October blacktails

[kglacken]

This will be my first time hunting blacktails with a rifle since I was 12! I drew a multi season tag and I can not begin to tell you guys how pumped I am for the season to open! I was wondering what you guys think about the weather forcast. It looks like it will be somewhat cloudy on saturday and sunny on sunday, but of course that could change! We do live in Washington! When it is sunny, do you guys have better luck in the timber? I have noticed the rain is the best for blacktails. Atleast when I am bowhunting that seems to be true. What do you guys think? And post any blacktail pics you have to help get everyone excited!

[jackmaster]

what it really boils down to is what quality of blacktail you are lookn for, if it were me a southern slope with alders,vine maple, some fir trees maybe a couple of big ass maple and cottons thrown around in there, with lots of ferns is where i would be hanging out rain or shine oh and of course there needs to be deer in the area that might help  good luck to ya, ya definatly will be huntn north americas hardest animal to hunt and your gonna get hooked. one more thing if you are along ways from pressure the big ole blackies seem to also really like hillsides that have alot of trees and brush but with big rock faces again with that southern slope..

[kglacken]

Trust me im hooked! been hunting them with a bow since I was 13. We have 3 pieces of private property we will be hunting so im holding out for a mature deer!

[sirmissalot]

Blacktails, especially mature bucks, live in the reprod for the most part. Often times they don't ever leave, they don't have to. Rain helps move the deer but too much rain with wind just gets them hunkered down. Your chances of killing a mature blacktail will be a lot better towards the end of the month, big bucks hardly ever move during laylight hours, even during the rut, but when they are rutted up and stupid... sometimes they can't help themselves.

[Arteman]

Weather forecast for two weeks from now could be anybodys guess, but I find the best places to bag big blacktails is in low pressure walk in units, find yourself on a landing across from a big hillside with about 8 to 10 foot jackfurs with plenty of cover but openings for glassing, and glass tell your eyes are going to bleed.  I've sat in the same spot all day thinking I had it covered, then like magic they pop out everywhere.  In my opinion the best time as far as rutting is concerned is the later part of the second week of early modern season.  They are really rutted up and stupid during modern elk, but extended buck hasn't really been very hot the last few years, not saying their not rutted at that time but that second week of deer has been on fire lately compared to the extended season.  I love them nasty days when its pissing and blowing though, get back in the reprod and walk against the wind, its loud so you dont have to be as quiet, and the wind is easy to detect, more often then not if you constantly scan and watch, and walk with slow movements, you'll walk right up on them hunkered down in their bed without them knowing it.  Good luck, blacktail is my favorite specie to hunt hope you bag one this year.

[lewy]

it makes killing a nice blacktail pretty tough when it sunny/hot in the first two weeks. you almost have to make something happen in the timber, but not always. the last week leading up to halloween is great, esp. with some rain/cloudy weather. i have killed a handfull of bt's on halloween or the day before, it lands on monday this year so i would really be pounding it sat, sun and taking mon off work. im kinda bummed my deer tag is filled and i dont get to chase em around this year, i guess helping a buddy get one is just as good though! good luck

[pips4bucks]

As a buddy of mine says, "Never pass up a rainy day to hunt blacktails."

I agree with that.  I've noticed they tend to move around more when it rains.  They seem to hunker down in the really stormy weather, but a steady rain brings 'em out.  I've also noticed they don't seem to like a heavy wind.  I think it makes 'em nervous so they show up in the open more.

Good luck!

[grundy53]

The worse the weather the better especially the closer you get to halloween. I can't wait! It's almost time again...

It was pi$$ing rain when I shot this guy last year.

[Arteman]

As a buddy of mine says, "Never pass up a rainy day to hunt blacktails."

I agree with that.  I've noticed they tend to move around more when it rains.  They seem to hunker down in the really stormy weather, but a steady rain brings 'em out.  I've also noticed they don't seem to like a heavy wind.  I think it makes 'em nervous so they show up in the open more.

Good luck!

I've heard so many people, co-workers, etc say its going to be nasty this weekend, I'm just going to stay home and watch the ball game.  These are the days I can't get out there fast enough.  Good gear makes it so much more pleasant though.  My dads theory on them windy days and the deer moving is trees falling, and limbs breaking gets them running around.  I'm with you, I think it does make them nervous only because on those days them deer lose a lot or there survival senses, hearing ( everything is loud), sight (ever see jackfurs in a heavy windstorm, try to detect a person walking in that), smell (wind gusts 40 mph, who knows what their smelling and from where).  Them deer are out of their element when they can't use there senses to the full capacity.

[grundy53]

As a buddy of mine says, "Never pass up a rainy day to hunt blacktails."

I agree with that.  I've noticed they tend to move around more when it rains.  They seem to hunker down in the really stormy weather, but a steady rain brings 'em out.  I've also noticed they don't seem to like a heavy wind.  I think it makes 'em nervous so they show up in the open more.

Good luck!

I've heard so many people, co-workers, etc say its going to be nasty this weekend, I'm just going to stay home and watch the ball game.  These are the days I can't get out there fast enough.  Good gear makes it so much more pleasant though.  My dads theory on them windy days and the deer moving is trees falling, and limbs breaking gets them running around.  I'm with you, I think it does make them nervous only because on those days them deer lose a lot or there survival senses, hearing ( everything is loud), sight (ever see jackfurs in a heavy windstorm, try to detect a person walking in that), smell (wind gusts 40 mph, who knows what their smelling and from where).  Them deer are out of their element when they can't use there senses to the full capacity.

I agree 1000%

[Arteman]

Nice buck Grundy, nothing like a black antlered blacktail with narled up thick bases and eyeguards to boot!  Always said you can pay to to kill a nice whitetail, or mule deer, but not a for a nice trophy blacktail, and I'm not talking about these skinny tailed southern Oregon, northern California "blacktail."

[Bigshooter]

I love hunting blacktails when its pouring down rain.  And I'll take the last 4 days of Oct. over the 4 days of extended season any year.

[grundy53]

I love hunting blacktails when its pouring down rain.  And I'll take the last 4 days of Oct. over the 4 days of extended season any year.

[bucklucky]

Best time I have found is the real windy rainy days ..... killed some of my better bucks on days like that in the timber and reprod. I hate having a wet ass crack butt hell, its worth it if I kill a good mature blacktail 

[blacktaill]

like everyone else has said the wetter and windyer it is the beater the hunting! I have taken all my big bucks in a storm.