2015 Blacktail Season Dates

[milldozer]

Looks like the season got a week shorter.  General season is now Oct. 17-31.  Last year was Oct. 11-31.  What gives?!

[bobcat]

Just a calendar change. Same opening day as always- first Saturday in October after the 10th. Look at the 2009 dates, they are the same.

[steen]

Last year it took me till the last day to get my blacktail.  This year maybe it won't!

[bobcat]

Yup last year had epic dates, Oct. 11-31st, then Nov. 13-16th. Pretty hard to beat that line up.

This year the late season is a little too late. Nov 19-22. In my experience, all rutting activity will be done and over with well before that season begins.

[BOWHUNTER45]

It usually comes down to the last 5 days anyway ..At least in my neck of the woods . I can barely sleep when Oct 25th rolls around ...

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, last few days seem to be the best for blacktail.  What I didn't like about the timing of last year's elk season opening on Nov 1!  Had to pick whether to skip the last few days of deer or the first few days of elk.  Should be able to do both for the next few years.

[kodiak 907]

The modern dates suck this year for blacktail!! I am leaning towards archery for everything especially because the archery elk dates look so good!

[erk444]

I put in for a second deer tag every year for one of the san juan islands and this year the late season dates for that tag are nov. 12th-15th. But, the general late season is the 19th-22th. Seems kinda weird that I cant fill my second tag during the general late season. Last year the dates were the same. I can fill it during the early general season too. Its like they made a special 4 day season just for second deer,but its not written in red

[floatinghat]

Same for me, shot mine second to last day and recovered him that last day (late rifle season).

I had maybe 10 mins of light on the last day

[Turner89]

They put in a late archery season in my unit this year. Of course I didn't get drawn for the multi tag for the first time ever. .
 

[kodiak 907]

What's the new late hunt?

[3nails]

The modern dates suck this year for blacktail!! I am leaning towards archery for everything especially because the archery elk dates look so good!

Like others have said, the start of the season is of no consequence. The last 5 days are by far the best. I like the later start date just so it is colder and more likely to be snow on the ground.

[kodiak 907]

The modern dates suck this year for blacktail!! I am leaning towards archery for everything especially because the archery elk dates look so good!

Like others have said, the start of the season is of no consequence. The last 5 days are by far the best. I like the later start date just so it is colder and more likely to be snow on the ground.

Agreed. But the season is so short and every day counts. Also, I saw three big bucks get shot the first 3 hours of opening day last year.

[grundy53]

It usually comes down to the last 5 days anyway ..At least in my neck of the woods . I can barely sleep when Oct 25th rolls around ...

[3nails]

The modern dates suck this year for blacktail!! I am leaning towards archery for everything especially because the archery elk dates look so good!

Like others have said, the start of the season is of no consequence. The last 5 days are by far the best. I like the later start date just so it is colder and more likely to be snow on the ground.

Agreed. But the season is so short and every day counts. Also, I saw three big bucks get shot the first 3 hours of opening day last year.

I have killed several nice bucks the first couple hours of opening day also. Then it just dies for a couple weeks.

[RavensdaleYoungBuck]

With the season shorten six days and I'm finally 21 and can carry a side arm, I'm going for archery. Over two months of open season!

[longwalker]

Why did you have to wait till you could carry a side arm?

[longwalker]

Yup last year had epic dates, Oct. 11-31st, then Nov. 13-16th. Pretty hard to beat that line up.

This year the late season is a little too late. Nov 19-22. In my experience, all rutting activity will be done and over with well before that season begins.

Biggest blacktail I ever shot was on the 19th of November 130 buck

[BOWHUNTER45]

With the season shorten six days and I'm finally 21 and can carry a side arm, I'm going for archery. Over two months of open season!

What does the side arm have to do with anything  I have bowhunted my whole life and never imagined I would need to pack a side arm .. That's why I am a bowhunter ..If I can not kill a threat with my bow then it can eat me  I think it is the stupidest law they ever made ..and what is more disturbing to me its in Washington ...Washington supports some of the dumbest things but doesn't support the things that really make sense ..   just my opinion and I am sticking to it 

[RavensdaleYoungBuck]

I feel ya on not hunting without a side arm. But with Wolves moving into Western Washington. You are pretty much screwed if you just have your bow and get surrounded. Plus I had zero hunting experience when I first started so my buddy told me to start off with a rifle for a few years and then move over to a bow.

[kodiak 907]

The season still got shorter. Doesn't matter which way you look at it.

[floatinghat]

I feel ya on not hunting without a side arm. But with Wolves moving into Western Washington. You are pretty much screwed if you just have your bow and get surrounded. Plus I had zero hunting experience when I first started so my buddy told me to start off with a rifle for a few years and then move over to a bow.

IMO, there are a lot of things I worry about more than wolves.  Bear spray would work as well or better.