Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: huntnfmly on March 15, 2015, 06:26:38 PM

Title: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: huntnfmly on March 15, 2015, 06:26:38 PM: Last year I took my daughter out for late elk and in our way out seen a huge blacktail. My question is do they migrate much? It was down low and not really any snow in the mountains. So I was wondering if they have a core area they live in even with no snow up high? thinking about putting up some trailcams. Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: Special T on March 15, 2015, 06:30:45 PM: No they dont really migrate. Read Boyd Iversons Blacktail Trophy tactics 2, and buys a couple of cameras and put them out. I think trail cams are just cool in general.
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: jrebel on March 15, 2015, 06:32:12 PM: Most low land blacktails live their whole life in a couple square mile area. With that said...they have tunnels!! ;)
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: MLBowhunting on March 15, 2015, 06:40:09 PM: They will leave the home range during the rut. Other than that they stay in the home couple square miles.
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: kodiak 907 on March 15, 2015, 07:14:57 PM: If he made it another year, he will be close to that same spot next year. Once those big guys find an area that they like and feel comfortable in, they don't go far. With the rut being the only exception. imo
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: Pete112288 on March 15, 2015, 08:58:39 PM: Ditto :yeah:
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: huntnfmly on March 16, 2015, 02:15:17 PM: Thanks guys
Title: Re: ? for you blacktail guys
Post by: fishnfur on March 16, 2015, 11:44:35 PM: The other "bible" on Blacktails is Scott Haugen's book: Trophy Blacktails, The Science of the Hunt. I would read them both.

In a typical year with heavier snows, I believe both authors state that moutain/highland migratory bucks enter the areas of the lowlands to breed. Other readings say that in years with low snowfall, the deer probably don't migrate at all. You probably saw a resident blacktail last fall, unless it was during that cold snap in November that killed darn near every plant in my yard! It sure killed all the remaining foilage in the woods down here.