Blacktail question

[BUCKHUNT]

Im new to blacktail hunting, (used to muleys and whitetail), so I had a question regarding their behavior. I have access to private land on the peninsula and I recently set up a trail cam in front of wet cob and a salt lick. I chose the area because it had tons of deer sign everywhere, and I always see bucks and does on the property. So far, the only images on the cam have been of a pair of bears that seem to frequent the spot. My question is, are the bears deterring the deer from coming into the spot or are the deer just not interested in the cob and salt lick?

Also, I am brand new to hunting the peninsula so if anyone has any recommendations for grouse, deer, or black bear I would really appreciate it. Thanks

[Button Nubbs]

i put cob out and the deer didnt touch it. they didnt start hitting the salt until the last week or so where im at.

[sebek556]

with all the green-erie right now deer have a vast dinner menu, so cob might not be where its at right now.

[rtspring]

I would have to say with all the choices around for them to eat right now they will not be looking for handouts..........

[RadSav]

I would have to agree about the feed.  Coastal blacktails rarely ever need help with their diet.  So it is very seldom that they are drawn well to a small bait site.  It happens, but not too often.  Find just the right spot and just the right snack for that time of year and you increase your odds dramatically.

Had a well accomplished blacktail hunter told me one time that baiting blacktails is a lot like trying to get a child to drink hot chocolate in August.  It's something he likes for sure, but he'll probably not take more than a sip.  But, serve it up in December and you'll never have enough.

[rasbo]

once the velvet is gone them boys are gonna disappear most likely

[BUCKHUNT]

I was wondering about that too actually. During the fall, most of the bucks I've gone after have been up high. Is this true with blacktails as well? The area I have access to is in the hills of Quilcene, right before the hills turn into mountains. The elevation is 500 or 600 ft above sea level. I see deer of either sex there every day, but are they likely to be around during the season?

[BOWHUNTER45]

I only tried baiting blacktail once but no luck at all .. Besides over here on the wetside the bait gets moldy .... they did like my apple lick but I am not much on baiting deer... I love going into the brush holes of hell and sneaking within 15 yrds of their elusive butts and putting an arrow straight threw wheel house ... 

[youngbull]

check alder patches for grouse and cover lots of ground for bear.

[bryg_12]

Blacktails are very strange their patterns are always changing which makes them so difficult to hunt. I recommend little plots of clover for the summer and lots of apples during hunting season. If it's not raining cracked corn does work if their are deer in the area