Late muzzleloader/archery blacktail season

[sagerat]

I’m going to be hunting this for the first time this year, normally I’m modern only. Just curious to hear others experiences during this post rut time frame... Is there much buck movement? Are they likely to be with does or alone? If you have any stories let’s hear it!

[Mallardmasher]

I would not say post rut, last year and this year shaping up to be rutty. Last year we had bucks driving does til Dec 10th with most of the rut action. Full on brawls bucks running crazy, thanksgiving til early Dec.

[fishnfur]

I've been less lucky in the late season in locating bucks.  Normal rut season tactics should remain effective.  Some people still have luck rattling.  If you're not opposed to bait, a guy who was planting trees for me last spring said a pile of rotting apples will bring in the bucks that are famished from rutting.  If you're just meat hunting, many of the units allow you to take a doe with those weapons.

[hawks33]

I've always had better luck in the late season.  A bulk of the foliage is off of the brush and I have better visibility.  I'll slow walk alder patches and 3-5 year old thinned or clearcut areas.  I don't think this is the typical, just my experience.

[Skyvalhunter]

What units will you be hunting?

[JakeLand]

Like Last year the peak “rutting “ time is running a little later and my guess is you’ll do well ! Don’t sit on a cut all day put miles on and glass glass glass they’ll be cruising non stop

[sagerat]

What units will you be hunting?

Probably 460. Potentially 448, 437 and 420.

[sagerat]

I've been less lucky in the late season in locating bucks.  Normal rut season tactics should remain effective.  Some people still have luck rattling.  If you're not opposed to bait, a guy who was planting trees for me last spring said a pile of rotting apples will bring in the bucks that are famished from rutting.  If you're just meat hunting, many of the units allow you to take a doe with those weapons.

We’ll be looking for mature bucks and not interested in baiting, might give rattling a go though...