Unit 454 Blacktails

[pacyew]

They're here, and I seen some nice bucks taken, and with the good food sources in this unit the does are very tastey as well. With the mix of private and public land, local knowledge is "king" when it comes to finding some quality hunting time and space.. Blacktail hunting is really its own separate art and with the thick cover that makes up much of the 454, a fellow may as well be hunting with a bow.

I have a friend that has lived close around W. Wash. Blacktails all his life and has had very good luck calling them in, and for that you do seem to benefit from the quiet that bow season provides. Calling certainly gives a hunter something active to do, rather than just poking around in the woods with your eyes and ears.

I'm going to ask my buddy Jack, the deer caller, to post an article that might help in this regard. Watch this space.

[bow_bender]

Well as an east coast transplant I'm amazed at the difference in deer numbers. I guess it's a forage thing but man when there that few and far between it's a lot harder to track them down. I would love to hear how Jack calls the little rascals in.

[chep]

Is there a map online which contains all fo the hunting units?

[pacyew]

Hi Chep. This WDFW link has that,  plus a huge amount of other mapping information. An interactive WA map resource.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/gohunt/index.html

[chep]

That link kicks ass. Thanks

[Longbowz]

Yup deer calling has always been on my "to do" list, but as yet undone.  I do know that a fawn bleet drives does absolutely crazy.  I witnessed this on a predator calling trip.

As far as poking around in the woods goes - that's half the fun!

[Palmer]

You're absolutey right.  There's a herd of Elk too with little area open to rifle.  Here's a pic from an 11 year old on Sept 28 with a bow.  It could be a national record for youth hunt archery.

[WDFW-SUX]

I think king county has the biggest black tails in the state.......just gotta put the time in scouting in some strange places looking for rubs and trails and such.  There are some great private places for archery if you can get access. anywhere on the Platoe is at the top of my list some real monsters up there.............no hunting ordinances too though so you have to be careful

[bankwalker]

ive always been curious about hunting 454 around the issaquah area. i have seen some huge bucks just outside of the city but that was years ago when my mom worked on a couple job sights along I-90.

i just finally found some access points and i will be scouting them out this summer before i make my choice on archery or modern firearm.

[RLTW]

Speaking of deer calling...what's your strategy for using a distressed fawn call?  How long do you call and how long do you wait before moving if you sense there's no response?

Anyone here tried rattling in this area after the rut during the late hunt?

[big fatt]

here are some nice bucks that i have seen in the unit and yes you are right you need to hunt archery if you want one of these bucks but,suburbian blacktails thats what i call them.down town hunting and man what a hoot.i have a computer full of pics i have takenof this very thing.i am a salesman for a construction company and i am every where.here i use to travel all over to get my deer and not anymore,now i just do that for elk,deer i usually get while i am on the clock.anyway hope you enjoy the pics

[big game hunter]

GOSH SHOT THEN MAKE THEM DROP.

[griz272000]

it has always amazed me on where you will see them i have seen 2 bucks on a few occasions by the super mall