.  If I get impatient looking and glassing I walk out into clearcuts all the time and still hunt just like I do in the timber and brush.

[scout/sniper]

The truth of the matter is that all of these suggestions are true.
Blackies are hard to see, hard to hunt in the thick cover, impossible to pattern and change habits quickly.
You just have to be out there, that's all I can say.

[scout/sniper]

If you are hunting a spot and not seeing anything and thinking to yourself  Most times when I am checking out a spot or glassing I end up seeing deer right at the moment I am ready to give it up.  A lot of times standing right there in the open perfectly still, other times partially hidden.  Blacktails can stand perfectly still for so long it boggles the mind.

People like to use the term nocturnal and that isn't the case,  just more active at night but still out all day long.  Just as an experiment next time you come across a clear cut that has a lot of trails coming to the road walk across it.  you will more often than not jump a few deer.  You probably know this but those clear cuts are nastier than they look and even the flattest ones have a lot of spots that you can't see and plenty of places for a buck to be bedded down.  If I get impatient looking and glassing I walk out into clearcuts all the time and still hunt just like I do the in the timber and brush.

I watch deer all year long, every day. They make a definite switch from being out in the open field during the day at this time of year and only walk a few feet into the open just at dusk.
They are still out in the woods and like you say, they can be jumped if you go after them in the cover.
I love this comment, "I can't believe there are no deer here" they are probably there."
this is the right attitude! They are there.

The photo below was taken only a few weeks ago and is what I can see in that corner of my field at least 3 times a week with different groups of deer (and elk).

As soon as the pressure starts in the woods they disappear during daylight. I haven't seen them in 2 weeks. they will all be back later this winter, right on cue!

[Mike450r]

I agree with them avoiding being out in the open in the field this time of year but somewhat disagree that they definitely head for brush, reprod or timber for daytime cover.  I have seen way too many bucks bedded down in what they consider to be cover but is actually what we would consider a clearcut.  They do like to be near escapement but they can in my experience be just as happy to lay down wherever if they think it hides them even if it doesn't from all angles particularly if they have a bush to browse on and chew cud while they are laying there.  Just have to find the right angle. 

[scout/sniper]

I agree with them avoiding being out in the open in the field this time of year but somewhat disagree that they definitely head for brush, reprod or timber for daytime cover.  I have seen way too many bucks bedded down in what they consider to be cover but is actually what we would consider a clearcut.  They do like to be near escapement but they can in my experience be just as happy to lay down wherever if they think it hides them even if it doesn't from all angles particularly if they have a bush to browse on and chew cud while they are laying there.  Just have to find the right angle.

[DoubleJ]

If you are hunting a spot and not seeing anything and thinking to yourself  Most times when I am checking out a spot or glassing I end up seeing deer right at the moment I am ready to give it up.  A lot of times standing right there in the open perfectly still, other times partially hidden.  Blacktails can stand perfectly still for so long it boggles the mind.

People like to use the term nocturnal and that isn't the case,  just more active at night but still out all day long.  Just as an experiment next time you come across a clear cut that has a lot of trails coming to the road walk across it.  you will more often than not jump a few deer.  You probably know this but those clear cuts are nastier than they look and even the flattest ones have a lot of spots that you can't see and plenty of places for a buck to be bedded down.  If I get impatient looking and glassing I walk out into clearcuts all the time and still hunt just like I do the in the timber and brush.

I watch deer all year long, every day. They make a definite switch from being out in the open field during the day at this time of year and only walk a few feet into the open just at dusk.
They are still out in the woods and like you say, they can be jumped if you go after them in the cover.
I love this comment, "I can't believe there are no deer here" they are probably there."
this is the right attitude! They are there.

The photo below was taken only a few weeks ago and is what I can see in that corner of my field at least 3 times a week with different groups of deer (and elk).

As soon as the pressure starts in the woods they disappear during daylight. I haven't seen them in 2 weeks. they will all be back later this winter, right on cue!

What about right at dusk?  Do they come back out there?  I have a spot I hunt that is similar with woods coming right into a grassy "Yard" for lack of a better term.  The does and fawns and the occasional buck come out almost nightly during the summer.  I haven't been by there yet this October so I'm not sure if they are making an appearance or not.  I would like to have my middle son hunt it since he's kind of stuck sitting in one spot and waiting due to his size but, not sure I want to waste valuable nights on a spot that I know holds at least does in the summer but not sure if they come out this time of year.

[scout/sniper]

I see the does every other day or so just at dark. I keep waiting for a buck to come out but it gets too dark to continue.
Nevertheless I wait in my hide and watch every night after work, sooner or later he will step out......I hope.

[jackmaster]

a few pointers on blacktails on public land, opening wekkend is sometimes ok, the second weekend is generally the worst part of the whole season, if you in aspot opening weekend and there are deer there then they will be there as the season goes on, as it gets closer to the doe going into heat you will see alot more rubs and tracks, if your in a place with alot of well used trails, pay attention to them, they will lead you to some great places, if you really pay attention you will learn their bedding and feeding routes, remember deer feed with the wind going from butt to nose as a general rule anyways. when everyonme leaves the woods at 10 to go get lunch or whatever, keep your arse in the woods, find older clearcuts that have a south west exposure and sneak along the edges, even in places that have a ton of road traffic...... and when it is pissin down rain and you dont feel like gettn in the brush and nastyness DO IT ANYWAYS, dont be a fare weather hunter unless its just your thing..... ya cant get all pissy if ya aint putn in the work, my dad always told me and still does that "boy, ya gotta earn your penance" thats means putn in the time, bad karma will always set you back to  being in a place with deer is your best bet, but as the year goes on you need to be on a side that has a southwest slope..... good luck all

[sirmissalot]

The first half hour and last half hour has been good in my spot, which is pretty normal for this kind of weather. I've just been getting screwed by the fog. They are certainly getting horned up.

[Ripper]

I shot both my big blacktails at 10 am last year and this year. About the time I start looking at my watch and thinking about calling it quits, here they come. Keep at it, they are out there.

[Samish]

Was that the Monster that only grows one antler.  I see him by the transfer station all of the time.  He knows where the safe zone is

no, just north of PACAR. i have not seen the one horned brute yet.

I have 5 acres just north of PACAR. 2 nights ago I had 3 different bucks on my cam in a 2 hr period. One looks like it might be a shooter. Of course his was the worst picture of the bunch.

[kodiak 907]

Have hoyt, will travel from MV to take care of those pesky deer for ya.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

A 1996 study by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife showed just how nocturnal mature blacktail bucks are. As part of the pre-rut study, cameras were placed along six fall migration trails, from high up in the Cascade Range to the deers' low-elevation winter range. Triggered by an infrared beam of light when an animal walked past, the cameras registered the date and time each photograph was taken. The results were eye-opening: Of the 606 deer photographed, 87 percent of the bucks traveled at night, while only 56 percent of the does and fawns traveled after dark. Also of note: 42 percent of the bucks photographed were 4 by 4s or better.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Was that the Monster that only grows one antler.  I see him by the transfer station all of the time.  He knows where the safe zone is

no, just north of PACAR. i have not seen the one horned brute yet.

I have 5 acres just north of PACAR. 2 nights ago I had 3 different bucks on my cam in a 2 hr period. One looks like it might be a shooter. Of course his was the worst picture of the bunch.

Dude you need to start feeding those poor creatures so they become tastier?   

You ever see the big ones?

[BOWHUNTER45]

A 1996 study by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife showed just how nocturnal mature blacktail bucks are. As part of the pre-rut study, cameras were placed along six fall migration trails, from high up in the Cascade Range to the deers' low-elevation winter range. Triggered by an infrared beam of light when an animal walked past, the cameras registered the date and time each photograph was taken. The results were eye-opening: Of the 606 deer photographed, 87 percent of the bucks traveled at night, while only 56 percent of the does and fawns traveled after dark. Also of note: 42 percent of the bucks photographed were 4 by 4s or better.

Sounds about right ...Until next week