Ideal clear cut age for blacktails?

[JasonG]

I also thought that finding a good amount of does will = bucks in the rut?

[deerhunter_98520]

Find the does now and the bucks will show in the fall

[fishnfur]

Here's a couple of threads from last season.  You might want to re-read them.  I think there's some good information in these. 

Most of the reprod hunters tend to like cuts with trees that are X-mas tree size or a bit lager.  Too large and you can't see jack.  Size of the trees differs depending on fertility of the soils and elevation (in the very high areas).  A five year old replanted unit might have trees that are four feet tall or twelve feet tall, depending on the soils, so you've got to put your eyes on them in person. 

This time of year, the deer are done with breakfast well before I awake.  The does and small bucks seem to come out to feed again around 11 AM and again around 5 or 6 PM for a quick feeding.   They will be bedded the rest of the day.  When you scout, I suggest you just look for fresh sign and be happy knowing that the deer are there, even if you don't see them.  You might want to buy an inexpensive trail cam and put it where you're finding good fresh sign.  Check it every two to four weeks and you'll feel better about your scouting efforts.


https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234313.msg3139653.html#msg3139653

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234615.msg3136092.html#msg3136092

[Skyvalhunter]

What area will you be hunting then when can point you in a direction?

[blackveltbowhunter]

Fishnfur hit the nail on the head about tree size being a more reliable indicator than age itself. I also tend to look at the unit in its entirety, units with varied browse, terrain and edges, I make extra note of over units that may be prime size/age class but have limited swells, similar edge cover and limited food sources.

As far as summer scouting IMO its highly dependent on how well you know a given area, AND how much you will be relying on trail cameras. Right now is bar none the best time to see a buck in daylight outside of peak rut and in some cases the best time period.  So if you don't know an area well, or will not have time, money, or inclination to set out cams in late Aug/Sept then right now is a good time to find bucks. Don't expect the bucks to be hanging in the same spot, and they will have adjusted their habits by rifle season. But you will know they are around.

   

[boneaddict]

THeres no answer that is correct.  Does that help?   

[fishnfur]

I find that being a deer whisper helps too.  Here's a vid from about 10 days ago.  Notice I'm trying not to laugh as I bleat at these five deer. 

Edit: I forgot to add that this cut is 18 months old and the deer use it a lot.  It's all relative, depending on how much hunter pressure there is in the area.   A lot of pressure keeps the deer inside the edges and they often only go out into the cut in the cover of darkness (outside the rut).

[Angry Perch]

Find the does now and the bucks will show in the fall

... 1 day after the season closes! 

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[Greg Mullins]

5 years just enough so you can’t see them and they got their super Highway of tunnels finished

[JasonG]

Here's a couple of threads from last season.  You might want to re-read them.  I think there's some good information in these. 

Most of the reprod hunters tend to like cuts with trees that are X-mas tree size or a bit lager.  Too large and you can't see jack.  Size of the trees differs depending on fertility of the soils and elevation (in the very high areas).  A five year old replanted unit might have trees that are four feet tall or twelve feet tall, depending on the soils, so you've got to put your eyes on them in person. 

This time of year, the deer are done with breakfast well before I awake.  The does and small bucks seem to come out to feed again around 11 AM and again around 5 or 6 PM for a quick feeding.   They will be bedded the rest of the day.  When you scout, I suggest you just look for fresh sign and be happy knowing that the deer are there, even if you don't see them.  You might want to buy an inexpensive trail cam and put it where you're finding good fresh sign.  Check it every two to four weeks and you'll feel better about your scouting efforts.


https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234313.msg3139653.html#msg3139653

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,234615.msg3136092.html#msg3136092

awesome Thanks you !

[fishnfur]

No problem.  If you haven't read this book, it's got a pretty good section on scouting:

https://www.amazon.com/Trophy-Blacktails-Science-Scott-Haugen/dp/098194230X/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=trophy+blacktail+deer&qid=1559630954&s=gateway&sr=8-4

[JasonG]

 I have the  Boyd Iversons book it’s very good!

[fishnfur]

Yes, it's very good, but trying to put someone's words into practice in the field can be difficult.  You think you understand what the're saying but then in the field, things don't quite match up to what you understood from the text.  I'd read the Haugen book and the Louis Terkla book too.  I've got all but one of the blacktail books that come up on Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blacktail+deer&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1     Most of them I've read more than three times.  They give you a great starting point to try to figure out the puzzle.  The used prices are often around seven bucks, which is very little compared to all the other expensive hunting gear I've bought that eventually ended up in the trash.

Spend some more time in the field, then re-read the portions of the texts concerning your questions.  You'll often have an "ah ha" moment once you realize you misinterpreted what the author was trying to emphasize.  In the end, there's no  better teacher than time spent in the woods.  Just keep asking yourself what and why the deer were doing when they created the sign that you're finding.  You'll gradually make sense of it.

My number one rule for fishing was always: fish where the fish are.  The same holds true for hunting.  When all else fails, try a different area or just get farther off the road.  Once you find an area with a good population of deer, you'll be in business.  Good luck with the scouting!

[JasonG]

Yes, it's very good, but trying to put someone's words into practice in the field can be difficult.  You think you understand what the're saying but then in the field, things don't quite match up to what you understood from the text.  I'd read the Haugen book and the Louis Terkla book too.  I've got all but one of the blacktail books that come up on Amazon.com:  https://www.amazon.com/s?k=blacktail+deer&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss_1     Most of them I've read more than three times.  They give you a great starting point to try to figure out the puzzle.  The used prices are often around seven bucks, which is very little compared to all the other expensive hunting gear I've bought that eventually ended up in the trash.

Spend some more time in the field, then re-read the portions of the texts concerning your questions.  You'll often have an "ah ha" moment once you realize you misinterpreted what the author was trying to emphasize.  In the end, there's no  better teacher than time spent in the woods.  Just keep asking yourself what and why the deer were doing when they created the sign that you're finding.  You'll gradually make sense of it.

My number one rule for fishing was always: fish where the fish are.  The same holds true for hunting.  When all else fails, try a different area or just get farther off the road.  Once you find an area with a good population of deer, you'll be in business.  Good luck with the scouting!

Thank you for the insight!!