Still Hunting

[aorams]

Blacktail Deer Experts!

I've been hunting a spot in a tree farm now for the last three years and have killed three little bucks in a small swampy area that's chock full of little alders that you can see from an overgrown road above. Unfortunately, the alders have all grown up so it's getting VERY difficult to see into the clearing. FORTUNATELY, the amount of deer sign has exponentially increased at the same time!  I'm hesitant to leave this spot since it's been such a great producer but it's getting harder to see into the clearing. I've been still hunting and sitting in the timber adjacent to the clearing but haven't put eyes on an actual deer yet this year. I'm moving as slowly as possible when I do move, taking no more than two steps before glassing 360 degrees around me and then sitting where I can see the edge for a couple hours at a time and not going in for lunch.  My question is in regards to how much ground I should cover.  The area is fairly small. The clearing is probably only about 6 acres in size and then it's surrounded by timber.  Should I venture out and cover a bigger area or keep focusing on these 200 yards of edge habitat. If I cover more ground, does the two step still hunting rule apply or can I cover ground at a clip until I find fresh sign and slow down?

[BigfootHunter]

Blacktail Deer Experts!

I've been hunting a spot in a tree farm now for the last three years and have killed three little bucks in a small swampy area that's chock full of little alders that you can see from an overgrown road above. Unfortunately, the alders have all grown up so it's getting VERY difficult to see into the clearing. FORTUNATELY, the amount of deer sign has exponentially increased at the same time!  I'm hesitant to leave this spot since it's been such a great producer but it's getting harder to see into the clearing. I've been still hunting and sitting in the timber adjacent to the clearing but haven't put eyes on an actual deer yet this year. I'm moving as slowly as possible when I do move, taking no more than two steps before glassing 360 degrees around me and then sitting where I can see the edge for a couple hours at a time and not going in for lunch.  My question is in regards to how much ground I should cover.  The area is fairly small. The clearing is probably only about 6 acres in size and then it's surrounded by timber.  Should I venture out and cover a bigger area or keep focusing on these 200 yards of edge habitat. If I cover more ground, does the two step still hunting rule apply or can I cover ground at a clip until I find fresh sign and slow down?

I'm no blacktail expert, but I think the more ground you can cover the better. In my experience blacktails will stay put until you're almost on top of them before they move. In several instances I have been able to smell them before I can see them (especially in the thick crap). My two cents would be see if you can locate beds just inside the timber. Set up early in the morning and try to catch them when they're headed to bed down for their mid-morning snooze.

Best of luck

[coachcw]

play the wind . I've used mule deer pee and almost had blacktails rape me litterly Remember doing nothing usually results in nothing .