Arguing with hunting partner over blacktail habitat

[Open-sights]

My buddy and I are very good friends and agree on almost everything...except where to hunt.  We will be hunting for blacktail during late muzzleloader.  I see most of my animals on the "edges", along clearcuts nestled against timber or heavy brush.  I don't mind walking clearcuts, but they have to look "right".  My buddy, however, hates clearcuts and thinks that no self respecting deer would live there.  He likes to stillhunt through the thick crap and the timber.  We've both done alright in the last 10 years, but I have gotten 4 deer in the last 5 years.  He's had only 1 shot in 3 years, and missed.  But, he still claims that the clearcuts are no good except for fat guys shooting does.  2 of those 4 deer I harvested were bucks by the way; not huge, but bucks.

The majority of public land around here is timber land owned by the tree company's and if you don't hunt in, near, or around clearcuts you are definitely limiting yourself.  We will probably just split up like we usually do, but it is sometimes hard to find a good "brush and high canopy" timber spot that he likes near some cleared areas I like.  Anyone else ever have this disagreement or discussion with hunting partners?  

Good luck to all of you during the late muzzleloader season.  May you all have a big, dumb, beautiful blacktail walk out in front of you, broadside at 25 yards!  Happy Thanksgiving.  Jeff

[washelkhntr]

For the love of god, them blackies live in peoples backyards too!  I have shot several dandy bucks in the middle of a clearcut. They are gonna be where they want to be, plain and simple as that. If your buddies doesent think that they hang out in them, let him go his way, then you go nail one down and make him pack it out for you. 

[grousetracker]

i like hunting the edges on cuts,if the rut is going on then hunt where the does are. they want food and dont stay in thick stuff. if he likes timber then i would find a timber patch with a cut on the side and have him push the deer to you.

[NWBREW]

Thats a rough one. MOST of the blacktail bucks I have seen (hunting or killed) Have been in 2-5 year old clearcuts. But with that being said....Some of those that were the biggest came out of alder flats (or alder stands) and big 2nd growth timber, both of which had a clearcut somewhat close (within a mile). I don't have this disagreement with my hunting partners because I hunt where I want and they do to. I think you are both right to a certain degree.

I know, I know, I'm not much help. Good Luck.............................P.S. Hunt the alder stands  

[bow4elk]

I think before you can argue, you have to look at where the bucks tend to be during different times of the year.  In this case, you're talking about late fall.  Bucks that are run down from rutting will be focused on survival and conserving energy.  They will tend to hang where they can benefit from the thermal cover of big timber/ferns situated near quality food sources.  In short, you're both right.  They will be where you find them, but they will not be anywhere without having a specific reason to be.  Take notes when you see bucks.  Figure out why they are there at that particular time, if possible.  Does?  Food?  Water?  Bedding cover?  They more you observe, the more you learn.  They have somewhere between 60-70 known food sources to choose from, so this is easier said than done.  And when you throw out the crazy rut variables between localized populations of deer, it gets even more tricky.  I've rattled in bucks in December and seen diddly squat during mid-November.  Blacktails just don't follow conventional rules.  Be flexible and don't be afraid to try new things.

To each his own but the key is to be out there, focused, and ready to capitalize on any mistake a buck makes.  You have to see them first.  So whether you choose clearcuts or big timber - hunt smart.

[ICEMAN]

Hunt where there are piles of deer droppings.

[Joe_Hunter]

Open Sights:
 Sound like you are in need of a new buddy:
I bring allot to the table including an RV,  hunting dog and a small boat. Let me know and by the way I like to hunt clear cuts as well 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

We find an aweful lot of deer in the 'cuts, bedded, feeding, and whatnot...but I have seen several using the trees for travel to and from the cuts,
I like to find a good spot 25-50 feet inside the trees next to a clearing to wait on stand, but if I have some help, we push the 'cuts.
Don't limit yourself to being a "one trick pony"
But if clearcuts work for you 4:5 he probably shouldn't argue with a 0:3...
Although why are you going by 5 years and him only 3, when you open the question mentioning 10 ?
 

[longstevo]

Thats tough. 

Most of the bucks I've shot at have come in the deep timber while the snow is on.  The biggest buck I've shot came from one of the nastiest holes that you could dream of (it helped that a road was running through it, though! )

However, stalking clearcuts has to be a staple in any blacktail hunter's agenda.  I was going though a growing clearcut this year during the early season and saw about fourteen deer (four small bucks, forkies and smaller) at about fifteen yards. 

So...

They're just kind of where you find them.  I also like to hunt the oak ridges too.  I've always seen bucks in those.

[boneaddict]

You're both right, but depending on the circumstance, time of year etc.   Basically what bow4elk just said but shorter version.

If you can't see them, you can't shoot them.  Thats the problem with your buddies version versus yours.  However, unless the rut is going full swing, you often may not see them unless you go in after them and thats where your logic is flawed.  Most that I know can almost be 100% nocturnal in the thick.  If you are lucky you might catch them the last minute of the evening on that transition zone......

[Kowsrule30]

I've seen and shot a lot of blackies in the open and a few in the timber (old growth).... Problem with Kitsap and Mason units are most of the area that isn't cut, is so thick you'll walk right by them @ 5 feet and never see them... Let alone tell a buck and get a shot...  Did that quite a bit this year... Does hearing them count??? I probably heard 40-50 deer this year..... Only saw 17 or 18...  IMO you're both on the right track.... What else can you do???  Just gotta get lucky and be at the right place at the right time... And be prepared for luck to strike or it does no good....