St. Helens tree farm today...

[Mossyhorn]

Went up today for the opener of the archery late deer season. It's my first year hunting in Washington and had hoped for a bit more. I know it might be hard to judge by just one day, but I expected to cut more than one set of deer tracks in the snow. Saw tons of coyote tracks, but only one set of deer tracks. Glassed a lot of nice looking cuts and saw zero life.

My next day out I'll be heading to public land, I saw more deer on public NF land earlier this spring. Hopefully that'll yield better results?

[Little Dave]

Welcome to Washington.  I suppose in other states deer is plural.  Here it means just one and Bob got it this year.

[AKBowman]

Welcome to hunting blacktail. I have 47 hours in the stand this year between modern and today and have yet to see a buck. And I scout quite a bit, lots of cam pics but they are wary creatures.

[Mossyhorn]

I grew up bowhunting for blacktails out of Springfield, Oregon. I killed a few over the years by still hunting. But man, I at least would see sign and at least a deer or two a day. Even if it was just a doe, it was something. I was just shocked at the complete lack of sign behind closed gates. I'll likely save my money on a permit next year and check out the east part of the state?

[fishnfur]

Move on if there is not much recent deer sign.  You will find pockets of heavy use and other areas with almost nothing.  Hunt where the deer are - that's my motto!  Check the upper ends of brushy drainages.  I've found does like these areas quite a bit.  Perhaps hunting a three or four year old clearcut where new sign would be easy to find as you work the perimeter would help you locate some deer.  Since it will be cold for the next several days, the deer should be feeding more frequently and out in the sun in the morning to warm up.
 
Blacktails can be hard to find though - especially just after the end of modern elk and deer modern firearm seasons.   I'd stick to the tree farm rather than heading into the NF.  Lot's and lots of deer are killed on the farm every year.  The numbers are not as good higher up - if I remember correctly.

Good luck!