Hunting Blacktail on the islands

[Pluspee]

I’ve  found a lot of a lot of poop, tracks and rubs. I’ve also found really fresh rubs and one shed. Been hunting this same area on whidbey  for two years with no luck. Any tips? I’m a new hunter and I don’t really know what to do with the “evidence” I’ve found. Is it better to sit and wait? Or timber sneak? I’ve done both and put in a lot of miles. Even used calls, the can and doe pee. Thanks!

[7mmfan]

Is it a small piece of ground that you're hunting? Well used trails? All timber, or are there edges/openings? Have you been able to ID where the animals are coming from or going to, meaning, normal direction of travel?

[Pluspee]

It’s public land and pretty flat. It’s the community Forrest. Trails are well used and it’s pretty much all timber but some openings. Not many though.  Im guessing the deer go to private land when daylight comes. I saw a doe last year and bumped one first week of general. Heard a couple of shots today also.

[7mmfan]

I know of that area, but have never set foot in it. Trying to sneak up on deer in that kind of terrain is next to impossible. The best suggestion I have for you would be to find a likely game trail or travel corridor with sign, and sit on it. Sit on it as long you can possibly stand to do so. If you think the deer are traveling to a specific piece of private once daylight hits, be in position to cut them off before they get there. Others will be stomping around in the woods bumping deer. If you're in a good spot, those deer very well could come trotting right by you.

[Pluspee]

Thanks for the tips!

[Pluspee]

I sat for a couple hours yesterday and didn’t see anything except for orange. Today I sat for about an hour and didn’t see anything again so I started to walk the trails. I found a set of fresh tracks that weren’t there yesterday but they disappeared into the woods and lost them. So I decided to explore more of the wooded areas. I went pretty deep and found a lot of poop. About 6 piles within maybe a 30-40 yard radius. Would this be a good area to sit and wait? Also has anyone rattled on the islands? I’m thinking about rattling if it works. thanks.