Lonely Blacktail spike

[IslandHunter]

Trying a deer stand for the first time this year hunting blacktail. So far it’s been really nice to be able to sit at watch deer in their natural undisturbed state. Learning a lot so far.

I have had 3 mornings where a small spike comes in on the trail by itself just after first light. Hangs out in the opening I am set up on and feeds for 15 or so minutes and moves along. My understanding is that Blacktail typically group up, and it is somewhat rare to have a lone deer unless it’s a large buck. Typically when I have seen other small spikes or yearlings there is at least one doe if not more in the general area.

Are my assumptions correct. Is there likely other deer close by I am just not seeing, or maybe they are catching my scent and avoiding the area while the spike doesn’t know any better? I know the spot is decent as I have seen multiple shooter bucks there in October.

Any advice or info would be appreciated.

On a side note how small of a deer is too small to take in your opinion. I am purely trying to fill my freezer. I have a multi season permit and second deer permit and beyond anything my goal is to get 2 deer in the freezer. A decent buck would be a bonus. The area I hunt is all private land and the GMU is overpopulated with deer and is a any deer unit (this wouldn’t even be in consideration in other GMUs or public land). The spike I have been seeing is maybe a fawn from last year or maybe the year before, I am not experienced enough to know for sure. His spikes are pretty pathetic maybe an inch long. The deer I’m my GMU  typically don’t get very big. As I sat in my stand I kept thinking of the old saying of don’t pass up something on the first day of the season you would take on the last day. I think I would consider taking this guy on the last day of the season if I had to decide between a small deer and tag soup. I am  Happy with my decision to leave him as there is a lot of hunting left and I don’t want to fill my only buck tag before October. Just wanted to get some opinions on what you all think is ethical and how you go thinking about this.

Thanks in advance.

[cem3434]

If trying to fill the freezer and a spike is legal in your unit, then fill free to let an arrow fly. I've never harvested a spike, but I'll be taking my daughter on her first deer hunt this fall. If a spike steps out, then I'll let her make the decision if she wants to take it or not.

The bigger bucks in October might be pre-rut cruising looking for does especially if you're not seeing them on camera now. A bird in hand is better than two in the bush, but only you can make that decision.

[dreadi]

I 2nd that. Put him down and have him for breakfast.


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[DeerThug]

Wait - You have a lot of time to hunt. You have seen that spike 3 times and will likely see him every time you sit in the stand. It will only get better as fall comes on and a nice buck will give you an opportunity.  You can shoot this one later if need be. 

[Twispriver]

If you're trying to "fill the freezer" with a deer the will dress out at fifty pounds I hope you have a small freezer.  If I were confident other deer will eventually come by the stand I would wait.

[IslandHunter]

Haha fill / put something in the freezer. 2 small deer = 1 big deer right??

Yeah this is why I chose to wait. If it was a doe I would maybe consider it so I could fill my second deer tag early and focus on finding a decent buck to fill my Multi season tag with. Ill be back at it next weekend.

The main point of this post was to get some opinions on if folks think this deer is really alone or if there are other deer close by I am not seeing. Both days he came in and fed for a good 15 or so minutes and I didn't see any sign of other deer. A few times he seemed alerted to things that weren't in my direction so I am not sure if that was him tracking his "group" or just hearing stuff in the woods.

If you're trying to "fill the freezer" with a deer the will dress out at fifty pounds I hope you have a small freezer.  If I were confident other deer will eventually come by the stand I would wait.

[DeerThug]

Hang in there - you are on the right track.

This deer is a yearling, and this early in the season he should still be with his mom and her this years fawn. And would be kicked out by a mature buck as the rut comes on.  Natures way of preventing inbreeding.  Since he is alone it is likely she was killed and thus he has been learning his way and may be a bit not world wise.  All that I'd say he is likely a loner and may not bring anything else with him by your stand. But if you got does, the bucks are there.

Put in the time and you will get an opportunity.  Just make a good shot when you do.

[hunter399]

Just smoke him.
Deer jerky good 🍖🤤

[slavenoid]

When I settle for a smaller deer I'm always disappointed when I look at the yield afterwards. In my opinion it's too early to tag a spike if you're enjoying the hunting. Big deer just show up later in the season I would wait.

[BLH69]

Don't shoot the baby. DONT LISTEN TO 399.

[JakeLand]

Been saying this a long time make all blacktail a 2 point minimum excluding the islands

[IslandHunter]

Back at it this weekend. Checked the cam that was out all week. Little spike comes by nearly every day. A few larger doe that would be perfect for my doe tag seen just after and just before shooting light. Hopefully they slip up this weekend. Might try a new location on the property as well.

Looking back at cam pics from last year there are some really nice bucks that come into my area during the rut. Seeing 2 different 3 by 3s and a large 2 point from last year has given me new motivation to wait for a target buck. Planning on taking the last week of October off work if I don't fill my tag by then.

I am planning on trying some doe urine this weekend. I have only ever used it closer to the rut. Did a little research and folks say it can work year round. Interested to see if I catch a buck on cam and if they are interested in the log I put the urine on.

[knighttime25]

With a multi-season tag I would wait, if you take the last week of October off, that will be a prime time for a nice blacktail buck 

[hunter399]

Don't shoot the baby. DONT LISTEN TO 399.

What are you talking about.
So tender and juicy....
Shoot em or risk tag soup.
Tag soup doesn't fill any freezer.
At the end of the day, don't listen to any of us.
Do what you think you need to do.
It's your call .

One other thing I've learned.
Don't expect that spike to be standing there next year.
Cause someone like me will eat him if you don't.(public land anyway)

[IslandHunter]

Well I filled my second deer tag with a nice Doe over the weekend. Freezer is fuller and that little spike is safe for now. Now to wait until October to fill my multi-season tag.

Looked back at some cam footage from the last 2 years. 2 really nice (by my standards) 3 x 3s and a decent forky came through a lot at the end of October. Working to get some more cams our and put a game plan together to see if I cant bag a decent buck.

[baker5150]

If you have some Does kickin around, and you want to hunt bigger bucks in the rut, I'd wait to smoke a doe until after you fill that buck tag.

No better Big Buck lure than a doe in heat during the rut.  Let those ladies bring a buck in for you.

[IslandHunter]

If you have some Does kickin around, and you want to hunt bigger bucks in the rut, I'd wait to smoke a doe until after you fill that buck tag.

No better Big Buck lure than a doe in heat during the rut.  Let those ladies bring a buck in for you.

Yeah I was thinking about this. Definitely one less doe in the area to bring in a buck. But I am happy to have it in the freezer early. We will see how this October goes. Next time I have a second deer tag I will probably wait until after I bag a buck to take my doe. I have been pretty worried about both of my tags going to waste this year so now that I have one filled the pressure is off.