2025 blacktail rut thread

[Wolfdog2314]

Spikes spikes spikes! Little to no rut activity.

I did shoot a last day of season black bear at 15 steps away tho! That was pretty wild! I was creeping through the timber, heard ferns rustling, bear running straight towards me, I pulled up and it stopped at 15 steps and I shot it in the chest. One less fawn eater anyway and some bonus sausage.

[Tball77]

Seen does, no bucks with them.  2 different groups solo and calmly foraging.  Pretty sure it’s pretty well over where we’re hunting if you even call it that.  Surprised there is any gravel left on the road down here.  Heard 3 shots since Nov 1st..  3 of them were today.  Tough year

[Rigby416]

I love that buck tgray.  Way to go !

[redi]

Congratulations Tgray

[highside74]

My son was dropping off some meat for jerky and pepp and the butcher told my son this is by far the most deer being brought in, in more than 10 years. Lots of families bring in more than 1 deer which very rarely happens.

[highside74]

This one came running out of the timber to fight me at 7:05 am this morning. He lost…

Fixed it for you. By far heavy clean 2 points are my favorite Blacktails. Man that buck is awesome.

[Dan-o]

My son shot a 3-point that was walking thru a clear cut at 12:30 PM on Thursday.

Friday we saw spikes running does , but no branch antlered bucks.

[Shrimper]

The bucks are still out and about in my area. Saw this guy at 12:30 today.

[furbearer365]

I got 18 deer points, and its seasons like this that scare me away from putting in for a late blacktail tag.  I've got some great deer over the years, but I've also had seasons like this where we just can't seem to make it happen.  Not so sure I'd be happy with myself if I waited 20 years to draw a tag, and it ended up being a warm Nov with a slow rut and had to tag a forky.   

[pd]

Miles today, sitting, going through thick stuff, looking at open areas for an hour.  I hate blacktails, they don’t play by the rules.  Zero animals seen today, was nice not being pelted by rain all day though.  Not sure what to say about this rut, last year I saw bucks every day!

This is awesome.  "I hate blacktails, they don't play by the rules."

You are very wise (or, wizened, if you prefer).  I hope you get one.   

[trophyhunt]

I got 18 deer points, and its seasons like this that scare me away from putting in for a late blacktail tag.  I've got some great deer over the years, but I've also had seasons like this where we just can't seem to make it happen.  Not so sure I'd be happy with myself if I waited 20 years to draw a tag, and it ended up being a warm Nov with a slow rut and had to tag a forky.

exactly what happened to my buddy last year, had a Nov 1-10 westside buck tag, we hunted all season and only saw two bucks, small ones. 

[furbearer365]

I got 18 deer points, and its seasons like this that scare me away from putting in for a late blacktail tag.  I've got some great deer over the years, but I've also had seasons like this where we just can't seem to make it happen.  Not so sure I'd be happy with myself if I waited 20 years to draw a tag, and it ended up being a warm Nov with a slow rut and had to tag a forky.

exactly what happened to my buddy last year, had a Nov 1-10 westside buck tag, we hunted all season and only saw two bucks, small ones.

Plus, there is that added issue of it being rifle elk season.  Everyone knows, there's no time of year where there is more people in the woods than rifle elk.  I know sometimes that could work in your favor because more people could get the deer moving.  But, mentally, the more orange you see, the more you'll not want to be in that spot. So those elk hunters could of just saw a stud buck, but if your not part of their group, you'll likely never know. Just a gamble

[trophyhunt]

Bumped a deer in thick stuff this morning, I like the thick but sneaking up on a blacktail is impossible, they let you sneak up on them and when you are 10 yards away.. they bounce.  Quiting early, still have late archery and muzzy.  Hope you guys find your last day buck!

[brokentrail]

My youngest son killed his buck this morning in 654, still stinks.