Post by: dreadi on December 18, 2018, 01:07:17 PM
Anyone got any winning pointers?
Post by: CarbonHunter on December 18, 2018, 01:47:29 PM
Post by: cougforester on December 18, 2018, 02:40:01 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 18, 2018, 03:32:47 PM
Post by: slowhand on December 18, 2018, 03:39:00 PM
Late season archery is still on and I’ve got all the free time a person could want. I started hunting in the early season and I have a multiseason tag, not wasting any time or opportunities, I’ve hunted deer “a lot” this year and have yet to take one. I know they are out there but, I haven’t stopped wondering, “What else can do I to increase my likely hood of success?”How has it gone so far?
Anyone got any winning pointers?
are You looking for a trophy or just a Deer?
How far from the road are you hunting?
Post by: fishnfur on December 18, 2018, 05:02:19 PM
:yeah: Lotsa good info. Low growing Blackberries and big timber have been productive for me, I also look for snow if possible especially if targeting bucks. If you find a large group of does still together, it doesnt hurt to keep tabs and hunt the harder to access areas adjacent to where they are hanging out. I have killed bucks and seen them with does as late as the 31st. Not often, but I think in areas of low breeders to doe ratio they tend to stay closer to the girls a bit longer.
I agree with this advice. Blackberries are very likely the major browse in their diets. They are one of the few plants that will carry leaves through several freezes and are always a favorite of deer, even when other browse is available. Big timber close by for thermal cover makes good sense.
I've never done well finding deer in December, so I have no tips other than that you try to think like a deer. I'd suppose they'd like to be dry if possible and stay out of the wind, which cools their bodies much faster if they are wet. They'd want to bed close to a good food source so they minimize energy wasted in travel. They will spend the majority of their day bedded in order to conserve energy. (I don't know if any of that is right, but that's what I'd be doing if I was a deer). An alder/big timber or alder/10 - 15 year old reprod interface should have areas inside the alder edge that is growing trailing blackberries that show fresh browsing if the deer are using it. That might be a good spot to hang out. Alternatively, there's the old standby - glassing a reprod unit or working your way though the timbered edges surrounding the cut. Good luck!
Post by: brew on December 18, 2018, 05:39:11 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 18, 2018, 05:52:43 PM
If it gets cold, with clear and sunny, I see them in the middle of a cut or pasture in direct light.
At night when cold, they seem to like to bed under the bigger conifers, those trees make for a canopy and keep it a few degrees warmer underneath.
Also, after heavy winds, they seem to like to eat stuff that blows down-- if alders or maples lose a branch, like to eat the buds (usually a little later in the year).
Post by: dreadi on December 18, 2018, 06:01:54 PM
Yesterday I saw a doe and fawn in the morning and got busted on the stalk. The rest of the day I saw nothing until I was back in the truck at 4:30pm and a group of deer walked out into the road. The promptly turned around and walked back into the woods. Today I didn't see anything.
Usually I see them walk a hill side of reprod just munching away without a care in the world. I do know where there's public land nearby with plenty of blackberry bushes. I've seen deer there before.
Post by: brew on December 18, 2018, 06:40:25 PM
good luck
bryan
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on December 18, 2018, 07:16:37 PM
Post by: fishnfur on December 19, 2018, 12:20:14 AM
It’s my first year hunting blacktails and not saying it’s right, but i’ve been looking for the most well used trails leading through clear cuts. Then I follow them to see where they go. They’ve led me to plenty of deer and a couple of opportunities, but my inexperience has gotten the best of me.
Sounds like good progress. Learn from your mistakes, or try to figure out why you got busted.
Post by: dreadi on December 19, 2018, 10:25:47 AM
So last night we get back home and there's a rabbit in the front yard. The first thing I think is, "I'm getting my bow." The YL says, "NOOOOO! I want to see it and it might be someone's pet." Well...she's right about both of course. She was very happy to observe the rabbit from a distance. Late she comes to me and says, "Seeing a rabbit is a sign of good luck coming!"
Today is another day. I bet I kill some game today.
Post by: JakeLand on December 19, 2018, 10:29:46 AM
Post by: fishnfur on December 19, 2018, 02:01:07 PM
Today is another day. I bet I kill some game today.
That's the spirit! Staying positive keeps your brain in the game and keeps you out in less than perfect weather (where the animals are).
Post by: ljsommer on December 19, 2018, 02:28:57 PM
Today is another day. I bet I kill some game today.
That's the spirit! Staying positive keeps your brain in the game and keeps you out in less than perfect weather (where the animals are).
Yeah I particularly love the rain, having been out in the woods on a clear sunny dry day - every single leaf in the woods made movement so loud. Bring on the rain, I say.
Post by: Crunchy on December 19, 2018, 02:42:57 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 19, 2018, 03:45:17 PM
Post by: hawks33 on December 19, 2018, 04:09:39 PM
Post by: Casey on December 19, 2018, 05:19:20 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: dreadi on December 19, 2018, 07:45:49 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181220/025fd5c6aed81de95133376875f3e286.jpg)
It was odd to see no sign. No skat. No trails. No tracks. Had a good hike though. Three miles in and three miles back. It was after dark when I got back to the truck and the gate was left unlocked. I noted going in that the gate was locked. It made me wonder if the loggers were hoping I’d tag something and need to drive in. Not that I would since it’s not allowed but, it was a nice thought.
Post by: dreadi on December 19, 2018, 08:20:38 PM
Hunt when the weather is nasty. Yesterday I went for a few hours and saw 21 deer on state land all doe’s and fawns. Went today and me and my buddy saw 3 deer and he was able to kill one at 25 yards.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Most excellent!
Post by: lokidog on December 19, 2018, 09:46:00 PM
I did manage to get my hunter on a couple does this evening and he put the hammer down on one.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 20, 2018, 05:20:14 AM
Post by: dreadi on December 20, 2018, 10:41:14 AM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 20, 2018, 12:06:54 PM
Post by: dreadi on December 20, 2018, 06:59:37 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 20, 2018, 07:57:45 PM
Post by: dreadi on December 21, 2018, 09:05:59 AM
I dropped a doe today. Last hour of the day was when most of the movement happened. Saw and drew back on 2 does with no shot opportunity. The 3rd doe finally stood still enough to release an arrow on. Probably one of the quickest bow kills I have had. She didnt take 2 steps and dropped.
That’s great!
Post by: smithkl42 on December 21, 2018, 10:42:43 AM
I dropped a doe today. Last hour of the day was when most of the movement happened. Saw and drew back on 2 does with no shot opportunity. The 3rd doe finally stood still enough to release an arrow on. Probably one of the quickest bow kills I have had. She didnt take 2 steps and dropped.
I'm gonna be out twice this coming week, and I have yet to take a deer (newbie hunter). Out of curiosity, how did these shots develop? Were you still hunting, from a stand, just walking down roads with a bow in hand...?
Post by: fishnfur on December 21, 2018, 05:40:23 PM
Post by: dreadi on December 21, 2018, 05:41:53 PM
Congrats Dreadi! Glad you got it done. I'd love to hear what finally worked for you.
Pre-kill congratulations? The universe is conspiring in my favor!
Post by: fishnfur on December 21, 2018, 05:45:35 PM
Go get 'em!
Post by: TheDudeAbides on December 22, 2018, 09:12:36 PM
Post by: Tbob on December 23, 2018, 09:58:24 PM
Post by: MADMAX on December 24, 2018, 05:11:56 AM
Too bad used to be a slam dunk for a doe with a bow.
Cant get one lying on the couch, keep at it.
Post by: dreadi on December 24, 2018, 07:18:43 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 24, 2018, 07:22:37 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 24, 2018, 07:33:40 PM
My season is probably over and I am not sure what I am going to do next year. Currently considering giving this up and selling all my gear.
Post by: MADMAX on December 24, 2018, 10:33:18 PM
3 words
Out of state
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 25, 2018, 08:07:58 AM
Post by: Mallardmasher on December 25, 2018, 08:33:10 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 25, 2018, 09:19:07 AM
Lots of deer to be found on little public tracts of land, use onyx maps and look for spots others might over look. Good example is , go to trail cam forum and look at month long soak thread. He found a little tract of land, and the cam results are nice. Same as I do, but I stand hunt and feed but average about 4-5 bucks a sit. Just not the one that is on my hit list this year.
I saw that thread, I actually live within the boundaries of that GMU. I had animals on cam all year long, but the season started and they vanished (what I mean by that is that with 8 cams running in the GMU, I'd get maybe one animal over a 1 month period whereas prior to season opener I'd have dozens maybe hundreds of sightings on my cams).
It made me feel like all my scouting was a total waste of time - even worse, it gave me a false sense of confidence: "I am definitely in the right spot". That 'right spot' turned out to be a total dud.
Another issue is: When I have gone out during modern season, it's an ocean of orange all hunting the same spots. During archery season, I feel ill-equipped to succeed - I can't stand hunt because the units I have been scouting don't allow vehicle access and the hike in is quite significant. So I am on the ground, just sitting and waiting, at spots that haven't seen animal activity in weeks.
I genuinely have absolutely no clue whatsoever how anyone achieves success in western Washington for hunting.
Post by: Pacific on December 25, 2018, 10:09:18 PM
Keep plugging away at it.....poke your nose in to places you wouldn't think they could be in......they are where you find them!
Good luck!
Post by: ljsommer on December 25, 2018, 11:09:08 PM
What Boss 300 said..... You gotta get in the thick stuff where they are. I finally saw a deer ( first one this season when I was actually out stomping around 2 days ago). I forced myself to go take a look at an area i had been in 3 times already.....it was the 3rd hike of the day. I had been on all sides of an old clear cut and hadn't seen any fresh sign coming and going into it. Now this is an old cut.....jackfirs 12 or 14 feet tall, vine maples e everywhere, and BlackBerry vines that are out to dump you on your face. I was disgusted that there was still no sign as decided to cut across instead of making the loop and having to hike back around to the gate uphill. Guess where they are living g right now........right out in the middle of all that brush crap! I saw 3.....but would have had better luck with a club or a spear :tung: They are just hanging right in the thick stuff....no need for them to go anywhere, one step and they are out of sight. Gotta figure out how to get a little elevation on them...heck I even thought of packing in a ladder to gain a couple feet and see a little farther :dunno:
Keep plugging away at it.....poke your nose in to places you wouldn't think they could be in......they are where you find them!
Good luck!
So here's my question: Let's say the deer are in this god-awful nightmare bush, that you can't move into without sounding like a 3-ring circus trampling through a forest, how do you actually achieve any sort of shot-lane on that?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 26, 2018, 09:54:53 AM
What Boss 300 said..... You gotta get in the thick stuff where they are. I finally saw a deer ( first one this season when I was actually out stomping around 2 days ago). I forced myself to go take a look at an area i had been in 3 times already.....it was the 3rd hike of the day. I had been on all sides of an old clear cut and hadn't seen any fresh sign coming and going into it. Now this is an old cut.....jackfirs 12 or 14 feet tall, vine maples e everywhere, and BlackBerry vines that are out to dump you on your face. I was disgusted that there was still no sign as decided to cut across instead of making the loop and having to hike back around to the gate uphill. Guess where they are living g right now........right out in the middle of all that brush crap! I saw 3.....but would have had better luck with a club or a spear :tung: They are just hanging right in the thick stuff....no need for them to go anywhere, one step and they are out of sight. Gotta figure out how to get a little elevation on them...heck I even thought of packing in a ladder to gain a couple feet and see a little farther :dunno:
Keep plugging away at it.....poke your nose in to places you wouldn't think they could be in......they are where you find them!
Good luck!
So here's my question: Let's say the deer are in this god-awful nightmare bush, that you can't move into without sounding like a 3-ring circus trampling through a forest, how do you actually achieve any sort of shot-lane on that?
Just hope there is a shooting lane when you find them.😉
Post by: Crunchy on December 26, 2018, 10:19:31 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 26, 2018, 10:44:39 AM
It is all situation dependent. From your description, I would do one of two things. Attempt to pattern and set up a blind or stand to ambush. OR find an area more conducive to hunting.
Its no secret deer will ball up in brushy holes givne pressure in hard hunted areas. But my experience has been that they are extrememly difficult to hunt in that scenario given the limited knowledge you have of the area. If they have food, they may not move enough to successfully ambush moving from feed to bed, as they are bedding where they are eating. Weather might move them, Loss of decent browse might move them those answers take time to figure out. Scouting information of the area at this time of year is paramount to success in this scenario. If you have spent some time scouting or shed hunting this area in this time frame in years past then let that info guide you. Otherwise with limited time I wouldn't waste it. I would find deer in a more huntable location and go from there unless I was targeting a specific animal.
Post by: ljsommer on December 26, 2018, 10:51:49 AM
Post by: Duckslayer89 on December 26, 2018, 10:55:15 AM
That's a burning question I've had for a while: In a region where every plant in view is lush and green, why would an animal even have to travel for food? People keep talking about "finding the feeding spot" vs "the bed spot", and while I understand that a feed spot might not be a good bed spot, wouldn't the reverse usually be true - that often bed spots are just totally surrounded by food? When I am in the woods I am looking around constantly and I just see lush greenery everywhere.
My late season tactic is driving roads slowly with dark timber/tall reprod on one side and fresh clear cuts with 3-4 foot trees on the other side right before dark or right at first light and I’ve drawn back on deer the last 3 out of 4 times Hunting and killed a buck the last time going out. Usually wearing sweat pants staying warm it’s fun and productive
Post by: ljsommer on December 26, 2018, 11:06:33 AM
That's a burning question I've had for a while: In a region where every plant in view is lush and green, why would an animal even have to travel for food? People keep talking about "finding the feeding spot" vs "the bed spot", and while I understand that a feed spot might not be a good bed spot, wouldn't the reverse usually be true - that often bed spots are just totally surrounded by food? When I am in the woods I am looking around constantly and I just see lush greenery everywhere.
My late season tactic is driving roads slowly with dark timber/tall reprod on one side and fresh clear cuts with 3-4 foot trees on the other side right before dark or right at first light and I’ve drawn back on deer the last 3 out of 4 times Hunting and killed a buck the last time going out. Usually wearing sweat pants staying warm it’s fun and productive
You know people talk about this a lot, the whole "driving roads" thing and I've never understood it because I haven't ever found a huntable area that has unlocked gates - I am going in on foot for miles to even get to a cut. Where the hell are these driveable roads?!
I've been out at sunrise and sunset routinely for a while at my spot and it's just a ghost town, which leads me to think the deer are just staying put at the bedding spots and munching on whatever they have in the fridge at the time ;)
Post by: Duckslayer89 on December 26, 2018, 11:09:39 AM
That's a burning question I've had for a while: In a region where every plant in view is lush and green, why would an animal even have to travel for food? People keep talking about "finding the feeding spot" vs "the bed spot", and while I understand that a feed spot might not be a good bed spot, wouldn't the reverse usually be true - that often bed spots are just totally surrounded by food? When I am in the woods I am looking around constantly and I just see lush greenery everywhere.
My late season tactic is driving roads slowly with dark timber/tall reprod on one side and fresh clear cuts with 3-4 foot trees on the other side right before dark or right at first light and I’ve drawn back on deer the last 3 out of 4 times Hunting and killed a buck the last time going out. Usually wearing sweat pants staying warm it’s fun and productive
You know people talk about this a lot, the whole "driving roads" thing and I've never understood it because I haven't ever found a huntable area that has unlocked gates - I am going in on foot for miles to even get to a cut. Where the hell are these driveable roads?!
I've been out at sunrise and sunset routinely for a while at my spot and it's just a ghost town, which leads me to think the deer are just staying put at the bedding spots and munching on whatever they have in the fridge at the time ;)
Ya some areas don’t really have clear cuts I guess if they aren’t managed for timber harvest. I hunt an area that had tons of clear cuts. I would buy a mountain bike for locked gates. That’s my favorite way of hunting, cruise around jumping clear cuts on the bike. Then you can fly out right before dark.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 26, 2018, 11:20:15 AM
That's a burning question I've had for a while: In a region where every plant in view is lush and green, why would an animal even have to travel for food? People keep talking about "finding the feeding spot" vs "the bed spot", and while I understand that a feed spot might not be a good bed spot, wouldn't the reverse usually be true - that often bed spots are just totally surrounded by food? When I am in the woods I am looking around constantly and I just see lush greenery everywhere.
Its not that they can't/won't eat alot of what surrounds them, they can just be picky :chuckle:
BT are more difficult to hunt for that reason IMO. (Compared to muleys, Not much experience with WT). Deer within a few sqare miles may be operating in different ways simply based on "preffered" food sources within that area. In on area maybe the herd is using a grown up cut for feed and bedding in 25 year old timber with ferns and vineys several hundred yards away. A mile down the road the deer are using 12 year old reprod exclusivley, and moving not at all. In another maybe the repord has a large swamp with mixed viney, alders and tall timber, and they are feeding in that area and bedding in the security of reprod. The point is all of them will have a "preference" based on availability, pressure in area, and time of year. An example would be apples. Deer will be hitting browse hard in deep cover, or grass and green up from pastures in late summer early fall, but as soon as apples hit the pattern may change entirely and deer will move significantly to adjust to that preffered food. As that food becomes less preffered or pressure pushes them off of it, they switch to alternate food sources. I beleive their is always a preffered food and try to locate it.
Post by: fishnfur on December 26, 2018, 03:59:28 PM
RE: bedding and feeding areas - deer and other animals bed away from where they feed (I believe) because the food attracts a lot of other animals, some of which are predators waiting for animals to come in and feed. Deer are secretive in nature and don't want animal traffic around their bedding areas (other animal's noises and movement cause stress, as do predators close to their beds), they just want to hide and stay alive till it's time to eat again. It makes sense that they travel away from their bedding spots to feed and then leave when they are done eating.
If you find the spot where they are feeding regularly, you will likely find bedding deer within a few hundred yards of that spot (Sometimes only 20 - 50 yards), most often uphill, and typically in brushy, swordfern and vine maple forested areas.
Post by: Pacific on December 26, 2018, 04:14:39 PM
Post by: Mallardmasher on December 26, 2018, 07:12:35 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 26, 2018, 07:13:37 PM
It may be lush and green, but it is not growing, when plants hibernate or go dormate, they store their reserves in their trunks or roots, the lush green you see contains very lo protein, about half of what they need daily, so they bed and eat in a very small area, to avoid burning any more energy then they have to, when green up occurs, protein skyrockets, and deer become active. You must find their home they will no venture far from it
Ahh that's very interesting, thank you. Do you know what plant species deer are eating post-rut? What should I be looking for when I am out there?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 26, 2018, 07:20:31 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 26, 2018, 07:21:42 PM
I think they like salal around now and also like to eat from the freshly downed branches.
So would you imagine they are bedding/eating in large power line cuts? Those big exposed areas of nasty stuff under power lines?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on December 26, 2018, 07:31:08 PM
I think they like salal around now and also like to eat from the freshly downed branches.
So would you imagine they are bedding/eating in large power line cuts? Those big exposed areas of nasty stuff under power lines?
Very well could be, try it.
Post by: fishnfur on December 26, 2018, 08:48:00 PM
It may be lush and green, but it is not growing, when plants hibernate or go dormate, they store their reserves in their trunks or roots, the lush green you see contains very lo protein, about half of what they need daily, so they bed and eat in a very small area, to avoid burning any more energy then they have to, when green up occurs, protein skyrockets, and deer become active. You must find their home they will no venture far from it
Ahh that's very interesting, thank you. Do you know what plant species deer are eating post-rut? What should I be looking for when I am out there?
That depends on the browse available in your area. Blackberries make up to 50% of a BTs diet during much of the year. Trailing and Himalayan blackberries are both favorites and should still be carrying some leaves. Other winter browse includes Salal, Swordfern tips, and Evergreen Huckleberry are eaten quite a bit in some areas. The deer also focus on dormant buds on Red Huckleberry and Vine Maple and other brush, and eat Red Cedar wherever they can reach it. A freshly downed cedar tree in the winter is a deer magnate. They will eat the branches clean within a week or two.
A powerline right of way likely has a lot of activity. Hunt from the cover on the sides, which is probably where they're bedded. Following fresh sign on game trails may put you right in 'em.
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on December 27, 2018, 08:52:41 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 27, 2018, 09:16:16 AM
Post by: dreadi on December 27, 2018, 07:04:55 PM
Post by: fishnfur on December 27, 2018, 08:06:19 PM
Hunted all day yesterday, started unpacking the car and this guy walks by. :bash:
I feel for you man. I just hate it when a monster buck walks right by me in a parking garage! :chuckle:
Post by: Duckslayer89 on December 28, 2018, 09:21:24 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 28, 2018, 09:23:52 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 28, 2018, 07:18:50 PM
Hands went numb by sundown. I just got a climber and I am going to practice with it this weekend at my house and then attempt to take it back to that location on Monday.
Post by: predatorG on December 29, 2018, 09:08:05 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 29, 2018, 10:55:19 AM
This year would have been the year for a multi season. Had multiple bucks, two bruisers, that visited all of our cams meaning they travelled a lot. On cam in daylight for all of October. Nov 1 hits and right when they should be even more active and rutting they absolutely disappear. Haven’t been back since except maybe a handful of pics of nocturnal does, which we hadn’t seen all year. My only theory is that since we saw barely any does and tons of bucks on cam, the bucks went searching for does. Haven’t come back to any of our stands tho so I am at a loss for what to do. About to head out now, wish me luck!
Good luck! Report back!
I get the feeling that blacktail hunting is 25% skill, 25% experience and 50% luck.
Post by: fishnfur on December 29, 2018, 02:47:13 PM
This year would have been the year for a multi season. Had multiple bucks, two bruisers, that visited all of our cams meaning they travelled a lot. On cam in daylight for all of October. Nov 1 hits and right when they should be even more active and rutting they absolutely disappear. Haven’t been back since except maybe a handful of pics of nocturnal does, which we hadn’t seen all year. My only theory is that since we saw barely any does and tons of bucks on cam, the bucks went searching for does. Haven’t come back to any of our stands tho so I am at a loss for what to do. About to head out now, wish me luck!
That was the year in a nutshell. They say there's no such thing as lockdown, since the bucks only stay with the does for maybe 48 hours, but those first twelve days of November turned many of the deer woods into a ghost towns. You prolly gotta go find 'em now. From the looks of the weather, looks like you picked a great day to be out there. Get 'er done young man!
Post by: fishnfur on December 29, 2018, 03:06:12 PM
I get the feeling that blacktail hunting is 25% skill, 25% experience and 50% luck.
Something like that. I think mathematicians consider it an inverse proportion: Success = (skill)X(experience)/luck. Success goes up and luck is smaller as skill and experience increase. Where's Pope??? He knows this stuff! :chuckle:
Post by: ljsommer on December 29, 2018, 03:12:29 PM
I get the feeling that blacktail hunting is 25% skill, 25% experience and 50% luck.
Something like that. I think mathematicians consider it an inverse proportion: Success = (skill)X(experience)/luck. Success goes up and luck is smaller as skill and experience increase. Where's Pope??? He knows this stuff! :chuckle:
Yeah that sounds about right. Well, I had a blast the other day and that's all that really matters. It helps when you feel like you may have a chance at success.
I am going back out Monday, this time with a climber treestand. First time use, here's hoping I don't break something!
Post by: ljsommer on December 29, 2018, 04:27:43 PM
Post by: TheDudeAbides on December 29, 2018, 05:29:47 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 29, 2018, 05:34:57 PM
Oh hey, how high up should my treestand be? I am planning on placing the stand on the edge of a cut.
At least 15’ but higher is better. John Erickson, author of Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain elk advocates up to 30’......
Post by: ljsommer on December 29, 2018, 05:37:25 PM
Oh hey, how high up should my treestand be? I am planning on placing the stand on the edge of a cut.
At least 15’ but higher is better. John Erickson, author of Tree Stand Hunting Rocky Mountain elk advocates up to 30’......
I can't shoot well over 40 yards just yet so I was wondering how much of a consideration I needed to make with that regard. Is setting up in a cut a bad idea?
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 29, 2018, 05:43:35 PM
Post by: fishnfur on December 29, 2018, 07:06:44 PM
I put in about 50+ hours of hunting since early December. Mostly in GMU 454 and 460. During that time I saw 1 deer. My buddies who hunted with rifles earlier in the season had no problem spotting and finding their deer in this area. We hunted the same spots and the areas are still heavily tracked up. Do deer become more scarce in late December? Maybe more nocturnal? It's like they just disappeared....
They travel less and feed less. There's not a lot of nutritious food out there in the winter. It is a starvation diet that they're hoping will carry them through until spring. Conserving energy is their priority. Sucks to work that hard and see so little. I hate the late season - it can be really frustrating. Knowing where/when the deer travel to and from food sources is super important in achieving regular sightings of animals.
Post by: dreadi on December 29, 2018, 10:47:46 PM
While not hunting yesterday and having lunch on Whidbey Island, I met Sam Lungren of MeatEater.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 30, 2018, 06:22:07 AM
Post by: predatorG on December 30, 2018, 10:35:26 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 30, 2018, 10:37:36 AM
At least 15 to 20 for sure. That’s gonna feel like a mile when you’re up there. I was up in my stand yesterday and the wind made me feel like I was in a roller coaster. Super spooky.
Yeesh! I better practice today. They sent me my stand missing one of the foot stirrups but I think I can use it with only one. I'll find out today when I practice. The weather tomorrow will be worse for hunting but better for my first time in a stand - I think if the weather was like it was last Friday I wouldn't make it. That was some gnarly stuff.
Post by: Jonathan_S on December 30, 2018, 10:38:36 AM
Post by: ljsommer on December 30, 2018, 10:40:05 AM
For those guys who are hunting blacktail so much and not seeing them. How many of you are carrying a decent set of binoculars and using them?
Carrying: All the time. Using: Not nearly as much as I should be. Ironically, my last trip out I used them the most I ever have, but the weather was so bad they were either fogged from the bino case or covered in water droplets which made it hard to see out them.
I'll definitely be using my binos a LOT more when I am out there, especially if I am stalking through an area that looks like good bed habitat.
Post by: fishnfur on December 30, 2018, 11:45:19 AM
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,108663.msg1421416.html#msg1421416
Here's a couple more of my own:
When sitting but not glassing, my binocs are suspended above the belt/abodomen. My body heat warms the objective lens' causing them to fog. I try to remember to push them off to the side of my body where they won't warm and fog.
I had a set of inexpensive Leupolds that fogged whenever I kept my hands on them in icy weather. Leave them alone for ten minutes and they were fine again. Turns out the seal was broken on them - consider that it may be that your glass is defective.
Post by: t2shortb on December 30, 2018, 12:37:49 PM
For those guys who are hunting blacktail so much and not seeing them. How many of you are carrying a decent set of binoculars and using them?
I always carry mine too and use them a lot, I'd venture to say more than most. I have some 10x50 leupolds that are awesome for low light situations and I tend to use them quite a bit when I am picking my way through dark timber and thick stuff. I can see more with my binos than I can with my eyes in the lower light situations. During early season I was going to cut across a corner of a clear cut and stopped short to glass first and I didn't see anything. I moved in about 60 yards and came up out of a little depression and looked down into the next little depression that was about 50 yards further in front of me with naked eyes and didn't see anything, grabbed the binos up and 35 yards dead nuts ahead were two fawns clear as day bedded down... totally missed them with the naked eyes. somehow they were oblivious to me being there which I think had a lot to due with it being pretty windy that day, but I eased into 17 yards just to see how close I could get by taking a few silent steps at a time when they were not looking my way. I just let my camo do its job and I wasn't skylined. pretty awesome because had I not pulled up the binos I never would have seen them until they busted me... which happened once that great swirly wind thing happened...lol they were like, "oh hey...we gone"
They were not shooters, but I learned the importance of using the glass much more than I had been prior to that day even in situation where you don't think you need them!
Post by: dreadi on December 30, 2018, 01:25:13 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 30, 2018, 01:30:36 PM
Binos are like a AMEX.
Yes! Exactly! "You won't get to use it that often, but when you do, you'll feel like a rockstar!"
;)
Post by: dreadi on December 30, 2018, 08:34:38 PM
Unfortunately we were in the car pulling into the zoo parking lot in north Tacoma.
Post by: TheDudeAbides on December 30, 2018, 08:38:29 PM
I put in about 50+ hours of hunting since early December. Mostly in GMU 454 and 460. During that time I saw 1 deer. My buddies who hunted with rifles earlier in the season had no problem spotting and finding their deer in this area. We hunted the same spots and the areas are still heavily tracked up. Do deer become more scarce in late December? Maybe more nocturnal? It's like they just disappeared....
They travel less and feed less. There's not a lot of nutritious food out there in the winter. It is a starvation diet that they're hoping will carry them through until spring. Conserving energy is their priority. Sucks to work that hard and see so little. I hate the late season - it can be really frustrating. Knowing where/when the deer travel to and from food sources is super important in achieving regular sightings of animals.
Thanks for the advice! With that in mind I'm going to call it a year and hit it hard learning their habits before September of next year. Whether I got a shot off or not I still had a blast!
Post by: fishnfur on December 31, 2018, 12:07:24 AM
Do some scouting over the next couple months while the foliage is all gone. Try to figure out where the buck trails are. Do some shed hunting - try to determine where the bucks winter, which should be very close to their fall rutting zones. Finding no sheds tells you where they aren't spending a lot of time, so it's not a total waste of time (though the blacktail shed hunting success rate is about the same as hitting a Powerball winner IMO). Locate new and old rubs. There's a pattern to all of this (though I have no idea what it is exactly). You're brain will start to recognize areas as being likely spots to see deer. Never second guess your instincts, but always question what you're seeing and why the deer were there leaving the sign that you're finding. If you see deer, don't lock eyes with them. Don't be a predator. Act like non-hunting tourist out for a stroll. You'll be amazed how often the deer don't freak and run. Have fun and learn.
Good luck to all in 2019. Nine months and one day till the archery opener! :IBCOOL:
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on December 31, 2018, 06:00:37 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on December 31, 2018, 06:12:36 AM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 31, 2018, 04:47:33 PM
Having fun is what it's all about. I ate tag soup last year and had a ton of fun; way more than this year when I tagged out in the first couple days of October.The best luck I've had for blacktail sheds is to walk where the snow line is when they drop. Kind of keep an eye on the elevation in the next couple weeks and go there in the summer. But the deer are usually higher up in the summer.
Do some scouting over the next couple months while the foliage is all gone. Try to figure out where the buck trails are. Do some shed hunting - try to determine where the bucks winter, which should be very close to their fall rutting zones. Finding no sheds tells you where they aren't spending a lot of time, so it's not a total waste of time (though the blacktail shed hunting success rate is about the same as hitting a Powerball winner IMO). Locate new and old rubs. There's a pattern to all of this (though I have no idea what it is exactly). You're brain will start to recognize areas as being likely spots to see deer. Never second guess your instincts, but always question what you're seeing and why the deer were there leaving the sign that you're finding. If you see deer, don't lock eyes with them. Don't be a predator. Act like non-hunting tourist out for a stroll. You'll be amazed how often the deer don't freak and run. Have fun and learn.
Good luck to all in 2019. Nine months and one day till the archery opener! :IBCOOL:
Post by: ljsommer on December 31, 2018, 06:36:12 PM
It's so eerie feeling like you're the only thing with a heartbeat for 20 miles.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 31, 2018, 06:38:28 PM
Post by: ljsommer on December 31, 2018, 06:39:16 PM
I bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.
Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.
;)
Post by: dreadi on December 31, 2018, 06:51:20 PM
The last stand.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 31, 2018, 06:57:10 PM
Post by: Milkman on December 31, 2018, 07:08:00 PM
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on December 31, 2018, 07:17:17 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on December 31, 2018, 07:44:12 PM
blacktails sure are love-hateI bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.
Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.
;)
Post by: ljsommer on December 31, 2018, 08:49:13 PM
blacktails sure are love-hateI bet if you go out tomorrow just to sit in your stand, you'll see a massive buck up close.
Are you saying that to encourage or discourage me? I can't tell.
;)
I am fairly convinced they don't actually exist. I see pictures of them online, but I mean, I also see pictures of bigfoot online, so I am taking that with a grain of salt.
Post by: dreadi on December 31, 2018, 09:13:10 PM
That photo shot looks familiar! Tag soup for me as well. Can't complain as i did pass on three legal deer, but it was a poor year in general.
Yeah that’s a piece of public land close by.
Nice snap buddy.Thanks, RJ. My lady decided she wanted to come along and I thought she was just bringing up the rear to keep out of my shooting lanes.
Post by: smithkl42 on January 01, 2019, 12:15:29 PM
This is my first year trying to hunt from a tree stand. I've been hunting a hillside on public land, but which is hard to approach without going through private land, and I was lucky enough to get permission. Off-season, my trail camera was showing something shootable nearly every day (bear, cougar, nice bucks), but they all disappeared September 1. I usually got to my stand before dark, stayed there until late morning, and then still-hunted the rest of the day.
One interesting thing. I dropped some apples near my stand on 12/1, and the trail camera caught a nice buck eating them on 12/2 and 12/3, and then coming back on 12/4, 12/5 and 12/6 just to make sure there weren't anymore. I'm thinking I may try some baiting next year. I know there's some debate whether that's fair-chase, but it's legal, and I've spent my share of time in the woods chasing them fairly, so I'm thinking of trying it. Maybe start dropping apples or alfalfa weekly in a plausible spot starting in August, and then setup in a tree stand there on 9/1.
I'm also going to take some advice other folks have mentioned, and spend some time in the off-season cutting trails through likely spots: through 6-12 year old clearcuts, around their edges, along existing but overgrown trails. The idea is partly to funnel the deer, and partly to make it easier for me to move quietly.
What do folks think about the idea of planting apple trees in some open spot on public land? Obviously won't help anytime in the next few years, but I'm hoping to still be doing this 10 years from now...
Post by: fishnfur on January 02, 2019, 02:32:50 PM
If you spend time cutting trails in reprod, wait until after July or so, when the firs have slowed way down or stopped growing. You won't have to go back and re-work your trail as much. Also, I'd recommend hiding the start of the trail. Maybe start a couple of rows of trees in from the road or access you're coming in on. That should minimize others finding and using your trail and hunting spot.
RE: planting apple trees. They need full sun to fruit. You'll need a spot that 5+ years from now will still have full sun (edges of fields or some non-timber area). Deer and elk will eat the leaves off it if you don't protect the tree until it grows above the browse zone. If it's near water, Beavers will eat 'em up too. Finding (and getting permission to hunt) an old abandon homestead with ancient apple trees is a classic way to go.