Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: fishnfur on August 29, 2016, 12:20:02 PM
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Last year, it poured rain for the first few hours on September 1st for the archery opener out in Kitsap . Blacktail hunting was less than stellar for the first real rain of that hunting season. It is looking like that situation may repeat itself in Western Washington this year. My plans may need revision based on the forecast.
My readings often suggest that Blacktail will often just hunker down through early rainstorms, then possibly standing to shake off or maybe even feed following the rain. They may just sit out the rain altogether. It's not until later, after the first real storms roll through that they get active during the rain. This seems to match my experiences as well.
Anybody have evidence to suggest otherwise, early archery rain success stories, or tactics for hunting Blacktails on a rainy day archery opener?
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I can't speak for Kitsap but I can tell you that where I hunt, the bucks were moving last year better than any year in recent memory. I'm PUMPED for the forecast this weekend. I'm going to be out 8/31 - 9/5. Hope to get a big buck on the ground.
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I'm on Whidbey and have had my cameras out for about two weeks with apples and corn. I was seeing quite few bucks last year in my area but in the last two weeks I've only gotten does on my cameras (one spike)...7-9 different does and most with yearlings in tow. I'm probably only going to be able to hunt early archery this year because of work. I hope to be out this weekend in a blind or my stand this weekend if I can get it up this week. I'm hoping the bucks start moving in soon. It has been pretty hot (by WA standards) over this way the last couple of weeks and I'm hoping with this cooler weather that just rolled in, they'll start moving around. I know it's early but does anybody think scent attractants might help a bit? I'm hunting on some really prominent looking game trails and I know the deer are around.
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I prefer to hunt in the rain, the nastier the better.
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I prefer the rain too. It is tougher keeping optics dry and working to ensure that clothing isn't leaking, and way easier to move quietly in the woods. I'm not sure the deer feel that way about the early rains. You'd think they'd be jumping for joy just to get soaking wet and cooled off from the heat.
Regarding attractants: This early in the season, I think the only one that might slow a buck down or bring him in to investigate might be buck urine - some unknown/new animal in the woods that they've not met (a total guess). With no pre-rut behavior, they are likely just trying to pack on pounds for the upcoming rut and winter. They still have six or so weeks of eating before the very first of the does come into early estrous. The bucks should also be sorting out the pecking order in their groups and play jousting a bit, so very light rattling might be worth a try just for giggles.
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First rain at the end of summer, since I've been keeping track, brings deer out of the woods. I've seen them walking down a freeway off-ramp. On my route to work, there is a guy who does tree service and he has a huge pile of bark and sawdust out by the street. This morning, two does were goofing around on top of the pile.
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I hear by the middle to end of September - first part of October that we are supposed to be back in the high 80's and 90's.
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Walked up on a nice 3x4 Sunday evening while out bear hunting. 30yds away broadside had all the time in the world. Still in velvet too.
