Same Old Newbie Question... Kind of

[ZeroTucker]

Before I get to the question let me start with what I have done... This will be my first year hunting, I grew up in Whatcom County and never had the opportunity to hunt until now.

The first thing I did was read Science of the Hunt and Blacktail Trophy Tactics II, then I went ahead and re-read both.

For maps I started by going to the DNR office in Sedro Woolley and purchasing Quad maps for the areas that I intend to hunt to see which land is public and open to me. Next I purchased Topo maps of the same areas so I could check out the terrain. I also have spent a lot of time on flashearth.com and another site with 3-D arial photographs following the mazes of logging roads and making a plan before I venture out.

So far I have spent 3 days afield beginning at dawn and 2 of the 3 days going until almost dark. First day I saw nothing, second time out I saw a doe and fawn before they saw me way up a road and was able to observe them for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only a few minutes. Yesterday I jumped two does by accident that were bedded in a clearing, I obviously didn't spend enough time looking before I walked in. I really feel like I'm just wandering around the woods though. I do pay close attention and have found some tracks but most just disappear, I also look for droppings but havn't seen any and I imagine that I won't see rubs this early.

My question is, how do I know where to look for a buck? Do I follow creeks through tough terrain, do I spend more time driving the roads, do I just sit still somewhere? What key features should I be paying attention to on my Topo maps?

I am only going to be able to hunt the late modern firearm season (military) and really want to be successful. I am not looking for handouts or GPS coordinates, just tips from you seasoned hunters that may point me in the right direction. BTW, I am restricted to GMU 407 due to only being at home for late season...

[ICEMAN]

Sounds like you are on the right track.

Pick an area to learn. Go in an find buck rubs. Then focus heavy on an area maybe a half mile in all directions and learn where the food is, the bedding areas are, the trails are. Become the expert on this area. If you find does hanging out nearby, keep them in mind as the bucks will too. Blackie bucks are often nocturnal, or nearly nocturnal. I would get between bedding areas and food just before dusk. In the early am, get near bedding and work it slow looking for a returning buck.

Good luck, thanks for your service.

[ZeroTucker]

Sounds like you are on the right track.

Pick an area to learn. Go in an find buck rubs. Then focus heavy on an area maybe a half mile in all directions and learn where the food is, the bedding areas are, the trails are. Become the expert on this area. If you find does hanging out nearby, keep them in mind as the bucks will too. Blackie bucks are often nocturnal, or nearly nocturnal. I would get between bedding areas and food just before dusk. In the early am, get near bedding and work it slow looking for a returning buck.

Good luck, thanks for your service.

First, thanks for the gratitude, we all enjoy hearing that.

"Work it slow" I am assuming you mean stalking. So far I have just been hiking, should I be going about it just like hunting even in the off season? Worrying about sent and wind and such?

[ICEMAN]

Sure, take your bino's, and ever so slowly work thru the area. Glass into timber, glass into thickets, look and see if you can find him before he finds you. This is how I have hunted blackies for years, sometimes taking two steps to glass ahead and to the side. Sometimes you bump a deer as you move, he stands up and watches you from a distance, then silently slips away.

Stalking is glassing in my book. Turn your deer scouting trip into a bear hunting trip with a rifle on your shoulder. Bring a nylon bag and gather chantrelle mushrooms or berries on your way out and you have a Trifecta... 

[7mag.]

I think you are on the right path. Stay in one area. Learn it well. Pay attention to the time of day, weather and location/direction when you see deer. When you are hunting the late season, those does will likely have bucks not far behind. When you walk, walk like an animal. Animal's don't just take off walking towards a destination, they take a few steps, stop and look around, listen, then a few more steps. If you move like an animal, when an animal hears you, they will more likely think you are another animal and possibly not spook. Be patient, most people think that the more ground you cover, the more game you will see, not always true. You will see more game by being patient. Good luck, and learn how to gut a deer, so you don't have an oh *censored*! moment once you get one on the ground.

[ZeroTucker]

. Good luck, and learn how to gut a deer, so you don't have an oh *censored*! moment once you get one on the ground.

Haha, I have worried about after the shot. I have watched plenty of youtube videos and think I can manage the gutting... I am thinking I will probably try the gutless method though, makes a lot more sense to me.

I never even thought of bear hunting and scouting at the same time, I have no idea what I would do with a bear though. I have had bear sausage before and don't really care for the meat, I don't have the money right now to make a rug, seems like it would be a waste...