2015 Blacktail success

[Smith_22]

 It was a slower year than normal from the tree stands, very little movement, fewer rubs, trail cams had mostly nocturnal action.  All in all not a bad year, I scored on a 3x3 when I least expected it, walking from one stand to another last week of October.  My dad got his crab claw 2x3 last day of season from his tree stand.  Hope you enjoy the pics.  Sure is fun getting my daughter involved this year. 

[westsidehntr]

Nice work! Is that private land tree stands?

[Smith_22]

It is private land, 140 acre tree farm that I take care of for the owner and get to hunt in exchange.

[westsidehntr]

Lucky you! What do you set your stands up in/over?

[Smith_22]

Mostly thicker scotch broom with jack firs mixed in.  Look for areas with trails and rubs, and find a tree where you can get above them and see in to them. It helps to have trail cameras set up to confirm the deer are using the area.  We use ladder stands

[westsidehntr]

Yeah I've been trying to find a good spot for a climber stand. Just can't find a spot I have confidence in to sit for hours on end.

[fishnfur]

Nice bucks!

Do the bucks bed in the scotch broom?

[Smith_22]

They do bed in the scotch broom, but I can only confirm that with the younger bucks, once they hit 4.5 or so they disappear unless they're rutting.  I've been hunting this property for 5 years and bucks ive kept tabs on consistently vanish, save for a rare velvet pic once they hit 4.5

[Deerdad44]

Looks like you have yourself a great stand location. Congrats on a couple nice bucks.

[Watimberghost]

Congrats, great blacktails!

[The Fin]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on the deer

[Smith_22]

Thanks for the replies.  Blacktail are such a humbling deer to hunt, every notched tag is an accomplishment.