Ideal clear cut age for blacktails?

[JasonG]

Just been doing some looking on Onxmaps as well as google earth to look at potential spots for blacktail hunting this fall. This is my second season so I'm still very new to this. I started a bit late in life but Im loving every time I go out in the woods, scouting, hunting, learning. Anyway, what do you guys/girls think the Ideal age Reprod is? A lot of the spots I have been to are 8-9 years old and very thick. Thanks Jason

[Crunchy]

I would say 7 years or so gives them the right amount of food, and cover to feel comfortable in.  At that age you need an elevated position to really see the deer because the cover is taller and thick.

[Ricochet]

Depends on the elevation.  I've seen low elevation clear cuts and burns showing lots of deer activity after only 3-4 years.  Like Crunchy said, you need enough browse to attract them and enough cover for them to be there in daylight.  Here in Oregon I gravitate toward units in the 4-7 age range, unless they are at high elevation.  After a certain age the reprod crowds out the browse and hides the deer, which is a lose-lose situation for hunters.

[opdinkslayer]

Depends on what the reprod is but generally 3-6 yrs. After that unless it’s fir at elevation it gets tough to see in them & hemlock chokes out even quicker. Don’t overlook 1-2 yr old units however because I’ve seen many deer in new looking cuts.

[Humptulips]

Now days almost every unit gets sprayed after harvest and it takes until the third year to recover. Deer really like that new growth so don't overlook even a two year old unit but Imo it gets better after three years.
IMO deer are so scarce anymore you have to look at deer sign and decide where they are at. All units are not equal. The best unit will be where the most sign is so hunt there what ever age the reprod is. You just have to hunt differently depending on the age class.

[JasonG]

Now days almost every unit gets sprayed after harvest and it takes until the third year to recover. Deer really like that new growth so don't overlook even a two year old unit but Imo it gets better after three years.
IMO deer are so scarce anymore you have to look at deer sign and decide where they are at. All units are not equal. The best unit will be where the most sign is so hunt there what ever age the reprod is. You just have to hunt differently depending on the age class.

Ive been concentrating on 454 and 460 . I might be screwed

[Westside88]

Don’t discount favorable topography, creeks, travel and bedding areas. In my experience the deer seem to be in the same places year after year. As my friend the fisherman told me don’t leave fish to look for fish. I think that applies to black tail too

[JasonG]

Don’t discount favorable topography, creeks, travel and bedding areas. In my experience the deer seem to be in the same places year after year. As my friend the fisherman told me don’t leave fish to look for fish. I think that applies to black tail too

I got find them first ! Ha

[Angry Perch]

Now days almost every unit gets sprayed after harvest and it takes until the third year to recover. Deer really like that new growth so don't overlook even a two year old unit but Imo it gets better after three years.
IMO deer are so scarce anymore you have to look at deer sign and decide where they are at. All units are not equal. The best unit will be where the most sign is so hunt there what ever age the reprod is. You just have to hunt differently depending on the age class.

Ive been concentrating on 454 and 460 . I might be screwed

Definitely not screwed. Lots of deer.

[JasonG]

Now days almost every unit gets sprayed after harvest and it takes until the third year to recover. Deer really like that new growth so don't overlook even a two year old unit but Imo it gets better after three years.
IMO deer are so scarce anymore you have to look at deer sign and decide where they are at. All units are not equal. The best unit will be where the most sign is so hunt there what ever age the reprod is. You just have to hunt differently depending on the age class.

Ive been concentrating on 454 and 460 . I might be screwed

Just have to keep looking!!

Definitely not screwed. Lots of deer.

[Westside88]

Every hour you can spend this time of year will pay off later. The deer are so much easier to spot and they’re most focused on eating. Find em now and you’ll know where to hunt them

[JasonG]

Im out looking every weekend!!

[JakeLand]

IMO scouting bucks this time of year is pointless unless you’re scouting farmland or semi-urban areas . Higher elevations between now and September the bucks will be in different terrain and elevation from my experience! I start really scouting my areas in September

[Born2late]

IMO scouting bucks this time of year is pointless unless you’re scouting farmland or semi-urban areas . Higher elevations between now and September the bucks will be in different terrain and elevation from my experience! I start really scouting my areas in September

100% agree. My cameras don't go out till sept also. My scouting now would be looking for lots of rubs, beds and sheds from previous years. cameras won't reveal hardly anything in my area.

[JasonG]

IMO scouting bucks this time of year is pointless unless you’re scouting farmland or semi-urban areas . Higher elevations between now and September the bucks will be in different terrain and elevation from my experience! I start really scouting my areas in September

good to know!!Like I said Im trying to figure this out.