How was your opening weekend luck?

[_DarkTimber_]

I hunted from daylight till 2 both yesterday and today with only seeing the back end of a cow elk in a cut, 4 does....on the pavement and a couple nice bucks pulling in the driveway tonight. I sure thought this wind and rain would have them moving but maybe I'm wrong. I glassed 3-4 year old cuts starting before daylight till couple hours after daylight both mornings. Watching reprod/tall timber edges, checking beds benches, stumps, valleys and any spot the wind was not hitting. Pretty much anything I could see. I payed even greater attention each time a wind and rain break would happen hoping to see some movement. Midway through the morning I would then focus my attention to hitting the woods and going through any different type of landscape there was trying to find where they hide. Ranging from heading down creek lines with big cedars, ferns and 30 foot firs, to sneaking through till timber checking green openings, all the way to doing the exorcism through the nastiest vine maples and stickers haha. I seen fresh rub from multiple bucks but no sightings or jumps. And if I did I couldn't hear them or smell them. I know it's only been two days but man they sure have been smarter than me this weekend. Lol Better luck next trip out I guess!

Let's hear how your opening weekend trip out was and what luck you've had! Wether it's dodging falling trees, picking mushrooms or finding a shed let's hear it!


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[Bullkllr]

Saw 2 does yesterday and 3 does today. I was literally by myself in a walk-in area. Didn't seem to be a lot of deer movement. Not surprising really. Sometimes they're just not out. Lots of good days ahead. Keep at it. Good luck to you.

[yakimarcher]

8 does in 3 groups yesterday, nothing today

[Crunchy]

I skip opening weekend of modern.  Too crowded for the areas I hunt.  Heading out tomorrow and the next day too look for a good buck in Kapowsin.

[deerhunter_98520]

Didnt hunt to hard sat....really didn't wanna be packin one out if the storm hit as bad as they said it was going to...today I seen about 15 and one herd of elk

[_DarkTimber_]

That's the area I roam too crunchy. I work till dark everyday though so weekends look like all I got this year unless I get rained out at work


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[fishnfur]

Just like yours _DarkTimber_, minus the does and the bucks, and sitting at home on Saturday, just to be safe.  Add in a teen with the flu vomiting in the woods and an early trip home.  Lots of road hunters to wave to on the way out.  Perfect!

[Molon5labe]

Found a big ol 2pt Saturday morning at 8 but wasn't able to feel comfortable with the shot before he walked into the timber and over the edge. Two more does bedded down in a cut. Was out 12 hours.

Sunday I hoped the 2pt would show back up. Instead a little spike came through at about 8  looking really nervous and jumpy. He disappeared before I could get set up. Walked the edge of the timber the 2pt walked into on saturday and jumped a doe or two. Nothing else the rest of the day, 12 hours.

Feeling awfully frustrated with myself at this point.

[pope]

As much as I wanted to get out, I stayed in doors, recovering from a nasty flu and nursing what I believe is a broken hand (went over the handle bars of my mountain bike and landed in a rocky jeep track). I know I should have the hand examined but I can carry and shoot a rifle, so I'm just going to wait. I did purchase a back-up knife for my Havalon, an Outdoor Edge Swing Blade, and picked up four bottles of deer pee. I'm a believer.

[kball4]

Seemed like on the peninsula the deer were moving Saturday with a break in the wind, Dad shot a big bodied 3x3 story to come later.  Sunday however the 4 does I saw were all bedded till I kicked them out.

[Old Man Yager]

Was up almost all night Friday with our 7 year old grandson, who was puking all night. Saw probably 10-12 does, and one of our party shot a spike @ about 4 pm sat. Got home , and wouldn't you know it, me and the wife both got to do the puke and crap all night! Wiped me out, I got up and watched the Hawks, and then crashed again. Made it to work, but I'm still not feeling right yet.

[lamrith]

Nothing but a big pumpkin patch were I went out Sat.  A friend that showed me the area last year was able to get a little forky down Sunday morning but he did not see anything else.  Be back at it next weekend hoping for better luck..

[fishnfur]

As much as I wanted to get out, I stayed in doors, recovering from a nasty flu and nursing what I believe is a broken hand (went over the handle bars of my mountain bike and landed in a rocky jeep track). I know I should have the hand examined but I can carry and shoot a rifle, so I'm just going to wait. I did purchase a back-up knife for my Havalon, an Outdoor Edge Swing Blade, and picked up four bottles of deer pee. I'm a believer.

Dude!  Get to the doctor.  Those are the types of injuries that ache like crazy when you get older.  Take care of it.  You'll be ready to go by late buck.

[JDHasty]

Saw a lot of deer.   Some nice bucks and a couple very nice bucks.  Shot a two point about the size of the one I shot last year.  Still have an antlerless tag.  I might hunt to fill it, or I may not.  I have committed to showing a couple people who are new to deer hunting around a bit, so I will probably fill it.  I can park them in a stand or blind one evening and shooting a doe isn't that big of a deal when you have been out four weekends during Archery and ML seasons and have the doe herds pretty well patterned. 

This was my kind of weather for blacktail hunting.  It could have been a bit more rainy and I would have liked that better, but ya' takes what ya' gets.   

[yakimanoob]

Hit a couple spots Sunday later afternoon (my only window to hunt so far) mostly to scout after the storms.  Saw a couple does just after shooting light, but otherwise nothing.  Wind was swirly as heck through most of the east 410 area. 

I did seen a crap ton of elk rubs in one area.  There's a big hormonal bull there for sure (same one that bugled at me and my dogs a few days before the storm, I assume), but no deer to speak of. 

This opening weekend crowd thing is a myth.  2 of 3 spots I hit, I was the only soul in sight.  No camps, other trucks on the roads, etc.  I hope next weekend doesn't bring out the crowds that would have been... 

[splitshot]

   wet and windy.  got some exercise.  wanted 2 give my new outdoor edge knife some exercise, but nope.  as always had fun.  mike w

[PolarBear]

Had to bail early on Saturday due to mechanical problems. Hit the woods around 11 on Sunday. Went up high and only found some fresh bear tracks, no deer. Headed low a couple hours before dark. The last hour 1/2 deer were everywhere but nothing we wanted to shoot. In 10 hours total of being in the woods we saw one 3, one 2x3, 6 2 points, 4 spikes and 23 does. I know of several small bucks being killed but nothing big. 

[swanny]

As much as I wanted to get out, I stayed in doors, recovering from a nasty flu and nursing what I believe is a broken hand (went over the handle bars of my mountain bike and landed in a rocky jeep track). I know I should have the hand examined but I can carry and shoot a rifle, so I'm just going to wait. I did purchase a back-up knife for my Havalon, an Outdoor Edge Swing Blade, and picked up four bottles of deer pee. I'm a believer.

Dude!  Get to the doctor.  Those are the types of injuries that ache like crazy when you get older.  Take care of it.  You'll be ready to go by late buck.

Under here is 4 pins as a result of going over the bars of my bike a week ago. Go get it checked out.

[JeffRaines]

Only had one day to hunt so stuck to the west side. Headed up in some of the higher vail areas but turned myself around due to extremely high winds and no chainsaw so no way to cut myself out when the trees fall. Headed down low and didn't see much of anything... but then again I'm in no rush - I took off the last 4 days of the season so I'm not gonna run myself ragged trying to fill my tag before then. Have to watch the kiddo today so I'll be out again next Monday.

[bigbore40]

With no plans on doing any hunting for myself until the end of the month I took a buddy out on Sunday to fill his tag who is unable to hunt much at all this year. 8:15 found this dude in the timber and closed the deal. Crazy thing was this dudes neck was swelled up and scent glands were oozing the stinky sauce ! Also was within 20 or so yards of some doe . Could be an interesting October  ?

[heronblu]

Walked the timber opening morning but cut the day short because of the supposed storm. Sunday I walked into a gated clear cut and had the whole thing to myself. Glassed until my eyes were sore and didn't see a single deer. The wind was worse on Sunday which I'm sure contributed to the lack of roaming animals. I've got the rest of the week off so I'll keep at it until I connect with something. In the meantime my roadkill deer is in the freezer.

[Stumps]

Saturday I was in the woods for 12 hours, saw 2 cows. Had a coworker with me that had never hunted. I put him in the better spots throughout the day. He saw a buck and 2 doe. The buck ran up a shear hillside and he only caught a glimpse.

Sunday I did not head out until 3pm. Saw 4 doe, 2 cows and a nice 5x5 bull in under 3 hours.

Today I am home doing dad stuff.

[_DarkTimber_]

Lots of good stories, and that's a bummer to those of you who are sick. Hopefully I don't catch that bug. My job is looking to be rained out for a couple days so I'm heading out to hit the hills now.


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[bosshogg112]

Only deer to be seen were doe where I was.  I did however get to see 3 moose this weekend.  Did not see as many pumpkins as I have in prior years, but I also am getting better at controlling my WOTNR syndrome (whats over the next ridge) which has allowed me to see more critters I believe. 

[tgomez]

Seen 67 does and 13 bucks. Legal bucks all were on private land. The first one 4×3 I saw on state land was over 500 yards away, and it was too far to shoot especially in the wind. I ran into a group of hunters who shot a 4×4 whitetail, a 3×3 mule deer, and a 3×2 mule deer. I didn't see any giants this opening weekend dead or alive.

[ballpark]

Opening morning

[JDHasty]

With no plans on doing any hunting for myself until the end of the month I took a buddy out on Sunday to fill his tag who is unable to hunt much at all this year. 8:15 found this dude in the timber and closed the deal. Crazy thing was this dudes neck was swelled up and scent glands were oozing the stinky sauce ! Also was within 20 or so yards of some doe . Could be an interesting October  ?

The bucks are rutted up & stinky and I saw that quite a few does seemed to have kicked their fawns out (saw quite a few fawns by themselves Saturday) .   I didn't see any does walking around with their tail straight out though. 

[pd]

20 years?  Holy Cow, Ballpark, it's about time!

Congratulations to you.  Yes, your wife would surely love the tenderloins (if she ate the heart and liked it, but didn't like the loins, then you had better come back here and tell us another story).

[_DarkTimber_]

Nice buck ball park 👍🏻


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[Duckslayer89]

Some awesome Blacktails going down so far already. Dark timber, went out tonight where I ran into you on your bike, 10 miles rode and 0 deer couldn't believe it. Around 25 elk though 2 nice Bulls.

[_DarkTimber_]

Some awesome Blacktails going down so far already. Dark timber, went out tonight where I ran into you on your bike, 10 miles rode and 0 deer couldn't believe it. Around 25 elk though 2 nice Bulls.

I was thinking about going in there tonight too but ended up going in the walk in 500. Seen a few bulls also and no deer. One bull was an awesome 6x6 with tons of curl to his tines. He's getting pretty old. I'm gonna go back in there tomorrow at daylight


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[Ghunt]

Opening weekend was a bust. The whole weekend was out from sun up to sun down and didn't see a single deer. Just old sign of them. Hopefully towards the end of the month they will start showing themselves to Ms. 30-06 

[Duckslayer89]

Some awesome Blacktails going down so far already. Dark timber, went out tonight where I ran into you on your bike, 10 miles rode and 0 deer couldn't believe it. Around 25 elk though 2 nice Bulls.

I was thinking about going in there tonight too but ended up going in the walk in 500. Seen a few bulls also and no deer. One bull was an awesome 6x6 with tons of curl to his tines. He's getting pretty old. I'm gonna go back in there tomorrow at daylight


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Sweet man good luck. Morning hunt might be where it's at. I'll be out tomorrow night again. Gonna head up high see what's up

[Turner89]

I had a great time. Didn't plan on tagging out opening weekend. I take next week off every year just to chase blacktail.....I'll have all week to get ready for trapping

[fishnfur]

Great pic.  Steep!

[finnman]

It was good and bad! My niece missed a perfect opportunity at her first buck, a 2x2 with an eye guard. 125 yards broad side, in the scope, she took too long on the trigger, it got nervous and walked off with no shot. She realized it was her trying to make too perfect a shot. Oh well. She still had fun.
Later that night after a few hours of rain and wind we spotted 2 bucks and I got a snap shot at them, 125 yards free hand and I took a fat 3 pt. through the neck, dumped him. My niece got a lesson in anatomy and buck stink, this fellow was already stinky!! lol!

[yakimarcher]

Nice buck Finnman

[swanny]

Opening morning

dang nice work!

[Skyvalhunter]

Good job Ethan, another blacktail down.

[_DarkTimber_]

Nice bucks you guys, good job


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[Bearhide]

Opening day Saturday.  1 hour of light remaining.  Him and another buck were together. 

[_DarkTimber_]

Opening day Saturday.  1 hour of light remaining.  Him and another buck were together.

Nice job, real good looking buck


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[ffbowhunter]

It was definitely slower than years passed, not to mention fewer bucks seem. We ended up 3/6 filling tags in our group. But the memories made were priceless, I cannot wait until next year!