Blacktail Rut

[lokidog]

Just saw a nice 4X in Anacortes that was sticking pretty tightly to a doe.

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[deerhunter_98520]

Where's the pictures guys!?

[WSU]

Almost no activity today in a number of places her in oly.

[JDHasty]

Where's the pictures guys!?

Ol' JD has a flip phone he barely knows how to turn on and when I finally figure it out and get a pic the thing looks like an ant. 

I am carrying my Panasonic LX3 now, and have seen some real Jim Dandies around Tacoma  last night after the narcotics wore off to where it was safe to drive.  Remember, I have a broken rib.  I am going to venture out tonight if the pain does not get to sharp. 

Here's a hint, the entire area is closed period, so let's not see a repeat of last year.  It's not a good scene to end up in handcuffs with an audience cheering on the LEO community.   

I'm going to try to get over to the islands in the evenings next month, just to shoot a few pictures.     

[deerhunter_98520]

Where's the pictures guys!?

Ol' JD has a flip phone he barely knows how to turn on and when I finally figure it out and get a pic the thing looks like an ant. 

I am carrying my Panasonic LX3 now, and have seen some real Jim Dandies around Tacoma  last night after the narcotics wore off to where it was safe to drive.  Remember, I have a broken rib.  I am going to venture out tonight if the pain does not get to sharp. 

Here's a hint, the entire area is closed period, so let's not see a repeat of last year.  It's not a good scene to end up in handcuffs with an audience cheering on the LEO community.   

I'm going to try to get over to the islands in the evenings next month, just to shoot a few pictures.     

Lookin forward to the pics but take care of them ribs first 

[TheHunt]

I saw two bucks in the dark this morning.  2X2 and 3X3 both of their necks were thin...   I am not sure the rut is here yet.  I think we need a good freeze to kick it off.   Now I am hoping it does not happen for a week or two.

[Wingin it]

Somebody smoked one with their truck early this morning on I-5 between Arlington and Stanwood. Looked like a pretty nice buck too. LE was on the scene so I hope the person or people in the vehicle came out of it alright.

[pope]

Pretty mild this week and I'm not seeing rut activity in the Buckley/Enumclaw area. Waiting for colder temperatures.

[trophyhunt]

Hunted all day in Hancock today on the kapowsin side, walk in unit.  Saw 3 does in the woods all alone and two does on the road on the way out, alone.  I haven't seen any sign of the rut. 

[ElevenBravo]

Hunted hard all day South East of Olympia. Nada. Does with fawns. Bucks hiding in the thick stuff. Found a bear. Practiced hunting into the wind. Crawling like a coyote. And worked on my range estimation. Still a good day.

[JDHasty]

Hunted hard all day South East of Olympia. Nada. Does with fawns. Bucks hiding in the thick stuff. Found a bear. Practiced hunting into the wind. Crawling like a coyote. And worked on my range estimation. Still a good day.

The best thing is to keep in mind:  They saw you.  They were just inside the cover and you were busted.  That's what I always think when I don't have a big buck show his vitals.  My best "hunting" has been after I had used my General tag and had only a doe tag and was sitting there with a big buck, just back in cover, giving me the finger as the does were moving into their feeding areas.

[ElevenBravo]

Hunted hard all day South East of Olympia. Nada. Does with fawns. Bucks hiding in the thick stuff. Found a bear. Practiced hunting into the wind. Crawling like a coyote. And worked on my range estimation. Still a good day.

The best thing is to keep in mind:  They saw you.  They were just inside the cover and you were busted.  That's what I always think when I don't have a big buck show his vitals.  My best "hunting" has been after I had used my General tag and had only a doe tag and was sitting there with a big buck, just back in cover, giving me the finger as the does were moving into their feeding areas.

I noticed some well worn trails paralleling the clear cuts. About 20yards in. I think its time to bring out the 'old 30-30 with iron sights. I still have yet to find any fresh rubs. I have spent a fair amount of time chasing trails in the timber.

[Bronson]

My buddy shot a nice buck this morning and he was swollen up and glands were working over time.  His buck was wandering out in the open at 10:45.  We saw 3 bucks this morning.  My buddy's, a nice mahogany rack buck even bigger than my hunting partners and a small 2pt.  The bigger buck had a doe with him and the little 2pt was following at a distance.  The buck my buddy shot had fresh cuts and scars on his face, neck and shoulder.  Assuming they were from fighting.

[redi]

Yesterday we found a big 4x4 blacktail bedded in a 2 year old cut with a doe. There is rubs every where I go. Even saw where bucks were fighting on an old grade. Tomorrow and Monday will be awesome.

[Turner89]

Today was the best day so far in my area. We saw 4 deer only today, but all 4 were bucks. 3 of the 4 were seen between 10am, and 12:30pm. My son shot one of them at 11am.
 They were roaming around looking for doe. I actually smelled the buck before we saw him.