Wanted: Blacktail hunting info

[efoy]

I am a mule deer hunter and guide from the east side (okanogan county). I've always wanted to hunt for a nice blacktail buck. (muzzleloader or archery) I'm looking for info on where to go to get away from all the people over there and somewhere that has nice bucks. Really want to hunt the little deer in the Islands or the Olympic peninsula. I realize nothing comes free. If someone was to give me good info I would give equaly good info for eastern WA. If someone wanted to let me hunt their land or take me out and show me whats going on, I would in return let them hunt my land or take them out over here. anything would help! thanks guys!
email me at: huntokanogan@yahoo.com  (I'll send picts if you want)

[dreamunelk]

You stepping into a world of frustration and admiration.  A coastal BT is the master of their environment.  Expect to be humbled. 
I would start with Boyd Iversons books "Trophy Blacktail tactics 1 & 2.  Then get out and scout.  Call the local WDFW office and pics Bios brains.  Then scout, scout, and scout.  On the OP their are some monster BT.  Unfortunately because of how the clubs and us hunters view them they often will not meet the criteria for the books.  But, a true mature coastal BT is a treasure.   They compete with elk in a low nutrition environment so numbers are not as high as other areas.  The elk can out compete in most cases.  If you are in the area PM me and maybe I can give you some pointers.  I not super interested in Muleys as I am addicted to the True coastal BT and the Roosevelt elk. 

[Special T]

 
I always seem to see them  before and after the season or in the head lights after hunting.  Still haven't got one yet...

[rasbo]

put yourself in dark tangles,that many will not venture..find the escapes and watch very well hid...

[robodad]

Is something like this what your after ??

Problem is there is a National Park out here on the OP and these bucks know the boundaries and also know the hunting seasons, sure there are a few hogs taken every year but most are by chance.

Put on a pair of mittens and try catching a flea on a long haired dog and you'll see what its like getting a mature blacktail out here !!!

Good Luck with that, I hope you get a dandy !!! 

[Bluemoon]

Hey Efoy
Do you have any good bird hunting "Chucker and Quail" on your land?  I have over 3000 plus acres of private Black Tail hunting right out my back door.  I won"t travel to shoot a deer or elk but I'll go anywhere for birds.  I had to go almost 300 yards for this one.

[400out]

Put on a pair of mittens and try catching a flea on a long haired dog and you'll see what its like getting a mature blacktail out here !!!

      Nice

Hey Efoy
Do you have any good bird hunting "Chucker and Quail" on your land?  I have over 3000 plus acres of private Black Tail hunting right out my back door.  I won"t travel to shoot a deer or elk but I'll go anywhere for birds.  I had to go almost 300 yards for this one.

Sounds like you on the right track! If you don't want to go hunt this guys land for deer yo ujust give me a shout!  K   

[JimmyHoffa]

Dreamunelk and Robodad pretty much covered the OP.  I'll add a few things.  There are a few elk on the east side of the peninsula, mostly around the Brinnon area.  There are muzzleloader special permits for that area, and the elk seem to like the private pastures.  As stated about deer/elk competition....I see very few elk on the east side of the National Park, but lots of deer.  The westside of the park is opposite with elk everywhere, but not too many deer.  I use the Elwha River as my east/west national park line.  Are you able/willing to hike in a ways?  There are a few seasons that are muzzleloader friendly on the OP...getting the 11 days for the high buck hunt and a couple units get 3 weeks for elk.

[mack2255]

If you are looking to get away from people I would do the High buck hunts on the OP.Did it and it was the best I have ever experienced.Good luck.

[billythekidrock]

I think it really depends on what you consider nice. 
Sure there are some decent bucks on the OP, but they are generally going to be smaller than say Lewis County bucks.

Find some private farmland or timberland and you will be ahead of the game. Learn where the does are and then lightly scout the bucks and wait for the rut.

[Bigshooter]

If you want to kill a mature blacktail your best bet is going to be the rut.  They are the hardest deer to hunt and its even harder to kill a trophy.  Most guys consider any 3+ year old blacktail a trophy.

[Birdguy]

I thought "most" guys considered a tagged blacktail a trophy , maybe it is just me

[PolarBear]

It's just you.   

[400out]

It's just you.   

[YoterHunter]

were you at the sports man show this year .and if so. were you the one my brother talked about swapping hunts. if so pm me.