Big Blacktails, tips, tricks helpful hints

[Ridgerunner]

Ok, I have not spent much time hunting blacktails in the past but think I am going to start getting serious about hunting these ghosts of the brush, I'm hoping this thread will have some good tips and tricks a newbie blacktail hunter can use.  From previous posts on blacktails the two things that stick out is hunt on Halloween as well as hunt when the weather is flat nasty out there with the rain coming down.  I'm looking for more though.  Let's hear them as well as see some pics of some good blacktails.

[tony04]

i see more deer moving when its stormy out. the rain and wind also help when walking because it covers up any noise you make.  when its nice and sunny out, i usually end up fishing for the coho's because the deer bed down all day

[NWWABOWHNTR]

rain they are out... best time is just after a rain..

[bow4elk]

Here's the rough draft of an article, Blacktails - The Next Level, I wrote a while back that you may find useful.

http://www.pnwbowhunting.com/2010/05/blacktails-next-level.html

Hope it helps!

[tony04]

Here's the rough draft of an article, Blacktails - The Next Level, I wrote a while back that you may find useful.

http://www.pnwbowhunting.com/2010/05/blacktails-next-level.html

Hope it helps!

very nice write up!

[Caliber]

Yes, Thanks Tom for that link and article, that was awesome, appreciate it!!!

[7mag.]

If you like to still hunt, then the timber can be productive. Just remember that mature bucks don't usually use the worn game trails. They use a trail that is less traveled, and parallels the main one, but with enough cover between so that they can sneak along undetected. You most likely will not find them in the open until the rut is in full swing. Big blacktail bucks stay nocturnal after shedding their velvet, until they start chasing does. They also like to live in thick, nasty, brush pockets, that are nearly impossible to sneak into. Walking through the reprod can turn up big bucks as well, especially when it's really windy. Just be ready to shoot fast, point blank, as they will often not move until you are right on top of them. I hope this helps, I am in no way an authority on blacktails, just an addicted student, always eager to learn more about them.

[7mag.]

Here's the rough draft of an article, Blacktails - The Next Level, I wrote a while back that you may find useful.

http://www.pnwbowhunting.com/2010/05/blacktails-next-level.html

Hope it helps!

I just read your article, excellent! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I love learning about blacktails.

[bow4elk]

Here's the rough draft of an article, Blacktails - The Next Level, I wrote a while back that you may find useful.

http://www.pnwbowhunting.com/2010/05/blacktails-next-level.html

Hope it helps!

I just read your article, excellent! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I love learning about blacktails.

Thanks - glad you found it useful.  I'm right in the middle of this years lunar data strategy and will post my plans when I'm done.  I don't hunt solely based on moon but I incorporate the data into my plans.

[tony04]

i have 2 books that are great for learning about blacktail. i think the authors are both from oregon but they are VERY informative.. i dont remember the titles, but ill try to find them and let ya'll know. i learned alot from them...

i just searched on amazon and found one of them. Blacktail Deer Hunting Adventures by Wesley Murphey. he has alot of personal hunting stories that are fun to read. but also has alot of info for hunting blacktail

[bow4elk]

i have 2 books that are great for learning about blacktail. i think the authors are both from oregon but they are VERY informative.. ii dont remember the titles, but ill try to find them and let ya'll know. i learned alot from them...

Probably Boyd Iverson, Scott Haugen, Cameron Hanes, or John Higley (older book).

[tony04]

i have 2 books that are great for learning about blacktail. i think the authors are both from oregon but they are VERY informative.. ii dont remember the titles, but ill try to find them and let ya'll know. i learned alot from them...

Probably Boyd Iverson, Scott Haugen, Cameron Hanes, or John Higley (older book).

i just modified my previous post.

i think Boyd Iverson was the author of the other one..

[bow4elk]

I've known Boyd for a long time, he took a few year to focus on mule deer (check out his photos) but he's back in the blacktail game...check out his site!

http://www.blacktailtrophytactics.com/html/about.htm

One tip we were discussing in detail this past spring was about blocking trails with brush & limbs to keep bucks from traveling around your stand/blind location.  Blacktails are deliberate in their movements but they are also quite lazy and will often walk around a limb they can easily step over.  I've been blocking trails and altering travel routes for some time as well.  You can literally change a buck's route by simply making it easier to travel past your well-chosen stand location.  All scent/wind/approach rules apply.  Just because bucks can be lazy doesn't me you can too 

[grundy53]

Be VERY patient. Especially when still hunting. Move slowly.

[sagerat]

I wish I had the answer. Seems like a little luck is required! Like was said before these bucks are nocturnal for the most part. In my opinion the only way you'll walk up on one is if he's tending a doe. Any time from late Oct. thru Nov. it could happen. I don't believe the truley big bucks just "roam" in search of a doe, at least not in daylight. If a doe is ready, he'll find her and be with her for a short period of time, just long enough to get it done. If you stumble onto one at this point, he's yours. Also, watch the does! If you see a smallish buck with a doe, don't shoot! If they don't know you're there watch them, a big guy could show. I've witnessed this happen.