Blacktail Deer Hunting Odds

[Whitenuckles]

13 (one not recovered) for the last 12 years, plus two muley does.  For me it is location, location, location.   

 Yep, location location location! Spend time out there and find their home. Once you find it, they will be there every year. My wife and I get ours out of the same hole every single year. The buck I shot yesterday was standing 10ft from the buck I shot last year.

[Crunchy]

Location first, followed closely by serious glassing.  They call them ghosts for a reason.  They are rarely out in the open where I hunt, so you really need to glass the 5-10 year old clearcuts hard and I mean hard.  Best odds for killing a buck are the first couple hours of light, and last hour.  Dont hike out until it is DARK. 

[Old Man Yager]

I don't knw if it's been mentioned, but reading through your posts, you said you have a problem seeing deer. With BT, if you're in a good area with cover, you have to look for parts of deer, not the whole deer. If you're glassing either a clear cut or in timber, look for parts of deer. Ears, tail, horizontal line of the back, throat patch, face, tail flicking, ect. Sure you are going to spot a whole deer in the open, but for the most part, they are going to have some kind of cover between you and them. And as thick as it can be in Western Wa, they only need to take a step and they disappear entirely. That's why a lot of guys are advising you to be patient and really take the time to look thuroughly. Another thing too, this year I shot a nice 2 pt opening morning 60 yards from the road, on the edge of a clear cut with heavy cover close by. Lucky? Yes, part luck, but I had put myself in an area wher I had seen deer previous years and this past summer. In that same small area that morning, my son saw a 1x 2, and as we were taking pics of my buck, after about 15 minutes, another 2 pt jumped out and ran up the hill. So, I didn't know this specific buck was there, but I had seen others there in the past, so that's why I was in that spot. I think the best thing to do is spend as much time as you can in the woods all year long, I know that's not always an option for some, but the more time you can spend out there, the more you will learn.

[PNWheckle]

I would say the number one thing is patience. Anyone can go find where blacktail have been. But do you have the patience to wait for them to come back. I was lacking patience this year myself and after not seeing anything all season I finally decided to sit a cut that had fresh rubs all through it as well as I could smell a rutting buck had been there or was there. I sat from 3:30 til 5:30 when I was starting to lose my patience. I was just about ready to leave when I heard a gun shot and thought, 15 more minutes, they must be moving now. 15 minutes goes by and still nothing. So I get up and move to where I set my pack down 5 yards to the left. One more time I pull up my binos and there was a nice big body with its head down, and after what seemed like forever I finally saw some antlers. This buck had been bedded down the entire time and just appeared out of nowhere. So without a little bit of patience, I would've been eating my tag until late buck

[fishnfur]

And they can be hard to see in low light.  Absolutely have to glass 'em up. 

Here's a pic of the second buck hanging out with the one I shot.  (There may have been a third there too?)   This one is waiting for his buddy to get up out of the grass 20 minutes after first light.  I had to wait several minutes after locating them before taking a shot.  With no scope on the muzzleloader, I couldn't see them at all without magnification.

[mjustice79]

Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!


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[Bogie85]

Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!


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It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.

[lokidog]

Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!


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More deer are killed in Wisconsin's 10 day rifle season than we have living in WA, that doesn't even factor in a 3+ month archery season and muzzloader seasons as well.

[fishnfur]

Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!


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It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.

Man, your family's going to be mad when they read your post stating that they are all dumb?   

[lokidog]

Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!


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It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.

Man, your family's going to be mad when they read your post stating that they are all dumb?   

 

[addicted1]

Successful hunters are always willing to do what unsuccessful hunters aren't. Don't give up already, you are just getting started! Plus you have already found sign, seen deer and heard a grunt! There are many people on this forum that haven't seen that this year! You just need to understand that it take time! Best of luck, if you want to bear hunt, I can take you for a walk around the woods. But season closes soon.

[fishnfur]

To respond to your concerns mjustice79, this article puts the Blacktail deer population at 90,000 - 110,000. 
https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Working%20Groups/Mule%20Deer/Publications2/2016_Mule_Deer_and_BTD_Status_Update_Final.pdf

This article puts the number of BTs at 70,00 for the 5 counties in SW WA. 
https://tdn.com/lifestyles/blacktail-deer-populations-hanging-on-but-there-s-reason-for/article_9fb4a6af-fda5-5fe8-a35d-1a0d7930b6b1.html

I've seen others that estimate the total BT population in Western WA is up near 150,000.  The reason for the wide range is that no body really knows how many there are.  They are so hard to find that WDFW has to guess at population numbers.  The entire population of the three huntable deer species in WA was estimated to be somewhere near 300,000 a couple years ago.  Many here would say there are far less than that. (unless you live on Decatur Island) 

On the other hand, this webpage says Tennessee has roughly a million WT deer.  http://www.deerfriendly.com/deer/tennessee

Trophy Blacktail deer have the reputation of being among the hardest hunts in North America (perhaps not including mid-California).  Consider it a chance to improve your hunting skills. If hunting was easy, they'd just call it killing. Review of the 2018 Success Thread displays that the deer are out there to be had.  Good luck with the rest of your season.  Sorry about the low numbers.   

[mjustice79]

To respond to your concerns mjustice79, this article puts the Blacktail deer population at 90,000 - 110,000. 
https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Working%20Groups/Mule%20Deer/Publications2/2016_Mule_Deer_and_BTD_Status_Update_Final.pdf

This article puts the number of BTs at 70,00 for the 5 counties in SW WA. 
https://tdn.com/lifestyles/blacktail-deer-populations-hanging-on-but-there-s-reason-for/article_9fb4a6af-fda5-5fe8-a35d-1a0d7930b6b1.html

I've seen others that estimate the total BT population in Western WA is up near 150,000.  The reason for the wide range is that no body really knows how many there are.  They are so hard to find that WDFW has to guess at population numbers.  The entire population of the three huntable deer species in WA was estimated to be somewhere near 300,000 a couple years ago.  Many here would say there are far less than that. (unless you live on Decatur Island) 

On the other hand, this webpage says Tennessee has roughly a million WT deer.  http://www.deerfriendly.com/deer/tennessee

Trophy Blacktail deer have the reputation of being among the hardest hunts in North America (perhaps not including mid-California).  Consider it a chance to improve your hunting skills. If hunting was easy, they'd just call it killing. Review of the 2018 Success Thread displays that the deer are out there to be had.  Good luck with the rest of your season.  Sorry about the low numbers.   

I completely agree on the difference of population. I guess it comes down to expectation management as well. My son used to go with me all the time in GA, but has no interest anymore. Passed his hunters ed course this year. I researched the youth hunt, and noticed it’s only in eastern Washington. That’s why I’m thinking about getting a guide next year. I’d much rather pay the money to go see animals, and at least have an opportunity.


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[fishnfur]

Blacktail are definitely a tough way to get a kid into hunting.  If you're already skilled in finding them easily, then it's no big deal to put a child on one that you glass up.  Otherwise, it can be a long, boring, wet, and miserable day in the woods.  I lived that nightmare with our oldest.

As far as I know, there are special hunt youth tags available in all western units that allow doe harvest.  Drawing a tag in many units is not too tough.  Also, there are very likely forum members familiar with your area that might volunteer to show you the ropes and/or help get your son on a deer  ( Though it is hunting.  It is never a sure thing).  There is a section of the forum on the main page titled "Where to go - hunt swaps - partnerships".  Put up a post in that section asking for some help scouting or hunting your area and see if you get any bites.  It will be a lot less expensive than a guide and you'll probably see some animals.

[Justdecent]

Getting out in the woods in the off-season is paramount in my opinion. Not only are you seeing new areas first hand, but you’re also gaining “woods-savvy” that can only be gained by being out there. Not to mention learning deer behavior when they’re unpressured. I’ve scouted bucks in June and July that couldn’t care less about me watching them. Hunt the edges in clearcuts that can’t be seen from the logging roads. Take note of the wind direction BEFORE you start to head into an area and move painfully slow. Take note of where you’re stepping and what you’re stepping on. Move your eyes, not your head. Get rid of the extra 4 cartridges that are jangling in your pocket that you dont need anyways. Put your lunch in one slide lock bag and take the wrappers off of everything. Eliminate any unnatural sound!