Late archery BT tactics???

[Tbob]

Hey y’all,
    So I’ve got a few days to hunt the late archery Blacktail season after Xmas (open through 12/31 in this unit). I was wondering what tactics you guys would deploy? I’ve got a Hancock permit and about 3 solid days to hunt just after Xmas. Thanks for any advice. Trying to get this spendy MS tag filled before the season ends.... Thanks again!

[JakeLand]

Like the late muzzy I would concentrate on steep benches on south facing slopes and small cut pockets at the bottom of those faces

[grade-creek-rd]

Don't forget to look into Alder thickets, especially if on a bench near a creek bottom in the middle of a reprod unit...

Grade

[bobcat]

Try rattling.

[N7XW]

Don't forget to look into Alder thickets, especially if on a bench near a creek bottom in the middle of a reprod unit...

Grade

[Tbob]

Awesome, thanks for the tips guys!

[Crunchy]

Been another tough year in Hancock.  The days of seeing 15-20 does a day are over.  Heck some days I am lucky to see just one.  As for bucks, I have seen two this year (not counting trail cams).  Both that I had seen were within 20 minutes of each other.  Now I am down to just archery to try and fill my tag.  Not sure where I will spend my time.  Likely in the tall repod and bring the rattle bag and grunt tube.

[Tbob]

So I found a few large trails that are covered in elk and deer tracks. They’re just inside the timber around a few big clear-cuts. Would it be worth sitting in a tree stand around these areas? And if so, would you sit all day or just morning evenings and the rest of the day covering ground in the areas mentioned above still hunting and maybe rattling?  Just trying to maximize my time for best chances to fill his tag.. Thanks again for the tips !!

[MADMAX]

soon as the rain quits, Id be in there, they will be on the feed

[JakeLand]

If it’s raining stay on the cut fringes along timber they won’t be in the timber

[Tbob]

Thanks guys!

[Thehowler]

soon as the rain quits, Id be in there, they will be on the feed

This.
I’ve walked passed feeding deer 40 yards away after a couple straight soaker days of rain, and they will look at me dazed for a second, than go back to feeding.

[trophyhunt]

If you don't want to kill a buck that has already dropped his antlers, look real close at the head, they are dropping now till they are done.  I've made the mistake of taking what I thought was a doe on dec 30th before and it was a buck that had already dropped.  It was legal for both, for you internet police...   But I would have passed on the deer if I would have known, never did find the antlers.

[Tbob]

All great tips! Thanks again..
   So honest question, why won’t the deer be in the timber when it’s raining? And when it’s raining where will the deer prefer to be? Thanks again guys. I’ll be out there the day after Christmas through the 31st giving it hell.

[Cylvertip]

All great tips! Thanks again..
   So honest question, why won’t the deer be in the timber when it’s raining? And when it’s raining where will the deer prefer to be? Thanks again guys. I’ll be out there the day after Christmas through the 31st giving it hell.

My thought is when it is raining and the big drops are coming off the trees, it is just too damn noisy for them in the timber.  I have seen this with both deer and elk.  They will be out in the open so they can see further. 

[Platensek-po]

I understand that it’s also to dry off. It can stop raining but the drops keep falling in the timber. They step out of the brush and into the open to dry off a bit.

[Tbob]

Interesting.. I’d have thought the opposite. That they would like the timber to try and stay out of the rain. Always learning around here!! Thanks again guys!! I’ll be sure to let y’all know how it goes out there.

[JakeLand]

And also n mid day they will bed on benches on the south facing slopes to absorb some rays

[dreadi]

I have been at it quite a bit and haven’t seen any deer since late modern.

[Tbob]

Well, I never saw a legal buck where I was hunting, I was able to sneak into 12 yrds of a doe (but not legal in my area) and then saw a few other does out and about in the rain on 12/31. Saw 15-20 elk, all cows. Was a fun season, but a little bummed that I couldn’t fill this late season tag with a West-side blacktail. Better luck next year!!