Whitetail hunting newbie - tactics?

[JeffRaines]

Heading over to the 101/204 area this weekend for muzzy deer. Looking online, most websites are geared toward eastern/midwestern whitetail and I don’t see a whole lot geared toward western whitetail. I know tree stands still work, but I don’t have one so that’s out.

Is it kinda similar to hunting blackies - walking logging roads and clear cut/reprod edges? The only thing that’s given me this idea is watching the few videos on YouTube of it - the ones that don’t involve tree stands and blinds.

Any tips you’d give a first timer?

Thanks in advance!

[MountainWalk]

Trails! They use the same trails consistently.

[nwwanderer]

They are home bodies and know small territories will.  A spooked one probably went around the corner not out of the county.  They might hide in a tiny bit of cover and let you walk by.  Not likely to see mature bucks with does yet but old ones are close, slow down and look again, again and again.  Have a good one

[elkboy]

You're going to really improve your odds by sitting in good cover at trail cross-sections, at the edge of feed, along a riparian corridor with good deer trails, etc.  Don't move much, especially towards "golden hour".  Patience is a key virtue in hunting flagtails. 

[JeffRaines]

Thanks for the info so far - for those who know, is it worth bringing the rattle bag along this early and giving it a try or is it a complete waste of time? Seems like some sources mention it can be productive this early, but other sources say it works closer to the rut

[buckfvr]

Dont draw attention to yourself by making any kind of noise, movement (especially quick) like jerking your head around to see what you hear, and dont add unnecessary odors to your set up.   

[elkboy]

Thanks for the info so far - for those who know, is it worth bringing the rattle bag along this early and giving it a try or is it a complete waste of time? Seems like some sources mention it can be productive this early, but other sources say it works closer to the rut

If you're going to do it, and in our experience it is a low odds proposition this time of year, do it lightly, like a couple of young bucks messing around with their newly hardened antlers.  You may draw in a curious buck or even doe that just wants to see who's sparring.  Don't try the rut-style brawl- save that for November 10 or later. 

[Fidelk]

If you know a good spot with some open area, get to it in the dark. They feed in the alfalfa fields at night and head uphill to bed down after sunup. Be high up and in a good ambush position. Squirt some doe in estrus scent on the soles of your boots and leak a few drops every 50 feet or so as you hike uphill. This might interest a buck even though  it's early. Walking in at night wear a powerful head lamp and stop often and turn a full circle.......for cougars.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

This early for any deer I would focus hard on food at first and last light.  Then when they are bedded down for the day, make a push through bedding edges with good wind.  If you have a buddy try setting up a wind bump drive, where one hunter zig zags a bit upwind of bedding and shooter positions about 50 yards downwind of bedding.  If no buddy around, still hunt nose into the wind.  Bucks will like that dark timber and tucked away spots, be ready for a quick off hand shot!  Rattling would work, like elkboy said, if it sounds like youngings sparring.  I saw a couple bucks play sparring the other night.  Even doe or fawn calls can work to just sound like a deer.  A curious deer might come check things out.  Good Lucks!