2020 Blacktail rut/pre-rut and post rut thread

[Sundance]

Killer buck Sundance!  I knew you'd find a great buck before the season was over. That is a very cool rack.  6 X 5 - eyeguards?

 Could you make any sense out of why the deer were being so vocal?  Was the buck pushing the does around or was there another buck there?

There is a split on the left G2 that may/may not count but I measured it at 1 1/8". If that's included it's a 6X7 (counting eyeguards and drop tine), gross in the low 150's. He had a doe locked down and there were two smaller bucks circling within 50 yards. A couple fawns were hanging around also, but the vocalizations were coming from the satellite bucks and the mature buck. They were about 20 yard apart and talking back and forth, honestly you wouldn't have been able to hear these deer from further then 75 yards away. I had the satellite bucks at 5 yards but they didn't make me, then the doe and the big buck moved to a window at 7 yards and I was able to sneak an arrow in him. Thank God for tall ferns and no wind.

Drop tine?!  What the.....   I had to go back and examine the monster a litttle closer.  Geeze, what a buck!  I love the photo too - I named it "Sundance contemplating (or perhaps overwhelmed by) the trophy buck!" 

I've only got one more question - What series of events or clues led Sundance to this particular thicket in the middle of a very large forest.  ( in other words - how the heck do you keep finding them (in three thousand words or less.) 

The answer is both simplistic and aggravating- perseverance. That was the 40th or 50th thicket/hole that I pushed through in 5 days. Some folks may know of my good friend and mentor Tom Ryle, he taught me how to hunt Roosevelt elk and how to target mature blacktail. Nothing gets that guy down in the woods and nobody grinds harder. He taught me to just keep pushing forward and always be ready. The way I look at it- if there isn’t one at the spot in front of me I just go to the next spot and am thankful to continue my season. Also, scout scout scout. Where the does are is where the bucks will be, once you find a rut zone it will be used for many years as long as the habitat doesn’t change.

That picture is the “stay humble” picture. Going from five days of zero bucks to finding that beast isn’t all skill- reminds me to keep the faith.

[Skyvalhunter]

Nice buck, honestly cant say I ever heard of Tom Ryle though

[Molon5labe]

The answer is both simplistic and aggravating- perseverance. That was the 40th or 50th thicket/hole that I pushed through in 5 days. Some folks may know of my good friend and mentor Tom Ryle, he taught me how to hunt Roosevelt elk and how to target mature blacktail. Nothing gets that guy down in the woods and nobody grinds harder. He taught me to just keep pushing forward and always be ready. The way I look at it- if there isn’t one at the spot in front of me I just go to the next spot and am thankful to continue my season. Also, scout scout scout. Where the does are is where the bucks will be, once you find a rut zone it will be used for many years as long as the habitat doesn’t change.

That picture is the “stay humble” picture. 5 day and zero bucks to that beast isn’t all skill- helps me to keep the faith.

If you're up for sharing, Id love to know the in's and out's of what pushing through a thicket/hole means, as that is definitely not what I've been doing, but always up to add another tool to my toolbox.

Id welcome some Rosie hunting tips too 

[Sundance]

Nice buck, honestly cant say I ever heard of Tom Ryle though

If you google his name it will pull up podcasts he's been on and articles he has written on trophy blacktail tactics. He does seminars at Cabelas and Sportco from time to time, local guy that is a wealth of knowledge.

[fishnfur]

Good answer Sundance. I figured scouting played a major roll in where and how you hunt.  Question is though, who taught Tom Ryle all that information?  He's definitely an accomplished writer.  I've  read many of his articles/blogs. 

[Pegasus]

  Rut is going strong for blacktails. Today's backyard visitor. Check out that neck.

[highside74]

Holy beautiful buck

[JakeLand]

Ahhh Blacktails !!! I hate being tagged out now I get to pack a camera around

[TheStovePipeKid]

Ahhh Blacktails !!! I hate being tagged out now I get to pack a camera around

You have my sympathies. 

[fishnfur]

 

[Spuddieselwwu]

Any changes in tactics for hunting the late season vs. modern?  I have never had to hunt the late season- always have gotten it done during modern. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Typically where the does are the bucks will follow

[Buck Rub Jr]

RUTTY

[WSU]

I've seen bucks the last two days going to and from work.  I didn't see any during the season during all that nice weather.

[Buck Rub Jr]

Smaller two point was peeing all over himself. Would've paid A lot of money to be toting a rifle around in the woods today!