clearcut blacktail advice???

[frogman]

Okay new to the game:
I walked into my spot last weekend.  Sunday morning.   We left at 4am and got to the spot about 30 min before dawn.  I looked at my buddy as we showed up at the clear cut and said we didnt have much time.  we both tried to get into position.  this cut is flat.  1/3 mile long.  there is a big nob in the center so I always place myself up on it.   the question:   we are going to spook anything in the cut as we approach.  so do we go earlier?  if so, how much earlier?   its almost impossible to get into a clear cut without making some noise.  seems like a dumb question but sometimes the tactics are not so obvious. what about headlamping in?   is this legal?   not hunting just trying not to kill myself getting to the hunting spot.  I always see deer in this area,but this was the first time we saw nothing.  first thought:  it was clear out..  second thought:  two hunters showed up after first light and probably scared off the rest.  I heard some crashing on the side of the cut as they approached but never saw anything. 

thanks

[gasman]

I always try to set up 1 hr before shooting time, at a minimal. That way things can calm down a bit and if i do scare some thing, it gives enough time to return, if it was scared ooff to the next county 

As for light, use either red or green lights to see your way, not a white light. It is legal to find your way in the dark, but not to hunt with.

Good luck 

And another tip, Glass, Glass, Glass...

[plugger]

If you suspect the deer to already be in the cut then sneak in through the timber and set up on the edge just inside the timberline down wind.

[True Sportsman]

Can you drive a quad or a motorcycle out in the clearcut? That's what I do. The deer just stand there and stare at me, then I annihilate them.

[frogman]

lol that is funny!  this is walk in only.  I was thinking of taking my bike

[RC3]

Your just going to scare them if you walk through the clearcut before daylight........they are already out there

[frogman]

that is what I figured.  I was about 30 min late heading in (walk took a little longer then expected)  but still dark.  I could just start seeing light on the mts.  it most likely was all the other hunters who followed later in the day.

[sirmissalot]

Your just going to scare them if you walk through the clearcut before daylight........they are already out there

I disagree 100%. I walk into my spot before light all the time and sit up above and wait for daylight. Deer always materialize out of nowhere as soon as it starts getting light and begin heading to their bedding areas. They bed down in the clearcut after feeding all night, at least they do in the area I have hunted for the last 3 years. Saturday 7 deer were in the clearcut below me, they were all within 50-70 yards to the road I walked in on and stayed there until daylight, one of them was the 3 point I killed.

[Wader]

One other thing--deer will often feed throughout the night in a clearcut, and then bed down for the last couple hours.  When daylight comes, you'll glass the clearcut and find it empty.  Unless you you've got someplace else you need to be, stay put.  When the sun hits the clearcut (or just before), deer will suddenly stand up.  You'll be casually looking over the clearcut for the 11th time, and *cha-ching* there are suddenly critters standing in it!

Good luck!

[fishngamereaper]

To many factors, wind, rain, moon phase, rut....the only thing predictable about blacktails is that they are un-predictable.

Day break isnt always the best time to be in the woods. Over the last 24 years Ive only killed a couple at day break.

[ELKBURGER]

Walking in early prior to sunrise can be risky. If it has been a pressured cut then the first hint of a hunter will send deer into cover. Pay close attention to the wind direction. If your scent precedes you...you're done. And like Gasman says....Glass, Glass, Glass!

[deleted BGS]

As others have said, walking in in the dark will spook the deer. It makes no sense to get there an hour or more before dark, any movement or sound and they are gone. Show up as it is getting light, basically as soon as you can shoot.

[jackmaster]

i would hang back just a bit until you got good shootn light and then head into the cut, that way if somethn is out there got a good crack at him, hunt your way to your nob and set yourself down, but ya gotta be real patient because after about 10 am those deer that use that cut will show up again they are tired of laying down and chewn there cud so they gotta get up and mill around. 10 to 2 is magic hours

[jeepguy]

you have alot of good feedback if may add on this  i would try this since its already hunting season it may not be good  but when scouting areas where ever you are establish a trail in and out that conceals you  best clear noisey brush limbs maybe place little reflecters so you can get in easier with a headlamp in the darkness scouting an area and once you know the animals are using a spot such as a logging unit  determine a entry /exit with minmal noise and detection locate the spot to see as much  as you can during hunting season  scouting you may also bring supplies such as tarp  and such so you can withstand the elements your next biggest enemey is your scent wash your hunting clothes in scent free soap and use scent free deordant  once there just watch  alot of times deer are laying down and you see them till they stand up,watch brushlines  know where heavy deer trails are that have good sign.goodluck hope this may help

[deerhunter_98520]

One other thing--deer will often feed throughout the night in a clearcut, and then bed down for the last couple hours.  When daylight comes, you'll glass the clearcut and find it empty.  Unless you you've got someplace else you need to be, stay put.  When the sun hits the clearcut (or just before), deer will suddenly stand up.  You'll be casually looking over the clearcut for the 11th time, and *cha-ching* there are suddenly critters standing in it!

Good luck!

most of the guys i talk to keep asking where i get my deer...and they think glassing a cut for 15 min is good enough 

[RC3]

Yup....because you didn't see them they weren't there

[rasbo]

I find clearcuts are a magnet for bright orange objects...that tend to attract many other bright orange objects....

[BLACKTAIL FREAK]

I have killed lots of blacktails most of them in 4-7 year old clearcuts. Watch your wind going in if it before daylight, keep it in your face. Use a good scent repellent also. If the wind is bad wait until daylight the sneek into your spot. sit all morning. good luck.

[heartshot]

What about getting settled in a few hours before sun down and watching for any deer as the sun sets?

[dreamunelk]

 

One other thing--deer will often feed throughout the night in a clearcut, and then bed down for the last couple hours.  When daylight comes, you'll glass the clearcut and find it empty.  Unless you you've got someplace else you need to be, stay put.  When the sun hits the clearcut (or just before), deer will suddenly stand up.  You'll be casually looking over the clearcut for the 11th time, and *cha-ching* there are suddenly critters standing in it!

Good luck!

most of the guys i talk to keep asking where i get my deer...and they think glassing a cut for 15 min is good enough 

 
Darn good advise.  Also consider waiting and going to you vantage point after day light.  Use the wind in your favor and other in your favor.