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There will always be more blacktail that you don't see than do see...
The only thing I can add is that blacktail hunting in western WA is probably some of the most difficult big game hunting in the US. Don't be discouraged and keep at it.
Thanks for the replies, all, that's helpful.Do you think it's worth finding a "well-used" trail and camping it at sunrise/sunset to see if there's any foot traffic? Or would my proximity to the trail give my scent away too easily?
Some of what you are asking depends on the wind. If the wind is right give it a try. The well used trails are most often used by does. It doesn't mean you won't see a buck on them, but they will use other access or less used trails more often. It might be worth putting a trail camera or 2 up before the season and see what is using the trails you are thinking of.
QuoteSome of what you are asking depends on the wind. If the wind is right give it a try. The well used trails are most often used by does. It doesn't mean you won't see a buck on them, but they will use other access or less used trails more often. It might be worth putting a trail camera or 2 up before the season and see what is using the trails you are thinking of.Thank you for the reply! I just retrieved 4 cams that I hung in that area (which for reference is about 40 acres ringed by road on 3 sides with housing on the 4th, with zero hunting pressure according to the landowner).I got back one coyote, one pretty small black bear, a variety of blacktail but no visible bucks. Everything was fairly small, except one doe. I have two shooting lanes on that property that I've identified and they're the only "clear" parts of that land. It is a very old prospecting road straight through the forest which is now thickly overgrown. I am going to rehang in those two locations on trees that could work as treestands and let all 4 cameras soak for a month and see if I can get anything bigger.I found a large pile of cougar scat out there on my first scout, but no cats on camera. Darn.
BTW - if you haven't read Iverson's Blactail Trophy Tactics II, then by all means do so. It is called the "blacktail bible" for a reason. https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0963040510/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1527895640&sr=8-1
Ask Shane Barbour, you know, the outfitter in Graham..
Quote from: fishnfur on June 01, 2018, 04:35:35 PMBTW - if you haven't read Iverson's Blactail Trophy Tactics II, then by all means do so. It is called the "blacktail bible" for a reason. https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0963040510/ref=tmm_pap_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=1527895640&sr=8-1Truth.That book is awesome!!Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk