Blacktail Bucks that come out just after dark

[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!

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.

Mid day? thought he is nocturnal, go kill him at noon. hell that was easy.. Good Luck that old buck.

[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.

Mid day? thought he is nocturnal, go kill him at noon. hell that was easy.. Good Luck that old buck.

LOL He is nocturnal! I work during the day in the week, so I have to rely on sign. He was spotted once last week up there mid day, but it also could have been another buck too. I am really hoping he runs his days on split shifts tho... It would give me the best chance this weekend.

[Squidward]

Will be watching for pic's, Good Luck!

[JDHasty]

Big bucks didn't get big by being bold.  I have seen them hanging back just inside cover watching does and young bold bucks go out to take a bullet.  Are they smarter or more cowardly or both? 

Now here's something to chew on, older does will not let their fawns charge in as often as young does.  Older doe, fawns are following and younger does fawns come bounding in to grab an apple. 

So I'm thinking older does produce more bucks that get big because they learn a stealthy approach from day one. 

[mtn.goat]

Will be watching for pic's, Good Luck!

 

Lots of great advice thus far, even if it doesn't all jive together.

Honestly, it's extremely difficult to not "go in" after him, myself included.  Try to constantly remind yourself he has EVERY advantage...other than long range glass or looking ability!  It's even harder to watch from distance as the season is coming to end.  That said, if you have the ability (and patience!) to sit and long range watch (preferably within your rifle and capability range) your odds are hugely better IMHO.  I'm talking about all day sitting even in your rig if need be, waiting for his one mistake of the day or week.  An hour before daylight even thinks of breakin' until well after shooting light and slip away as quiet as possible.  It is truly unbelievable how many big bucks are killed in the late morning (9-10am etc.) when the literally, get up to stretch their legs etc. and Boom, dead.  They'll sleep all damn day other than that one 5-15 min. stretch. 

As for scent as mentioned, a little or tiny amount goes a long way imo, same for rattling, rattle semi quietly and silence for half an hour, or longer, repeat at different volumes and durations.

You've got an upper hand, knowing where he's living and him not knowing you're presence (assuming this), keep it up and he will have at least one lapse in judgment and you'll have him. 
I would not go in after him unless you can be 100% certain of ONE constant wind direction and only then, glacial creep mode!

Good luck and good hunting.

[anchoraly]

Got it done on the last day! Put in a quick first light hunt yesterday morning right before work... Needless to say I called in!! Nice clean kill, my biggest buck BY FAR!!!!!! He is certainly going on the wall. Quite the trophy to me, this season has been one for the books. Thanks for all the tips guys!!

[Blacktail Sniper]

Good job!

[singleshot12]

Nice! Was he the one you were targeting?

[highside74]

Can't see the pictures

[sagerat]

  me neither

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea

[Squidward]

Congrats on the buck, but, come on man your killing us here. where are the pics?

[anchoraly]

Updated the photo links, should work now!

[singleshot12]

Super! Sure like to hear the whole story on how you killed that bad boy

[Tapp Daddy]

Gorgeous buck!  And hell of a job being patient .  Well worth the wait