Late Season Blacktail-Getting Discouraged

[TheDudeAbides]

I put in about 50+ hours of hunting since early December.  Mostly in GMU 454 and 460.  During that time I saw 1 deer.  My buddies who hunted with rifles earlier in the season had no problem spotting and finding their deer in this area.  We hunted the same spots and the areas are still heavily tracked up.  Do deer become more scarce in late December?  Maybe more nocturnal?  It's like they just disappeared....

They travel less and feed less.  There's not a lot of nutritious food out there in the winter.  It is a starvation diet that they're hoping will carry them through until spring.  Conserving energy is their priority. Sucks to work that hard and see so little.  I hate the late season - it can be really frustrating.  Knowing where/when the deer travel to and from food sources is super important in achieving regular sightings of animals.

Thanks for the advice!  With that in mind I'm going to call it a year and hit it hard learning their habits before September of next year.  Whether I got a shot off or not I still had a blast!

[fishnfur]

Having fun is what it's all about.  I ate tag soup last year and had a ton of fun; way more than this year when I tagged out in the first couple days of October. 

Do some scouting over the next couple months while the foliage is all gone.  Try to figure out where the buck trails are.  Do some shed hunting - try to determine where the bucks winter, which should be very close to their fall rutting zones.  Finding no sheds tells you where they aren't spending a lot of time, so it's not a total waste of time (though the blacktail shed hunting success rate is about the same as hitting a Powerball winner IMO).  Locate new and old rubs.  There's a pattern to all of this (though I have no idea what it is exactly).   You're brain will start to recognize areas as being likely spots to see deer.  Never second guess your instincts, but always question what you're seeing and why the deer were there leaving the sign that you're finding.  If you see deer, don't lock eyes with them.  Don't be a predator.  Act like non-hunting tourist out for a stroll.  You'll be amazed how often the deer don't freak and run.  Have fun and learn. 

Good luck to all in 2019.  Nine months and one day till the archery opener!   

[Dysfunctional Vet]

Those guys have been tormenting me all year. *censored*s!

[trophyhunt]

To help the blacktail out during the off season, we all should be out there killing predators in the winter.  I know it's hard because you get hunted out after such a long season, but I hope I can get off my couch this winter and kill some deer/elk eaters.

[JimmyHoffa]

Having fun is what it's all about.  I ate tag soup last year and had a ton of fun; way more than this year when I tagged out in the first couple days of October. 

Do some scouting over the next couple months while the foliage is all gone. Try to figure out where the buck trails are.  Do some shed hunting - try to determine where the bucks winter, which should be very close to their fall rutting zones.  Finding no sheds tells you where they aren't spending a lot of time, so it's not a total waste of time (though the blacktail shed hunting success rate is about the same as hitting a Powerball winner IMO). Locate new and old rubs.  There's a pattern to all of this (though I have no idea what it is exactly).   You're brain will start to recognize areas as being likely spots to see deer.  Never second guess your instincts, but always question what you're seeing and why the deer were there leaving the sign that you're finding.  If you see deer, don't lock eyes with them.  Don't be a predator.  Act like non-hunting tourist out for a stroll.  You'll be amazed how often the deer don't freak and run.  Have fun and learn. 

Good luck to all in 2019.  Nine months and one day till the archery opener!   

The best luck I've had for blacktail sheds is to walk where the snow line is when they drop.  Kind of keep an eye on the elevation in the next couple weeks and go there in the summer.  But the deer are usually higher up in the summer.

[ljsommer]

Well I gave it my all. Invested a good last-day. Went to my spot and used my climber for the first time - that was neat. Beautiful last evening out. I scouted and hunted harder this year than last, but I still have yet to see any live animals during my actual hunting season.
It's so eerie feeling like you're the only thing with a heartbeat for 20 miles.

[JimmyHoffa]

I bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.

[ljsommer]

I bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.

Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.

[dreadi]

The last stand.

[WapitiTalk1]

Nice snap buddy.

[Milkman]

Just sipped down my last bit of tag soup also. One deer all week but today. Horrible wind yesterday and I'm short 1 arrow BUT.... had a blast and learned alot. 9 mo to go boys!

[Wanttohuntmore]

That photo shot looks familiar!  Tag soup for me as well.   Can't complain as i did pass on three legal deer,  but it was a poor year in general.

[JimmyHoffa]

I bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.

Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.

blacktails sure are love-hate

[ljsommer]

I bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.

Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.

blacktails sure are love-hate

I am fairly convinced they don't actually exist. I see pictures of them online, but I mean, I also see pictures of bigfoot online, so I am taking that with a grain of salt.

[dreadi]

That photo shot looks familiar!  Tag soup for me as well.   Can't complain as i did pass on three legal deer,  but it was a poor year in general.

Yeah that’s a piece of public land close by.

Nice snap buddy.

Thanks, RJ. My lady decided she wanted to come along and I thought she was just bringing up the rear to keep out of my shooting lanes.