Gramps was snoozin- Old Heavy blacktail down

[CGDucksandDeer]

Awesome buck! Would you be open to sharing the general elevation you took him at? Even something like "near treeline"?

With the mild weather this month, I had plans to backpack in to an area I consider a great early-season blacktail spot at higher elevation, but with so many good reports from lower areas of state and private timberland once the weather turned, I bailed for the old walk-in-past-the-gate plan and ended up taking a smaller buck.

Based on your experience, I'm curious to know if it would have been a reasonably smart move to hike in to the steep and deep in late October, or if the majority of mature bucks would have moved down by now.

I've spent far more time hunting muleys than BTs, and it's been fun, if somewhat confusing, learning what rules apply and what don't.

[skagitsteel]

Awesome buck! Would you be open to sharing the general elevation you took him at? Even something like "near treeline"?

With the mild weather this month, I had plans to backpack in to an area I consider a great early-season blacktail spot at higher elevation, but with so many good reports from lower areas of state and private timberland once the weather turned, I bailed for the old walk-in-past-the-gate plan and ended up taking a smaller buck.

Based on your experience, I'm curious to know if it would have been a reasonably smart move to hike in to the steep and deep in late October, or if the majority of mature bucks would have moved down by now.

I've spent far more time hunting muleys than BTs, and it's been fun, if somewhat confusing, learning what rules apply and what don't.

I think you did well going lower.  I have heard of very few higher elevation blacktail taken this year and I know some very good hunters out there trying.  There are almost always much higher deer densities at lower elevations.  Up high late can be a gamble, sometimes it’s vacant, sometimes an older buck or two hangs until rut really kicks in.

[pianoman9701]

Great big ole buck! Congrats.

[MountainTracker]

Dang!! Another nice BT good for you man.  Those old BT really are something to behold.  Thanks for sharing as I’m not able to be out BT hunting this season due to work.


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Bummer!

They don't come easy that's for sure, a lot of miles a lot of days and a few cringe moments passing on other bucks. I feel really blessed to take two old blacktail bucks in back to back years.  Tracking that old buck down in 2017 after wounding it was like 5 years of hunting knowledge gained, getting into the mind of an old buck and how he survived so long.

All that knowledge is paying off for sure. I can only imagine what bucks you’ve passed on, self control hahaha


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[CGDucksandDeer]

I think you did well going lower.  I have heard of very few higher elevation blacktail taken this year and I know some very good hunters out there trying.  There are almost always much higher deer densities at lower elevations.  Up high late can be a gamble, sometimes it’s vacant, sometimes an older buck or two hangs until rut really kicks in.

Thanks. Sounds about right, but coming from only hunting muleys and elk on the eastside, it's hard to kick the restless feet and desire get into the highcountry. Again, congrats on an awesome buck!