Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 04:31:19 PM
Are trail cams really the best thing for increasing your odds? Having never hunted, I feel like I have a super disadvantage. And it seems like I am missing something, seeing that so many people on this board seemed to get one. I am at the point I don't even think going out for late season is worth it.
I sat all day yesterday in a spot I found rubs etc, and never saw a deer at all, it was dead quiet. It's possible I am unlucky and someone shot the buck in that area already. I don't mind failing if I can learn from my failure, but I don't feel like I came away from this any more knowledgeable than before I went out. I saw a total of 5 deer 1 buck and 4 does. I heard 1 grunt and that was it. I am at a loss for what to do next.
I get people not wanting to share spots, I would never fault anyone for that. But I can see why people don't get into hunting now a days. The terrain is rough (not a problem for me), but just seeing anything would at least provide some level of hope.
A follow up question is, how many people think this is just right place right time? And how many people think it's skill, experience, and knowledge? I am not giving up, but I am definitely disappointed. I am at a point of considering paying the 2-3k for a guide just to help gain a knowledge gap that seems to be the biggest hurdle I can't get over. I am interested in peoples opinions.
Post by: savagehunter on October 31, 2018, 05:07:46 PM
Post by: lokidog on October 31, 2018, 05:11:01 PM
Post by: onmygame on October 31, 2018, 05:33:58 PM
That said, it is likely 80% of the deer are harvested each year by a constant 20% of the hunters.
As stated previously in this thread - location, and your knowledge of it as well as your continued study and understanding of deer behavior puts the odds in your favor.
Don't expect success each year until you've proven yourself to be successful each year - year after year.
The best of luck.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 05:46:08 PM
Skill and knowledge leads to eliminating low percentage ground. Focusing on an area that you know holds deer and learning the resident populations feeding bedding and rutting grounds adds to your odds. Time spent hunting should be seen as time in school learning the terrain the animal and your own limitations. Such as if I go in deep and my legs are shot I'm not going to try and sneak through the brush on dead legs I'll find a likely spot and sit or on the other hand hunting down a drainage on fresh legs I may be covering ground all day and go less than a mile. Finding your style of hunting and enjoying it kill or no kill is what it's all about. As always it's better to be lucky than good but I've found people that get lucky alot spent alot of time getting good. There all re some posts here just from this year alone that can greatly increase your odds by the advice of not a spot but the kind of spot or how to work the wind . As an example opening day of blacktail was clear and 63 degrees my son missed a spike at 915 am. In the same cut 800 yards away an old man was still hunting the reprod I watched him through my spotting scope in 3.5 hours he traveled 150 yards in the Christmas trees literally a couple of steps every 5 or ten minutes. He killed a forken horn at 30 yards in its bed. I could never hunt that slow and careful but he showed such skill and patience that I was humbled by my lack of his hunting style. A week later I killed a spike in the same unit at 370 yards.. the difference the old man had keys to the gate and fresh legs and skill . I on the other hand hiked in three miles got 600 feet above a skid road through the cut and Glassed Glassed glassed. Better smarter no just different. Keep at it you'll either get luck or good
I am afraid I glassed and possibly missed some too. Not knowing exactly what to look for and how slow to glass probably doesn't help. I am like you and somewhat impatient, and want to at least see something or hear something. I need to read the threads on here, because I have read boyd's books and they helped to some degree but didn't really help me find the right spots to hunt. My hope is to gain the knowledge to put me in the right places. And than just hope that I am there during the right time. I have even considered just doing archery in king county since no one hunts over here.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 05:48:49 PM
Your buddy that bagged 3 deer in ten years - a 30% success ratio is quite a bit higher than the annual average state wide.
That said, it is likely 80% of the deer are harvested each year by a constant 20% of the hunters.
As stated previously in this thread - location, and your knowledge of it as well as your continued study and understanding of deer behavior puts the odds in your favor.
Don't expect success each year until you've proven yourself to be successful each year - year after year.
The best of luck.
That makes sense, yeah I am trying to learn more about their patterns. I did learn where they typically bed. And how they usually avoid clear cuts it seems and try to move around the clear cut if they can. Nothing worth having is easy anyways, I am just feeling the burn of tag soup so far lol. But I know I learned a lot that I can apply to next year, I just know that means I still have a lot more to learn :).
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 05:49:56 PM
13 (one not recovered) for the last 12 years, plus two muley does. For me it is location, location, location. :chuckle:
I think that's my biggest problem so far, is knowing the right location. I paid for a weyerhauser permit and there haven't been a ton of people. But it's still pretty well covered, I am 90% sure the buck I found and had been trailing someone got before I could. Which makes me want to get further out away from roads even more etc.
Post by: Tiger1358 on October 31, 2018, 05:50:35 PM
If u got a bike, use it to get anywhere easier and faster, if not, you can find a really good one for less 100 bucks easily. I got my Giant mt bike in a pretty much new condition for 80 bucks that costs at least $500 at the stores.
Ride behind the gates to learn the places or hike the trails.If you go where it's easy for most people to go, you won't find crap unless you get lucky. The more time you put in for scouting, the better you will be. This season wasn't as good for me because I didn't do any scouting due to my long absence from the country.
I personally would never-ever hire a guide, even for a specific animal that I have absolutely no clue about, I'd rather study myself and do everything myself. I'd rather fail for a year, but learn how to get them by myself next year, rather than paying 3K just for being taken to a spot where you both know you'll see deer for sure and just paying $3000 just to experience that moment of shooting it, meeeh. I don't think you'll learn much IMO. Just easy hunt, taking cool pictures, and meat in the freezer, not much learned, no challenges, no adventures. (no offense to hunting guides here). if you just wanna do it once in a lifetime just to experience it, yes, hire a guide, if you wanna hunt for the rest of your life, do it yourself.
If you ever got questions, post the question and people will do their best to help you here.
Post by: fishnfur on October 31, 2018, 05:55:10 PM
Though the season is closed tomorrow, that doesn't stop you from going in the woods and scouting (wear hunter orange - it's crazy out there when the modern elk guys hit the woods). Glass some new reprod. Go back to where you saw does and try to find them again. Bucks are moving till they find a hot doe. They hang out with her for 48 hours or so then move on to find another. Try to guess the way bucks are moving through the woods. Look for pinch points that restrict their traffic. Find a vantage point in an area with a lot of fresh sign.
Keep your chin up. This is supposed to be fun, but also, rarely is it easy. It can be very frustrating at times but that can all end in a split second when a buck suddenly shows himself. It happens so quick that you have trouble believing what just went down before your eyes. Enjoy it for what it is - a chance to challenge yourself, be in the woods, and attempt to outsmart a critter with exceptional survival instincts. It will be over in the blink of an eye. Come January, you'll regret it if you didn't give it your best effort.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 31, 2018, 05:56:40 PM
Post by: skagitsteel on October 31, 2018, 05:58:49 PM
If you are consistently looking in the right place the ‘right place right time’ will happen. One tidbit there is its easy to run and gun all over the place looking for a ‘new spot’ the reality is most spots hold deer and it will be your knowledge of that particular spot that will lead to your success.
Post by: JakeLand on October 31, 2018, 06:17:23 PM
I’d say 10% of the hunters kill 90% of the deer. Sure sometimes luck is involved but you will find That often the same guys are ’consistentlty lucky’ every year.well said
If you are consistently looking in the right place the ‘right place right time’ will happen. One tidbit there is its easy to run and gun all over the place looking for a ‘new spot’ the reality is most spots hold deer and it will be your knowledge of that particular spot that will lead to your success.
Post by: SeaRun1 on October 31, 2018, 06:23:31 PM
SR1
Post by: JBar on October 31, 2018, 06:31:04 PM
Post by: Turner89 on October 31, 2018, 06:45:47 PM
"Keep your chin up. This is supposed to be fun, but also, rarely is it easy. It can be very frustrating at times but that can all end in a split second when a buck suddenly shows himself. It happens so quick that you have trouble believing what just went down before your eyes. Enjoy it for what it is - a chance to challenge yourself, be in the woods, and attempt to outsmart a critter with exceptional survival instincts. It will be over in the blink of an eye. Come January, you'll regret it if you didn't give it your best effort."
Fishnfur hit the nail on the head :yeah:
The hunt is the best part of the it. I had my most favorite BT season yet last year. Hunted harder and more days than I ever had the chance to in the past......and i didn't get one last year either.
I'd go buy a bear tag and cougar tag if you dont already have them. Go out this weekend and find a gut pile to sit over. You might get yourself one of the above, coyote or bobcat. You will most likely see the buck you weren't able to get this year. :chuckle:
Also, noticed you posted at 4:30pm on Halloween. :chuckle: :dunno:
Post by: SeaRun1 on October 31, 2018, 06:51:03 PM
SR1
Post by: DJ_Mack on October 31, 2018, 07:14:17 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: wooltie on October 31, 2018, 07:22:18 PM
That week..mid season during modern, we saw a buck or two every day and 5-10 does a day. I shot my buck on the 3rd day. Dnr land on the peninsula.
I've changed areas every season practically since then, mostly because I moved. Stil looking for an area.
I think there are bt in Whatcom/Skagit/sno county...finding an area where they consistently hsng out is another thing altogether.
I gauge an area by the amount of sign I see and I'm surprised how many good looking area e.g. timber, cuts have next to no sign. Course when ag land is only a few miles away, I wonder if the deer just concentrate where it's safe and there's food.
I want to see lots of sign and consistently see animals on multiple trips before I commit to a spot..that's my current line of thinking anyways.
I was out in the rain all day today, glass cuts surrounding timber. There's sign in the cuts.
I didn't see a single deer.
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2018, 08:07:48 PM
Post by: davk on October 31, 2018, 08:12:00 PM
Ive seen probably 5 bucks while deer hunting in the 4 years I have been out here. Have killed a doe and 2 bucks, hoping to pull it off in the late season again this year. Its rarely easy.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:27:23 PM
Just spend your free time this and next year just doing scouting. On weekends, holidays, or any other day that you have to lay on the couch do nothing, find different places and do a lotta scouting. Even if you can't get out, check out the forums(hunting, fishing, hiking), maps, and so forth.
If u got a bike, use it to get anywhere easier and faster, if not, you can find a really good one for less 100 bucks easily. I got my Giant mt bike in a pretty much new condition for 80 bucks that costs at least $500 at the stores.
Ride behind the gates to learn the places or hike the trails.If you go where it's easy for most people to go, you won't find crap unless you get lucky. The more time you put in for scouting, the better you will be. This season wasn't as good for me because I didn't do any scouting due to my long absence from the country.
I personally would never-ever hire a guide, even for a specific animal that I have absolutely no clue about, I'd rather study myself and do everything myself. I'd rather fail for a year, but learn how to get them by myself next year, rather than paying 3K just for being taken to a spot where you both know you'll see deer for sure and just paying $3000 just to experience that moment of shooting it, meeeh. I don't think you'll learn much IMO. Just easy hunt, taking cool pictures, and meat in the freezer, not much learned, no challenges, no adventures. (no offense to hunting guides here). if you just wanna do it once in a lifetime just to experience it, yes, hire a guide, if you wanna hunt for the rest of your life, do it yourself.
If you ever got questions, post the question and people will do their best to help you here.
Thanks for the advice! I was thinking about getting out even further, since I am capable of hiking for a lot further than most. This gives me something to think about for sure.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:33:35 PM
"Keep your chin up. This is supposed to be fun, but also, rarely is it easy. It can be very frustrating at times but that can all end in a split second when a buck suddenly shows himself. It happens so quick that you have trouble believing what just went down before your eyes. Enjoy it for what it is - a chance to challenge yourself, be in the woods, and attempt to outsmart a critter with exceptional survival instincts. It will be over in the blink of an eye. Come January, you'll regret it if you didn't give it your best effort."
Fishnfur hit the nail on the head :yeah:
The hunt is the best part of the it. I had my most favorite BT season yet last year. Hunted harder and more days than I ever had the chance to in the past......and i didn't get one last year either.
I'd go buy a bear tag and cougar tag if you dont already have them. Go out this weekend and find a gut pile to sit over. You might get yourself one of the above, coyote or bobcat. You will most likely see the buck you weren't able to get this year. :chuckle:
Also, noticed you posted at 4:30pm on Halloween. :chuckle: :dunno:
Lol yeah, I sadly had to work today. Deadlines for projects... that ship in December suck. I have had a lot of fun, it memories I will never forget. I look forward to getting better and better. I am going to spend the off season learning the habits of blacktail and how they travel etc. What foods they eat, I think this will help get me another step closer.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:55:23 PM
Halloween is an excellent day to take a Blacktail. I kinda agree that you shouldn’t have posted until about 7:00 as shooting hours were until 6:20 and a big one probably would have come in at a nice location at about 6:00 or so. Being in woods until you can’t be is how you get one.
SR1
Agreed, but yesterday was my last day I could go due to work requiring me there the rest of the week. Projects at work got in the way since we have a short deadline coming up.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:56:23 PM
"Keep your chin up. This is supposed to be fun, but also, rarely is it easy. It can be very frustrating at times but that can all end in a split second when a buck suddenly shows himself. It happens so quick that you have trouble believing what just went down before your eyes. Enjoy it for what it is - a chance to challenge yourself, be in the woods, and attempt to outsmart a critter with exceptional survival instincts. It will be over in the blink of an eye. Come January, you'll regret it if you didn't give it your best effort."
Fishnfur hit the nail on the head :yeah:
The hunt is the best part of the it. I had my most favorite BT season yet last year. Hunted harder and more days than I ever had the chance to in the past......and i didn't get one last year either.
I'd go buy a bear tag and cougar tag if you dont already have them. Go out this weekend and find a gut pile to sit over. You might get yourself one of the above, coyote or bobcat. You will most likely see the buck you weren't able to get this year. :chuckle:
Also, noticed you posted at 4:30pm on Halloween. :chuckle: :dunno:
I have been considering grabbing a bear tag, just because I hear bear sausage isn't too bad. And I hear killing predators helps your odds of a blacktail in the future ;).
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:57:04 PM
Patience and flashing plays off, this is the crap my buck this year was bedded in. Patch of alder saplings in a ravine with lots of slash and blow down.
You can barely see that beast lol. I don't think my eyes are used to identifying deer in the woods. I can hear them well, but I can't seem to locate them all the time.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:58:41 PM
My best bt experience was my second year of hunting when I shot my first deer--a mature 3x4.
That week..mid season during modern, we saw a buck or two every day and 5-10 does a day. I shot my buck on the 3rd day. Dnr land on the peninsula.
I've changed areas every season practically since then, mostly because I moved. Stil looking for an area.
I think there are bt in Whatcom/Skagit/sno county...finding an area where they consistently hsng out is another thing altogether.
I gauge an area by the amount of sign I see and I'm surprised how many good looking area e.g. timber, cuts have next to no sign. Course when ag land is only a few miles away, I wonder if the deer just concentrate where it's safe and there's food.
I want to see lots of sign and consistently see animals on multiple trips before I commit to a spot..that's my current line of thinking anyways.
I was out in the rain all day today, glass cuts surrounding timber. There's sign in the cuts.
I didn't see a single deer.
This has been my experience overall pretty much summed up. Everytime I thought it was going to rain as well the weather shifted and it became sunny and 53 in the mountains up almost 2000 feet in elevation.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 08:59:19 PM
I’ve hunted black tails for many years, I’ll take luck over any thing! I’ve done it all, tree stand from 1 hour before light till after dark, bait w trail cameras, walk in a gated road 6 miles hours before dark, road hunted, hunted all three weapons year after year. Hunted private, public, areas with lots of sign, little sign, busted through stickers, ferns, reprod! Dude, black tails are the devil!! I could have killed small bucks just about every year, hell, even passed up a 4x4 on that 6 mile hike because he didn’t have eye guards, but, out of all that and 31 years, I really haven’t seen that many blacktail bucks. I am not lucky w that species, I’ll take luck over skill ANY day! If you want to kill deer, go with white tails in Idaho on the late hunt, it’s fun and you’ll actually get lucky!
Idaho has been brought up, and is heavily being considered so I can go get some turkey too :).
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 09:01:39 PM
Post by: slowhand on October 31, 2018, 09:03:18 PM
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 09:26:01 PM
Your welcome to come with our group for the late hunt. I can’t guarantee you a Deer but I can put you on a great spot. Been hunting this public land area for over 25 years. I took a hunting-Washington member last year. We are great friends now and text each other all the time. Pm Me if You’re interested.
PM sent
Post by: pd on October 31, 2018, 09:29:05 PM
Yes, sometimes you will get lucky.
Beyond that, hunting success is directly proportional to the amount of time spent hunting.
I truly believe this.
Post by: fishnfur on October 31, 2018, 09:49:08 PM
Here's a good off-season read. It's a WT book, but it accurately covers how all deer use terrain and cover as they move, and the best ways to hunt these features. Save some money and buy used.
https://www.amazon.com/Mapping-Trophy-Second-Herndon-Paperback/dp/B011MAZX4E/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541047480&sr=1-2&keywords=mapping+trophy+bucks
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 31, 2018, 11:25:53 PM
My point being don't give up and OBEY THE SIGN. Tracks, trails, scat, rubs, etc.... is going to be your most important tool in locating and by sign it must be fresh sign. Summer scouting is an excellent way to locate animals and will build confidence you have animals in a given location, but a move of a few hundred yards because of food preferences can seem like miles in heavy vegetation. If you don't have fresh sign move. If you have fresh sign the deer are around, ask yourself WHEN are they there and HOW can I see them. And if at all possible hunt at least the first 2 days of late buck.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 11:41:01 PM
Nice offer to help him out. Awesome! If I took him out, he'd slit his wrists after the first couple hours. :chuckle:
Here's a good off-season read. It's a WT book, but it accurately covers how all deer use terrain and cover as they move, and the best ways to hunt these features. Save some money and buy used.
https://www.amazon.com/Mapping-Trophy-Second-Herndon-Paperback/dp/B011MAZX4E/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1541047480&sr=1-2&keywords=mapping+trophy+bucks
Lol, I doubt I would slit my wrists ;). But I am going to check out the book, anything I can do to learn more is worth it. Thanks for the advice :).
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 11:42:43 PM
Yes, a few hunters are very skilled at this craft.
Yes, sometimes you will get lucky.
Beyond that, hunting success is directly proportional to the amount of time spent hunting.
I truly believe this.
That’s where i eventually want to be. Skilled at it, I know it’s going to take a long time and I am getting started late at 36. But I am absorbing everything I can.
Post by: Bogie85 on October 31, 2018, 11:46:48 PM
Some great advice in here! I have a couple cams and admit I need to improve in their use. They are a great tool and will give you an idea of whats in your area. BUT.... IMO unless you are running a very dense web of cams or hunting certain areas that lend themselves to very effective scouting. Locating all the animals in the area is tough. BT bucks by 3.5 years old become almost exclusively nocturnal, and masters at keeping their footprint to a minimum. In 22 years of hunting I have killed 3 bucks that I patterned during the summer, only one was mature and all were killed during early archery. Case in point..... This past summer I had located a couple real nice bucks, seeing them several times feeding in the mornings during July and into august. BIL had several trailcams in the area and NO pictures of these bucks even though one cam was setup near where the bucks frequented. He also had a couple bucks on trailcam that were never seen live. Due to his schedule he took a buck on the 22nd and it was a buck he had on cam, a younger 2 point with eyegaurds. I ended up hunting this past Saturday. I got in the area I had seen the bucks in the summer, albeit a nearby area where I thought does might be frequenting, and found sign of a good buck working and eventually cut tracks that were very fresh based on conditions. I figured it for a large buck due to trees he was raking and his foot, but after catching up to the buck and ultimately killing him he was not a deer I was familiar with at all. We had never seen this buck in scouting or trailcam. He just showed up. Whether he had been there all summer and we never saw him, or came from 3 miles away I have no idea. I hunted where I assumed a buck might stage based on doe location and he was there.
My point being don't give up and OBEY THE SIGN. Tracks, trails, scat, rubs, etc.... is going to be your most important tool in locating and by sign it must be fresh sign. Summer scouting is an excellent way to locate animals and will build confidence you have animals in a given location, but a move of a few hundred yards because of food preferences can seem like miles in heavy vegetation. If you don't have fresh sign move. If you have fresh sign the deer are around, ask yourself WHEN are they there and HOW can I see them. And if at all possible hunt at least the first 2 days of late buck.
This is great info! Thanks a ton! So would you check for fresh signs than just sit and wait? It would you come back another day?
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on November 01, 2018, 12:32:03 AM
Some great advice in here! I have a couple cams and admit I need to improve in their use. They are a great tool and will give you an idea of whats in your area. BUT.... IMO unless you are running a very dense web of cams or hunting certain areas that lend themselves to very effective scouting. Locating all the animals in the area is tough. BT bucks by 3.5 years old become almost exclusively nocturnal, and masters at keeping their footprint to a minimum. In 22 years of hunting I have killed 3 bucks that I patterned during the summer, only one was mature and all were killed during early archery. Case in point..... This past summer I had located a couple real nice bucks, seeing them several times feeding in the mornings during July and into august. BIL had several trailcams in the area and NO pictures of these bucks even though one cam was setup near where the bucks frequented. He also had a couple bucks on trailcam that were never seen live. Due to his schedule he took a buck on the 22nd and it was a buck he had on cam, a younger 2 point with eyegaurds. I ended up hunting this past Saturday. I got in the area I had seen the bucks in the summer, albeit a nearby area where I thought does might be frequenting, and found sign of a good buck working and eventually cut tracks that were very fresh based on conditions. I figured it for a large buck due to trees he was raking and his foot, but after catching up to the buck and ultimately killing him he was not a deer I was familiar with at all. We had never seen this buck in scouting or trailcam. He just showed up. Whether he had been there all summer and we never saw him, or came from 3 miles away I have no idea. I hunted where I assumed a buck might stage based on doe location and he was there.
My point being don't give up and OBEY THE SIGN. Tracks, trails, scat, rubs, etc.... is going to be your most important tool in locating and by sign it must be fresh sign. Summer scouting is an excellent way to locate animals and will build confidence you have animals in a given location, but a move of a few hundred yards because of food preferences can seem like miles in heavy vegetation. If you don't have fresh sign move. If you have fresh sign the deer are around, ask yourself WHEN are they there and HOW can I see them. And if at all possible hunt at least the first 2 days of late buck.
This is great info! Thanks a ton! So would you check for fresh signs than just sit and wait? It would you come back another day?
Read some of the advice the guys provided in your other thread about getting a guide. A lot of good info. RadSav I believe also had a post a while back about blacktail hunting (maybe someone can link to that thread) that was SUPER informative - in fact, I took a few of his pieces of advice this last week and it helped put me in a position to see more deer. Also, please DO NOT get a guide to take you blacktail deer hunting, it'd be throwing good money at bad money. Put miles on your boots, spend a lot of time in the woods, take in all of the information you read here and more importantly gain from being out in the woods and just embrace your time out there. A skunk day in the woods is better than any day in the office.
Post by: Humptulips on November 01, 2018, 01:06:10 AM
1st find the deer. Look for sign, tracks and rubs. Sounds simple but it takes time and don't find just one spot. You need options in case something fouls you up plus you will get sick of hunting the same spot every day.
2nd plan out how you will attack an area. It is best to figure know how you are going to approach an area before hand rather then deciding in the dark. I personally prefer clearcuts that have young tender growth so 2 years old until you can no longer see well.
3rd get away from the other hunters. If that means biking or hiking, do it. In fact if you can rest an area for a day or two and hunt other areas without others hunting it, the perfect world.
4th Do what it takes to be confident you will kill what you see. For me I uped my game with shooting sticks a few years ago. If you miss a buck or worst yet wound one it will ruin your hunt so make sure you can hit what you shoot at.
5th don't be picky. I now there are guys on here that pass on bucks. I don't and I am perfectly happy with what I get be it spike or 4 point.
6th and maybe most important be persistent. I know most have work commitments but get out as much as you can. Later in the season it gets better so this defeatist attitude of not going out in late season is sabotaging yourself.
Personally I hunted 12 days this year to get my buck. Guys that only have weekends to hunt have a tough roe to hoe so realize this. It ain't easy and that is one thing that makes it all worth while when you connect.
Post by: Duckslayer89 on November 01, 2018, 01:10:53 AM
At the risk of sounding like a know it all I'll offer my formula. I'll also offer up credentials in the form of a record of not getting a blacktail two years out of 53 seasons. Those years I was laid up by accidents.
1st find the deer. Look for sign, tracks and rubs. Sounds simple but it takes time and don't find just one spot. You need options in case something fouls you up plus you will get sick of hunting the same spot every day.
2nd plan out how you will attack an area. It is best to figure know how you are going to approach an area before hand rather then deciding in the dark. I personally prefer clearcuts that have young tender growth so 2 years old until you can no longer see well.
3rd get away from the other hunters. If that means biking or hiking, do it. In fact if you can rest an area for a day or two and hunt other areas without others hunting it, the perfect world.
4th Do what it takes to be confident you will kill what you see. For me I uped my game with shooting sticks a few years ago. If you miss a buck or worst yet wound one it will ruin your hunt so make sure you can hit what you shoot at.
5th don't be picky. I now there are guys on here that pass on bucks. I don't and I am perfectly happy with what I get be it spike or 4 point.
6th and maybe most important be persistent. I know most have work commitments but get out as much as you can. Later in the season it gets better so this defeatist attitude of not going out in late season is sabotaging yourself.
Personally I hunted 12 days this year to get my buck. Guys that only have weekends to hunt have a tough roe to hoe so realize this. It ain't easy and that is one thing that makes it all worth while when you connect.
Well said and sound advice
Post by: Mallardmasher on November 01, 2018, 05:50:47 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 01, 2018, 05:57:07 AM
Im not joking. In 30 years of blacktail Ive had success every year, and I would bet 60% of my deer have come when I least expected to see them.
Keep at it and stay in the woods all day.
Post by: DeArBuCK4me on November 01, 2018, 07:03:24 AM
So, long time ago a very wise man I know said this: if you go fishing go where you know theres plenty of fish.
I think it applies to hunting as well.
Most People who post in this forum and are successful have one thing in common: they go where theres game animals.
I been hunting the same unit for years and I come home empty handed every year...my unit is one where you better be lucky, rather than good--your chances go way high depending where you go hunting and how much time you have to spend in the bush.
don't lose heart bro, soon or later you will have what you are looking for and the tide will turn on your favor.
this year the late season could be great---lets get out in November and see what we can do---little luck will help, and the harder you work the luckier you will get. :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents: :twocents:
Post by: fishnfur on November 01, 2018, 08:37:07 AM
The best way to hunt blacktail is to hunt slowly into spots that look good to you and have lots of sign. Your heart is pounding at the possibility of seeing a big buck. Then after a couple hours you get really bummed about not seeing deer and you mentally quit hunting..you start wandering aimlessly with your head down and no care in the world, thinking about house work etc......then and only then will you see deer. . :chuckle:
Im not joking. In 30 years of blacktail Ive had success every year, and I would bet 60% of my deer have come when I least expected to see them.
Keep at it and stay in the woods all day.
I think many of us here have done this dance. I've since learned that if hunting is slow and I'm getting frustrated, I just find a spot to sit where I can see a ways, take a break for 20 - 30 minutes, and get my focus back.
Lots of good information on here. I see a lot of little gems of knowledge hidden in these posts. Read and re-read these ideas. Try to understand exactly what the author was trying to convey.
RE: the RadSav post - that discussion started on page 9 of the Blacktail pre-rut thread (about Alder leaves) and then RS dropped a knowledge bomb about how he and his wife hunt one of their spots on page 10. Probably one of the best teaching moments I've seen here. Concise, descriptive, easy to picture in your mind. Memorize that. Go find a spot similar to that. Once you find it, keep it a secret. If you see RS out there, move on. That's his spot. :chuckle:
Post by: Grant4068 on November 01, 2018, 08:57:55 AM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 01, 2018, 09:56:59 AM
Post by: Whitenuckles on November 01, 2018, 10:43:43 AM
13 (one not recovered) for the last 12 years, plus two muley does. For me it is location, location, location. :chuckle:
Yep, location location location! Spend time out there and find their home. Once you find it, they will be there every year. My wife and I get ours out of the same hole every single year. The buck I shot yesterday was standing 10ft from the buck I shot last year.
Post by: Crunchy on November 01, 2018, 11:11:42 AM
Post by: Old Man Yager on November 01, 2018, 12:16:48 PM
Post by: PNWheckle on November 01, 2018, 12:24:59 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 01, 2018, 04:19:07 PM
Here's a pic of the second buck hanging out with the one I shot. (There may have been a third there too?) This one is waiting for his buddy to get up out of the grass 20 minutes after first light. I had to wait several minutes after locating them before taking a shot. With no scope on the muzzleloader, I couldn't see them at all without magnification.
Post by: mjustice79 on November 01, 2018, 05:39:01 PM
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Post by: Bogie85 on November 01, 2018, 10:39:38 PM
Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!
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It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.
Post by: lokidog on November 01, 2018, 11:01:53 PM
Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!
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More deer are killed in Wisconsin's 10 day rifle season than we have living in WA, that doesn't even factor in a 3+ month archery season and muzzloader seasons as well.
Post by: fishnfur on November 01, 2018, 11:19:17 PM
Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!
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It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.
Man, your family's going to be mad when they read your post stating that they are all dumb? :chuckle:
Post by: lokidog on November 01, 2018, 11:25:28 PM
Growing up in Tennessee, I was always seeing and killing deer. When I was stationed at Ft Benning, GA I maintained a deer lease with a friend. 400 acres for the both of us. Not like here where you share the same land with hundreds of people. I killed 3 deer in 2 years there. Move here, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I guess I’ve seen about 4 deer in the 5 years I’ve been here. I honestly believe there’s just not a lot of animals here, compared to what I’m accustomed too. I started tossing the idea of getting a guide in other states too. Or going for moose and caribou in Alaska. Good luck!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It definitely seems less populated than I thought it would be. But I totally get it, back in Nebraska and Minnesota my family all get whitetail every year because they are so dumb. I have been considering Alaska too, but I want to do that once I get Washington reigned in.
Man, your family's going to be mad when they read your post stating that they are all dumb? :chuckle:
:chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: addicted1 on November 01, 2018, 11:38:09 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 01, 2018, 11:51:16 PM
https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Working%20Groups/Mule%20Deer/Publications2/2016_Mule_Deer_and_BTD_Status_Update_Final.pdf
This article puts the number of BTs at 70,00 for the 5 counties in SW WA.
https://tdn.com/lifestyles/blacktail-deer-populations-hanging-on-but-there-s-reason-for/article_9fb4a6af-fda5-5fe8-a35d-1a0d7930b6b1.html
I've seen others that estimate the total BT population in Western WA is up near 150,000. The reason for the wide range is that no body really knows how many there are. They are so hard to find that WDFW has to guess at population numbers. The entire population of the three huntable deer species in WA was estimated to be somewhere near 300,000 a couple years ago. Many here would say there are far less than that. (unless you live on Decatur Island) :chuckle:
On the other hand, this webpage says Tennessee has roughly a million WT deer. http://www.deerfriendly.com/deer/tennessee
Trophy Blacktail deer have the reputation of being among the hardest hunts in North America (perhaps not including mid-California). Consider it a chance to improve your hunting skills. If hunting was easy, they'd just call it killing. Review of the 2018 Success Thread displays that the deer are out there to be had. Good luck with the rest of your season. Sorry about the low numbers. :dunno:
Post by: mjustice79 on November 02, 2018, 06:27:46 AM
To respond to your concerns mjustice79, this article puts the Blacktail deer population at 90,000 - 110,000.
https://www.wafwa.org/Documents%20and%20Settings/37/Site%20Documents/Working%20Groups/Mule%20Deer/Publications2/2016_Mule_Deer_and_BTD_Status_Update_Final.pdf
This article puts the number of BTs at 70,00 for the 5 counties in SW WA.
https://tdn.com/lifestyles/blacktail-deer-populations-hanging-on-but-there-s-reason-for/article_9fb4a6af-fda5-5fe8-a35d-1a0d7930b6b1.html
I've seen others that estimate the total BT population in Western WA is up near 150,000. The reason for the wide range is that no body really knows how many there are. They are so hard to find that WDFW has to guess at population numbers. The entire population of the three huntable deer species in WA was estimated to be somewhere near 300,000 a couple years ago. Many here would say there are far less than that. (unless you live on Decatur Island) :chuckle:
On the other hand, this webpage says Tennessee has roughly a million WT deer. http://www.deerfriendly.com/deer/tennessee
Trophy Blacktail deer have the reputation of being among the hardest hunts in North America (perhaps not including mid-California). Consider it a chance to improve your hunting skills. If hunting was easy, they'd just call it killing. Review of the 2018 Success Thread displays that the deer are out there to be had. Good luck with the rest of your season. Sorry about the low numbers. :dunno:
I completely agree on the difference of population. I guess it comes down to expectation management as well. My son used to go with me all the time in GA, but has no interest anymore. Passed his hunters ed course this year. I researched the youth hunt, and noticed it’s only in eastern Washington. That’s why I’m thinking about getting a guide next year. I’d much rather pay the money to go see animals, and at least have an opportunity.
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Post by: fishnfur on November 02, 2018, 08:14:19 AM
As far as I know, there are special hunt youth tags available in all western units that allow doe harvest. Drawing a tag in many units is not too tough. Also, there are very likely forum members familiar with your area that might volunteer to show you the ropes and/or help get your son on a deer ( Though it is hunting. It is never a sure thing). There is a section of the forum on the main page titled "Where to go - hunt swaps - partnerships". Put up a post in that section asking for some help scouting or hunting your area and see if you get any bites. It will be a lot less expensive than a guide and you'll probably see some animals.
Post by: Justdecent on November 02, 2018, 08:45:43 AM
Post by: KILLA on November 02, 2018, 12:35:59 PM
Trailcams can be a good tool, but they don't give as much as an advantage as you would think. As far as trailcams go, here is what I get out of them:
1. Encouragement for the days I don't see a single deer -- When I start to question if Blacktails have become extinct.
2. They tell me the times that the deer are moving.
Blacktail are nocturnal by nature. Being persistent and hunting every morning/evening is the single most important thing you can do.
Post by: fishnfur on November 02, 2018, 02:30:44 PM
And they can be hard to see in low light. Absolutely have to glass 'em up.
Here's a pic of the second buck hanging out with the one I shot. (There may have been a third there too?) This one is waiting for his buddy to get up out of the grass 20 minutes after first light. I had to wait several minutes after locating them before taking a shot. With no scope on the muzzleloader, I couldn't see them at all without magnification.
I forgot about this pic. Optic2 messaged me with the correct location of the buck. Was he simple to find or did you all just scratch your heads and move on?
Post by: duckmen1 on November 02, 2018, 02:49:33 PM
Post by: Curly on November 02, 2018, 02:55:44 PM
Easy to get discouraged hunting them. Damn things are nocturnal until the rut (last week of October). So, don't get down on yourself if you aren't notching your tag every year. :twocents: