new blacktail hunter (another one!)

[JRRJ2021]

Hello all,

I am a new (adult) hunter this year. I am hunting modern rifle season and due to needing to stay close to home for family time etc. I am limited to the areas I can hunt in. (mainly GMU 652, 653, 654). I have a large area I have been scouting for a while with some promising spots in it. I am not looking for a big buck - any one will do to get meat in the freezer. I do not mind back country but it has to be at least partially accessible to me (IE I can hike in without having to bushwhack too much).

My big question is this - if I have found a spot (or two) where I have seen Does during August and September as well as a lot of general deer sign, if I still hunt or even sit in a blind in an area where I know they are at, will the bucks show up as it gets closer into Rut to find the Does or do I need to go out and try to locate a buck specifically?

My second question is a little more varied but in general - weather wise - when does the snow start to hit the higher elevations in the area (say above 4000 feet) as I would count on the snow to drive some deer down a little lower elevation but also demotivate some hunters to get out into the area.

Any advice in general is welcome. I have been reading several books on hunting blacktail and know they are quite a challenge which I do not mind as I enjoy spending time outdoors as a long time backpacker and hiker. Books do not replace local knowledge however so I thought I would ask on here after lurking for a several months.

Thank you

[Grousehunter19]

I’m in somewhat of the same spot that you are. Would you recommend any of the books you read?

[b0bbyg]

I am no expert but I think bucks will be around the same areas as the does when it gets closer to the rut. 

I have one area I like to set trail cameras mostly for Elk but I do get deer (bucks and does) on the camera every year almost always at night.  While I have seen a few does during the day I have never seen a buck live in that area. One year I had 3-4 different bucks coming by the camera and salt block, never saw one while hunting.  So I imagine they are there just need to get into the thick stuff to find them or boot them out.

[JRRJ2021]

I’m in somewhat of the same spot that you are. Would you recommend any of the books you read?

I borrowed a copy of Scott Haugen Trophy Blacktails the science of the hunt and read it.
waiting for a copy of Blacktail Trophy Tactics by Boyd Iverson.

both I saw recommended on here by other people in the past.

Best of luck out there this fall.

[JakeLand]

Your best would be to spend all of November and into December up in the woods where you hunt , you will learn more about blacktail in those 2 months then any book

[predatorG]

Not sure if a blind is super necessary if you're hunting MF. You will be able to take shots from way further than a blind would be necessary. Get out there in the nasty weather during the last week of Oct. Find somewhere that you can glass from. Be there are early and as late as you can and bring lots of hand warmers. Then sit and glass into cuts and reprod and enjoy getting thoroughly soaked until you shoot a buck. That's basically the jist of MF BT season advice that you will get on this site. If I were you I would take advantage of the fact you have a ranged weapon and don't handicap yourself by going somewhere you can only see 50 yards. At that point you might as well just buy an archery tag.

[JRRJ2021]

Not sure if a blind is super necessary if you're hunting MF. You will be able to take shots from way further than a blind would be necessary. Get out there in the nasty weather during the last week of Oct. Find somewhere that you can glass from. Be there are early and as late as you can and bring lots of hand warmers. Then sit and glass into cuts and reprod and enjoy getting thoroughly soaked until you shoot a buck. That's basically the jist of MF BT season advice that you will get on this site. If I were you I would take advantage of the fact you have a ranged weapon and don't handicap yourself by going somewhere you can only see 50 yards. At that point you might as well just buy an archery tag.

Thank you. right now in the spots I am looking the longest shot I would have is about 175 yards. Being a new hunter I want to limit myself to 200 yards and under even with my rifle (the shooting range I go to only has targets out to 200 yards.) I am fine in nasty weather and even prefer it so hopefully that helps. My only thought with the blind is it would allow me to move around and stretch a little without alerting any nearby animals but it is probably not necessary.

[Judson]

If you seeing does and deer sign you will see a buck eventually regardless of the time of year. If does are there it means there is food, water, and shelter. Everything a buck would need

[Judson]

Blind is a great idea as long as you dont mind packing it. I find big cedar trees with low branches and sit leaning against trunk. I have hip shot deer from 5 feet doing that

[buggy]

If you're seeing does and sign in an area then the bucks are not far away just less visible. 

[jason stevens]

The recommendation of the reads is truth. Educate yourself. When it comes to blacktails I've found that old growth timber an thick habitat is key walk 2 steps an look an go slow.  You will walk right past good deer if your not looking. I've done it. So be patient.  Find an area that you think people won't go an then go but do it slow.  Blacktail are ghosts but you can get good deer if you take your time.thats my 2 cents.good luck on your upcoming season.

[bow4elk]

As was recommended already, read Boyd Iverson's and Scott Haugen's books. Boyd was a good friend and we spent many hours conversing, comparing notes, and swapping trailcam pics over the years.  He passed away a while back and is truly missed. Scott is also a friend and though he moved to AK recently, he still makes time to come back for blacktails! He developed a line of blacktail scents that I tested over about 3 years.  They were discontinued with Oregon's natural deer urine law prohibiting urine-based scents due to CWD precautions.  And Mr. Cameron Hanes' book is also very good too, and he put out a video as well. As with everything Cam does, he goes all in and it comes through in his book.  Lots of good info to absorb.

I'm a blacktail nut-job too, and spend a lot of time studying these deer and their ways.  I have put out a lot of practical information on the subject via podcasts and blog posts, which can be found on my site. Each year I mentor a number of new blacktail hunters and I've helped quite a few people tag their 'first' bucks - many bigger than any of my deer (which is even better!).  I'm not sure it gets any better than helping someone find their own success in the field.

On my old site, I wrote a 7 part series on my approach to blacktail deer hunting. That was about 10 years ago now. It's since been turned into a 2-hour seminar that I've presented many times over the years. I am always refining it as I learn and get schooled by these crazy deer!  I am glad to help with specific questions but go check out the posts and podcasts on my site too. I think you'll find these resources valuable because I tried to distill down many years of experience into concise methods, tips, and tactics.  Hit me up with specific questions and if people are interested, I'd be up for hosting a Q&A Zoom call or something to cover a bunch of stuff real-time.  Just an idea.

[fishnfur]

Several good answers here.  Jakeland cannot be questioned.  His many (massive) successes guarantee that he knows what he's saying, though that's not quite enough information for a new hunter trying to kill a deer this season.  Hitting the woods in Nov/Dec isn't going to get it done, but you will certainly be better prepared for next year by learning important deer sign that indicate good areas to hunt hard. If you search for posts by Jakeland (or perhaps Radsav), subject "Blacktail", you'll learn a ton of good information that compliments your other readings and field work. 
     
Books can give you a big head start if you really learn the material and then get in the field and try to put that information into a workable knowledge base.  You can't read a book and go out on the opener and expect to have success (unless it's pure luck).  It takes years to take all that book knowledge and acutally understand what it means when you're in the field, but sometimes that isn't necessary.  Being in the right place at the right time, intended or not,  trumps all else.  On the other hand, we hunters often say ""luck" is when preparation meets opportunity" Learning where and when deer might be in a spot takes boots on the ground time to produce consistent results.
     
Predator G and J Stevens provide good comment.  If you've got a rifle, there's no sense in sitting in a blind unless you're totally positive that deer will walk in front of your regularly.  Blinds really limit your field of view and often restrict your hunting to under a hundred yards ( or much less.)  Blinds are great for bow hunting in areas where an upclose shot is expected, otherwise I'd suggest a tree stand if you want to sit and wait for action above a known active area.  Still hunting is very hard and most hunters move way to fast.  Jakeland describes his still hunting a "slug slow".  He's not kidding.  Take that to heart  That said, if you know an area where deer frequent, sloooowly moving through the area while staying hidden/shaded/or otherwise hard for a deer to see will increase your odds over a blind (again, unless you're sure the deer will pass to and fro in their daily movements).  Noticable human movement and noise will ruin your hunt pretty quickly.
   
The sign and sightings that you're seeing indicates that there are deer in the area regularly.  You really have to ask yourself why are the deer  there to understand what is going on. Are they bedding, feeding, or just traveling through the area?  Figuring out why deer are doing the things that your finding sign of gives you better insight into their daily lives and insight on the best ways to hunt them in that particular situation.  Every spot is different, especially if you're travelling a good distance from area to area.  Browse changes.  Winds change (which in turn changes the way deer bed and feed).  Sun aspect in relation to a slope..... etc.
   
Killing a good blacktail is hard.  I always suggest two-point of better for bucks.  A 2.5 year old forkie buck will have 40 or more pounds of meat on them than a 1.5 year old spike.  If it's getting late in the season and a spike presents a shot, then you've got to decide how important that meat in the freezer is.  No one will second guess you. 
   
Regarding the snow..... that will only help you if you have a heavy dump above 4K before late buck season (mid-Nov). It probably won't happen in October and often doesn't happen during the late season.  If it does, then if you expect to take advantage of the deer movement due to snow, then I'd guess you should already know where the deer go when they go downhill.  They use consistent travel corridors year to year, and if you don't know where those corridors are or where the deer end up (honey holes) then you're just guessing.  Studies showed that something like 75 0r 80 percent of blacktail deer movement is at night so the odds are tough to say the least.  You need to do some serious scouting to figure out this puzzle.  Lastly, I'm wondering about White River....memory tells me there's virtually no deer hunting areas worth devoting time to.  First Nation leases and National Forest lands limit quality hunting spots.  I might be wrong...someone else can chime in..  Mashel ain't the best either (I believe).  Perhaps the Kitsap Peninsula or farther South or North?  I'm guessing here.  I never hunt there.  Skokumchuck has the highest success rates year in, year out (or nearly so)  Food for thought.    Hunting prospects by GMU can be found here: https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/locations/prospects
2020 hunter success reports idicate good areas to focus hunting activities on this year: 
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/game-harvest#2020-harvest
   
Good luck.  Time in the woods is the real reaward for Blacktail hunting in the first few years.  Hunting success is a bonus. 

Disclaimer:  I'm not a great hunter but I spend a lot of time in the woods.  That's enough.  Don't believe everything you read but instead just add it to your knowledge base. 

[fishnfur]

As was recommended already, read Boyd Iverson's and Scott Haugen's books. Boyd was a good friend and we spent many hours conversing, comparing notes, and swapping trailcam pics over the years.  He passed away a while back and is truly missed. Scott is also a friend and though he moved to AK recently, he still makes time to come back for blacktails! He developed a line of blacktail scents that I tested over about 3 years.  They were discontinued with Oregon's natural deer urine law prohibiting urine-based scents due to CWD precautions.  And Mr. Cameron Hanes' book is also very good too, and he put out a video as well. As with everything Cam does, he goes all in and it comes through in his book.  Lots of good info to absorb.

I'm a blacktail nut-job too, and spend a lot of time studying these deer and their ways.  I have put out a lot of practical information on the subject via podcasts and blog posts, which can be found on my site. Each year I mentor a number of new blacktail hunters and I've helped quite a few people tag their 'first' bucks - many bigger than any of my deer (which is even better!).  I'm not sure it gets any better than helping someone find their own success in the field.

On my old site, I wrote a 7 part series on my approach to blacktail deer hunting. That was about 10 years ago now. It's since been turned into a 2-hour seminar that I've presented many times over the years. I am always refining it as I learn and get schooled by these crazy deer!  I am glad to help with specific questions but go check out the posts and podcasts on my site too. I think you'll find these resources valuable because I tried to distill down many years of experience into concise methods, tips, and tactics.  Hit me up with specific questions and if people are interested, I'd be up for hosting a Q&A Zoom call or something to cover a bunch of stuff real-time.  Just an idea.

I've got a question - what is your name?  I'd guess a hunter/author with the intials T.R.,  but i've no knowledge of any history with him and B. Iverson or S. Haugen. I've listened to podcasts, read now defunct web pages ( maybe seven parts on post-season deer scouting and core rut zones) and a published article or two about BT hunting by him which sounds mysteriously close to your resume.   Just curious.  I't doesn't really matter. Can't wait to hear some words of wisdom.

[bow4elk]

Yes, that's me alright.

[fishnfur]

Damn glad to meet you. Welcome Bow4elk! 
 I know a guy across the water who said you mentored him in BT hunting years ago.  He killed a monster with his bow last year. I sure could use some of that magic   I'm all ears....

[predatorG]

Someone mentioned Cam Hanes' BT film. Love or hate the dude that movie was pretty influential in how I hunt blacktails. Started utilizing tree stands and game cams way more. Right after switching to stands I shot my first BT which was a buck we didn't even have on cam. My little brother shot a toad last year (I think) that we had been watching grow for years.

Spending time in the woods is great advice. I've moved out of washington for now and am not sure if I'll be back to hunt this year looks like Coues deer it is for me this winter.

Shoot me a PM. I might have some rough ideas of where I would go for a MF tag on the Kitsap Peninsula, or can at least try and point someone in the right direction that they can get a deer down.

[JRRJ2021]

Thank you everyone for the information and answering my questions. I was going to come back and address and thank each post but instead I will just say thanks to Fishnfur, bow4elk, and everyone else.

I have to be honest I do not have high hopes for getting a deer this season even before my post. I have read the previous WDFW harvest reports and know these areas are pretty low production. If I can learn a ton this year during season, even if I do not get one, I will consider it a win. I also love being outdoors in general so hunting is just another reason/excuse to do that. I am exploring areas that are off of main Forest service and logging roads and going into the bush as far as I can within reason and safety, generally exploring areas 1.5-2 miles away from the road ways. Like I said I have seen a lot of deer sign and saw 1 doe feeding in one area and a nearby area where I saw one bedded down. I know there is browse in the area that they eat and there are a few sources of water nearby. I am just hoping a buck will show up if I stay in that general area. I am scouting a few other areas in the general region also in case someone is already there when I am show up to hunt. I do not want to stumble in and ruin anything for anyone who was there before me.

I will focus on slow hunting the area for now unless I find a good spot I can sit in for a while. A guy I met briefly at the rifle range described his method of slow hunting as if you think you are moving slow, slow down again by a quarter to half and you might be there - which sounds in line with what everyone here is saying, so I will try that and see where I get.

I know other areas to hunt were suggested which I appreciate but with a young family at home combined with home maintenance and work responsibilities my travel distance for hunting is fairly restricted this year. hopefully things will open up more next year and I can try other spots as the kids get older. Eventually I can bring them with me but not yet unfortunately. Part of the travel distance is also areas that are close enough to scout prior to the hunting season starting.

I appreciate all the input and if anyone else has anything to add I will certainly take it in and think about it and how to apply the advice.

[Skyvalhunter]

Your welcome

[brokentrail]

As was recommended already, read Boyd Iverson's and Scott Haugen's books. Boyd was a good friend and we spent many hours conversing, comparing notes, and swapping trailcam pics over the years.  He passed away a while back and is truly missed. Scott is also a friend and though he moved to AK recently, he still makes time to come back for blacktails! He developed a line of blacktail scents that I tested over about 3 years.  They were discontinued with Oregon's natural deer urine law prohibiting urine-based scents due to CWD precautions.  And Mr. Cameron Hanes' book is also very good too, and he put out a video as well. As with everything Cam does, he goes all in and it comes through in his book.  Lots of good info to absorb.

I'm a blacktail nut-job too, and spend a lot of time studying these deer and their ways.  I have put out a lot of practical information on the subject via podcasts and blog posts, which can be found on my site. Each year I mentor a number of new blacktail hunters and I've helped quite a few people tag their 'first' bucks - many bigger than any of my deer (which is even better!).  I'm not sure it gets any better than helping someone find their own success in the field.



On my old site, I wrote a 7 part series on my approach to blacktail deer hunting. That was about 10 years ago now. It's since been turned into a 2-hour seminar that I've presented many times over the years. I am always refining it as I learn and get schooled by these crazy deer!  I am glad to help with specific questions but go check out the posts and podcasts on my site too. I think you'll find these resources valuable because I tried to distill down many years of experience into concise methods, tips, and tactics.  Hit me up with specific questions and if people are interested, I'd be up for hosting a Q&A Zoom call or something to cover a bunch of stuff real-time.  Just an idea.

   I have learned a ton from TR's podcasts, articles, etc.  Definitely made me think a lot differently than I had been about how to hunt blacktails.  Look up his website, lots of good info there for sure.  I have also read Boyd and Scott's books as well.  A wealth of great information between those three sources for sure.  Oh and @bow4elk, thanks for all of the info you have provided.  I have learned a lot from you and your information!

[Wendego716]

I shot my first blacktail last year in my second season of trying. Both years I was hiking up to some cuts and trying to glass deer, but never saw any in the cuts. On the walk in or out I'd usually see does on the trail, so I finally figured the heck with it, I'll just set up around the does and hope a buck comes sniffing around. Twenty minutes into the first morning doing that, here he comes. It was mostly dumb luck, but it worked. I'll try it again this year and I'm sure I won't see a thing.

I guess my thoughts are try one thing, and if that doesn't work try something else. Good luck!

[fishnfur]

I shot my first blacktail last year in my second season of trying. Both years I was hiking up to some cuts and trying to glass deer, but never saw any in the cuts. On the walk in or out I'd usually see does on the trail, so I finally figured the heck with it, I'll just set up around the does and hope a buck comes sniffing around. Twenty minutes into the first morning doing that, here he comes. It was mostly dumb luck, but it worked. I'll try it again this year and I'm sure I won't see a thing.

I guess my thoughts are try one thing, and if that doesn't work try something else. Good luck!

Sounds like both you and JRR2021 are doing exactly what you should be doing.  I don't consider it luck that you made your hunt decisions based on what you were observing.  Knowing where doe are when the bucks start searching will put you close and increase your odds of success many times over. In your case it paid off.  Working the timber and the trails leading into and away from cuts is a great plan when bowhunting.  Spot and stalk with stick and string is about a challenging as it gets.  Always worth a try if you see a target, but nothing I would plan my hunts around.

JRR - Though mature bucks are hard to come by during daylight(until mid - late Oct.) you might capture 1.5 year old spike, or sometimes small forkie, hanging out with their sibling sisters this month.  Normally you would expect a mid- late summer dispersion of these young bucks - splitting off from mom and sisters and traveling till they find a new territory that suits them.  This normally occurs during the summer months but not always.  It is not unusual to find young bucks still hangin' with sis in Sept and sometimes even early Oct. Their sister doe typically stay near mom's territory to live their lives. Within a couple of generations the area may end up with a multigenerational group of animals that holds lots of doe plus an occasional youg buck that overstayed his welcome.  Make sure you know what you're looking at when you observe multiple animals in the wild.  It is easy to overlook a small buck  mixed in a group of doe. 
         Lastly, are you hunting the archery season now or did you buy the modern firearm tag so that you could hunt (archery) during the last few (and best) days of the pre-rut (when opportunites are maximized) ?  That's how I would play it if I was only hunting archery. 

Good luck guys!

[fishnfur]

Someone mentioned Cam Hanes' BT film. Love or hate the dude that movie was pretty influential in how I hunt blacktails. Started utilizing tree stands and game cams way more. Right after switching to stands I shot my first BT which was a buck we didn't even have on cam. My little brother shot a toad last year (I think) that we had been watching grow for years.

Spending time in the woods is great advice. I've moved out of washington for now and am not sure if I'll be back to hunt this year looks like Coues deer it is for me this winter.

Shoot me a PM. I might have some rough ideas of where I would go for a MF tag on the Kitsap Peninsula, or can at least try and point someone in the right direction that they can get a deer down.

Is this your junior year now?  Seems like it must be.  Good luck with those Coues Deer - let us know how they compare to blackies. 

[predatorG]

Someone mentioned Cam Hanes' BT film. Love or hate the dude that movie was pretty influential in how I hunt blacktails. Started utilizing tree stands and game cams way more. Right after switching to stands I shot my first BT which was a buck we didn't even have on cam. My little brother shot a toad last year (I think) that we had been watching grow for years.

Spending time in the woods is great advice. I've moved out of washington for now and am not sure if I'll be back to hunt this year looks like Coues deer it is for me this winter.

Shoot me a PM. I might have some rough ideas of where I would go for a MF tag on the Kitsap Peninsula, or can at least try and point someone in the right direction that they can get a deer down.

Is this your junior year now?  Seems like it must be.  Good luck with those Coues Deer - let us know how they compare to blackies.

Just graduated! Got done early. Living in Phoenix for a bit now.

[fishnfur]

   Way to get it done PredatorG.  More theology in the future?

JRR - after re-reading your original post, I see that you are hunting MF (not archery).  If you're seeing doe in August and later, they will likely be close ito the same spot n October.  Sun aspect (angle) against the terrain keeps south and SW slopes warmer later into the mid-Autumn, so deer may shift their preferences to bedding and feeding in those warmer spots as the weather cools.  The last two or three years has seen warm Autumn temperatures all the way through the end of October which keeps much of the deer activity happening at night during the cooler temperatures at that time. That makes for tough hunting during the day 'cause the deer may not move much at all. 

As October wanes, increase your hunting efforts and stay in the woods all day if possible.  Pay attention to the ground for signs that suggest bucks are chasing doe around.  You'll see the spots where the deer tear up the forest floor as they chase in the last week or 10 days of Oct. +/-.   You may not see anything moving, but the tracks tell you what's really going on in their world and confirm that you're in the right area.   Anyways, if you know genrally where doe are hanging out in a couple different areas, then you have options to choose from when the woods get crowded with hunter. 

Above all else, there's no reason you can't score a buck this season.  You've just got to stay out there, stay focused on the hunt (not the trees (like I do)).  Move slow if still hunting and expect action at every step.  If taking a stand on the ground or in a tree, be patient and stay alert.  Once you let your mind wander, that is when the buck will show up... always (or when you drop your pants to pee)  If you're planning on hunting a specific clearcut, take the time now to walk the perimeter inside the cut and make note of the trails that deer come and go from.  If there is high ground on one side of the cut, then expect the deer to bed above or at least on the sides of the cut and come downhill/sidehill to feed at night and then head uphill in the morning.  Be in the woods on that uphill side, inside or on the edge of the timber (hidden) near known trails leading uphill to bedding areas in the early AM.  Rattling and/or grunting while well hidden may bring in a buck as the end of October closes in. 

Lastly, I still recommend the "how to hunt" app - it will teach you things about doe behavior in the presence of or when expecting bucks to come in for a visit that will take many many years to learn on your own.  Five or six bucks will save you years of blowing opportunities 'cause you misinterpreted what was going on.  Also, read through as many old posts regarding BT hunting as you can.  Search for "Blacktail tactics" or "Blacktail heip" or similar.  There's a lot of knowledge just sitting here onsite waiting to be read.   Good luck!

[Sundance]

Damn glad to meet you. Welcome Bow4elk! 
 I know a guy across the water who said you mentored him in BT hunting years ago.  He killed a monster with his bow last year. I sure could use some of that magic   I'm all ears....

If Tom was gathering disciples, you'd best drop what you are doing and follow him.

On the topic, hunting the does for cruising bucks is a great strategy but I would only put credence in it for three weeks (October 25-November 15th). Note that on a given year there is only 7 days give or take that you can hunt these dates with an OTC tag, which is rifle. Any other time of the year I will gladly sit in stand/blind, glass cuts or rely of food sources to provide an opportunity. However in that magical time of the rut I'd prefer to be mobile and slow hunt areas until I locate does and hopefully encounter a rut zone. Every buck I've taken outside that window was from a stand or an ambush set, every buck taken in that window listed above was from the ground and being mobile.

[EastLake13]

This is only from my perspective as a beginner, and I do not have the experience or success of others on this forum, but I was lucky enough to get a blacktail my first year hunting here and it really encouraged me after years of hunting unsuccessfully in CA.

I did a lot of research (read the same books as you) and walked in the woods with my brother looking for sign and food before the season. I had read that inclement weather and rain can benefit hunting (smell, noise, etc.), so my brother and I would go out regardless of the conditions. On an especially rainy and cold day--far, far fewer hunters out--we caught a buck in a blackberry bush off a trail near a creek we had visited previously; had I not had my rifle ready, moving slowly and paying attention, I probably never would have noticed. My brother walked right by him. I won't lie, it wasn't comfortable, and despite our rain jackets we were soaked before we finished cleaning him. The area started to flood and the gut pile was floating by the time we finished. That being said, it felt pretty good to load a deer in the back of my Jetta (I don't think the engineers had that in mind when they designed the trunk).

Since then, I have not gotten anything. But I have seen bear, mountain lion, elk, and blacktail. I learned from my successful outing to just stay focused because you really never know what will happen (my brother and I were talking a little too loudly this spring when a turkey blew out of cover ten feet away and sailed down a canyon). I think it's more fun that way anyways; a lot of hikers miss stuff because they're not paying attention to the environment.

[fishnfur]

Damn glad to meet you. Welcome Bow4elk! 
 I know a guy across the water who said you mentored him in BT hunting years ago.  He killed a monster with his bow last year. I sure could use some of that magic   I'm all ears....

If Tom was gathering disciples, you'd best drop what you are doing and follow him.

On the topic, hunting the does for cruising bucks is a great strategy but I would only put credence in it for three weeks (October 25-November 15th). Note that on a given year there is only 7 days give or take that you can hunt these dates with an OTC tag, which is rifle. Any other time of the year I will gladly sit in stand/blind, glass cuts or rely of food sources to provide an opportunity. However in that magical time of the rut I'd prefer to be mobile and slow hunt areas until I locate does and hopefully encounter a rut zone. Every buck I've taken outside that window was from a stand or an ambush set, every buck taken in that window listed above was from the ground and being mobile.

Look who'b back - the mentoree!   I'm sitting here (jealously) thinking of your hunt last year. I'll bet you $10 you can't beat the green score on that buck this year.....     Hopefully we get some good Blacktail topics/threads going this season.  Perhaps we should rework the Benchleg Blacktail debate just for fun (?)

Good point on the timing -  hunter should concentrate on finding a hot doe or nearly hot doe pretty late in October.  The hunter should proceed with the expectation that a buck is either already with an observed doe (but perhaps unseen) or a buck should be coming in  very soon.  Sit on every doe found, at least for a few minutes and observe her behavior. If you see a doe standing, sometimes appearing to be waiting for something to happen, and her tail is sticking straight out horizontally, sit tight and be ready for action.  If it is windy out and a freshly hot doe decides to advertise her readiness to breed, she will often put her ass/genitals in the best position that the wind can carry her scent downwind.  If you see that, don't move, just watch.  Just ike magic, a downwind buck comes running in to take posession.  Amazing stuff.

Anyways, posts on this board help narrow down the timing for when it is worthwhile to concentrate hunting effort on known doe populations.  Though doe estrus cycles start at different times across the Westside, they are generally all within a week or so, maybe less, of all being right on schedule with the norm.  Once hunters start reporting chasing activity on this board, the pending rut is closing in quickly and it is probably worthwhile to check known doe hangouts. 

[Grousehunter19]

Would it work to use a fawn in distress call to call in does which would then lay a scent trail for cruising bucks to follow?  Or would the does get spooked after a while and scare off any bucks that might be following her?

[Sundance]

Look who'b back - the mentoree!   I'm sitting here (jealously) thinking of your hunt last year. I'll bet you $10 you can't beat the green score on that buck this year.....     Hopefully we get some good Blacktail topics/threads going this season.  Perhaps we should rework the Benchleg Blacktail debate just for fun (?)

For that very reason I put in for and drew a whitetail rut tag, I need to take a season off blacktail hunting. That being said I may hit an alpine spot this week for bear and if a stud buck were to walk out...

Would it work to use a fawn in distress call to call in does which would then lay a scent trail for cruising bucks to follow?  Or would the does get spooked after a while and scare off any bucks that might be following her?

I've only ever had success with the fawn bawl on Kodiak and POW for Sitka Blacktail. Typically I would see a doe coming across a hillside or a muskeg towing a buck. Down here it's so thick where I hunt I fear that a doe or buck may come to investigate and then hang up at 50 yards to survey the situation and wind/see me before I know they are there. Think of it as coming into your own house and ready for a fight if the door was ajar and the front window smashed, all your senses are on high alert.

I would opt to use doe bleats, buck grunts, rattling, and scent trails early in the fall (October 15-25th) to attempt sucking in a cruising buck. I really like the figure 8 scent trail set below a treestand- length of the 8 @ 100-200 yards, placed 20-30 yard infront of the stand on a bench or trail transition.

[fishnfur]

Look who'b back - the mentoree!   I'm sitting here (jealously) thinking of your hunt last year. I'll bet you $10 you can't beat the green score on that buck this year.....     Hopefully we get some good Blacktail topics/threads going this season.  Perhaps we should rework the Benchleg Blacktail debate just for fun (?)

For that very reason I put in for and drew a whitetail rut tag, I need to take a season off blacktail hunting. That being said I may hit an alpine spot this week for bear and if a stud buck were to walk out...

Would it work to use a fawn in distress call to call in does which would then lay a scent trail for cruising bucks to follow?  Or would the does get spooked after a while and scare off any bucks that might be following her?

I've only ever had success with the fawn bawl on Kodiak and POW for Sitka Blacktail. Typically I would see a doe coming across a hillside or a muskeg towing a buck. Down here it's so thick where I hunt I fear that a doe or buck may come to investigate and then hang up at 50 yards to survey the situation and wind/see me before I know they are there. Think of it as coming into your own house and ready for a fight if the door was ajar and the front window smashed, all your senses are on high alert.

I would opt to use doe bleats, buck grunts, rattling, and scent trails early in the fall (October 15-25th) to attempt sucking in a cruising buck. I really like the figure 8 scent trail set below a treestand- length of the 8 @ 100-200 yards, placed 20-30 yard infront of the stand on a bench or trail transition.

I like that suggestion though I'm a bit more than squeemish about using doe urine on the ground anymore.  I've no problem hanging a scent wick out in the breeze but the quesions regarding prions in deer urine causing deer wasting disease have made me shy away from the drag rag tactic (that, and it never once worked for me  )

A great place to use a fawn in distress call is when hunting a clearcut from above with a rifle.  Scream like a pig on that call.  If there are deer in the area, they will often stand up to see what's happening.  I've tried the call in the woods and had not luck.  Hide well before calling if you're using this tactic.

[Spuddieselwwu]

 I have always hunted clear cuts and still hunted timber and have had great success, but a tactic I picked up last year (in addition to everything that's been listed) was I think from Fishnfur was to find a stretch of overgrown or rarely used logging road that has 6-10 year old reprod on either side and sit on it.  Sit on the high side with a 200-300 yard lane and just sit it waiting for deer to cross back and forth.  I was out hunting last year in late October mid day and figured I'd try it out after reading about it on here the night before.   I walked a string of estrus down the road and sat in a camp chair with a shooting stick and within 30 minutes there were 6 deer that crossed the road, 2 being bucks.  I will try that tactic a bit this year as well - I was surprised at how well it worked.  Just something to keep in your arsenal if you get tired of beating the brush and want a more relaxing hunt.

[fishnfur]

I got that general idea/tactic from RadSav.  He loves those edges with differing forest types across a road from each other.  You thought up the idea of using Doe in Estrus scent across that spot on your own.  Good thinking.  Stay flexible in how you hunt.  Glad to hear that worked for you.  (I take no credit in your success though).  Let us know if that works again this year.  Dependable tactics are hard to come by when Blacktail hunting.

[Spuddieselwwu]

I got that general idea/tactic from RadSav.  He loves those edges with differing forest types across a road from each other.  You thought up the idea of using Doe in Estrus scent across that spot on your own.  Good thinking.  Stay flexible in how you hunt.  Glad to hear that worked for you.  (I take no credit in your success though).  Let us know if that works again this year.  Dependable tactics are hard to come by when Blacktail hunting.

That's right, it was RadSav.  Yeah, I walked that estrus on my own accord.  Both the bucks walked across the road, stopped dead in their tracks right in the middle of the road where I dragged that estrus with their nose on the ground.