1st Quality Deer tag in Washington and its a muzzleloader tag

[Beastmonger1987]

So after moving from Florida in December 2020, I got lucky and drew the Quality Deer tag in unit 621 this year. With the help of the Hunt Washington Forum, both my wife and I successfully harvested our first mule deer last October. I finally figured out how to get the pictures posted, so I will be on that more promptly for this thread.

So the good news with this tag is that I lived in the unit until this April (we moved to Port Orchard), I have some spots already to start with, and some local help as well. I would love to get some feedback on tactics, equipment, and a load for the muzzleloader. I want to do this tag justice, but I will be constrained by my job in November (I coach high school football) depending on how our season goes, so I am just smart enough to know I don't know anything about hunting blacktail deer in the rut! Before the new regulations, I would have definitely have considered baiting, but that tactic is now off the board.

I have a Thompson Center Omega .50 caliber muzzleloader with a Vortex 1x muzzleloader scope mounted. I am planning to sight it in dead on at 100 yards assuming my eyes cooperate. Any feedback using pellets and sabots would be greatly appreciated!

I plan to spend all day in the woods on the days I have available those first 12 days of November (I do not have a multi season tag) trying to find does. I do not have any experience stalking timber, so I was going to concentrate on areas I can see a good ways (clearcuts, power lines, fringes of timber) and hopefully spot and stalk. I was also going to purchase a rattle bag, and I have a grunt tube already to try rattling and calling (any feedback would be great).

Not sure if trying to use trail cameras without bait is worth the investment?

I will be scouting with a rifle (bear hunting) throughout August and weekends in September / October.

Thanks again Hunt Washington Forum!

[MADMAX]

Try this

I roughed in mine and works
I still go hit the 100 yd at the range but this gets you very close

The "13-yard rule" is a technique used for sighting in muzzleloading rifles, particularly when using open sights. It involves zeroing your rifle at a target 13 yards away. When sighted in at this distance, the bullet's trajectory will be slightly high at 50 yards, near point of aim at 75 yards, and slightly low at 100 yards. This method simplifies the sighting-in process by providing a close-range reference point for adjustments.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Zeroing at 13 yards:
By adjusting the sights to hit the bullseye at 13 yards, you're essentially setting the rifle to compensate for the bullet's natural arc as it travels downrange.
Bullet trajectory:
A bullet fired from a muzzleloader, like any projectile, follows a parabolic path. It rises initially after leaving the barrel, reaches a peak, and then begins to drop due to gravity.
Benefits:
The 13-yard zero helps you understand how the bullet will impact at longer distances. It allows you to fine-tune your sights for longer ranges based on how the bullet impacts at the 13-yard zero and then at 50, 75, and 100 yards.
Effectiveness:
This technique works best with open sights and when you are familiar with your muzzleloader's performance. According to Whitetails Unlimited, the 13-yard rule is a useful method for muzzleloader hunters.
Hunting application:
By knowing how your rifle shoots at different distances with the 13-yard zero, you can make more accurate shots in the field, staying within your effective range

[greenhead_killer]

I’ve never heard that method. Now I’m gonna have to try it. Thanks!

[addicted1]

There is a ton of info on the forum already. Just look at sabotloader post and you’ll be fine.

[Blacktail Sniper]

There is a ton of info on the forum already. Just look at sabotloader post and you’ll be fine.

 

[Mtnwalker]

I wouldn't over think things for blacktail. I personally would go loose 777 or blackhorn over pellets (especially over there) but try a few bullets, find one that your gun likes and run it. Some of the bonded muzz bullets like the blue tip shockwaves can have less than stellar expansion on deer but the sst's/yellows, bore drivers, tmz's, and a bunch of the other popular off the shelf ones will get the job done fine. Good luck, hope you find a good buck

[addicted1]

I guess you’re also looking for tips on hunting BT. What dates does your tag run? Guessing Nov 1-14? I see the most activity from late October into early Novemebr. There are many different tactics, but trying to get to a large open area so you can see more ground is very human like thing to do. Yes, you will see deer on edges of clear cuts. But, the bigger bucks will be tucked in along the edges most of the time. If it were me I would find doe areas, locate a funnel or pinch point and sit there all day. I personally ever go to clear cuts, for one most areas don’t have that many and they always attract people. Good luck, I have never shot past 25-30 yards on BT.

You have a good tag, BT are tough if you haven’t hunted them before. But, you have the best dates to be hunting them. You can still use synthetic scents, lots of people have luck every year using them.

[Beastmonger1987]

Thanks so much Forum. The dates are November 1-12. I have and will be scouring the HWF for more information on hunting blacktail, but I appreciate anything. I also have a crossbow in case of muzzleloader malfunction or torrential rain.

I guess you’re also looking for tips on hunting BT. What dates does your tag run? Guessing Nov 1-14? I see the most activity from late October into early Novemebr. There are many different tactics, but trying to get to a large open area so you can see more ground is very human like thing to do. Yes, you will see deer on edges of clear cuts. But, the bigger bucks will be tucked in along the edges most of the time. If it were me I would find doe areas, locate a funnel or pinch point and sit there all day. I personally ever go to clear cuts, for one most areas don’t have that many and they always attract people. Good luck, I have never shot past 25-30 yards on BT.

You have a good tag, BT are tough if you haven’t hunted them before. But, you have the best dates to be hunting them. You can still use synthetic scents, lots of people have luck every year using them.

Thanks so much for the advice. I need to investigate these edges more in the area I have targeted. I have no problem sitting all day, that was "hunting" back east, sitting over food plots in box blinds. Would a creek bottom be considered a pinch point?

[addicted1]

Can’t use a crossbow for the ML tag, you could use standard archery equipment. But, a crossbow is consider a modern weapon in Washington.

There are not a lot of specific BT hunting books or material's that get produced, but there are podcast that are BT specific to help give you ideas of terrain features.

[raydog]

You can use a crossbow during muzzy now, they changed that a few years back.