Bowhunting blacktails, units 437/407/418

[chaddnf]

Hey everyone

So my season came to an end this past week, and I'm eating tag soup on all fronts. This was my second year hunting, last October I was fortunate enough to harvest a nice buck during rifle season. This year I hunted deer during the general and late firearm seasons, modern westside elk, and late archery elk. Saw 14 does, a few fawns, and one tiny spike I passed up, as he was barely bigger than my dog. I also came across an amazing bull elk while scouting, but elk were nowhere to be seen when I was out hunting.

ANYWAY, next year I'm going to extend my season by bowhunting for blacktail, and just wanted some guidance, stories, techniques, whatever wisdom you got. With my rifle, I enjoy still hunting. I'll get into my spot in the dark, sit clearcuts in the morning, still hunt the timber in the daytime, and sit again at last light. I hunted a total of 16 days this season, took a good chunk of time off work and camped in my truck. I think I have a fair grasp of what it means to hunt these elusive deer in western Washington. However, I can't wrap my head around doing it with a bow.

I don't want to sit in a treestand, a saddle is more appealing due to the mobility, but even then, I'd rather stay on the ground. My questions are as follows:
1. Does anyone hunt these units on the ground with a bow? I can't imagine stalking a deer within 20 yards given how thick the jungle is. Wouldn't take a shot past 40, but that's just me. Maybe I need more practice.
2. Do you shoot deer in clearcuts/reprod with your bow? Again, it seems impossible to move quietly through the deadfall and blackberries, unless it's a really new cut.
3. How does a modern compound hold up in the rain? Even my stainless rifles start to spot with rust after a few days getting soaked. I bought my first compound this year, shot a recurve regularly years ago, and I'm pretty proficient with the bow. But I don't know what it would be like to be out day in and day out in the rain with that thing. Might not be as much of an issue in September, but definitely in the late archery season.

Thanks in advance for any replies and guidance! I'm going to keep getting out in the woods and try to pattern some deer while there's snow on the ground, but next year can't get here quick enough.

[swanderek]

I had a monster come out by highway 9 yesterday at 11:00 AM and eat on the side of the road.

[NorseNW]

I can't speak specifically to the units you are looking at but in general western Washington is a bit thick for still hunting with a bow.  Still hunting and bumping something that runs out 60-100 yards and stops can produce a rifle shot but not a very good archery target.  Hunting edges of cuts can be productive if you can find an area open enough to allow you to move quietly.  I still hunt timber but generally shots are out of bow range. 

I'm with you on not enjoying sitting and waiting but seems to be the best option for deer hunting - especially archery.  Find areas with lots of sign or good travel corridors and sit them out.  I don't tree stand hunt but I do work to find areas that I can sit one place for an hour or two then move to another spot maybe 1/4 mile away and sit again.  This is my compromise between sitting all day and still hunting.

As far as compounds exposed to all that rain - I've only had issues with the accessories getting rust.  Usually the bolts that hold stuff on.   I try to get the bow dried out overnight and I still got rust on attachment points.  Even those WAY too expensive "all aluminum" Spot Hogg sights have small screws that apparently don't mind rusting!  Also take the arrows out of the quiver or the broadheads will rust in that foam they sit in.

Enjoy the journey!

[KP-Skagit]

It can be really challenging but still hunting with a bow around here is definitely possible and can be productive. My father found a lot of success at it when he was younger. He had a really strong knowledge of the areas he would hunt and would only cover a couple hundred yards in a morning still hunting. He knew where the deer bedded so he focused his time in those spots. He shot a lot of deer, never anything other than the first legal thing he saw. He swore by LL Bean Maine Hunting boots for being quiet.

I will second taking your broadheads out of your quiver. I hunted one day with a bow last year and my broadheads looked like I had been storing them in the bilge of a boat.