Is it worth It?

[Naches Sportsman]

I was thinking about going up to the Northeast for the late buck hunt but with the way diesel prices are, is it smarter to just head over the hill 50 minutes to find a blackie?  With the 2 northeast units being 4 point or better now in the units that are the closest to me it just seems that I would have a better chance shooting a blackie than a whitetail. What are your thoughts on this. Just trying to save myself some money. 

[gasman]

Have you ever hunted BT 

[adamR]

what weapon are you using

[jmx369]

I guess it all depends. Do you have a place to go for blackies? They are rutting pretty good around whatcom county right now. I have been seeing bucks during the day that I haven't seen all year. I am also partial to blacktail hunting so I would give blackies a chance if I could. I had a buddy that hunted the NE this year and he said it was the worst hunting he had seen in that area for the last 25 years as far as deer numbers go. Good luck in whichever you go after.

[jackelope]

If you're looking to save money go to Safeway.
LOL...

I think your reasoning behind potentially not going to the northeast is a bigger reason than the 4 point restrictions as far as the decrease in hunter numbers. It's a very legitimate concern these days.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Alan K]

If you're looking to save money go to Safeway.
LOL...

Not trying to start anything, but I've seen you mention this several times in the past.  Sure getting meat is cheaper by just going to the grocery store if you don't have hunting in your back yard, but I don't know of anyone (especially who spends their free time on a hunting forum!) that hunts exclusively for the meat.  It's about the experience of the hunt etc. as well, which tacks the premium on to the price of the meat that we're all willing to pay, not to mention how much healthier the lean meat is.  The guy wants to tag an animal and put meat in the freezer while also enjoying the experience of the hunt.

Again, not trying to jump your s**t, and I know you were just kidding around there.



All that said, I don't really have any advice for you Naches sportsman.  I hunt blacktails personally because I usually just go to Idaho to shoot a whitetail, and Colorado to tag mulies.  I just can't bring myself to spend my deer tag in of the few states to hunt blacktails on a species I can tag in several other states.  I know that doesn't really pertain to your situation though.  I'd say stick with what you've hunted before, in areas you've hunted before.   

[calawahsteelie]

Well Alan K you have met your non trophey hunter. I to go to Idaho every year for late season rifle hunt  whitetails. And I have taken some nice bucks.  But here in our home state I bowhunt. So that means I hunt for a decent buck during the early season and come late season I hunt for the rutting bucks. But as the season winds down I am a meat hunter. I will WHACK A SLICK HEAD before you can say "Is it a buck?". Come Dec 15th, if it's brown it's down.