Blacktail Spots Year to Year?

[aaronoto]

I'll preface this by saying I'm not a blacktail hunter...

Do blacktails tend to come back to the same areas year to year?  As in, if I found some good bucks in a basin one year, are they likely to be there the next?  Obviously it's habitat that they like, but I guess I'm more curious as to how easily one could find the same buck in the same basin a year later.  All I hear about blacktails are they're elusive and hard to pattern...  In case you're wondering, yes, I saw a big buck in a bowl last year out of season and I want to know the likelihood he'd be back in there this year 

Thanks!

[grundy53]

I'm far from an expert but I would say generally yes. There is something about that basin he likes. Other big bucks will probably like it too.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Born2late]

I would say it depends on some things.
Ask yourself questions like. What time of year was it?Meaning In his yearly life cycle.
Was it a low land blacktail or a alpine blacktail?
Was it close to the rut?
Could he have been pushed down by snow ? Or predators?
Was it spring when he is in his core area where he grows?
Was it fall and he was moving towards a breeding area?
There are a lot more i would go through and ask but i think you got the idea.You need to determine why he is where he is.
Answer some of these and i think it will tell you if you might have a shot at him during hunting season.

[deerhunter_98520]

Yes they will be in the general area year after year....they don't move far, their core area is fairly small. As long as there a good population of does around the area I wouldn't move far. When I find a good spot I stay there all year, I don't roam much unless I start getting bored and want to switch it up for the day. Especially when the rut kicks in the bucks will show themselves...for every buck you see I bet there's probably 10+ in the area that you haven't seen yet 

[Turner89]

Yes they will be in the general area year after year....they don't move far, their core area is fairly small. As long as there a good population of does around the area I wouldn't move far. When I find a good spot I stay there all year, I don't roam much unless I start getting bored and want to switch it up for the day. Especially when the rut kicks in the bucks will show themselves...for every buck you see I bet there's probably 10+ in the area that you haven't seen yet 

I do the same.

[fishnfur]

Good answers. 

Most reports and studies show that BT deer typically have a home territory of a square mile or less, give or take.  Bucks may travel outside that area during the rut.  BT doe telemetry studies found some doe groups used an area only a hundred (or so) acres during an entire year.

The quality of core zones and bedding areas selected by bucks seem to follow a natural pecking order (according to some).  The dominant bucks take the best areas.  Subordinate animals take the leftovers.  Once the dominant buck in that area leaves the picture, his replacement can be expected to move into and inhabit those best locations.  This is all hearsay, of course.  Never once has a buck told me this outright. 

[the1rod]

I have seen very similar things as others,  but what I will add,  the worst thing about my blackmail areas is how much the habitat changes In a few years. You may have an area that is hot for a few years,  then the deer start to move out,  or you just can't find them as easy because the area grew up too much.

[aaronoto]

Thanks all for the information!