Well, I finally have something to write about. I have been putting in my time this year on the Westside hunting Blacktails with not alot of luck. Most of the deer I saw were in my headlights on the way out of the Capitol Forest or Lincoln Creek. I hunt Muzzleloader by preference, I like to blend in, but the deer do it better. And they always seem to be found on the far side of the clearcuts out of my range.
Anyway..
I have been doing alot of reading on this site and others trying to pick up tips on finding these critters. One thing I have taken to heart and try very hard to do every time is pay as much attention coming out as going in. I walked alot of miles this year and it always intrigues me how much things look different from the leaving perspective. I have met a number of hunters on the trail this year on their way out of wherever I was heading in to and with one exception, every one had their rifle slung and were really moving.
So today was the last day of late muzzle..Hunting Lincoln Creek from the Rochester side, stuck on the low roads because the last storm took a huge bite out of the road on that side. Walking probably the only gated road I had never been down because another hunter had snagged the area I had intended to hunt. I walked in about 3 miles, saw nothing, decided to bag it because I had promised the wife I'd make it a short day. But I kept my eyes open on the way out, and followed the Blacktail law, "watch for movement where there should be none". No more than 100 yards from my truck, I caught movement in the thick stuff just off to my left..I stopped dead in my tracks and watched..more movement, but I had to bring up my binocs to verify what i was seeing, it was pretty misty from the rain...deer ears, just a waggin away..turned out to be a young spike buck who made the mistake of walking out from behind a deadfall at 30 yards..Not an impressive deer maybe, but any deer taken on the last day is sweet. And I have meat in the freezer for this year.
