Post by: emelizabeth on March 17, 2015, 07:13:08 AM
I'm a traditional bowhunter. Got a few deer seasons under my belt (no success) but it was all out east hunting whitetails. Anybody have good resources to share to learn about bowhunting black tails in western washington? I don't care much about all the products and widgets, I need to learn some basic stuff about habitat use and behavioral patterns. (The MOST basic stuff- I don't come from a family of outdoorsmen, so even after a few seasons of sitting on deer trails I feel like a total newb.) Anything helps, but would love to find some Washington -specific and trad-specific resources. Books, articles, podcasts, websites...... any and all.
Thanks in advance.
Post by: Tbar on March 17, 2015, 08:00:39 AM
Cam Haines bowhunting trophy blacktail
Scott Haugen trophy blacktails
Post by: Eli346 on March 17, 2015, 07:39:52 PM
Post by: fishnfur on March 17, 2015, 08:16:14 PM
I concur with the other two, but they are biased towards trophy hunts. Sometimes, you just want to see a buck in front of you. It doesn't have to be a four point with eye guards.
Amazon search. Most if not all of the books are written by authors living around Eugene, OR - the area where the brush thins out and oaks start to dominate the hills, and the bucks get bigger racks because genetically, they don't need smaller racks to get through the heavy bush.
I recommend a book about hunting blacktails in Oregon, written by the Dean of my dental school some 30 ish years ago - Louis Terkla. He is a lot more scientific and descriptive of habitat, and there is no discussion of trophies and hunted a lot in more NW Oregon. Another good read is a book from the 80's that is told in story fashion by a guy down around Eugene/Springfield. It's a good read, I don't remember the name. It hides some good info if you're paying attention. You'll find it if you look. It may be out of print but it is somewhere on the "new and used" offerings. Lastly, WDFW put out a 80ish page booklet from studies done back in the '60's in western WA. - It's got a line drawing of a BT buck head on the front cover. Definitely out of print - new and used only. Mine came from a Goodwill for $10. This is more scientific, but cover information about rut timing, brouse preferences. Not great for learning how to hunt them, but if you want to know your quarry.....
Then again, you can always ask questions after you've read a bit.
Post by: bowtechian on March 17, 2015, 08:36:54 PM
Post by: emelizabeth on March 18, 2015, 06:19:18 AM
Post by: fishnfur on March 18, 2015, 11:22:43 PM