Archery during modern

[AKBowman]

I've had about 5 chances to get out scouting this already and feel I am learning where the bucks might be during the rut. I am thinking about purchasing a modern dear tag and hunting archery trying to hit the rut better. Its seems as though the rut is mostly over during late archery.

The problem I have is I have permission to hunt the Okanagan for late archery WT on private property. If I purchase a modern tag I would be able to hit the BT rut better but would not be able to hunt the WT rut. If I purchase an archery tag I can hunt post-rut BT's and rutting WT's.

 I know there are large BT's in the area I am hunting and I have yet to lay eyes on the private, all I know is it is a large area with WT's.

What would you do?

[AKBowman]

The unit I'm deer hunting is 454.

[bobcat]

That's a tough question. I'd have to know more about the whitetail area in order to make a decision. It just really depends on what you want. Would you rather hunt blacktails or whitetails? Obviously you'd probably save some money by staying close to home and hunting blacktails. But what about doing both? Can you purchase the modern tag and then bow hunt in Okanogan part of the season, and hunt 454 as well? You'd have the 4 day late blacktail season to hunt also, if you had the modern firearm tag. So hunting with a rifle is not an option?

[Armadillo]

do the option that gives you the choice of BT rut and focus on scouting BT instead of scouting the WT (costs lots of gas $ to scout WT) then...post up a picture of the gigantic BT once you nail him 

[MLBowhunting]

Just pick one.  What do you want more a big blackie or a whitey? I know we all want everything but by saying you want a book blackie or a book whitey will help you narrow your choice down. I think 

[jackelope]

Will you be hunting whitetails on the ground or do you have stands set up and that sort of thing?

[bobcat]

He said he's never even been to the private property in Okanogan where he has permission to hunt whitetails.

[jackelope]

OK...So are there any stands set up on the private? Whitetails on the ground with a bow is a tough nut to crack.
A whitetail rut hunt can be an absolute blast if you want to try and rattle and grunt them in.

[AKBowman]

He said he's never even been to the private property in Okanogan where he has permission to hunt whitetails.

Yeah that is correct I havent been over there yet. I only have two stands, 1 hanger and 1 climber. My hanger will go up in my elk hunting area mid August (west side) and come back down. I plan on using one of them for both BT and WT.

At this point I have decided to hold off on purchasing the tag until mid to late august so i can do some more scouting on in my BT spot. I'm running three cams in about a mile and a half area so ranging from 2200' to 800' sea level so I should be able to get a good idea of where the bucks will be in early Sept.

I am leaning towards purchasing the archery tag and hunting hard the first week of sept trying to stick a good BT buck after work before early archery elk. If I'm not able to connect the first week of Sept on a BT Buck I might get lucky and be able to either get a good WT buck in late season or get lucky and hit the second rut on the second week of late season for BT's.

I've heard the BT's are still rutting first week of Dec around Issaquah unit but I have not witnessed this myself, has anyone gotten into rutting BT's first week of Dec in the Issaquah unit?

[AKBowman]

Will you be hunting whitetails on the ground or do you have stands set up and that sort of thing?

Although the property owner does not hunt he spends a lot of time walking and driving the property, he says he he typically knows the deers feeding and bedding areas so I am hoping with a pointer or two from him combined with the rut I will be able to get into some good areas. I will be most likely using my climber over there.

[blackveltbowhunter]

He said he's never even been to the private property in Okanogan where he has permission to hunt whitetails.

Yeah that is correct I havent been over there yet. I only have two stands, 1 hanger and 1 climber. My hanger will go up in my elk hunting area mid August (west side) and come back down. I plan on using one of them for both BT and WT.

At this point I have decided to hold off on purchasing the tag until mid to late august so i can do some more scouting on in my BT spot. I'm running three cams in about a mile and a half area so ranging from 2200' to 800' sea level so I should be able to get a good idea of where the bucks will be in early Sept.

I am leaning towards purchasing the archery tag and hunting hard the first week of sept trying to stick a good BT buck after work before early archery elk. If I'm not able to connect the first week of Sept on a BT Buck I might get lucky and be able to either get a good WT buck in late season or get lucky and hit the second rut on the second week of late season for BT's.

I've heard the BT's are still rutting first week of Dec around Issaquah unit but I have not witnessed this myself, has anyone gotten into rutting BT's first week of Dec in the Issaquah unit?

    Sounds like a good plan to me. I run into the same dillema of trying to decide between archery for BT or Modern. I have never hunted whitetails, but would definitley jump at the opportunity if given a possible "in".

   I am not familiar with the rutting habits of the BT in 454, but it sounds like you have a good understanding of the deer in your area. In the areas I hunt that are private land I see alot of good bucks and rutting activity during MF season. By late archery any activity is pretty well over, and I switch to food sources and hope to get a late doe pull a buck in, but it is rare. Typically  I late hunt on heavily hunted public or TC property, and have had success. My theory is that the rut is prolonged in these areas since the mature Buck to Doe ratio is lower and does are coming into estrus late. In areas where the ratio is higher (private land) the majority of does are covered during their first estrus.

   This year I finally drew a multi tag, and gladly paid for the opportunity to see if the modern season is that much better on the private land. 

[AKBowman]

Blackvelt- The mature buck to doe ratio being lower on heavily hunted public land causing a later rut is very interesting. I think I might have to agree with you on that theory, it makes a lot of sense to me.

I am going to try to hold out in the early season for a three point, truly I am mostly in it for the meat in the freezer so I am OK with sticking a doe in December if I have to.

[blackveltbowhunter]

You should do well either way. Just to clarify, I dont know that the rut itself is any later as in start date. I just think the rut is prolonged due to the fact that more does are missed, during their first cycle. Good luck whatever you decide.

[ldjbuff]

If you need a spot in the 454 area let me know. I used to live in Fall City and know of a few spots...

[cem3434]

Save the gas and hunt the deer you have pattern and know!

[Big P]

With the price of gas these days I would hunt around home. Especially if you are getting some good scouting in