Late Season Blacktail-Getting Discouraged

[dreadi]

Late season archery is still on and I’ve got all the free time a person could want. I started hunting in the early season and I have a multiseason tag, not wasting any time or opportunities, I’ve hunted deer “a lot” this year and have yet to take one.  I know they are out there but, I haven’t stopped wondering, “What else can do I to increase my likely hood of success?” 

Anyone got any winning pointers?

[CarbonHunter]

I was out today for my second time with my Washington multi deer tag. I was having the same issue of other things to do but I did see 8 deer and no other hunters today.

[cougforester]

Move slower. Hunt on the nasty rainy windy days, not when it's more comfortable for you. There has been a thread or two on here somewhat recently with a lot of good discussion on dietary needs for blacktail later in the year that I learned a lot from. Might be worth a read!

[blackveltbowhunter]

   Lotsa good info. Low growing Blackberries and big timber have been productive for me, I also look for snow if possible especially if targeting bucks. If you find a large group of does still together, it doesnt hurt to keep tabs and hunt the harder to access areas adjacent to where they are hanging out. I have killed bucks and seen them with does as late as the 31st. Not often, but I think in areas of low breeders to doe ratio they tend to stay closer to the girls a bit longer.

[slowhand]

Late season archery is still on and I’ve got all the free time a person could want. I started hunting in the early season and I have a multiseason tag, not wasting any time or opportunities, I’ve hunted deer “a lot” this year and have yet to take one.  I know they are out there but, I haven’t stopped wondering, “What else can do I to increase my likely hood of success?” 

Anyone got any winning pointers?

How has it gone so far?
are You looking for a trophy or just a Deer?
How far from the road are you hunting?

[fishnfur]

  Lotsa good info. Low growing Blackberries and big timber have been productive for me, I also look for snow if possible especially if targeting bucks. If you find a large group of does still together, it doesnt hurt to keep tabs and hunt the harder to access areas adjacent to where they are hanging out. I have killed bucks and seen them with does as late as the 31st. Not often, but I think in areas of low breeders to doe ratio they tend to stay closer to the girls a bit longer.

I agree with this advice. Blackberries are very likely the major browse in their diets.  They are one of the few plants that will carry leaves through several freezes and are always a favorite of deer, even when other browse is available.  Big timber close by for thermal cover makes good sense. 

 I've never done well finding deer in December, so I have no tips other than that you try to think like a deer.  I'd suppose they'd like to be dry if possible and stay out of the wind, which cools their bodies much faster if they are wet.  They'd want to bed close to a good food source so they minimize energy wasted in travel.  They will spend the majority of their day bedded in order to conserve energy.  (I don't know if any of that is right, but that's what I'd be doing if I was a deer).  An alder/big timber or alder/10 - 15 year old reprod interface should have areas inside the alder edge that is growing trailing blackberries that show fresh browsing if the deer are using it.  That might be a good spot to hang out.  Alternatively, there's the old standby - glassing a reprod unit or working your way though the timbered edges surrounding the cut.  Good luck!

[brew]

i saw a huge blackie buck this morning about 5 a.m. with 2 does standing beside the paved road beneath an apple tree between Graham and Kapowsin. Rain doesn't bother them but the wind does.  Normal wind they are fine but if it is whipping they lose two of their senses-hearing and smell.  A lot of wind keeps them moving.  That's the best time to hunt them.  Went out a week ago when it was storming like crazy to try and get the wife her archery deer.  just driving around for 4 hours saw over 20 deer but she couldn't get a shot at any of them.  Keep at it and try to hunt the weather-wind and rain.  Clear and cold days the area i hunt is a bust except for the last couple hours of light.  Those deer are lazy and don't move unless there is some weather.

[JimmyHoffa]

All random, but a few things I notice this time of year.
If it gets cold, with clear and sunny, I see them in the middle of a cut or pasture in direct light.
At night when cold, they seem to like to bed under the bigger conifers, those trees make for a canopy and keep it a few degrees warmer underneath.
Also, after heavy winds, they seem to like to eat stuff that blows down-- if alders or maples lose a branch, like to eat the buds (usually a little later in the year).

[dreadi]

I have been out in all the weathers and have seen deer while hunting anywhere from on the road to 2-3 miles from a road. I either get busted on the stalk or  they don't bolt before I can get out of the truck if they are on a road . I was out in Capitol Forest yesterday all day and today from light to noon. Any deer is fine with me, I can't eat the horns and the freezer is getting bare.  I didn't pull the trigger on a buck during later modern because he seemed just a bit out of range for me using a shotgun.

Yesterday I saw a doe and fawn in the morning and got busted on the stalk. The rest of the day I saw nothing until I was back in the truck at 4:30pm and a group of deer walked out into the road. The promptly turned around and walked back into the woods.  Today I didn't see anything.

Usually I see them walk a hill side of reprod just munching away without a care in the world. I do know where there's public land nearby with plenty of blackberry bushes. I've seen deer there before.

[brew]

sent you a p.m. with an area to check out as well as GPS coordinates you should be able to find on Google Maps.

good luck

bryan

[Dysfunctional Vet]

It’s my first year hunting blacktails and not saying it’s right, but i’ve been looking for the most well used trails leading through clear cuts. Then I follow them to see where they go. They’ve led me to plenty of deer and a couple of opportunities, but my inexperience has gotten the best of me.

[fishnfur]

It’s my first year hunting blacktails and not saying it’s right, but i’ve been looking for the most well used trails leading through clear cuts. Then I follow them to see where they go. They’ve led me to plenty of deer and a couple of opportunities, but my inexperience has gotten the best of me.

Sounds like good progress.  Learn from your mistakes, or try to figure out why you got busted.

[dreadi]

Thanks, everyone!

So last night we get back home and there's a rabbit in the front yard. The first thing I think is, "I'm getting my bow." The YL says, "NOOOOO! I want to see it and it might be someone's pet." Well...she's right about both of course.  She was very happy to observe the rabbit from a distance.  Late she comes to me and says, "Seeing a rabbit is a sign of good luck coming!"

Today is another day. I bet I kill some game today.

[JakeLand]

Hunt the snow line

[fishnfur]

Today is another day. I bet I kill some game today.

That's the spirit!  Staying positive keeps your brain in the game and keeps you out in less than perfect weather (where the animals are).