Blacktail Rut Thread - Post updates here

[blackveltbowhunter]

Look at those tarsals.....ole boy has been at it awhile!

[bigdub257]

Heading out for late buck tomorrow in Kitsap/Mason.  Anybody have any updates on the rut activity?

[Sundance]

I live and drive through Kitsap each day for work, my commute route is strategically planned to pass areas where deer hang out. The last 7 days I haven’t seen a doe or buck in areas where I always see deer. I’m guessing they are in lockdown mode at the tail-end of rut. Thick brush, alder thickets, and creek bottoms would be my go-to right now.

[fishngamereaper]

No real activity in my spots the last week..

Look for the bucks to be going into feed and fatten up mode.

[BLH69]

 They are not done yet. The bucks are in lockdown with the does.

[BLH69]

My biggest problem is the so called hunters road hunting behind the gates. Most are from Belfair that I have talked to.

[fishngamereaper]

Guess its spot specific..

All the neighborhood deer are back to normal. Does have yearlings and buck's are browsing solo.

All my cams between Jeff co, Mason and Kitsap show the same. Probably a few does here and there that are hot but I wouldn't call it prime rut. Definitely tail end. But it's no different than the last 40 year's I've chase blacktail..

[HntnFsh]

This guy was full on rut this afternoon. Only had 1 thing on his mind. And it wasn't me watching him. Wish I didn't have the sun causing a glare. He had the lip curl going on for quite awhile. Came back a half hour later and he was still at it!

[HntnFsh]

His buddy was just a spectator.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I'll be hunting Mason the next three days. What are the experienced hunting tactics for late buck? I've got a few spots, including a swale that I can hunt. What would be the best place to focus, brush and swale, or try and hit some cuts? I told my step dad if I could be in just two places at once for deer season I would have tagged out already.

[BLH69]

Same as it has been for the last 45 years i have been hunting them. Yes it can be very spot specific.

[bigdub257]

Thanks for the observations and recommendations!  Will implement the advice and hopefully report back with a success photo. 

[Watimberghost]

Bucks were hounding does in a King Co this week by my place. Going to give it a shot sat/sun down south a bit, not King Co... Good luck all!

[fishnfur]

I'll be hunting Mason the next three days. What are the experienced hunting tactics for late buck? I've got a few spots, including a swale that I can hunt. What would be the best place to focus, brush and swale, or try and hit some cuts? I told my step dad if I could be in just two places at once for deer season I would have tagged out already.

I've had pretty good luck hunting those swale areas.  Often, it seems doe appear in or near these spots (which then attracts the doe), or it may be that I have better success along swales 'cause that's where I spend much of my hunting time.  As always  (during the rut), finding doe is a top priority if you're scouting as you hunt. 

Personally, I'd say Lakebay had a better population deer than Mason.  No place to hunt there?

[fishngamereaper]

Went out yesterday morning just for fun.. already tagged out..
Didn't see anyone hunting the spots I checked.
Saw a doe chasing a spike ... guessing it was momma opening up a can for bad behavior
And saw a three generation group of doe's feeding without a care in the world...not much for active buck tracks on the normal roads.