Blacktail

[Buck Rub Jr]

First off, good luck to everyone who's out today trying to make it happen! Tried every single tactic this year for blacktail that I can think of. Glassed clear cuts,hiked trails and old roads, made pushes through clear cuts, hunted the alder and old growth stands, called and everything in between. We hunted the mashel, capitol peak, randle, packwood and skookumchuck units. Saw 4 BT on public land. any input on better units or buying timber passes? We hunt east side general season and then chase bt if we aren't successful over there. Any infor helps, thanks and good luck this season!

[PolarBear]

We are having the same kinda luck.  We hit it hard and tried everything that we know and have seen 1 1X2 buck and 3 does all season behind "locked gates" in Pe Ell South.  We are burned out.  We are getting  late start this morning and headed to Capitol Forrest with the masses.  At least I know several people who have taken decent bucks in there over the past few days.  I have NEVER had this much trouble finding a blacktail buck.     I think I need to sick with my area of expertise as head for late archery whities in the NE next year and forget this rifle blacktail crap.

[Buck Rub Jr]

Saw some guys with a spike and a two point up in the black hills just south of Porter, shot the spike sand then the two point came out to check out what was going on so they shot him. Game warden said he only heard of one other spike that got shot. hunted hard all day yesterday and all we saw was a single squirrel! Hope you put one on the ground buddy, good luck!

[Bucks2Ducks]

That's the nice part about hunting Eastern WA, you always see deer. Black tail can be discouraging, but if you put in the time eventually you will find him. Sounds like your hunting lots of area, in the preseason try to find at least one good spot; and spend every minute you can  during the season in that area. That way you avoid precious time looking for areas. These guys who have BT's hanging every year, have there hunt planned well before the season.

[Buck Rub Jr]

For everyone who came here to see a decent buck. This guy was all rutted up hanging out with me while I was working on Fox Island. Nov. 3rd

[cooltimber]

biggest blktail I ever got was coming out of the reprod at 3;00 pm.nice day it was about 43*blue sky,slight wind. 4x4 heavy

[Buck Rub Jr]

That's the nice part about hunting Eastern WA, you always see deer. Black tail can be discouraging, but if you put in the time eventually you will find him. Sounds like your hunting lots of area, in the preseason try to find at least one good spot; and spend every minute you can  during the season in that area. That way you avoid precious time looking for areas. These guys who have BT's hanging every year, have there hunt planned well before the season.

Thats what I figured, I just need to scout hard and find some good ground! Thanks for the help

[Buck Rub Jr]

biggest blktail I ever got was coming out of the reprod at 3;00 pm.nice day it was about 43*blue sky,slight wind. 4x4 heavy

Do you usually sit and glass the reprod? Wondering if I should be a little more patient instead of just glassing it hard and moving on

[fishnfur]

Most guys who are successful at hunting reprod scouted the cuts in summer and decided where they would spend their time.  They will sit on those cuts the entire day waiting for something to move.

[Buck Rub Jr]

Most guys who are successful at hunting reprod scouted the cuts in summer and decided where they would spend their time.  They will sit on those cuts the entire day waiting for something to move.

I'll be doing some more summer scouting it sounds like, thank you for the info 

[moocher97]

small bucks are going to be desperate and moving...ALOT and the big bucks are probably gone be in a little cover and moving...ALOT
Be patient and glass 2-3 year old clear-cuts tree lines and bring the rattling anters!

[Buck Rub Jr]

small bucks are going to be desperate and moving...ALOT and the big bucks are probably gone be in a little cover and moving...ALOT
Be patient and glass 2-3 year old clear-cuts tree lines and bring the rattling anters!

Rattling was just about the only thing we didn't try yesterday! Couldn't find a rattle bag anywhere and didn't want to damage sheds you have good success rattling for BT?

[PolarBear]

I took both of my daughters to Capitol Forrest today.  Didnt hit it until 11:30. Saw 2 does right off the bat and watched 4 rigs drive less than 40 yards from them and never saw them.  We got in front of the does and watched them move into the reprod. After about 1/2 hour a small 2 point joined them.  He was too small for my daughter so we moved.  All in all we glassed and rattled up 5 spikes, 2 forkies and one 2X3.  None of which big enough to take home. After a pretty crappy season, even though we ate our tags it was an awesome day with my kids. I had both girls rattling and calling in bucks.

[Buck Rub Jr]

I took both of my daughters to Capitol Forrest today.  Didnt hit it until 11:30. Saw 2 does right off the bat and watched 4 rigs drive less than 40 yards from them and never saw them.  We got in front of the does and watched them move into the reprod. After about 1/2 hour a small 2 point joined them.  He was too small for my daughter so we moved.  All in all we glassed and rattled up 5 spikes, 2 forkies and one 2X3.  None of which big enough to take home. After a pretty crappy season, even though we ate our tags it was an awesome day with my kids. I had both girls rattling and calling in bucks.

Heck yeah! Sounds like a successful day to me, memories are what matter, the animals are just a plus! Thanks for the info! will definitely try rattling next year!

[PolarBear]

 
That 2X3 that my kids rattled up came in so hot that he almost ran over us.  I stopped him with a grunt at 20 feet!  I LOVE rattling in blacktails (whities too).