Post by: wreckerman5288 on October 23, 2016, 11:41:29 AM
My main area out by Colfax was ravaged last year by Blue Tounge. This year we found out that all of the properties we had permission to hunt had at least 2 new hunting crews with permission. I'm talking big groups of hunters that hunt together and put so much pressure on a place that it's hunted out in short order. I sat up on a spot that every year a hunter gets an opportunity on opening morning. about 10 minutes before shooting light rigs started pulling up everywhere, 4 to be exact and by shooting light I could see 12 other hunters on this 500 acre section of the farm and they were all just bumbling around like idiots.
That's pretty much how this week has gone for our hunting camp. The one guy who drew a 2nd deer tag but nobody got bucks. Quality bucks were seemingly non existent. Every bit of ground I have permission to hunt has exponentially higher numbers of other people with permission plus the ever present trespassers. Add up lower deer numbers, rain, and more hunters and it all adds up to the worst hunting experience I've ever had.
This brings me to Blacktails. One of my hunting buddy's now lives near Olympia. His home is in a neighborhood with 1-3 acre lots. Behind his house is an old (non operational) Christmas Tree farm, a small cattle ranch, there is also a fair sized overgrown apple orchard, and some other undeveloped land (timber). Total acerage is around 650 acres. He has the only permission to hunt modern firearm on the property. 1 of his neighbors has permission for archery, the other muzzleloader loader. They each get bucks most years.
My friend has been hunting it the last couple days. He has seen deer both days and missed a 2 point this morning. He got permission for me to hunt it as well and I will be going over for the late season.
My question is what works well tactics wise on Blacktails in an area like this and is the November Blacktail hunt any good, are they rutting then? I have read a bit about hunting Blacktails on here, I just want to be as prepared as possible for this hunt.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on October 23, 2016, 05:17:18 PM
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Post by: fishnfur on October 23, 2016, 05:23:56 PM
My suggestion: Like other deer hunting around the rut, finding the does is probably your best bet, then sit on them. If the apple trees still have fruit, they are probably the best bet to find does. Even if the apples are all gone, they love the leaves too, so I'd spend a significant amount of time hidden between bedding areas and the apple trees. The bucks should be closeby or occasionally scent checking the orchard for hot does.
Post by: TikkaT3-270Shortmag on October 23, 2016, 06:15:21 PM
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Post by: browney5er on October 23, 2016, 06:47:10 PM
Post by: Band on October 23, 2016, 07:24:14 PM
Post by: Turner89 on October 23, 2016, 07:58:33 PM
If you have the option of hunting this next week or those four days in November, I would take the last four days of October over the late hunt any day. If you can't swing that hen November can be ok.:yeah: last 4 days of October is the best.
Post by: wreckerman5288 on November 07, 2016, 08:01:32 PM
I'm very excited for the hunt, I have hunted bear in Western Washington but never deer so I am excited to try my patience with a new species of deer. Between the comments here and reading all the other Blacktail threads I can, I think I have a plan of how to hunt this property. The things I have learned about Blacktails in the last couple weeks will certainly help me in a couple weeks, thanks guys! Hopefully our plan is a good one and we have even the slightest bit of luck because God knows we haven't had luck on our side at all this season.
Post by: fishnfur on November 07, 2016, 11:17:27 PM
Post by: RadSav on November 08, 2016, 01:40:45 AM
My advise is never stop hunting from start to stop of shooting hours during that hunt. We have taken late blacktails at all hours of the day. Edges are key most of the time but inside the trees - not on the opening side.
And pray for a morning frost and sunny mid morning. These bucks are getting worn out. Not like the early rut where they cruise all day when it's wet and nasty. During late hunts if it is cold and you get a mid morning sun they will often wander out into the open for some feed and a recharge. They are usually so spent you can really get up close and get those high percentage shots.
Best hunt of the year for blacktails, IMO!
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2016, 05:32:57 AM