Blacktail Question

[frogman338]

First year blacktail hunting and heard the buck's snort wheeze today about 50-60 yards below me around the edge of the trees, but too thick down there couldn't see anything and he never stepped out of the thicket. That was my first time hearing the buck's snort wheeze, man that was really loud. So if it happens again is that okay to respond the same way or they might get spooked ?

[WapitiTalk1]

Sounds like he busted you bud (smell probably but could have been sight or sound also) and was sounding the danger alarm. 

[frogman338]

Oh didn't even think of that, pretty sure he didn't see me nor heard me, didn't move or anything. Probably smelled me
.

[fishnfur]

Good guess but impossible to say for sure.  He may have been dealing with another buck and you just happened to be in the vicinity.  Normally, they just blow when they bust you, at least in my experience.  It sounds like when you blow out really hard though pursed lips.  A doe will blow at you as well.

Pay attention to the thermals and use a wind indicator if you're not sure what's happening.   There's not a hell of a lot you can do to recover from them catching your wind - it's going to happen when you go in the woods.  There will always be deer downwind of you somewhere.  Remember that spot though.  He might be found bedded there again in a few days.  Come in sideways/horizontal to the level you believe he was at.  Move slow, slow, slow and maybe tip a can call occasionally if you have one.

[frogman338]

Good guess but impossible to say for sure.  He may have been dealing with another buck and you just happened to be in the vicinity.  Normally, they just blow when they bust you, at least in my experience.  It sounds like when you blow out really hard though pursed lips.  A doe will blow at you as well.

Pay attention to the thermals and use a wind indicator if you're not sure what's happening.   There's not a hell of a lot you can do to recover from them catching your wind - it's going to happen when you go in the woods.  There will always be deer downwind of you somewhere.  Remember that spot though.  He might be found bedded there again in a few days.  Come in sideways/horizontal to the level you believe he was at.  Move slow, slow, slow and maybe tip a can call occasionally if you have one.

i hunt a lot at the place where i heard him, seen a lotta deer activity these past months but only does with fawns. I can't really do much in that place , it's a very old clear cut with tall reprod trees overgrown with berry patches at the edge of the timber. No matter how I try, the wind always wins in that place. I thought I heard a loud snap, assumed there were 2 bucks, because he kept doing that for about a few minutes with long breaks, but can't really say what happened down there.

Should I wait for a couple days then go back there, or just check back daily?

[JakeLand]

Probably a doe ! Blacktail  Bucks will just keep quiet

[deerhunter_98520]

  you got scented and she was earning the rest around and if you haven't been seen she was wanting you to show yourself...not alot you can do in that situation...if the wind is swirling in that location probably the only thing you'll be able to do there is a push and set someone up where they keep busting out to and hope it works out..if not your just going to push them into thicker brush...I would get the best wind in my position and sit with s vantage point and glass/wait for them to move  out of it to feed

[blackveltbowhunter]

 :yeah:x2

   I have only heard a buck grunt or " wheeze" a couple of times. Rut noise from blacktails in my experience is, with rare exception, pretty quiet. You have to be in tight already to hear it.  Now blowing, or loud wheezing is very common, and was likely a doe or possibly a young buck. I have never seen an older age class buck do it. The good news is there is does in the area and a buck could show anytime. Good luck!

[jackmaster]

Probably a doe ! Blacktail  Bucks will just keep quiet

it was a doe, bucks don’t blow and wheeze like that

[frogman338]

This is the exact same thing i heard yesterday

t=14s 

[JakeLand]

Well you got me with that one
I’ve had big boys postering up and full on fights in front of me within yards and only heard groaning and light throat growling

[Molon5labe]

Probably a doe ! Blacktail  Bucks will just keep quiet

it was a doe, bucks don’t blow and wheeze like that

That is false, assuming we are talking about the same noise. I was on a ridge a few weeks ago bear hunting and a 2pt black tail came trotting around a fold in the hill. He saw me about 30 yards out, blew a big wheeze, turned and hopped away.

[MountainWalk]

Thermals is what busted ya. And most likely a doe.

[frogman338]

I've heard does wheeze before and it didn't sound the same yesterday. The way that thing was groaning didn't seem like something a doe would do. Man I still can't recall if I really heard a loud snap or not, but I think I did only once, the adrenaline kicked in and I was only watching the timber waiting for it to step out.   

[singleshot12]

This is the exact same thing i heard yesterday

t=14s

Those aren't real blacktail! Must be the high fence that's interfering.