Blacktail Bucks that come out just after dark

[anchoraly]

Does anyone have any tips on tracking down a buck that comes out right at or after dark? He comes out of a thick dark treeline at the bottom of a cut, and I am hoping to catch him slip soon..

[OutHouse]

Great question. You want to be near his bedding area before it gets light that way when he returns to his bed, you are already there waiting for him. His bed could be 100 yards or a mile into that timber. I would scout out that timber and find likely bedding areas. Then, be in that timber ready and waiting well before it gets light. This might mean you are sitting in the dark for an hour, but at first light he might be heading right toward you. My experience with nocturnal deer is that they still get up once in a while when they are in their safe space. You gotta hunt their safe space because they will never be feeding or traveling during day light hours. If you have a tree stand that's the best way to make sure the buck doesn't notice anything amiss in and around his safe space. But, do not hunt right on his bed. Be at least 40 yards away. Also, the buck is nocturnal for a reason. He has been hunted before and refuses to go out in daylight. I would also use a de-scenting product because those bucks are very apprehensive and your smell could ruin you despite doing everything else right.

[DaveMonti]

At this time of the season, the rut is getting started in most places (blacktails).  I'd hunt the general area where you've seen the buck, but expect to see the buck moving around more in the next few days, especially if it's raining.  There are plenty of reports of rut activity starting, and when the rut starts, the deer are out of their general feeding/bedding patterns and are either moving and looking for does, or with the does. 

If you know of a spot where the does tend hang out, I'd sit on it and wait for the bucks to show themselves.  If you don't know where the does are, either find them or sit on the spot where the buck has been seen lately.  If you find does, you will see bucks in the next few days. 

[JimmyHoffa]

have you tried rattling and grunting?

[anchoraly]

have you tried rattling and grunting?

I have not.. I was getting ready to entertain the thought however. I know it could go either way with a mature buck.. I have never actually tried those methods with blacktail. Im nervous to give it an amateur try on a buck I have been hunting and finally have him pinned down..

[Mudman]

Decoy if you have it and lots of doe in heat scent.  Might entice him a little earlier?  Careful with his safe bedding area, If you blow him out he will likely be gone for good.  Rattle maybe if that doesn't work.  Also the area he is entering from in the dark stuff.  Might set ambush before he gets there.  That would be my first step along with doe scent.

[anchoraly]

Decoy if you have it and lots of doe in heat scent.  Might entice him a little earlier?  Careful with his safe bedding area, If you blow him out he will likely be gone for good.  Rattle maybe if that doesn't work.  Also the area he is entering from in the dark stuff.  Might set ambush before he gets there.  That would be my first step along with doe scent.

I have been setting ambush up on the hill looking down onto his trail, he comes up like 5 min after shooting light sometimes 30 min. He may be getting wise to my sit and wait tactics, possibly pushing him to be more nocturnal.

[shadowless_nite]

If you have a trail camera and the area is low pressure, I'd set it up to back track his movement until you get closer to daytime phots of him moving. Granted you are going against the clock now, but if he's consistent in every day you may be able to back track him fast enough before the season ends or patterns change.

[Mudman]

Yup he smart.  Back off and try heat scent??  He should be getting fired up and will get stupid.  The mature guys are tough. 

[anchoraly]

Yup he smart.  Back off and try heat scent??  He should be getting fired up and will get stupid.  The mature guys are tough. 

Oh he is smart. I have been chasing him for a couple weeks. He moves a lot at night. Have you had much luck with blacktail estrus? I have only heard bad things about scent baiting bucks out here. I figure tomorrow I am off work though, Perhaps I can lay some scent and bring out some antlers to rattle and sit for the entire day.

[Squidward]

Have you tried to be there watching the timber line at daylight to see if you can catch him in the clear cut before he slips back in the the timber? Good Luck!

[DaveMonti]

If you are going to actively pursue him (instead of trying to ambush him naturally) I'd be pretty careful.  Very subtle with rattling and a few doe bleats, then sit and wait for a half hour.  I don't think I would use scent.  Blacktail bucks are different than whitetails. 

[Mudman]

No I have not had luck with rattle or scent. I don't use it on deer anymore but it does sometimes work.  Elk, yes.  With rut kicking in it seems you should try to play to his weakness.  Mature bucks can be so tough.  Most get killed in rut.  Option 2 is go down below after him but its more risky and a heck of a packout probably. I know the buck across the street is all about the scent.  He follows his nose like my dog does!

[anchoraly]

Have you tried to be there watching the timber line at daylight to see if you can catch him in the clear cut before he slips back in the the timber? Good Luck!

Yes, I am lucky enough to get an hour of daylight before im off to work each night and I get home 2 hours before dark. I think he comes down mid day, per the sign he has left. then back up at dusk.

[Brushcrawler]

I watched a 4x5 for several weeks that never moved except at night. The day after I shot a small buck in the same spot he was on camera at 10am. Be patient!