Beginner looking for some tips on Blacktails in Olympic Peninsula

[eddyr]

Hey all, a little background story, me and my friend decided to get into hunting last year. No one that we know hunts or ever hunted so we got no one to help us or teach/show us. We live in Seattle-Tacoma area and decided to hunt Olympic 636 last year with no success. Hunted an area thats open where i did see deer before the season (rifle season) 1 fawn feeding and about 2 or 3 does farther in the distance. It was a logging company land, with fresh growing trees that are about 2-4 years i would imagine. I read somewhere that where there are does there will be bucks. During the season we tried different calls and nothing. Didn't see bucks there at all and only saw the same fawn and one more doe about 20 yards away from us on the last day of the season.

So... now we are getting closer and closer to a new season and i wan't to make sure i'm better prepared this time so im trying to get some more tips. Should i be trying to find some clear cuts/meadows where other people wont go? Whats the best approach scouting blacktails? How do i find where are the deer bedded? Last year i didn't find any beds, just i guess a path that they would walk on. Should i be calling at all on public lands or are deer smart enough/used to it to know its fake? Is 636 even good to hunt or should i be looking farther like 621 and etc?

How long are usually your guys hunting trips? For me its about 1.5 hours to get to the place, and usually i would just come for the weekends. Should i be staying camping there for longer?
What time its typical to see deer during the day?
Another thing im wondering is what is a High Buck hunt? is that for everyone or some kind of special permit needed?

Sorry for a lot of questions, just trying to get as much help as possible, as i really like hunting and want to get into it even more

Thanks!

[Eric M]

Have you looked at any of the other blacktail threads on here? There is a lot of good information to get you started if you just read previous threads. I also recommend you spend a few dollars on Boyd Iverson's 2nd book.

[eddyr]

Have you looked at any of the other blacktail threads on here? There is a lot of good information to get you started if you just read previous threads. I also recommend you spend a few dollars on Boyd Iverson's 2nd book.

Yeah i listened to a bunch of podcasts, as well as read bunch of stuff and watched a lot of youtube videos. And i will definitely check out the book, thanks!

[Eric M]

Theres another book by scott haugen that has some good tips in it also, but the Boyd Iverson book (2nd one) is the best one.

[dilleytech]

Congrats on getting into hunting! The more research I have done on blacktail the more I think the best tactics don’t involve glassing clear cuts but just moving very slowly in the old growth where a lot of the older bucks are hiding. Worked for me and the wife last year.

[j_h_nimrod]

Glad to hear we have a new hunter

The High Buck is a general season only open in certain wilderness areas in the state. All the wildernesses on th OP are open and could be a fun time, but they are some rugged areas. I have a friend that hunts it on the north end and I have wanted to hit Col. Bob but am usually away during season. There are some other high hunt areas that are probably better, but there are a lot of people out now. 

Black Tails are tough, especially big bucks. Read, listen, spend time and you will eventually score. Try to get in a bit further than other guys, don’t discount clear cuts in the 4-7 year range, there are a lot of deer in them. Good tip from above, find the old growth on fringes and hunt it slow. Don’t get discouraged, enjoy the time in the woods and first and foremost!

Good luck.

[BigGoonTuna]

i'm a pretty lousy clearcut hunter, at least in the sense that most guys are(sitting and glassing bores me to death).  i prefer to hunt the margins between the cuts and mature trees, and swamps and alder thickets.  i have excellent hearing but not the greatest eyesight, and that's probably a big factor.  look for areas with rubs and sign, then move slowly and quietly.

i treat every area as if there's a buck hiding around the next tree branch.  blacktails are sneaky, and a mature blacktail buck is a master of stealth.  i put a focus on all the vegetation, if you're standing still, the deer will often materialize out of nothing.  it sounds cliche, but go as slow as possible, then slow down more.

[Humptulips]

I have hunted the OP my entire life so I thought this question up my alley. First of all, the deer hunting is tougher than it ever has been. The main thing being less deer.
First where to hunt:
I find fewer deer on FS land than ever mainly because of the lack of logging and the subsequent lack of food for deer because of no clearcuts. In my experience the early high hunts are a real long shot. Fun to go but I wouldn't have high expectations. I believe you will find more deer where there are clearcuts.
What to look for:
You mentioned beds and I don't rely on that but it is nice to see them when hunting. I suggest you get out and walk the roads and look for tracks, Narrow it down to where you see the most tracks along the road. Later look for buck horning and key on areas where you see horning especially early in the season.
Yes where there are does there have to be bucks but early on they are not necessarily together.
How to hunt: lot of ways to do it. Everyone has their preferred way and none are wrong. What you have success with is best. I personally am to antsy to sit for a long time. I usually walk slowly hunting the clearcuts but have taken bucks in the timber and walking roads where the clearcuts are overgrown. The important thing is go where you see the deer sign.
I also like to hunt undisturbed units so I am generally using a bicycle to access some where no cars can get to. Hunter traffic scares the deer back. On the other hand deer get used to traffic from logging that don't stop to bother them so just because a road is in use don't let that throw you.
IMO first light is best but a buck can pop up any time. Later in the season = better and stormy weather = even better with that few hours after a storm has passed being the best.
More roads than there used to be so I walk the road mostly but don't be afraid to get off the road'
Last of all be persistent and don't be picky. It ain't easy so you have to pull out all the stops to consistently get a deer.

[JasonG]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

[fishnfur]

i'm a pretty lousy clearcut hunter, at least in the sense that most guys are(sitting and glassing bores me to death).  i prefer to hunt the margins between the cuts and mature trees, and swamps and alder thickets.  i have excellent hearing but not the greatest eyesight, and that's probably a big factor.  look for areas with rubs and sign, then move slowly and quietly.

i treat every area as if there's a buck hiding around the next tree branch.  blacktails are sneaky, and a mature blacktail buck is a master of stealth.  i put a focus on all the vegetation, if you're standing still, the deer will often materialize out of nothing.  it sounds cliche, but go as slow as possible, then slow down more.

Sounds like excellent advice from someone who claims to be a lousy hunter.  Perhaps some glasses would help.

Regarding the question, I'd recommend hunting closer to home.  Getting out in the woods frequently is important in learning what is going on out there, and why.  Just like any other endeavor, hunting takes a lot of practice.  You'll practice more frequently if you hunt closer to home.

Also, I concur with the recommendation of spending a couple days reading old posts on this site.  Search "Blacktail" and look for the longest threads; ones with multiple/numerous pages.  The annual Blacktail Rut Thread that seems to be going every year frequently has a lot of good info. too.

Good luck!

[Sundance]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

Read anything you can from Tom, this guy taught me everything and then some. He is a master at blacktail and roosevlet elk, his knowledge continually blows me away.
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/04/05/deer-post-season-scouting-6-part-series/
This is a great article series he wrote, really explains a lot about blacktail behavior.

In 2013 I was lucky enough to draw a special permit for the blacktail rut with Tom. We hunted together for three days during November 9-11th and took two beautiful mature bucks. I learned more in those three days with Tom then I had in my entire life up to that point.

Same thing in 2012, I joined Tom and his long time hunting partner on a Weneha any bull hunt that his partner had. In two days I cut my learning curve for elk by a decade. Spending time with people like that is an invaluable experience that humbled me and helped me grow as a hunter.

[eddyr]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

I listened to it before posting this, definitely useful stuff!

[eddyr]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

Read anything you can from Tom, this guy taught me everything and then some. He is a master at blacktail and roosevlet elk, his knowledge continually blows me away.
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/04/05/deer-post-season-scouting-6-part-series/
This is a great article series he wrote, really explains a lot about blacktail behavior.

In 2013 I was lucky enough to draw a special permit for the blacktail rut with Tom. We hunted together for three days during November 9-11th and took two beautiful mature bucks. I learned more in those three days with Tom then I had in my entire life up to that point.

Same thing in 2012, I joined Tom and his long time hunting partner on a Weneha any bull hunt that his partner had. In two days I cut my learning curve for elk by a decade. Spending time with people like that is an invaluable experience that humbled me and helped me grow as a hunter.

Ah boy an i jealous! haha

[eddyr]

Thank you all so much for good tips and the help in general! You guys are amazing! Will try to follow the stuff you guys mentioned and hopefully going to have a successful hunting season, and if not, oh well, still get to spend time outdoors which is a great thing by itself.

[Platensek-po]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

Read anything you can from Tom, this guy taught me everything and then some. He is a master at blacktail and roosevlet elk, his knowledge continually blows me away.
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/04/05/deer-post-season-scouting-6-part-series/
This is a great article series he wrote, really explains a lot about blacktail behavior.

In 2013 I was lucky enough to draw a special permit for the blacktail rut with Tom. We hunted together for three days during November 9-11th and took two beautiful mature bucks. I learned more in those three days with Tom then I had in my entire life up to that point.

Same thing in 2012, I joined Tom and his long time hunting partner on a Weneha any bull hunt that his partner had. In two days I cut my learning curve for elk by a decade. Spending time with people like that is an invaluable experience that humbled me and helped me grow as a hunter.

Thanks for that!!! That blog was an awesome read!

[JasonG]

Tom is an awesome guy and a bad A$$ blacktail hunter. He has taught me to hunt every time you're in the woods even without a bow, rifle ... learn about the animal you pursue. Habits, bedding, food source, breeding, travel paths...

[bkaech]

As for your time hunting...just spend as much time as you can. Get out whenever you can, if it’s close to home or not, just get out there. Also, don’t wait till hunting season to be in the woods where you want to hunt. Spend time in the summer and early fall looking for deer sign, look for new areas in the winter and spring, scouting for deer can be year round. Black tails don’t tend to move great distances.

[fishnfur]

If you like podcasts listen to Tradquest episode 69 with Tom Ryle. The guy is a wealth of Knowledge on blacktail and an awesome guy in general. He also has a blog called PNW bow hunting .

Read anything you can from Tom, this guy taught me everything and then some. He is a master at blacktail and roosevlet elk, his knowledge continually blows me away.
http://www.outdoorblog.net/pnwbowhunting/2011/04/05/deer-post-season-scouting-6-part-series/
This is a great article series he wrote, really explains a lot about blacktail behavior.


In 2013 I was lucky enough to draw a special permit for the blacktail rut with Tom. We hunted together for three days during November 9-11th and took two beautiful mature bucks. I learned more in those three days with Tom then I had in my entire life up to that point.

Same thing in 2012, I joined Tom and his long time hunting partner on a Weneha any bull hunt that his partner had. In two days I cut my learning curve for elk by a decade. Spending time with people like that is an invaluable experience that humbled me and helped me grow as a hunter.

Whoa!   The Ghost of Christmas Past!     Welcome back brother!