How do you hunt the Blacktail late general season differently?

[EatAlltheAnimals]

I went hunting for the first time a few weeks ago and came across about 7 does, but came up empty. I also ran into a game warden who was very helpful and advised I get a buck grunt. Other than the buck grunt that I plan on using, anyone switch up their tactics for late season blacktail?


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[fishnfur]

I'm wracking my brain.  I think I hunt in the same fashion as the last few days of October.  The peak of the rut is winding down, but bucks are still on the move looking for hot does.  I believe WDFW literature indicates that the lack of foliage for the deer to hide in accounts for the nearly 50% of the season harvest in those four days.  Glassing and still hunting with or without optics should both reveal more animals.

[SeaRun1]

I have not had success grunting for bucks.  I carry one as a emergency response if I bump a buck.  I think I have done more damage then good with a grunt.

Try rattling instead.  You have four more days to seal the deal and you may rattle in a desperate buck in that window.

Good luck.  Keep trying until you succeed.

SR1

[RadSav]

General we spend more time in the green leaves than anything else.  Late season we don't ignore the green leaves if there are any left, but we spend a lot more time glassing openings in the reprod.  We also spend a bit more time late on the ridge lines.  My thought process is when the leaves are gone the bucks get high to use their eyes more.  Plus I think they are tired and not so eager to nose down blindly chasing scent.  Wish we had the scotch bloom jungles down here.  Always loved those hunts late.

Late season we really slow down too.  Again it comes back to cover.  In late season most of the leaves are gone and we can see so much more (the deer can see us so much more as well).  So where we set a goal of ten hunts a day during general, we might set a goal of only five or six late season.  Late it's all bout the binos for us.  I can only remember one late season buck that we didn't glass first.  And that one we were glassing a herd of elk that happened to dive into heavy brush and push the buck out right in front of us.  Had only seconds to get a shot off.  Rare for late, but quite common for general.

[EatAlltheAnimals]

I have not had success grunting for bucks.  I carry one as a emergency response if I bump a buck.  I think I have done more damage then good with a grunt.

Try rattling instead.  You have four more days to seal the deal and you may rattle in a desperate buck in that window.

Good luck.  Keep trying until you succeed.

SR1

Thanks SR1. When I first read your comment I thought, “4 more days...but late season hasn’t started yet!” The I re-read it and realized late season is only 4 days long. Thanks for the tip.


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[Deerdad44]

I make sure I have my can call with me during the late season. On a couple different occasions I have seen a buck that hasn't presented a shot and works it's way into the thick stuff. A hit or two with the old doe in a can has proven effective to get him to reappear.  Btw, the anticipation between the early season and extended buck is way harder for me to take then the buildup to the early opener.

[RadSav]

Btw, the anticipation between the early season and extended buck is way harder for me to take then the buildup to the early opener.

No question!!  4 days of "Do or Die".  Plus, with only four days you want to shoot the first one, but at the same time you know you're going to see a good buck.  It's a mind game filled with pain and frustration of the best kind!

[Old Man Yager]

I've shot several good Blacktail bucks during late season that were still in full rut mode, so keep that in mind too.

[SeaRun1]

I have not had success grunting for bucks.  I carry one as a emergency response if I bump a buck.  I think I have done more damage then good with a grunt.

Try rattling instead.  You have four more days to seal the deal and you may rattle in a desperate buck in that window.

Good luck.  Keep trying until you succeed.

SR1

Thanks SR1. When I first read your comment I thought, “4 more days...but late season hasn’t started yet!” The I re-read it and realized late season is only 4 days long. Thanks for the tip.


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I saw a really nice 4x4 and a super wide and tall 2x2 going to the in laws last night along with a few does and spikes.  I wish I had another tag to fill!

Looking forward to seeing a good Blacktail hit the ground for you!

SR1