Bow hunting Blacktail???

[kodiak 907]

Pre second rut. Sit on active rub line(might not be the same location as the first rut rub line location).

Rattling can be productive but I like to use the can call and ambush scent.

The big mature bucks will most likely only show when there is a doe that is really hot.

[fishnfur]

Now you've got me curious.  What forest or terrain types should the OP scout and hunt for rub lines in?  My experience and recommendations would be mixed conifer/alder forests on the edges of benches, in the conifers along the edges of alder, or along the edges where brush and reprod abut mature forests.   Would you suggest something different for scouting out a  productive rub line?

[kodiak 907]

I think the edges of alder patches/timber are good for consistently finding rub lines.  Finding a natural funnel with alder in it is like finding a gold mine IMO.

In my experience, the second rut(dec 10-16) is better at higher elevation areas.  There is often snow at that time as well.

[fishnfur]

Good stuff!  Great information to keep in the back pocket when hunting late season.

I would think there's some migration movement that comes into play at higher elevation that late in the year.  The deer moving down from above might very possibly use the same corridors as those used by the buck that made the rub line, thus bringing non-resident bucks through those rub lines you're hunting.  That's a great set up for increasing your odds of seeing a really nice buck.

[Shooting Stix]

Here is some of my bucks that I have shot road hunting the key is you have to pattern them if you see a buck or deer just keep going in that area until one shows up I would say to get a big buck sit in a ground blind or tree stand with bait but even that is hard

[DaleDoback]

Just go hunt over east blacktails are overrated lol

[MatthewHunter98]

I'm a successful black tail hunter. Don't road hunt. Bow season  find good clear cuts with good repraud and take time walk. Don't stop until  you see deer. Don't sit for long youl  be waisting good time. Good luck. Pm me if you  want

[predatorG]

I've been archery hunting blacktails for the past 3 years unsuccessfully. I credit most of this to the fact that I am now 16 so I started when I was 23 and didn't have the patience or experience necessary. The spot I hunt is very flat and about sea level with freakishly thick brush. There's deer there but they are freakishly hard to find.

I would recommend the same stuff that everyone else has so far. Clearcuts and benches have massive bucks droped off of them every year. My best advise right now would be to go up into the search bar and find any articles that have both the words "blacktail" and "radsav" in them. You will find a freakish amount of information.

My only other advice is to start scouting now. Also, following this hunting season (which has a decent chance of being unsuccessful due to these stupid, annoying, and freakish animals we are for some reason chosen to hunt), be prepared to go absolutely crazy. You might enter a phase where literally all you can think about are blacktails.

Good luck!

[Lapua338]

Wet cob apples tree stand. Start in August.

[Bowcrazy]

Hunt private if possible in an apple orchard and sit your stand religiously . I have got deer early , late , middle of day . Sit your stand . My treestamd collapsed last year with me and buddy in it . Got on ground uninjired and sat 5 minutes after the ruckus and a doe and two bucks came in snorting on dec 20. I got busted in the ground . Had my stand not fell . I would have had an opportunity at a 2x2 and a jumbo 4x5 . Walking around is a waste of time .

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

I credit most of this to the fact that I am now 16 so I started when I was 23

 
Hunting makes me feel younger, but... ?
 

[krout81]

I have only seen a handful of black tail deer while walking through the woods, and that was only because I was elk hunting early season.   I have only killed 1 buck in the early season and he was a dandy who just happened to be hanging out on the same hill as the elk I was chasing around.  The timber was right next to massive clear cut's BTW.   All the other 22 deer small bucks and does were during late season either by seeing them run off the road, standing next to the road, or following their tracks in the snow(not far from the road). 

90% of the time I was in my vehicle driving the road to where I was planning on walking down a road when I saw them.  A simple drive by acting like I didn't see them left them standing right where they were after I sneak back for a shot.  They are very curious in my experience and I have shot many deer near the road 20-30 yards away when I gave em a little whistle and they stop behind a tree.   The famous peak around after they stop to see why I would whistle at them leaves a very nice instant kill, no meat loss, and easy pack out.   

[shootnrun]

I've been archery hunting blacktails for the past 3 years unsuccessfully. I credit most of this to the fact that I am now 16 so I started when I was 23 and didn't have the patience or experience necessary. The spot I hunt is very flat and about sea level with freakishly thick brush. There's deer there but they are freakishly hard to find.

I would recommend the same stuff that everyone else has so far. Clearcuts and benches have massive bucks droped off of them every year. My best advise right now would be to go up into the search bar and find any articles that have both the words "blacktail" and "radsav" in them. You will find a freakish amount of information.

My only other advice is to start scouting now. Also, following this hunting season (which has a decent chance of being unsuccessful due to these stupid, annoying, and freakish animals we are for some reason chosen to hunt), be prepared to go absolutely crazy. You might enter a phase where literally all you can think about are blacktails.

Good luck!

Can you tell me how to get back to 16?? I'd like to take a few years off my knees 

[HunterofWA]

Hunt southern slopes (summer bedding areas) in the evening over a well use trail preferably on the edge of a clear-cut.