Beginner looking for some tips on Blacktails in Olympic Peninsula

[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!