Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: StuckoYota99 on July 23, 2020, 09:27:23 AM

Title: Archery blacktail.
Post by: StuckoYota99 on July 23, 2020, 09:27:23 AM: Hello, looking to get some advice on archery hunting blacktail. Location would be high alpine with small pockets of Meadows. I have a meadow that's about 100 ydsx100yds with decent size a water seap. I have deer and bear consistently coming to the water on cameras. Would it be worth packing a ground blind and sitting on the water hole for a weekend? The water hole is on the edge of the timber so I have concealment. With limited weekends would you dedicate time to a very isolated spot or would you focus on areas with long sight lines that you can spot animals and try to stalk? Also I hunt solo.

Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Bowhunter3 on July 23, 2020, 10:14:19 AM: I would start by getting out there for the August 1st opener for a bear and see what the deer are doing too.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Turner89 on July 23, 2020, 10:52:14 PM: Quote from: Bowhunter3 on July 23, 2020, 10:14:19 AM
I would start by getting out there for the August 1st opener for a bear and see what the deer are doing too.
:yeah:
I don't know how far of a hike it is for you, but I dont think I would pack a blind in there.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: fishnfur on July 29, 2020, 11:22:17 PM: That question is what makes it all so fun, challenging, and frustrating. "Should I commit to this idea, or perhaps there is a better opportunity elsewhere." When you guess right, you've got bragging rights for the entire year. When you're wrong, cover your tracks and tell no one! I say - follow your instincts.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: kentrek on July 29, 2020, 11:32:47 PM: Spot and stalk is a blast..but your ratio of success with blacktail is pretty dang low..but you will learn so much

Blind might be boring in the slow times but you will have a much higher likelihood of success...a treestand would be better yet

Everything is a compromise
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Special T on July 29, 2020, 11:35:50 PM: Im sorry to be the contrarian. I have pics of nice blacktail bucks 2-300 yards from peoples homes. Ive killed more deer near peoples homes that i have seen out in the woods.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: StuckoYota99 on July 30, 2020, 08:53:22 AM: Thanks for the replies everyone, I won't dispute that special t. The deer are where they are. I'll most likely head east for the first weekend but I like to have my options open. Setting cameras and seeing critters is a blast. I ended up building a ground blind out of fallen limbs. Will let it sit for a month so the deer get used to it. I don't think I would be able to get a tree stand into the area unless I did it in 2 or 3 trips.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: samdubs1 on July 30, 2020, 10:10:44 AM: Have you looked into saddle hunting or lightweight hang on stands?
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: fishnfur on July 30, 2020, 09:22:18 PM: Quote from: Special T on July 29, 2020, 11:35:50 PM
Im sorry to be the contrarian. I have pics of nice blacktail bucks 2-300 yards from peoples homes. Ive killed more deer near peoples homes that i have seen out in the woods.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

Hunting is not always about the kill. The challenge that Stuko is pursuing is worthwhile and fits his idea of what hunting deer is all about. Otherwise, I'm with you Special T - Fish where the fish are, hunt deer where the deer congregate. It's all challenging enough for me - I don't need to make it harder.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: RobinHoodlum on July 30, 2020, 09:54:19 PM: Sitting on a blind without a tremendous level of patterning certainty just doesn't cut it for me. I believe it can be a successful strategy, but I'd rather go see what they're feeding on, whether they're chasing yet, where their bedding vs. feeding areas are, look for rub lines, etc.... Then use that information to be in the right place at the right time. That day, next hunt, next season. Doesn't always work out, but so sweet when it does!
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM: Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: StuckoYota99 on July 31, 2020, 01:43:49 PM: I've had trail cameras in the area for 3 years and see deer every day unfortunately I only see bucks at night. So perhaps I should move off of the water to a trail where they are transitioning from bed to water to food. I also understand I cannot eat the horns. Mainly why I are my tag last year by passing on a doe opening morning.

Appreciate the feedback.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: b0bbyg on July 31, 2020, 02:11:11 PM: Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2

Yep! just finished reading it again a week or so back. Hoping this year to spend more time chasing blacktails.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Special T on July 31, 2020, 02:34:13 PM: Quote from: b0bbyg on July 31, 2020, 02:11:11 PM
Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2

Yep! just finished reading it again a week or so back. Hoping this year to spend more time chasing blacktails.

after reading that book my favorite time to do some scouting is just after the late season. I hunt the 407 a lot.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: b0bbyg on July 31, 2020, 02:39:07 PM: agreed :tup: Last year hunting a late Elk tag and decided that area was a great Blacktail area for late seasons. Hoping to spend more time in that area refining what I already have learned.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: JasonG on July 31, 2020, 04:33:03 PM: Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Best Blacktail book to date until Tom Ryle writes one.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: pd on July 31, 2020, 10:55:00 PM: Quote from: JasonG on July 31, 2020, 04:33:03 PM
Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Best Blacktail book to date until Tom Ryle writes one.

Well, Holy Smokes! So I am not the only guy who has suggested this before?!?
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: JasonG on August 03, 2020, 05:53:53 PM: Quote from: pd on July 31, 2020, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: JasonG on July 31, 2020, 04:33:03 PM
Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Best Blacktail book to date until Tom Ryle writes one.

Well, Holy Smokes! So I am not the only guy who has suggested this before?!?
Ha! I keep telling him to get started on it!
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: fishnfur on August 03, 2020, 09:04:13 PM: Quote from: pd on July 31, 2020, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: JasonG on July 31, 2020, 04:33:03 PM
Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Best Blacktail book to date until Tom Ryle writes one.

Well, Holy Smokes! So I am not the only guy who has suggested this before?!?

Look who's trolling this site again! :hello: PD? Is that really you????
Archery BT book? Cameron Hanes' book is by far the best. Here's a vid. (This guy's testosterone levels must be in the 90th percentile.)

Here's a link to the book on Amazon - It appears to be out of print. I'd keep Googling it to find a better price. Ten bucks is about right.

https://www.amazon.com/Bowhunting-Trophy-Blacktail-Cameron-Hanes/dp/0967321808/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=cameron+hanes&qid=1596514289&s=books&sr=1-7
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: throwingsticks on August 06, 2020, 08:49:58 AM: Quote from: fishnfur on August 03, 2020, 09:04:13 PM
Quote from: pd on July 31, 2020, 10:55:00 PM
Quote from: JasonG on July 31, 2020, 04:33:03 PM
Quote from: Special T on July 31, 2020, 07:18:30 AM
Read Byod Iversons Blacktail Trophy Tactics 2
Best Blacktail book to date until Tom Ryle writes one.

Well, Holy Smokes! So I am not the only guy who has suggested this before?!?

Look who's trolling this site again! :hello: PD? Is that really you????
Archery BT book? Cameron Hanes' book is by far the best. Here's a vid. (This guy's testosterone levels must be in the 90th percentile.)

Here's a link to the book on Amazon - It appears to be out of print. I'd keep Googling it to find a better price. Ten bucks is about right.

https://www.amazon.com/Bowhunting-Trophy-Blacktail-Cameron-Hanes/dp/0967321808/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=cameron+hanes&qid=1596514289&s=books&sr=1-7
Cam sales his book on his website, not Amazon. see
https://www.cameronhanes.com/product-category/cameron-hanes-books-videos/
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: StuckoYota99 on August 07, 2020, 11:36:31 AM: Owner if I can find those in audiobook form that way I can put to them while sitting in a blind or tree stand. I'll be sure to get a flat brim and snort mountain ops beforehand too. Picking up my bow today with new strings. Speaking to the challenge part of it I live on 5 acres of the woods in the north part of 407. I set up a tree stand on a game trail and put a mineral lick nearby. Will be sitting on that every morning before work.
Fingers crossed
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: skagitsteel on August 10, 2020, 08:52:46 AM: Quote from: StuckoYota99 on August 07, 2020, 11:36:31 AM
Owner if I can find those in audiobook form that way I can put to them while sitting in a blind or tree stand. I'll be sure to get a flat brim and snort mountain ops beforehand too. Picking up my bow today with new strings. Speaking to the challenge part of it I live on 5 acres of the woods in the north part of 407. I set up a tree stand on a game trail and put a mineral lick nearby. Will be sitting on that every morning before work.
Fingers crossed

If you want to kill a blacktail with your bow that is probably the best approach. You need to be able to hit an area regularly and consitently to be succesful. For most people that will be someplace pretty close to home. In my experience that higher the elevation the less consistent a bucks habits will be and much lower overall deer density. A lot of lowland blacktails will frequent some of the same trails and grades semi-regularly. A lot of the higher elevation bucks I have gotten on cam only pass a game camera once or twice in an entire season. It makes sitting and waiting a really low odds option. The bucks you see at night will be moving more during the day during late archery (assuming your hunting 407)
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: fishnfur on August 11, 2020, 05:28:46 PM: Not much argument from me on that. skagitsteel is a master of big Blactail, (though I find that I have the same experience with some nice lowland bucks showing just once or twice in a season despite an array of cams strategically placed). I'm sure many of us have seen some massive bucks show up on cam that have not been captured for two or more years, yet there they are again. In my mind, it is a dominant buck trait - Stay hidden and stay alive. It works well for the genetically blessed....
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: StuckoYota99 on August 22, 2020, 11:37:49 PM: Well I swapped SD cards from one camera that's been soaking for 8 weeks. It filled up about a week ago. So 8-15 is the last video I have of a group of deer. 1 wide 3x3 and another irregular 3x2 ish one side is wide and the other is disformed accompanied by a doe. Traffic is sporadic on the trail with no consistent pattern. Hoping they will be there labor day.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: fishnfur on August 23, 2020, 03:28:58 PM: "....Traffic is sporadic on the trail with no consistent pattern. Hoping they will be there labor day."

Typical BT behavior. Hope is always good 'cause you can't really pattern them. It's a crap shoot at best when you're hunting archery, but if they're still in velvet, the odds are decent that you'll find them out in daylight in the AM. I've never seen a buck in Sept. after about 10:00 AM, which makes me think you have to go in and hunt them in their beds in the afternoons. Not my strong suit at all.

Good luck - shoot straight!
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: dilleytech on August 25, 2020, 07:45:17 AM: They say blacktail can live there whole life in a square mile. I think the reason we get bucks on cam once then don’t see them again for years is because your cam isn’t in there bedroom. Your just catching a glimpse of them venturing out one night. If your cam was in there bedrooms you would probably get daily pics. Imo. Even big bucks feed during the day they just are doing it where it’s safe.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: Onewhohikes on August 25, 2020, 07:51:58 AM: Placing cams in their bedroom is an invasion of privacy.
Title: Re: Archery blacktail.
Post by: jjhunter on August 25, 2020, 08:40:39 AM: I’ve got a big blacktail buck who I see on my 8 acres nearly every day without looking too hard. He doesn’t seem to move much. I was mowing the lawn on Saturday morning and saw him shining up his head gear on a young cedar tree. He was completely slicked off.