Hey this is my first post on this forum. I am a 17 year old hiking enthusiast from Vancouver, WA that had decided to get into blacktail hunting. I didn't grow up hunting, and I don't know anyone that bow hunts for blacktail. Last year I bought a bow, shot about 30-40 arrows every day, and got out in the woods hunting. I have read Boyd Iverson's book Blacktail Trophy Tactics, but other than that I don't know that much. Unfortunately I suffered a really bad ankle sprain from soccer, 3 days into last years early season. This year I am healthy and pumped to go out. Last year I hunted in a spot on public land in SW Washington. The area has two ancient farmers fields from homesteading days that have old, but marginally productive orchards and a lot of grass. A powerline cuts through high up on the hill above these fields. There is a lot of old growth timber and some areas with reprod. A road traverses the entire lower part but it is gated year round, I have been using this road to walk in with. I will probably return there this year. I have scouted it only one day in August, and only found one old pile of deer droppings, a dozen rubs from last year, and about 4 fresh (within a couple of days) piles of bear droppings. This area is only open early season. Does anyone have any tips as far as scouting this area? I have attached an aerial picture and a topo of where I hunt. After early season ends I am looking to hunt late season as well, would anyone be able to point me to some good areas in GMU 564, 572, 556, or anywhere near SW Washington that has a late season for archery blacktail deer? Also, if any blacktail archery hunters would be willing to take me out, even to just tag along and not even bring my bow, I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about hunting these awesome animals.
