Timber Stalking Blacktail, or just stick to clear-cuts? [Modern Firearm]

[RockyBass]

Hi everyone,

This will be my first year deer hunting. I know the conventional tactic for rifle hunting blacktail is to glass clear-cuts, but do you all ever get into the timber as well? If so, do you have any advice on how to still-hunt blacktail in the coastal hills? I'm sure there's more to it than just picking a random patch of timber and creeping along into the wind. Or would I just be better off sticking to clear-cuts with the rest of everyone else.

I have explored a lot over the years in the area where I'll be hunting so I have no problem getting off-road and deep into the timber.

Any additional resources that would help me hunt Blacktail Deer would also be much appreciated.

Thanks!

[dreadi]

In this area that you've explored, have you seen deer in the timber during hunting seasons?


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[Griiz]

My advice is locate an area that holds the quality bucks you want to harvest and set up stands where you think you can ambush them, preferably tree or cliff stands to beat their nose. I am usually hunting them in areas of brush and timber where the bucks have cover and feel safe. If I was just trying to find a legal buck to fill my tag, I would probably hunt timber clear cut edges.

[RockyBass]

I have not actually seen bucks in person in this area but I've seen plenty of Does so I'm sure the males are there. I see a lot of rubs that I presume are deer (rather than elk due to the height) around old grown-in logging roads so I guess I should start there. I have a trail cam now so I'm going to start trying to find a few bucks and pattern them. Do they have a similar pattern throughout the year, or does it tend to change a lot?

[Griiz]

Their patterns change and blacktails can be pretty random. More likely to be in open areas when in velvet. End of October and Early November is when they are the most vulnerable as they cruise around more in daylight looking for does. If you find bucks on camera, and you aren't in a migratory area, the bucks live there and will be around.

[dreadi]

I have not actually seen bucks in person in this area but I've seen plenty of Does so I'm sure the males are there. I see a lot of rubs that I presume are deer (rather than elk due to the height) around old grown-in logging roads so I guess I should start there. I have a trail cam now so I'm going to start trying to find a few bucks and pattern them. Do they have a similar pattern throughout the year, or does it tend to change a lot?

They will go where the food is. If the does keep going to where the food is, bucks will too.


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
07/02 NFA Dealer

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[chukardogs]

If there's does present, the bucks are right there on the fringe. In most hunting situations, the first and last 15 minutes of daylight are your best chance at an older mature buck. While hunting mature Blacktail bucks, it's absolutely critical to have a basic idea where they'll be at daylight and where they'll show at dusk and be there before they are. Most large Blacktail bucks that I have seen over the years were seen right at dawn or dusk. Your best opportunity at a mature Blacktail is getting to know that specific deer and his behavior. Scouting, scouting, scouting! A mature Blacktail buck seems to get more nocturnal as they age so your best chance is hunting the few days leading up to and right after a new moon. The morning after a night where it's pitch black at midnight will be your best chance to get a glimpse of a big mature Blacktail. Putting on a backpack and getting in far enough that your not apt to run into other hunters is another thing that will up your chances at a good buck. Good luck out there.

[JakeLand]

Best time is during the worst weather and the last couple days of October
Find steep timber that has benches with big old growth , you know where there’s a ton of rubs is a core area

[Bullkllr]

One general recommendation I have is to look for closed-road areas and hike or bike in. Generally the pressure is lower and animals are not as focused on simply avoiding people.

[Griiz]

I've harvested most of my mature blacktails between 9-11:00 AM from stands in areas with cover. In my experience hunting and using trail cameras for 20 years, they are nocturnal, because they are wise enough to not go in open areas till dark but move around a little during the day in small pockets where they feel safe. Scouting helps you find these pockets or bedrooms.

[RockyBass]

I've harvested most of my mature blacktails between 9-11:00 AM from stands in areas with cover. In my experience hunting and using trail cameras for 20 years, they are nocturnal, because they are wise enough to not go in open areas till dark but move around a little during the day in small pockets where they feel safe. Scouting helps you find these pockets or bedrooms.

Cool, thanks for your advice! I have a few places that come to mind, particularly in some swampy cedar stands and old overgrown logging roads with grass that I can place a trail cam on.

Another question, have you had any luck with calls or rattling?

[Griiz]

I've harvested most of my mature blacktails between 9-11:00 AM from stands in areas with cover. In my experience hunting and using trail cameras for 20 years, they are nocturnal, because they are wise enough to not go in open areas till dark but move around a little during the day in small pockets where they feel safe. Scouting helps you find these pockets or bedrooms.

Cool, thanks for your advice! I have a few places that come to mind, particularly in some swampy cedar stands and old overgrown logging roads with grass that I can place a trail cam on.

Another question, have you had any luck with calls or rattling?

I've called a couple in rattling years ago and have had success calling in and harvesting my target buck a few times with grunts. I think rattling might be more productive with deer that migrate a bit. I've called in many does over the years using bleats. I don't call much, as I have faith in my stand locations and believe if I spend enough time sitting in them I will get my buck if he is still alive. I don't have enough confidence in calls and don't want to scare anything away. I usually play with them a little when I am getting close to climbing out of stand. Good Luck

[CJ1962]

Best time is during the worst weather and the last couple days of October
Find steep timber that has benches with big old growth , you know where there’s a ton of rubs is a core area

I have had my best success during nasty weather as well.  Nice weather is for camping, nasty weather is for hunting!

[chukardogs]

I always consider weather as one of those things that I don't get a say in. The season is what it is and the weather during that season is what I'll be hunting in. If I have my pick of weather during hunting season, I'd pick snow over rain every single time. I will admit though, the largest Blacktail buck I've seen killed was taken during one of the hardest rains my buddy and I had ever hunted in. One great thing about hunting in heavy rain is the inclination of all big bucks to move into the open because of the noise in the timber.
 Ultimately you have to hunt the weather you have so hunt early, hunt late and know the buck you're after. Good luck out there.

[kodiak06]

You can sit timber patches just as easily as clear cuts. If ya just meat hunting, baiting is always an option

[Alchase]

Blacktail bucks have relatively small core areas. Find the trials they use in and out of feeding areas back to their bedding (core areas). I have found core areas in various.
Example - 50 yards off clear cuts where there are small almost clearing with opening in the canopy, with thinner trees and brush growing. They will bed down in the brush. Glass these areas looking for ear twitches. They can also be bedded on small finger benches that lead up or down to feeding areas. Hunt the trails or overlooking known bedding areas. Do not walk down the trails into the bedding areas. I use to see hunters do this all the time. 
If you are seeing does, bucks are not far off.
I would do a quick glass on a cut, if I see deer, pay attention to where they are grazing to, where they enter and leave the cut. Then move into the trees just off the trails looking for slight elevation that I can use to glass the trails and bedding areas.
Also watch them to see if they are looking around, sometimes they will let you know there is another deer when they keep looking in that direction.
I use to get a kick out of watching hunters pull up to a haul out land on a cut, step out of their vehicle doors slamming shut cigarettes in mouths, talking loud, and watching deer slowly walking away.

[blackveltbowhunter]

The most consistent  big blacktail killers I know have the patience of Job and are very methodical about how they hunt. Personally I am not one of those guys  Whether, it's private access and tons of off season scouting,  trail cam plotting, or the ability to hike into the same drainage everyday watching a 20x20 opening waiting for a buck to move into it, they put in alot of effort and are patient for every actual opportunity. 

IMO weather plays a big role in deer sighting and rut intensity. If it's cold and rainy during the first estrus cycle, a higher chance of the doe getting bred, and the bucks getting on their feet and doing work. If it's warm, those odds go down. The bucks will still get up and cruise a bit, but not with the focus and drive. The more deer get covered the first estrus, the less intense the " November peak" is. Conversely the opposite seems to also be true.