Post by: fishnfur on October 14, 2020, 11:09:07 AM
In the past, this annual thread has provided valuable information to Blacktail hunters across Western WA on what deer activity forum members are seeing while out in the woods or caught on trail camera. Understanding that the rutting activity often progresses at different rates in the state, possibly in association with elevation and/or climatic differences between marine and inland environments, this thread often allows members to find out what activity other hunters in their respective areas are seeing as the season progresses. The thread also provides an great opportunity for questions and discussions of hunting techniques or other related topics as they come up along the way. Ultimately though, the rut generally progresses at the same rate in each region with only minor differences. It is the rare case when deer rutting activity does not follow the normal timing of steps in their annual ritual.
To kick things off, I of course have nothing important to report at this time. The apple trees in my back yard attract a few deer intermittently all summer long. The trees become deer magnets once October comes around. I typically have at least two trail cameras working the yard since deer tend to come in from all directions and don't always enter the field of view of the other cam. In a typical year, I expect to see the nightly doe/fawn/yearling parade really kick into gear in the first few days of the month. As the month progresses, the frequency of the doe feeding visits to the apple trees increases to the point that by mid-month, they often come and go several times a night and occasionally, there are six or more deer from different family units in my yard at the same time.
Typically, the bucks stop feeding under the trees in late August and disappear until sometime around the 13th - 15th of October, when they begin following the doe as they come in to feed. Occasionally they come alone, apparently to scent check the area after the doe have left, presumably searching for the first doe in heat. This scent checking behavior increases into late October. As the month progresses, more bucks seem to rotate through the yard, some of them being bucks that have never been caught on cam previously. By late in the month, the bucks are more aggressive in their approach and often chase the doe around the yard in the dark.
Anyways, I put out a second cam on the five days ago with the expectation that bucks would return to the yard in the next few days. True to form, the first buck, a decent forkie followed in several doe around midnight in the early morning of the 13th. He was not aggressive towards any of the doe. He simply stood there for less than a minute, then disappeared. All in all, it seems to be an absolutely normal year so far. I expect that for the opener, the deer will be more interested in putting on fat for the winter than mating. That will change soon enough.
Good luck to all. Hopefully we'll see a lot of bucks hit the dirt this weekend.
Post by: jjhunter on October 14, 2020, 11:18:41 AM
On Sunday night, the smaller of the two reappeared just before dark.
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on October 14, 2020, 11:30:13 AM
I've had a few new bucks start showing up in the last 8 days. I am going out to check cams today and I'd be shocked if I don't see a few more. I did have a nice bear start making her (I believe it's a sow) presence known in the last week - hopefully the bucks don't get shy in that location.
Post by: Fatherof5 on October 14, 2020, 11:47:21 AM
Post by: slowhand on October 14, 2020, 12:53:59 PM
Love this thread :tup:
one of the years best every year
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 14, 2020, 08:37:45 PM
Post by: actionshooter on October 14, 2020, 08:48:25 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 14, 2020, 09:29:37 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 14, 2020, 11:18:35 PM
Post by: CP on October 15, 2020, 06:16:09 AM
Post by: Twispriver on October 15, 2020, 10:42:25 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 15, 2020, 12:14:24 PM
Post by: WSU on October 15, 2020, 12:35:04 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 15, 2020, 12:51:43 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 15, 2020, 02:31:11 PM
Late buck, Nov 19-22, should be a solid time to still catch BT's rutting. Or to catch a doe who didn't get bred. Never hunted that season, but this year will find out.
I put in for the late buck days off just in case I can't make it happen sooner. I've got an amazing wife so I'm hoping I'll have the time to give it a proper go.
Post by: fishnfur on October 15, 2020, 03:11:57 PM
The last day of regular deer season this year will be interesting, I've never seen it run until Nov 1. Wish the 1st was during the middle of the week though.
I was thinking the exact same thing. The first of November might be incredible hunting, especially if there's a storm brewing. I can imagine the bucks just committing suicide in front of hunters everywhere.
Post by: fishnfur on October 15, 2020, 03:15:32 PM
This thread drives me nuts every year. People post pics and stories of rutting blacktails while I spend days in the woods with no sign of any activity (only to drive home and damn near run over the town bucks rutting all over).
Hmm, sounds like you've found a better place to hunt. :chuckle:
I've lived that nightmare over and over myself. I came to the conclusion that the larger the deer population is in an area, the more likely they are to be noticed in rutting behavior. Gotta find a better spot!
Post by: WSU on October 15, 2020, 03:27:51 PM
Post by: Whitenuckles on October 15, 2020, 04:02:35 PM
You can have a great spot with tons of deer. But then a lion or 2 comes into the area and the deer are gone! Happens to me all the time here in 460. There are way way way to many lions in my neck of the woods.This thread drives me nuts every year. People post pics and stories of rutting blacktails while I spend days in the woods with no sign of any activity (only to drive home and damn near run over the town bucks rutting all over).
Hmm, sounds like you've found a better place to hunt. :chuckle:
I've lived that nightmare over and over myself. I came to the conclusion that the larger the deer population is in an area, the more likely they are to be noticed in rutting behavior. Gotta find a better spot!
Post by: 85yota on October 16, 2020, 02:05:29 PM
Post by: 85yota on October 16, 2020, 02:11:50 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 16, 2020, 02:42:21 PM
Today I have three bucks that just mysteriously showed up from out of nowhere. A 3x3 with a medium sized body, a 2x2 with a big body and forks, and a 2x2 with one small fork and big body. All three swollen up. The two forkies are sitting on does separate from other deer. The 3x3 is following a doe close, but she's still trying to eat and with a couple other does in an orchard. Does were chasing off this years fawns a couple days ago. Yesterday, no bucks and all the does were grouped together. I was cutting brush and the does were there for scraps in their normal herd. Today is lots of wind and some scattered/light rain.
Post by: fishnfur on October 16, 2020, 04:06:51 PM
Eight or nine years ago when there were a lot of members posting pics, we often saw photos of nice mature bucks suddenly out in broad daylight, crossing some human zone such as a ball field or construction site, right in the middle of October. That really bizarre behavior for an animal that is known to rarely show itself in the light of day suggests that there must be a damn good reason for them taking a chance and exposing themselves so early in the season. I can think of only one reason....
Love to know if you see a buck mounting a doe prior to the last week of October. Presumably, climate change and the resulting warmer weather in the Spring might alter the doe's change biological clocks over time so that conception is earlier, resulting in fawns being dropped earlier than the first week of June. The extra few weeks of growing time allowed by a warm Spring (vs. a cold wet one) would greatly increase fawn survival during the next winter. (Darwin's Natural Selection Theory at work) I'm not saying that is what is happening, but that is the second report this fall (Mallard Masher earlier) talking about early rutting behavior.
Back to real life - my cams have gone quiet again. Just a few doe and fawns, nothing else moving.
Post by: CP on October 16, 2020, 04:24:05 PM
Post by: Whitenuckles on October 16, 2020, 04:25:21 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 16, 2020, 07:05:02 PM
RE: Moon phase - It makes sense to me that during a new moon, the deer would be out in feeding zones earlier in the PM and stay longer in the AM. I'm not sure if the stats prove this to be true or not. I do know that QDMA articles on tracking deer movement showed that the first and last quarter moon were the times when the bucks moved the most. I have no idea why. That's WTs, but I assume they are all doing the same thing.
I'm just hoping to see something move tomorrow. All my best spots are closed out and unhuntable. The only new reprod units have trees just 2 - 3 years old. I'm going to sit and glass a decent spot that would be great except it is too close to a main road. Road hunter traffic may drive me out of there. No worries - I'm just playing around till late Oct. The opener is just a personal tradition. I like to hear how many shots are being taken early on and wonder why I suck so bad. :chuckle:
Good luck all!
Post by: Bigshooter on October 16, 2020, 07:45:25 PM
Post by: 85yota on October 16, 2020, 09:09:48 PM
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on October 16, 2020, 10:30:18 PM
Post by: Trigger05-11 on October 16, 2020, 11:10:29 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 17, 2020, 08:40:55 AM
Post by: Trigger05-11 on October 17, 2020, 12:45:18 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on October 17, 2020, 05:15:51 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 17, 2020, 05:23:02 PM
We have this guy about 400 yards behind our house near Ridgefield. He is still only nocturnal. Tonight about 9:30 we had a huge 3pt standing by our mailbox. Not rutting, but it’s starting to go that direction.
Hell of a buck!
Geeze, was it ever dark out this morning. I was tripping over logs and falling into salal holes that were invisible an hour before first light.
Post by: fishnfur on October 17, 2020, 09:07:06 PM
Post by: jamesfromseattle on October 17, 2020, 09:59:15 PM
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on October 17, 2020, 10:30:19 PM
Where I was hunting today, almost all the shots occurred from 10:45 AM - 12:30 PM. Slooow in the early morning. Perhaps that is the effect of the new moon. :dunno:
Same here. Toutle/1900ln
Post by: cohocrazy on October 18, 2020, 05:04:44 AM
Post by: Axle on October 18, 2020, 06:36:47 AM
Post by: dilleytech on October 18, 2020, 09:08:26 AM
I saw a lot of fresh rubs opening day.
Deer rub all fall starting with removing of velvet, no?
Most shots being middle of the day is mostly guys still hunting the timber jumping bucks I would assume.
Post by: CP on October 18, 2020, 02:48:43 PM
Post by: Fatherof5 on October 18, 2020, 04:57:39 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 19, 2020, 08:56:08 AM
Post by: WSU on October 19, 2020, 09:53:22 AM
Post by: cavemann on October 19, 2020, 09:59:05 AM
This thread drives me nuts every year. People post pics and stories of rutting blacktails while I spend days in the woods with no sign of any activity (only to drive home and damn near run over the town bucks rutting all over).
Went out this weekend because its opening weekend.. LOL.. I typically hunt the last week harder and I won't be out until next weekend and all next week. Surprised at the deer movement this early this year and mid day. No bucks though..
But to your point, pulled down my road last night and huge 3 point standing on side of my road with a doe. Never fails!! And I live in a neighborhood lightly wooded.
Post by: highside74 on October 19, 2020, 10:16:37 AM
Post by: fishnfur on October 20, 2020, 07:35:35 PM
I saw a 3 point today at 930 here in town. He must have been interested in a doe because he just stood there when I pulled over to take his pic with my cell.
Pictures or it didn't happen! :dunno: :chuckle:
Checked my cams under the apple trees. I've never seen it so slow at this stage of the season. Zero bucks since the 13th. I'm wondering how many bucks got poached or hit by vehicles in town since last fall. Hopefully, it doesn't indicate that the season for mature deer is off to a slower start than usual.
Just for fun, and because it is so slow here, I uploaded a vid to Youtube from last October - a young buck that is clearly frustrated. I didn't combine all the videos leading up to this moment, but clearly he is very unhappy. I love how the buck's really lays into the vocalization, which subsequently made the doe run off. Sadly, no microphone on this cam. I wonder what kind of noise he made. I keep imagining something like the T-rex in the movie Jurassic Park. :chuckle: (watching the full size version on Youtube gives a much better feeling for the exertion in his effort).
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 20, 2020, 07:44:41 PM
Post by: 85yota on October 20, 2020, 08:03:39 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 20, 2020, 08:06:02 PM
Post by: 85yota on October 20, 2020, 08:14:01 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 21, 2020, 08:19:35 PM
Have yet to see a fresh rub since about the week before season started (the rub was in a neighborhood thats basically unhuntable and im probably just missing them in my area).. Question about does with fawns.. Between Saturday and Sunday me and my partner saw about 10 does between hunting and driving and 1 small spike.. 7 had fawns with most being twins and looked extremely young, mainly in cuts I would presume do to the rain.. My question is what happens when they go into estrus with fawns? They seemed way to young to leave them.. So do they get bred with fawns.. If we find a doe in late Oct. That still has 2 fawns is she worth waiting on? In my local area the fawns have all been killed but my other spot all the does have fawns in toe.. What say you fish n fur?
The doe chase the kids away when it is time to breed. They don't quite know what to do without mom, so they just hang out in their normal spots, but they are crazy on edge and freak with any movement. If you see that, mom is probably close by waiting for Mr. Right. If you see a doe without fawns in late Oct, if she is in heat, her tail will stick straight out so that her scent can be exposed to the winds which will attract the bucks pretty quickly. You my just see them standing still in a spot by themselves, waiting. Check the tail and look for fawns. Decide what to do based on that information. If she is hot and just waiting for a buck (as far as you can tell), the buck may actually be already there and you have failed to see it. If not, then keep your eyes downwind to where her scent is carried. That is where you'd expect a buck to come from, though not always. Sit tight and keep your eyes on her. Her ears will move around towards the sound of an incoming buck as he gets closer. Find an opening in the expected lane of travel and kick off your safety. :twocents:
eidt: if you're OK killing a young buck, then watching a doe with kids close by may provide a shot opportunity around this time of the season for a young horny buck chasing around mom while the kids are there. Doe will not breed with their kids there. I think, in general, it is a waste of time to watch a doe with fawns still with her. Checking back on her every day or two (of possible) might put you in a great spot once she's getting hot.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 21, 2020, 08:21:30 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 21, 2020, 08:23:48 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 21, 2020, 08:25:43 PM
Have yet to see a fresh rub since about the week before season started (the rub was in a neighborhood thats basically unhuntable and im probably just missing them in my area).. Question about does with fawns.. Between Saturday and Sunday me and my partner saw about 10 does between hunting and driving and 1 small spike.. 7 had fawns with most being twins and looked extremely young, mainly in cuts I would presume do to the rain.. My question is what happens when they go into estrus with fawns? They seemed way to young to leave them.. So do they get bred with fawns.. If we find a doe in late Oct. That still has 2 fawns is she worth waiting on? In my local area the fawns have all been killed but my other spot all the does have fawns in toe.. What say you fish n fur?
It's still early for rubs down here. Typically, I have not seen fresh rubs in SW WA before the last week of the month. I know it is different in other areas, but not a heck of a lot different. Wapititalk1's pic does look fresh and there's 10 days left in the month. I guess you have to get to know what is normal in your area. The rubbing will ramp up over the next couple weeks until most of the doe get hot in early Nov.
Post by: fishnfur on October 21, 2020, 08:33:28 PM
How do you post videos
If you want to try yourself, you need a Google or Youtube account (user name/p-word). When logged into youtube, click on the camera in the upper R. corner of the page. Select upload a video. A window opens that you can drag and drop your video file into and it will upload while you fill in information such as title, tags, private or public access, suitable for kids, and some others. Pretty straight forward. The suitable for kids tab requires a response. Some of the stuff you can just ignore. After a few minutes, it will show that your video is ready to publish and give you the address where the video will be posted. All you need to do is click on the "Publish" option and you're done. Copy and paste the address into a new browser page to make sure it works. If all is good, just post it here in the text box. No need to attach the file below.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 21, 2020, 08:47:48 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 21, 2020, 09:32:24 PM
Here's one of two videos from Jakeland. I'm still working on the second.
Post by: fishnfur on October 21, 2020, 09:46:31 PM
Post by: Turner89 on October 21, 2020, 10:00:27 PM
Post by: The Gobble-stopper on October 21, 2020, 10:07:29 PM
Post by: ridgefire on October 21, 2020, 10:10:30 PM
Post by: grousetracker on October 22, 2020, 05:44:41 AM
Post by: Fatherof5 on October 22, 2020, 09:49:54 AM
Post by: brokentrail on October 22, 2020, 10:49:49 AM
My son shot this island black tail yesterday. He responded to some light rattling, and he was STINKY!
Tell your son fantastic shot and congrats!
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 22, 2020, 10:58:14 AM
Got a bear tag? That bear looks huge!
Ya, he's a chunky monkey all right. I do have a bear tag (I get the package deal every year). Thing is, I haven't shot a bear in oh.... 35+ years (not since I lived back in the Big Sky State). Dunno, I'm just not a fan of bear meat I guess but it's been years since I've tried it so heck, maybe ;). Spose I could pack a bigger stick in to that BT spot than my little .243 deer slayer in case I really had the urge to shoot the bar'.
Post by: WSU on October 22, 2020, 11:03:40 AM
Post by: cavemann on October 22, 2020, 01:01:26 PM
Post by: npaull on October 22, 2020, 02:29:22 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 22, 2020, 02:47:45 PM
Saw a forky chasing a doe aggressively in broad daylight in south Puget sound region today.
GPS coordinates or it didn't happen😈
Post by: BLDtraLR on October 22, 2020, 06:36:41 PM
Post by: kukusya on October 22, 2020, 07:16:15 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 22, 2020, 07:57:50 PM
Lots of good reports for this early in the season and a lot of good blackies hitting the dirt. Tomorrow is a hunt day in the rain. Looks like sun for the next week after that.
Post by: browney5er on October 22, 2020, 08:13:32 PM
Post by: Molon5labe on October 23, 2020, 06:52:25 AM
I was up near Goldendale for the opener, got a nice 4x4. In two days I saw over 40 legal bucks.And probably another 50 spikes and 2points. Lots of rubs, and every buck from spikes to the big boys were doing some serious fighting. The one I got had a severe swollen neck, but the glands on his legs were not even smelly?? Waiting for pictures, my cam failed and my phone does not take pics. So a resident there is suppose to send me pics.
They got blacktail in Goldendale?
Post by: 7mmfan on October 23, 2020, 08:43:40 AM
I was up near Goldendale for the opener, got a nice 4x4. In two days I saw over 40 legal bucks.And probably another 50 spikes and 2points. Lots of rubs, and every buck from spikes to the big boys were doing some serious fighting. The one I got had a severe swollen neck, but the glands on his legs were not even smelly?? Waiting for pictures, my cam failed and my phone does not take pics. So a resident there is suppose to send me pics.
They got blacktail in Goldendale?
They're classified as blacktail, and carry strong blacktail genetics. Lots of mule deer influence though.
Post by: cavemann on October 23, 2020, 08:49:15 AM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 23, 2020, 05:09:52 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 23, 2020, 05:56:01 PM
I was up near Goldendale for the opener, got a nice 4x4. In two days I saw over 40 legal bucks.And probably another 50 spikes and 2points. Lots of rubs, and every buck from spikes to the big boys were doing some serious fighting. The one I got had a severe swollen neck, but the glands on his legs were not even smelly?? Waiting for pictures, my cam failed and my phone does not take pics. So a resident there is suppose to send me pics.
They got blacktail in Goldendale?
Good ones - but 3 point or better to harvest. They might have a bit of Mule Deer in them, but a good buck down there can be spectacular.
Post by: fishnfur on October 23, 2020, 06:39:19 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 23, 2020, 06:59:40 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 23, 2020, 07:40:53 PM
Getting out tomorrow? You should...... After this chunk of weather, small storm w/wind, rain (at least in my area) scheduled to end before dawn, the BT should be shaking and a’ moving come morning’s first light. Good luck you wild bohemians ;)
I'll be out for sure. May listen to a little Queen on the way.
Post by: 2MANY on October 23, 2020, 09:01:46 PM
Oh my.
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 23, 2020, 09:26:44 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on October 23, 2020, 09:49:52 PM
Queen??????
Oh my.
In reference to Wapititalks wild bohemian reference. More likely it will be a mix of Merle, Colter Wall, Tyler Childers, and probably something my wife snuck in.
Post by: pd on October 23, 2020, 09:58:22 PM
Didn't rain for anything today - heavy mist doesn't count. Actually saw a good buck while still hunting my way down a hill today. Sadly, he'd seen me moments before I glassed him, just as he was up out of his bed moving behind brush, He gave me a great shot on his big ol' butt as he crept out of sight over a ridge without a sound. Sneaky suckers! Never would have known he was there if I hadn't already been glassing where he was coming from. I count it as a positive. Picked some mushrooms for my mother-in-law too! Things are looking up!
I like my MIL!
You’ve an extra day this year. Get ‘her done!
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on October 24, 2020, 11:51:24 AM
Post by: highside74 on October 24, 2020, 12:11:54 PM
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on October 24, 2020, 06:48:25 PM
Post by: cem3434 on October 24, 2020, 09:02:54 PM
Vail was slow today. We saw 1 doe. Lots of trucks saw nothing. Gate check had seen 8 dead bucks atb11:30 nothing bigger than small 2x
We seen a herd of over 20 elk and tons of deer in there today. We didnt road hunt, but wanted to because my kids were driving us crazy in the woods. For bucks, I seen 2 spikes, a forkie and a nice 3x3 with eye guards that won today's battle. I'm going back after him tomorrow. My wife also seen a spike and a small 2 point as we both took a kid and went separate directions. Our son and her seen a pretty nice bull too that was all by himself in a deep dark hole. If we just wanted to fill tags, we both would have been done by 8 AM this morning. :dunno:
Post by: Igottanewknee on October 24, 2020, 09:37:30 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 25, 2020, 10:34:59 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 26, 2020, 06:34:14 AM
Post by: fishnfur on October 26, 2020, 08:29:41 PM
The rut is definitely starting here on the coast of Washington. Was out at Ocean Shores Yesterday and saw two big fork horns tending a couple does and running off the other 6 bucks that were right there. Curiously there was another doe there that all the bucks were ignoring. Leading me to believe the rut is just getting going. Saw quite a few other does in the area that weren't getting any attention from the bucks. The biggest of the bucks was guarding a hot doe and may have already bred her as when we showed up he was breathing very hard and had slobber hanging from his chin. The doe he was tending had bedded between a house and a Rhodadenderon bush. He pushed his way in and was standing over her making sure nobody else got near. If I can get the photos off my phone I'll post one or two.
Post by: fishnfur on October 26, 2020, 08:32:25 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 26, 2020, 08:47:12 PM
Post by: BLH69 on October 26, 2020, 08:48:14 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 27, 2020, 01:56:35 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 27, 2020, 02:01:22 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 27, 2020, 02:03:05 PM
Taking this Thursday and Friday off...hunting close to home. No legal buck is safe if a shot is there!
Sound wisdom; beat the weekend rush ;). I may do the same.
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on October 27, 2020, 02:15:17 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 27, 2020, 02:20:15 PM
Post by: Viking360 on October 27, 2020, 02:31:41 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 27, 2020, 07:18:51 PM
Post by: BLH69 on October 27, 2020, 07:36:54 PM
Post by: hunthard on October 27, 2020, 08:15:11 PM
Post by: highside74 on October 27, 2020, 09:05:52 PM
Post by: WSU on October 27, 2020, 09:37:34 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 27, 2020, 10:59:32 PM
What kind of sound do bucks make when they are fighting in the woods? Is it distinct?
Post by: spin05 on October 27, 2020, 11:00:26 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 28, 2020, 09:05:19 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on October 28, 2020, 10:21:42 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 29, 2020, 08:32:17 PM
Good sized fresh rub where I got busted too.
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 29, 2020, 08:35:39 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 29, 2020, 08:39:12 PM
Post by: fishnfur on October 29, 2020, 09:45:38 PM
Post by: IFunk on October 30, 2020, 10:23:25 PM
Post by: h20hunter on October 30, 2020, 11:01:06 PM
Post by: grousetracker on October 31, 2020, 06:40:02 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 31, 2020, 06:42:47 AM
See, there's a positive in everything. :chuckle:
Post by: IFunk on October 31, 2020, 08:11:47 AM
Post by: dilleytech on October 31, 2020, 08:26:55 AM
Post by: bornhunter on October 31, 2020, 08:30:26 AM
Post by: WoolyRunner on October 31, 2020, 02:10:01 PM
Post by: HunterofWA on October 31, 2020, 02:42:52 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 31, 2020, 03:08:54 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 31, 2020, 03:22:26 PM
Saw a handful of does yesterday afternoon/evening in one of my walk in/sit spots. Had two does pretty much pushed into a CC by an amorous buck. Ready, set..... nope, it was only 5:30 and he would not come out of the timberline while it was light. I had one fleeting open shot but he was only exposed for a few seconds. Sitting the same spot tonite. Hoping for a Halloween buck.getsum !!
Post by: teanawayslayer on October 31, 2020, 03:51:54 PM
Saw a handful of does yesterday afternoon/evening in one of my walk in/sit spots. Had two does pretty much pushed into a CC by an amorous buck. Ready, set..... nope, it was only 5:30 and he would not come out of the timberline while it was light. I had one fleeting open shot but he was only exposed for a few seconds. Sitting the same spot tonite. Hoping for a Halloween buck.hope you get him!
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 31, 2020, 04:19:46 PM
I popped a nice 4x4 last saturday. He had been rubbing on some alder and glands were getting stinky but no neck swelling yet.
Is he in the 2020 thread?
Post by: fishnfur on October 31, 2020, 10:15:24 PM
Post by: Platensek-po on October 31, 2020, 10:27:56 PM
What ever happened to the last four days of Oct. being the best of the season? I haven't seen a deer for 2 days. No doe in mornings or last light the entire week, No chasing, Dead calm everywhere. This is the weirdest season I've seen in awhile. I heard five shots today between 4:00 and 5:30 PM. Absolutely dead silent during the golden hour on Halloween night? Never ever seen that before! No one is big in to deer in Mason/Kitsap as far as I can hear. 59 degrees in afternoon and a full moon rising an hour after sunset - seems to be a bad mix for BT hunting.
Never had to work this hard to find deer before. I think increased pressure and the weather/moon combo are keeping them almost 100% nocturnal. It’s almost spooky in the woods with how quiet it is.
Post by: highside74 on October 31, 2020, 10:43:28 PM
Saw 3 does this morning and 3 tonight with zero bucks with them.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 01, 2020, 08:58:56 AM
What ever happened to the last four days of Oct. being the best of the season? I haven't seen a deer for 2 days. No doe in mornings or last light the entire week, No chasing, Dead calm everywhere. This is the weirdest season I've seen in awhile. I heard five shots today between 4:00 and 5:30 PM. Absolutely dead silent during the golden hour on Halloween night? Never ever seen that before! No one is big in to deer in Mason/Kitsap as far as I can hear. 59 degrees in afternoon and a full moon rising an hour after sunset - seems to be a bad mix for BT hunting.
Never had to work this hard to find deer before. I think increased pressure and the weather/moon combo are keeping them almost 100% nocturnal. It’s almost spooky in the woods with how quiet it is.
Yes, really off year in my couple of spots for this early modern also. I’ll be back out during the late for a few days I’m sure.
Post by: highside74 on November 01, 2020, 09:47:48 AM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 01, 2020, 10:38:35 AM
Just rattle in a good buck and smashed him at 250 down in a little cut. I haven't moved yet I'm shaking so bad.
:IBCOOL:
Post by: BigGoonTuna on November 01, 2020, 10:47:19 AM
What ever happened to the last four days of Oct. being the best of the season? I haven't seen a deer for 2 days. No doe in mornings or last light the entire week, No chasing, Dead calm everywhere. This is the weirdest season I've seen in awhile. I heard five shots today between 4:00 and 5:30 PM. Absolutely dead silent during the golden hour on Halloween night? Never ever seen that before! No one is big in to deer in Mason/Kitsap as far as I can hear. 59 degrees in afternoon and a full moon rising an hour after sunset - seems to be a bad mix for BT hunting.I’ll echo that sentiment, hunting some new areas this year and finding tons of sign. I haven’t seen a single deer though. Got to be the moon I think. Finally heard one moving in the brush this morning, but never came out to play. Frustrating to say the very least.
Oh well, there’s always late buck, and muzzleloader after that.
Post by: zwickeyman on November 01, 2020, 11:05:38 AM
Post by: highside74 on November 01, 2020, 11:06:34 AM
Kinda stinky not rutted up to bad and a bit swollen
Post by: h20hunter on November 01, 2020, 11:07:35 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 01, 2020, 12:10:27 PM
Just rattle in a good buck and smashed him at 250 down in a little cut. I haven't moved yet I'm shaking so bad.
:IBCOOL:
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 01, 2020, 12:10:57 PM
Post by: opdinkslayer on November 01, 2020, 12:54:02 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 01, 2020, 01:11:55 PM
Post by: BA Mongor on November 01, 2020, 01:18:23 PM
I ran into no mature bucks running does at all. Usually you can count on running into a few the last 3-4 days of the season, but not this year. At least not in the areas around Skamokowa, Deep River, Chinook...ect. I've had a couple of shooter bucks under my apple trees and around the other farms, but it's been only at night.
Oh well, there goes my streak of getting a mature buck the last few days of the season. Late season here I come !!!!
Post by: opdinkslayer on November 01, 2020, 01:40:39 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 01, 2020, 01:41:47 PM
Post by: Sundance on November 01, 2020, 02:56:26 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 01, 2020, 03:50:30 PM
Post by: brokentrail on November 01, 2020, 05:00:39 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 01, 2020, 05:32:51 PM
Post by: mbj on November 01, 2020, 05:46:11 PM
Buddy has Snoqualmie tree farm permit. Has only seen 2 spikes and a tiny fork since September. Went out Friday and saw 3 does, 2 together and 1 with fawn. Sat on them for 2 hours and no bucks. I think he's done with that CG Permit. I hope late buck brings out the mature deer. Ill be down in the SW part of the state
have that permit as well and its been a rough season if your looking for anything but a spike. doesn't help that they sold a few hundred extra keys this year after it sold out so fast.... needless to say its been a circus this rifle season.
Post by: HunterofWA on November 01, 2020, 06:48:38 PM
Post by: actionshooter on November 01, 2020, 06:49:57 PM
Decided to pack for a Colorado elj trip today instead of more frustration and there was a big 3 in our orchard this morning, he gave me the slip while I was getting a rifle ready to shoot out the bathroom window :dunno: :chuckle:
I passed on a lot of season just to hunt the last 3 days... this is the worst I had ever seen hunting on the 31st for sure.
Post by: bornhunter on November 01, 2020, 08:58:46 PM
I popped a nice 4x4 last saturday. He had been rubbing on some alder and glands were getting stinky but no neck swelling yet.
Is he in the 2020 thread?
If you mean photo no. I have pics on my phone and have tried several times to post em but I cant make it happen. I need to find a ten year old to help me out. :bash:
Post by: highside74 on November 01, 2020, 09:16:44 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 01, 2020, 10:59:47 PM
The bucks have moved into lockdown phase. They are cornering does in the thickets and waiting for their estrus to start before breeding them. They’ll continue to do this until they breed the doe then they will cruise and look for another receptive doe. Not seeing as much cruising during the daytime because they are cruising at night with a full moon. Covering ground in the thick brush is a good way to go, usually you’ll hear them bump when you find them. Typically you’ll find a buck that’s locked down a doe with some satellite bucks hanging out in the area.
It's a little late to be telling us how to hint the slowest season anyone can remember. :chuckle: In a lot of ways, I think you're right on, though the deer scientists say there is no such thing as a lockdown. Having watched three single doe out standing in a cut, off and on all day, with no buck takers, there seems to be a lot of truth in your ideas. Seems like they find the doe they think will hit estrus first and stick with her till they can dump her and move on. Sounds like college! :chuckle:
Thought I had a winning lottery ticket when a doe got up 45 minutes to last light and took a stance on the side of a hill in front of me at 120 yards. She waited patiently, then after a decient wait, moved up and skylined herself till it was to dark to see. Bucks didn't care at all.
All in all, the number of shots I've heard seems to be doubling every day since Firiday, which is'nt saying a lot. Perhaps 12 - 15 shots heard today.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 02, 2020, 05:39:55 AM
Post by: Molon5labe on November 02, 2020, 06:18:57 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 02, 2020, 06:22:51 AM
Post by: Sundance on November 02, 2020, 08:27:22 AM
The bucks have moved into lockdown phase. They are cornering does in the thickets and waiting for their estrus to start before breeding them. They’ll continue to do this until they breed the doe then they will cruise and look for another receptive doe. Not seeing as much cruising during the daytime because they are cruising at night with a full moon. Covering ground in the thick brush is a good way to go, usually you’ll hear them bump when you find them. Typically you’ll find a buck that’s locked down a doe with some satellite bucks hanging out in the area.
It's a little late to be telling us how to hint the slowest season anyone can remember. :chuckle: In a lot of ways, I think you're right on, though the deer scientists say there is no such thing as a lockdown. Having watched three single doe out standing in a cut, off and on all day, with no buck takers, there seems to be a lot of truth in your ideas. Seems like they find the doe they think will hit estrus first and stick with her till they can dump her and move on. Sounds like college! :chuckle:
Thought I had a winning lottery ticket when a doe got up 45 minutes to last light and took a stance on the side of a hill in front of me at 120 yards. She waited patiently, then after a decient wait, moved up and skylined herself till it was to dark to see. Bucks didn't care at all.
All in all, the number of shots I've heard seems to be doubling every day since Firiday, which is'nt saying a lot. Perhaps 12 - 15 shots heard today.
Can’t give out all the trade secrets on opening day!
It was a weird early season, I hit the brush hard for 5 days and didn’t see any deer until the last day. I bumped them in a thicket and ended up watching these deer for 20 minutes before I had a shot. Hands down the most vocalizations I’ve ever heard in one instance. They were grunting, bleating and snort wheezing. Amazing experience that wrapped up pretty well.
Post by: jowings22 on November 02, 2020, 08:31:06 AM
Awesome buck!
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 02, 2020, 08:33:17 AM
Post by: bornhunter on November 02, 2020, 08:44:19 AM
Screen shot it and post the screen shot or open the picture in your gallery and crop it. Post the cropped picture.
Post by: highside74 on November 02, 2020, 08:45:55 AM
Post by: bornhunter on November 02, 2020, 08:46:07 AM
Screen shot it and post the screen shot or open the picture in your gallery and crop it. Post the cropped picture.
Hey that worked! I owe you big time! Hell to be old and no kids around to help :chuckle:
Post by: fishnfur on November 02, 2020, 08:46:16 AM
Could you make any sense out of why the deer were being so vocal? Was the buck pushing the does around or was there another buck there?
Post by: fishnfur on November 02, 2020, 08:49:33 AM
Post by: BA Mongor on November 02, 2020, 08:53:58 AM
Stud..
Post by: Sundance on November 02, 2020, 09:02:09 AM
Killer buck Sundance! I knew you'd find a great buck before the season was over. That is a very cool rack. 6 X 5 - eyeguards?
Could you make any sense out of why the deer were being so vocal? Was the buck pushing the does around or was there another buck there?
There is a split on the left G2 that may/may not count but I measured it at 1 1/8". If that's included it's a 6X7 (counting eyeguards and drop tine), gross in the low 150's. He had a doe locked down and there were two smaller bucks circling within 50 yards. A couple fawns were hanging around also, but the vocalizations were coming from the satellite bucks and the mature buck. They were about 20 yard apart and talking back and forth, honestly you wouldn't have been able to hear these deer from further then 75 yards away. I had the satellite bucks at 5 yards but they didn't make me, then the doe and the big buck moved to a window at 7 yards and I was able to sneak an arrow in him. Thank God for tall ferns and no wind.
Post by: OutHouse on November 02, 2020, 09:02:53 AM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 02, 2020, 09:04:44 AM
Post by: bornhunter on November 02, 2020, 09:08:17 AM
Man great buck
Thanks. I was waiting for an old black boar to show up to an orchard I was sitting on and this guy shows up.
Post by: 7mmfan on November 02, 2020, 09:16:53 AM
The bucks have moved into lockdown phase. They are cornering does in the thickets and waiting for their estrus to start before breeding them. They’ll continue to do this until they breed the doe then they will cruise and look for another receptive doe. Not seeing as much cruising during the daytime because they are cruising at night with a full moon. Covering ground in the thick brush is a good way to go, usually you’ll hear them bump when you find them. Typically you’ll find a buck that’s locked down a doe with some satellite bucks hanging out in the area.
It's a little late to be telling us how to hint the slowest season anyone can remember. :chuckle: In a lot of ways, I think you're right on, though the deer scientists say there is no such thing as a lockdown. Having watched three single doe out standing in a cut, off and on all day, with no buck takers, there seems to be a lot of truth in your ideas. Seems like they find the doe they think will hit estrus first and stick with her till they can dump her and move on. Sounds like college! :chuckle:
Thought I had a winning lottery ticket when a doe got up 45 minutes to last light and took a stance on the side of a hill in front of me at 120 yards. She waited patiently, then after a decient wait, moved up and skylined herself till it was to dark to see. Bucks didn't care at all.
All in all, the number of shots I've heard seems to be doubling every day since Firiday, which is'nt saying a lot. Perhaps 12 - 15 shots heard today.
Can’t give out all the trade secrets on opening day!
It was a weird early season, I hit the brush hard for 5 days and didn’t see any deer until the last day. I bumped them in a thicket and ended up watching these deer for 20 minutes before I had a shot. Hands down the most vocalizations I’ve ever heard in one instance. They were grunting, bleating and snort wheezing. Amazing experience that wrapped up pretty well.
Man, makes me want to go dive into an alder thicket and do the creep.
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 02, 2020, 10:05:32 AM
Awesome bucks .
Not many of those big timber fern bottoms left anymore. If I find one I stick with it. Deer heaven.
Post by: Trigger05-11 on November 02, 2020, 10:17:44 AM
Some great Blacktails have been killed this year. A few have been posted on this site. Yours may be the best. Have you got a green scored yet? He is a tremendous buck! Congratulations!
Post by: Sundance on November 02, 2020, 10:29:12 AM
Sundance-
Some great Blacktails have been killed this year. A few have been posted on this site. Yours may be the best. Have you got a green scored yet? He is a tremendous buck! Congratulations!
I green scored him at 154 2/8" gross last night, so roughly a 150" gross buck.
Post by: Trigger05-11 on November 02, 2020, 10:37:45 AM
That’s amazing. You will sit high in the book. Mine green scored at 138. Do you have any pics of his width? Frontal pics? Congratulations again.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 02, 2020, 10:40:32 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 02, 2020, 04:11:03 PM
Killer buck Sundance! I knew you'd find a great buck before the season was over. That is a very cool rack. 6 X 5 - eyeguards?
Could you make any sense out of why the deer were being so vocal? Was the buck pushing the does around or was there another buck there?
There is a split on the left G2 that may/may not count but I measured it at 1 1/8". If that's included it's a 6X7 (counting eyeguards and drop tine), gross in the low 150's. He had a doe locked down and there were two smaller bucks circling within 50 yards. A couple fawns were hanging around also, but the vocalizations were coming from the satellite bucks and the mature buck. They were about 20 yard apart and talking back and forth, honestly you wouldn't have been able to hear these deer from further then 75 yards away. I had the satellite bucks at 5 yards but they didn't make me, then the doe and the big buck moved to a window at 7 yards and I was able to sneak an arrow in him. Thank God for tall ferns and no wind.
Drop tine?! What the..... I had to go back and examine the monster a litttle closer. Geeze, what a buck! I love the photo too - I named it "Sundance contemplating (or perhaps overwhelmed by) the trophy buck!"
I've only got one more question - What series of events or clues led Sundance to this particular thicket in the middle of a very large forest. ( in other words - how the heck do you keep finding them (in three thousand words or less.) :chuckle:
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on November 02, 2020, 08:34:27 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Sundance on November 03, 2020, 04:58:50 AM
Killer buck Sundance! I knew you'd find a great buck before the season was over. That is a very cool rack. 6 X 5 - eyeguards?
Could you make any sense out of why the deer were being so vocal? Was the buck pushing the does around or was there another buck there?
There is a split on the left G2 that may/may not count but I measured it at 1 1/8". If that's included it's a 6X7 (counting eyeguards and drop tine), gross in the low 150's. He had a doe locked down and there were two smaller bucks circling within 50 yards. A couple fawns were hanging around also, but the vocalizations were coming from the satellite bucks and the mature buck. They were about 20 yard apart and talking back and forth, honestly you wouldn't have been able to hear these deer from further then 75 yards away. I had the satellite bucks at 5 yards but they didn't make me, then the doe and the big buck moved to a window at 7 yards and I was able to sneak an arrow in him. Thank God for tall ferns and no wind.
Drop tine?! What the..... I had to go back and examine the monster a litttle closer. Geeze, what a buck! I love the photo too - I named it "Sundance contemplating (or perhaps overwhelmed by) the trophy buck!"
I've only got one more question - What series of events or clues led Sundance to this particular thicket in the middle of a very large forest. ( in other words - how the heck do you keep finding them (in three thousand words or less.) :chuckle:
The answer is both simplistic and aggravating- perseverance. That was the 40th or 50th thicket/hole that I pushed through in 5 days. Some folks may know of my good friend and mentor Tom Ryle, he taught me how to hunt Roosevelt elk and how to target mature blacktail. Nothing gets that guy down in the woods and nobody grinds harder. He taught me to just keep pushing forward and always be ready. The way I look at it- if there isn’t one at the spot in front of me I just go to the next spot and am thankful to continue my season. Also, scout scout scout. Where the does are is where the bucks will be, once you find a rut zone it will be used for many years as long as the habitat doesn’t change.
That picture is the “stay humble” picture. Going from five days of zero bucks to finding that beast isn’t all skill- reminds me to keep the faith.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 03, 2020, 05:42:26 AM
Post by: Molon5labe on November 03, 2020, 07:02:13 AM
Quote
The answer is both simplistic and aggravating- perseverance. That was the 40th or 50th thicket/hole that I pushed through in 5 days. Some folks may know of my good friend and mentor Tom Ryle, he taught me how to hunt Roosevelt elk and how to target mature blacktail. Nothing gets that guy down in the woods and nobody grinds harder. He taught me to just keep pushing forward and always be ready. The way I look at it- if there isn’t one at the spot in front of me I just go to the next spot and am thankful to continue my season. Also, scout scout scout. Where the does are is where the bucks will be, once you find a rut zone it will be used for many years as long as the habitat doesn’t change.
That picture is the “stay humble” picture. 5 day and zero bucks to that beast isn’t all skill- helps me to keep the faith.
If you're up for sharing, Id love to know the in's and out's of what pushing through a thicket/hole means, as that is definitely not what I've been doing, but always up to add another tool to my toolbox.
Id welcome some Rosie hunting tips too 8)
Post by: Sundance on November 03, 2020, 11:59:47 AM
Nice buck, honestly cant say I ever heard of Tom Ryle though
If you google his name it will pull up podcasts he's been on and articles he has written on trophy blacktail tactics. He does seminars at Cabelas and Sportco from time to time, local guy that is a wealth of knowledge.
Post by: fishnfur on November 03, 2020, 01:53:02 PM
Post by: Pegasus on November 03, 2020, 03:38:02 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 03, 2020, 04:03:05 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 03, 2020, 05:05:25 PM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 03, 2020, 06:19:37 PM
Ahhh Blacktails !!! I hate being tagged out now I get to pack a camera around
You have my sympathies. :P
Post by: fishnfur on November 04, 2020, 08:57:45 PM
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on November 05, 2020, 08:48:33 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 05, 2020, 09:00:53 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 05, 2020, 11:14:17 AM
Post by: WSU on November 05, 2020, 11:20:13 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 05, 2020, 06:20:25 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 05, 2020, 06:30:38 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 05, 2020, 07:28:06 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 05, 2020, 07:51:26 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 06, 2020, 06:20:55 AM
That stinks. Hope you/he fill that tag.
Working on it.
Haven't seen a deer all season in our usual spots. See them all the time on our property, coming and going to spots, neighboring properties, in town..... :chuckle:
Oh blacktails. Love to hate ya.
Post by: b0bbyg on November 06, 2020, 09:54:05 AM
First rutty activity I have noticed this year, other than the spike who just lives in the neighbors yard I don't count him.
Post by: highside74 on November 06, 2020, 10:02:19 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 07, 2020, 12:07:03 PM
A few track's from last night. Crossed paths with a definite musty buck odor along some thick reprod but no way to hunt it. Did a couple rattling set's and nothing. Most of the doe tracks don't have buck track's following then..Weird year.
Kid is pretty disappointed. Will keep at it.
Post by: fishnfur on November 07, 2020, 08:44:54 PM
Post by: WSU on November 07, 2020, 08:56:09 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 07, 2020, 09:42:01 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 07, 2020, 10:34:54 PM
Saw a big spike and a 2x2 running after does today. In both cases the does would turn back around and chase them back off to about 30 yds. Then they would inch their way back close to the doe until she'd push them away.
That's not very encouraging. :(
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 08, 2020, 04:30:02 PM
Didn't last to the evening but oh well.
Back at it tomorrow.
Post by: fishnfur on November 08, 2020, 06:40:04 PM
I'm not sure what's happening down here. I get a doe eating apples or a small buck coming through scent checking every day or so, but this season is way outside the norm, at least in Stella. Normally, there'd be five, six, or more different animals per night at this time of the season up till the 12th or so. It has been incredibly slow all season.
I keep getting this sinking feeling that some "neighbors" are poaching bucks and perhaps even killing off the doe population. Every year I have at least one killer buck coming around for several weeks during the rut and they always disappear in the next season or two. Hunting is not allowed in the city limits, but I'm just outside that and I'm thinking the back yard bucks are getting picked off even after the season is over. :( They can't all be roadkill. On the other hand, I've had cams in four different GMUs this season and have no bucks that I would ever put on a hit list. Just plain weird.....
Post by: swanderek on November 08, 2020, 07:31:07 PM
Post by: Alan K on November 08, 2020, 07:36:36 PM
Post by: Thehowler on November 08, 2020, 08:26:31 PM
Who knows, but maybe you had a cat move in? I've seen individual areas crash pretty fast once they move in. :dunno:
Had one move into one of my areas. Got a shot off at him and missed. Went to check for any blood and I could smell that stinky sucker. He smelt like a gut shot coyote. I stepped up on the road after I was done looking, and see him again crossing the road about 200 yards away. I hoofed it down the road hopping to spot him again, never saw him again but could smell him.
Large cat but looked thin.
Post by: fishnfur on November 08, 2020, 09:03:42 PM
You never know what's out there. I'm pretty sure I heard a wolf in the pre-dawn hours out in 530/Ryderwood on the MF deer opener where there are not supposed to be any wolves. Nothing else makes a noise even close to that moan on the Westside that I know of. I had to hit the internet to find the match to the sounds I heard. I went to the wolf reporting website for WDFW to investigate and sure enough, someone else reported a "sighting" about 5 miles from there in June of this year. Go figure - WDFW spending our hunting dollars to bring in predators.........
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 08, 2020, 09:13:17 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 09, 2020, 08:18:24 AM
Edit - (5 hours later). I checked a different cam and found that there had been a menagerie of small bucks with goofy sets or single spike antlers chasing a couple doe w/ fawns around early AM on 6 Nov. There had been a 2X0 forkie in the yard a week ago, and he seems to have lost his last good horn, but he's still chasing the girls on that morning. Perhaps loosing his bones it is a strategy to keep from getting poached. :chuckle: Only the 3X2 is anywhere near being a decent buck. Seems like things should pick up in the next couple days - maybe the big boys will come out to play.
Here's the forkie before (and I assume) after loosing his last proof of manhood. ( though when I compare them together, I'm not so sure they are the same buck)
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 09, 2020, 06:31:35 PM
Nothing moving. We found are area with the huck brush worked over pretty good along some thick 10-12 year old reprod. Some light rattling eventually got us a couple snort wheezes but nothing would show itself...
Kid is about tapped out . Probably drag him out a couple more times but his motivation is all but gone.
Post by: WSU on November 09, 2020, 06:33:50 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 09, 2020, 06:43:31 PM
Well chalk up another day to no visual sightings..hit the evening hunt after kid finished his school work.
Nothing moving. We found are area with the huck brush worked over pretty good along some thick 10-12 year old reprod. Some light rattling eventually got us a couple snort wheezes but nothing would show itself...
Kid is about tapped out . Probably drag him out a couple more times but his motivation is all but gone.
Sure hope a snot nose, rutty buck makes himself available for the young hunter soon :tup:
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 09, 2020, 06:45:46 PM
His luck should change with the rain!
One would think so .
Problem is he's not at my level of insanity ( I'm part duck) so he's only good for a couple hours in the rain.
I think the rut is just starting in the area's we hunt which will probably lead to a slaughter fest late season. Just hope we are in on it.
Post by: fishnfur on November 09, 2020, 08:08:22 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 09, 2020, 08:20:32 PM
I'm pretty sure he's skipping tomorrow. Should be back at it Wed with the no school holiday. It's easy for me to keep plugging along, I've been there done that with success and failure and know a deer could be right around the corner. He's felt nothing but the agony of defeat for 4 year's running, so he doesn't have the smell of success to keep him driving on. We ain't giving up yet..
Post by: highside74 on November 09, 2020, 08:22:52 PM
Maybe give him a break for 3 or 4 days? Blacktail are often a tough hunt for kids. No problem when you luck upon one on opening day, but grinding day after day without seeing jack even makes me question my motivation.
I agree. I hated hunting blacktail as a kid. I don't even hunt the 1st 4 to 5 days of the early modern ao I don't burn myself out by the end of Oct when it usually gets good.
Post by: WSU on November 09, 2020, 09:06:12 PM
Maybe give him a break for 3 or 4 days? Blacktail are often a tough hunt for kids. No problem when you luck upon one on opening day, but grinding day after day without seeing jack even makes me question my motivation.
I agree. I hated hunting blacktail as a kid. I don't even hunt the 1st 4 to 5 days of the early modern ao I don't burn myself out by the end of Oct when it usually gets good.
I don’t hunt until the last handful of days. It is a grind for sure and hard to stay positive.
Post by: fishnfur on November 09, 2020, 09:44:17 PM
I used to think the old guys were crazy passing up all those early days of the season. :bash: Now I get it. :chuckle:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 10, 2020, 05:21:28 AM
Post by: Sundance on November 10, 2020, 07:17:15 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 10, 2020, 09:02:50 AM
I hunted 3 hours opening weekend, one day the second weekend, then the last three days of the season. The first two days were checking cameras and sitting in stands over newer areas. The last three days I hit it hard. I’d be curious to see the data from WDFW of percentage harvested the last week of season vs the first half. I’d also be curious to see the data of average antler points taken the first half vs the second half of the season.
I agree completely. They don't break that data out, correct? Seems like they miss out on a good opportunity during hunter reporting at the end of the season to improve their data collection. A simple drop-down calendar question about the date a deer was harvested would over time, might yield a lot of good information about both Blacktail deer and hunter tendencies. I'm never really sure if WDFW wants us to harvest a buck or just collect our dollars. The longer a hunter goes without tagging out, the more money he/she puts into the economy chasing deer.
Post by: highside74 on November 10, 2020, 09:27:23 AM
Post by: Sundance on November 10, 2020, 09:37:53 AM
My favorite part about the pre rut is the guys that don't come back at the end of October because..."There is no deer there" and they are burned out from seeing no bucks all season. My 12 year old learned this lesson on Nov 1st andb he was at home instead of with me when I rattled in that buck. I kept telling him all week he can't kill a buck during on the couch and even tried limiting his time in the woods to keep him from flaming out. He won't do that in the late season. Lol
I've noticed that the more successful blacktail hunters are some of the most tenacious people I've ever met. It's easy for some to get discouraged after 3-5 days of not seeing anything. Approaching it like you are playing a game of averages tends to yield results from my experiences. It also reminds me of duck hunting- one day there is zero wind and bluebird skies with zero birds moving. The next its cold, rainy, and blowing like crazy then you shoot a limit in 30 minutes.
Post by: WSU on November 10, 2020, 10:09:13 AM
It really was a law of averages deal. We knew they were there, it was just a matter of running into them.
Post by: fishnfur on November 10, 2020, 03:19:26 PM
Post by: bornhunter on November 10, 2020, 03:21:30 PM
Post by: Platensek-po on November 10, 2020, 03:47:22 PM
Post by: WSU on November 10, 2020, 04:24:16 PM
A missed shot is no big deal if it happens early in the season. It is always a lot harder to swallow when you've worked your tail off for days or weeks to get a deer in you sights. At least your wife knows where to hunt nine days from now.
This was years ago. I was more agreeing that it can be a grind and then all of sudden they are standing at the gate on day 10.
Post by: fishnfur on November 10, 2020, 06:31:43 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 10, 2020, 08:58:49 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 10, 2020, 09:30:53 PM
Post by: Forestskunk72 on November 11, 2020, 05:27:31 PM
FWIW, thanks everyone for sharing their stories, successful and not. I learn a lot here and hope to contribute more when I have more to contribute.
Post by: Sundance on November 11, 2020, 06:33:59 PM
GMU 663 (Cap Peak) has been eerily quiet during the rut. I've got a quality deer permit in hand for the unit and have hunted hard and deep for 6 days now, 3 days last week, the weekend, and today, dawn till late afternoon. The days have run the gamut on weather. I've sat on the edges of cuts far behind gates at first light for hours, busted brush and dark timber, tried calling and rattling from time to time, and only seen a couple of does. For real. That's it. I've seen plenty of fresh scrapes too but yet to see a single buck. I wonder if the extra use the outdoors are seeing this year is contributing to the lack of deer I am seeing. Maybe they've gone extra deep or are staying mostly nocturnal. Dunno? I've been reading this forum and see others are having a weird year. It's not just you. I created my account to share that I've had a tough go of it too, even with a nice permit in hand. There is still time to punch my tag, and I hope to get out another day or two, but I sure thought I might be seeing some more action with a quality deer permit.I had a quality tag in 2013 and struggled at first to locate deer. My normal tree stands and timber push areas were turning up empty after a summer and early season of lots of trail cam pictures. Ended up locating two rut zones and killed my permit buck after five days of hunting. I saw 7 bucks that morning and several does in the area the size of a football field. Keep going, it will come together.
FWIW, thanks everyone for sharing their stories, successful and not. I learn a lot here and hope to contribute more when I have more to contribute.
Post by: Pacific Ghost on November 11, 2020, 09:18:36 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 11, 2020, 10:31:43 PM
The thing about the BT quality tag is that it often doesn't really provide a lot of quality action during those two weeks (at least that's what I get from reading the same complaints year after year). It is an opportunity to take a big mature buck that would normally not be available to the average hunter (they're too good at staying hidden and eluding us), but you still have to figure out where he is. Now is the exact peak of the rut, which is not when you see the most bucks, but when doe are bred in the highest numbers. More than likely, the bucks are with or not far from any doe that is hot, or will be hot in the next several days. Younger bucks also hang around these groups hoping to get a little action on the sly. If you're seeing doe that don't have fawns with them, then triple check the area to make sure no bucks are close by but are hidden from view. If at all possible, hanging with those doe, finding out where the bed and sitting on them could eventually bring in a buck. If you find a doe just standing out in a cut or in the woods looking like she's waiting for something, not doing anything other than just standing there for way too long, sit and wait with her. This is the time of season to stay with the doe and wait for action or eventually move on to find more doe in hopes of finding a buck with them. Check back on any doe you can relocate daily/ It is just a matter of time.
I'm sure you know all the following, but it is worth repeating for other readers: Doe families and extended families tend to all stay in the same general area where they were born (Grandma's, moms. sisters, daughters, nieces, etc.) and socialize together. (young bucks leave the area of their birth once sexually mature) The bucks living in the general area of those doe groups presumably don't have to travel far to get from one hot doe to the next during the peak of the rut. Once accepted by a doe, the buck will stay with a doe for something like 36 - 48 hours with each before moving on to another hot doe. You would expect that this behavior would concentrate groups of animals and leave a lot of the woods unoccupied during the peak of the rut. That is not to say that there is little chance of running into a cruising buck now, but I believe the odds should increase as the peak of the rut is a few more days in the rear view mirror. I believe your best chance of finding bucks currently is finding doe bedding or feeding areas and working them, with the expectation that a buck will move with a doe as she gets up to feed (if she is hot). If she is not in estrus currently, there should still be occasional bucks swinging through her neighborhood to scent check for any new hot doe.
Large patches or hillsides of Western Swordfern are perfect bedding areas for both bucks and doe in the area. They can sit or lie down in them and be hidden well enough that you cannot see them without being very near them. The upper sections of drainages and seeps tend to attract doe because the soils tend to be wetter and grow more Alder/Vine Maple and other edibles in these zones. Some combination of glassing and still hunting in and around bedding and feeding areas makes a lot of sense. The weather is getting much colder now so the deer will gravitate towards S. and SW facing slopes. They are not nocturnal so much as just staying in small areas and not moving much. Much of the rutting activity and travel does occur at night, but there should be bucks up and moving again in the in the near future.
Here's an article: https://pnwbowhunting.com/blog/f/breaking-down-the-blacktail-rut
That's all I've got. Good luck!
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 12, 2020, 06:16:33 AM
Post by: Forestskunk72 on November 12, 2020, 06:51:24 AM
Post by: Dysfunctional Vet on November 12, 2020, 07:05:09 AM
GMU 663 (Cap Peak) has been eerily quiet during the rut. I've got a quality deer permit in hand for the unit and have hunted hard and deep for 6 days now, 3 days last week, the weekend, and today, dawn till late afternoon. The days have run the gamut on weather. I've sat on the edges of cuts far behind gates at first light for hours, busted brush and dark timber, tried calling and rattling from time to time, and only seen a couple of does. For real. That's it. I've seen plenty of fresh scrapes too but yet to see a single buck. I wonder if the extra use the outdoors are seeing this year is contributing to the lack of deer I am seeing. Maybe they've gone extra deep or are staying mostly nocturnal. Dunno? I've been reading this forum and see others are having a weird year. It's not just you. I created my account to share that I've had a tough go of it too, even with a nice permit in hand. There is still time to punch my tag, and I hope to get out another day or two, but I sure thought I might be seeing some more action with a quality deer permit.I saw some deer porn in Capitol forest on Sunday. A 2x3 mounted a doe and 3 spikes were harassing another doe. Watched them for over an hour until I got bored. They were all on a south facing slope at 9am.
FWIW, thanks everyone for sharing their stories, successful and not. I learn a lot here and hope to contribute more when I have more to contribute.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 12, 2020, 07:32:48 AM
I'll have my ground blind set up above the landing road within the christmas trees, over looking the cut....with estrus scent around me on the landing road and strips tied to my sides/roof...
I do have a hang on stand that has not been set up yet, with some tree spike screws (which seem like a quieter option than hooking up a ladder)....I was thinking that the evening before I could go out and set this thing up in a "Hail Mary" tree/location....As the idea progressed in my head that if my walking/stalking/landing glassing didnt work, I could hop in this thing and just give it the good old fashioned wait...
Post by: 7mmfan on November 12, 2020, 08:43:55 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 12, 2020, 09:12:26 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 10:07:06 AM
The three point and forkie chased doe around off and on all night long. All of them partook in the apples at some point.
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 10:12:36 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 10:33:27 AM
Bucks will stay active for some time cruising through checking does. Even if all those does are bred, bucks will continually cover ground looking for those that haven't. That happens through about the end of the month, with decreasing activity after about the 20th in my opinion. If there are does in that cut, I'd camp on them. If there is good sign in that cut, I'd camp on it. If you sit there a whole day and nothing shows, then I'd consider heading down into the creek bottom and checking out what's going on down there.
Completely agree with that. If you see doe in the cut, I'd just sit on them and watch as long as possible. A buck can show up at any time, even if they have all been bred. If there was a timbered edge with substantial timber above the cut you're on, I'd go up there to hunt if the cut was vacant.
For the most part, deer head uphill after eating unless there is no higher ground. The first hundred yards above the edge is where the doe settle in to bed. Bucks scent checking the area during the daylight hours may be moving horizontally across the hill above them, allowing the thermals to carry doe scent up to them. If one is smelling like she's close to estrus, a bucks will be with them shortly. If there is no timber above the cut, I would suspect that they move laterally into the timber on the sides after feeding.
I don't explore creek bottoms often though the doe certainly go down there to feed too. If it is a splashy noisy creek, then they use it less. Alder bottoms are famous for good BT hunting - but you stand out like a sore thumb if you're up walking around with no cover around you. It is very very hard to stay quiet while under alder too - twigs and branches on the ground, popping as you go guarantees you will probably not see deer. As Jakeland says - you've got to move slug-slow and feel for any twigs that might snap before you put your weight on that foot. Hold that position long enough to slowly visualize everything around you (without moving quickly or too much) then take another careful step and repeat. Your goal is that you look absolutely still to any animal observing you - think 50 to 100 yards per hour speed. If they don't see you move (or smell you) they often will not know you're there. I can't tell you how many times I've been busted lifting my binocs to glass - many! I rarely glass close in when I still hunt now. I just use them once I'm sure there's no deer close. Anyways, still hunting well is hard work!
Working edges of alder and staying in the darker timber hides you as you hunt and makes life a lot easier. Calling from there might be productive too - but hide before you do it and expect that any approaching buck will likely come around to your downwind side to scent check you before you see him. Positioning yourself where you can see well for 50 yards or so downwind before you rattle/grunt gives you an opportunity to catch him coming in before he catches you wind.
Lastly, if you see a doe with her tail sticking straight out while she is just standing, then she is likely hot. They know how to use thermals and prevailing winds to carry their scent as far and wide as possible. That increases the odds of finding a great source of genetic material vs. the local horny spike. Doe tails do stick straight out as the bend their necks to feed, so you have to observe for a while to understand just what is going on. If she is hot and there's a breeze working, there are enough bucks in the CF to put a buck with her in short order.
Have fun! Good luck.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 12, 2020, 03:36:38 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 12, 2020, 04:49:14 PM
So don’t rule out that a cut is empty too early
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 05:37:53 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 12, 2020, 05:52:20 PM
Like magic - they appear out of nowhere!might think I'm crazy for this (have to be crazy to enjoy BT hunting), but there are times I can smell that I'm near them. Talking about close, within 20 yds. I'll look all around and just can't seem to find them. I can back track to where I first sniffed and there won't be any smell. Usually there is a something about the location, like it is a corner of the reprod across from a different corner of different aged reprod. Noticed over the years that they seem to like a good diagonal trail through whatever age cut/reprod/timber that seems to cross at the human intersections. :dunno:
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 06:16:42 PM
My wife has a nose that is probably 10X more sensitive than mine. I can't smell jack after a lifetime of chronic sinusitis and a couple broken noses. Hunters talk about smelling them this time of the season..... I've never experienced it.
Post by: JakeLand on November 12, 2020, 06:27:25 PM
Post by: Pacific Ghost on November 12, 2020, 06:38:36 PM
Great information. Thanks to everyone. There is still time to fill the quality tag and then the late season. Gonna work it hard. You all are a wealth of knowledge. :tup:Keep us posted on how your permit hunt turns out. I am entrigued. The biggest bodied, and grayest colored deer I shot in 663 was several minutes before dark, the last day of late buck in 2012. Raining sideways, down in a hole. And yes, go figure, a 2 pt of course.
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 07:25:36 PM
That's a really good buck you took back in 2012, even though he's missing a bit of character.
Post by: highside74 on November 12, 2020, 07:32:20 PM
Don't say that like it's a bad thing. I think big/wide mature old forkies are the coolest deer around. They are the epitome of a classic coastal BT. I'd kill a mature wide forkie way before I'd kill a small four-point hanging with him. But that just me :rolleyes:
That's a really good buck you took back in 2012, even though he's missing a bit of character.
I agree. My dream is an 18x18 forky. 18 wide 18 tall
Post by: Pacific Ghost on November 12, 2020, 07:42:21 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 08:11:55 PM
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,198136.210.html
Post by: highside74 on November 12, 2020, 08:33:50 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 12, 2020, 08:53:35 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 12, 2020, 10:53:12 PM
I haven't killed many bucks, but I've killed them in both the morning and at last light as they were coming out of nowhere to join a doe out in the cut that was waiting for Mr. right. It's hard to second guess sitting on a cut, especially if you know there are deer actively using the area you're watching. Let us know how it turns out.
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 12, 2020, 10:54:16 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 13, 2020, 09:53:56 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 13, 2020, 11:06:16 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 13, 2020, 06:35:01 PM
I lied. :(
Lots of sign, found a rub line with trees every 20 yds hit..but nothing moving at all.
Until an hour after dark just before our driveway a local buck was chasing a doe . :bash:
Two days left ..and motivation is pretty low for the kid .
Post by: fishnfur on November 13, 2020, 10:59:48 PM
Both Sat. and Sun. have pretty good BT weather, though I like the higher winds predicted for tomorrow afternoon. Sometimes that gets them really jumpy and moving out into cuts or standing up in a clearing in the woods trying to look for predators (since the wind is defeating their hearing).
Good luck!
Post by: fishnfur on November 14, 2020, 12:07:55 AM
One a buck slowly grunting at and then false charging something in the woods - Start at 1:10 into the vid.
The second, an interesting discussion of post-peak of the rut hunting on a mountain up in Canada. I'm thinking that it is very likely that his idea of finding "the pocket" applies everywhere BT live, and why it seems BT vacate many spots leaving the woods seemingly empty during peak of the rut and beyond. Not always, but during those times when the woods seem completely devoid of deer.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 14, 2020, 06:20:27 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 14, 2020, 06:26:32 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 14, 2020, 08:16:42 PM
I was watching my annual Master's Golf Tournament marathon and eyeing the weather outside going downhill quickly around noon. I was having trouble keeping my mind on golf, so hell with it. I threw on my raingear, grabbed my binocs and grunt/bleat call, drove out to my property in 506. Perfect BT hunting weather - windy and raining - the best I've seen all season. Glassed and called my way through all my best spots and didn't see jack in 2.5 hours. Had a crazy drive home in monsoonal weather, blowing 25 to 30 with pissing rain all the way up the Lower Columbia.
It was way better than sitting on the couch all afternoon! :)
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 14, 2020, 08:21:28 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 14, 2020, 08:57:36 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 14, 2020, 09:04:59 PM
Probably pushed a little to hard not sure the kid wants to go tomorrow. Will see what his mood is in the am.
Post by: fishnfur on November 14, 2020, 11:07:09 PM
Post by: WoolyRunner on November 15, 2020, 05:11:59 AM
Post by: bigbore40 on November 15, 2020, 08:06:53 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 15, 2020, 08:52:27 AM
Post by: bornhunter on November 15, 2020, 09:14:47 AM
Post by: hunthard on November 15, 2020, 09:28:00 AM
Post by: bornhunter on November 15, 2020, 09:39:49 AM
YES, the best four days of hunting are coming.
:tup:
Post by: WoolyRunner on November 15, 2020, 11:36:23 AM
WoolyRunner, do you have the Weyco North&South permit? If so, how busy has it been since they combined both regions? We used to hunt the East side of the Hwy for Elk and West side for Deer...The only deer we were able to see were way far out Smith Rd.
Yes I do. Honestly i dont think its been too bad. Ive seen worse whdn it was wide open. Everyone seems to be respectful.
Post by: WoolyRunner on November 15, 2020, 11:37:45 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 15, 2020, 12:46:59 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 15, 2020, 01:50:01 PM
Didn't cut a single fresh track today. After that heavy rain I was counting on the mid morning movement to be promising..nada... nothing moving at all. And warm, it was 50 by noon.
9 days hunted on the kids tag, not a single deer seen while legally hunting. I'll be out for late buck, I doubt he's going to be in the mood for it. He wants to get back to normal life, girls, truck's, skateboarding and basketball.
Next year we are going East and probably to Idaho.
Post by: 7mmfan on November 16, 2020, 09:07:22 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 16, 2020, 10:39:11 AM
Post peak-of-the-rut deer are pretty lazy now. Getting a small buck scent checking every other day, always at night. Doe feeding at 11:00 AM and last light. I'm interested to see if we get another burst of activity around the 19/20th like we did last year, which isn't typical. All in all, the back yard cam show has been the slowest (that I can remember) in ten years of monitoring rut activities.
Post by: Pacific Ghost on November 16, 2020, 11:29:56 AM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 16, 2020, 01:37:29 PM
I think it could be pretty good in my area later this week. The biggest buck on the cam came through the 9th & 12th. Not following does either time. Saw one in person on the 14th that was the biggest I've seen in a long, long time. Also without a doe. Hoping to show you a close up of him a week from today, after I help him with his posture.
We had our biggest show up on the 8th and the 12th on my cams. Also without a doe. I too am hoping to provide him with some corrective assistance.
Post by: Sundance on November 16, 2020, 01:50:04 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 16, 2020, 01:59:03 PM
Oh, I mentioned I was gonna gear up and hike in to one of my near BT spots yesterday morning (switch a card, dump some apples, see if my ground blind had blown away, check sign, etc), after a two week absence from the spot and provide an update to you cats.
Well...…. the blind was intact although a bit cock-eyed from some pretty serious wind; re-did it a bit. Quite a bit of traffic by/through the snack site/trails, some obvious buck tracks along with does. Was darn anxious to check the cam card from the two weeks except, well..... the cam was upside down >:(. It appears my local black bear (who had plagued this site all darn year) had decided it would be a hoot to flip my camera upside down on 2 NOV. He's just full of jokes, that guy...…. I'll be on the spot this coming weekend at least one day to see who comes around.
Post by: WoolyRunner on November 16, 2020, 02:28:37 PM
Thats good to hear. Man the b line and couple other east hwy gates were always jammed with rid..Have you gotten your Elk this year? If not, you hunting late season?
I personally have not. My dad did on the 13th in 658.
Post by: Trigger05-11 on November 16, 2020, 03:18:15 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 18, 2020, 10:25:40 AM
I caught a great vid of a house cat pestering a buck from the ground. He then jumped up in a tree next to him and looked ready to pounce on his back. I screwed up and deleted the file before copying it. :bash: Otherwise, things remain pretty relaxed. Last buck chasing was several days ago. Bucks and Doe seem to be concentrating on eating again, mostly at night. Even the 5 point made a second showing, apparently just to grab some grits.
Post by: Forestskunk72 on November 18, 2020, 10:14:24 PM
Every day when that alarm went off early and the rain was hitting the roof and the bed was warm, my wife said why do you keep going out when you aren't seeing anything. Easy answer. Because that day could always be the day. But it most certainly won't ever be if I hit snooze. Cliche, I know. but so very true.Tough not to fill the quality permit but I learned a lot more about the country and it was time in the woods. Happy hunting to you all. Best of luck late season.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 19, 2020, 05:47:37 AM
Sitting here at the gate since 415. Bike and trailer loaded, ready to go! Crossing my fingers that no one else shows up. Rain hasn't showed up yet...Wind is coming outta the SW @ 10...39 degrees...man, I hope I can put one down today!!! Best of luck to everybody.
Post by: 7mmfan on November 19, 2020, 08:48:43 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 19, 2020, 09:26:12 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 19, 2020, 06:01:40 PM
Keep at it boys, your wives will learn :chuckle: I'm lucky that my wife is my highschool sweetheart and she has never known anything other than me leaving the house at ridiculous hours into horrendous weather for a fleeting chance at success. Hell, I'm a catch and release winter steelhead fisherman, that should explain a lot about my mental condition.
Love it! Reel 'em in and let 'em go. I'm all over that, unless the wife is complaining that I never catch anything. (though I have no problem killing a weak fighting hatchery fish. Keep them out of the gene pool).
Nothin' moved today. Where'd the deer go?
Post by: Pacific Ghost on November 19, 2020, 06:34:59 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 19, 2020, 10:41:12 PM
Post by: Thehowler on November 20, 2020, 03:48:24 AM
Had a 2 point run across the road in front of me, driving out in the dark yesterday.
Yes, very strange year. They just do not move much.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 20, 2020, 06:38:23 AM
I agree everyone should skip the BT rut tags. :tup: :chuckle:
Post by: fishnfur on November 22, 2020, 07:00:12 PM
I'm having trouble coming to grips with the fact that in something like 36 hours in my elevated blind, I saw only one doe with a fawn for a total of about a half a second. This spot has consistently had game showing regularly throughout every season since before I put the blind up. I'm wondering if the reprod and brush layer has finally gotten to the point that I can no longer see deer even when they are up and moving, which is a distinct possibility, but considering how difficult the year was everywhere, I'm not sure at all if that was really the problem. :dunno:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 22, 2020, 07:07:39 PM
Post by: IFunk on November 24, 2020, 11:26:54 AM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 24, 2020, 11:37:27 AM
Although one would think the deer numbers are down based on observationa and success, I even did, until I checked cams. I place my cams in area's people don't go and in one area roughly a square mile in size Ive determined there are 15 different bucks moving through.
I think an increase in pressure this year locked them down in the thick. With covid I saw more people out recreating than normal during the late summer months. I think deer quickly adapted to the activity. Survival is achieved through seclusion.
Post by: Justdecent on November 24, 2020, 05:23:54 PM
Post by: Birdguy on November 24, 2020, 06:15:59 PM
I pulled a cam a couple weeks ago only to come home and find that a nice 3 or 4 point(camera was too high to tell) showed up. When I went to re-deploy, I found several of these which weren't there before, so they are less than 2 weeks old. I assumed it was a buck, but my co-worker thinks it might be a cat. I did see one picture of a cat after a 2 month soak. Thoughts? Buck or cat?
Based on the missing bark and apparent height of rub I would say deer. May well be looking at it wrong but that is how I see it. Look around you will likely find more of them too.
Post by: fishnfur on November 24, 2020, 07:05:58 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 24, 2020, 08:35:35 PM
Post by: 7mmfan on November 25, 2020, 10:48:57 AM
I've got a great picture of a rub with hair on it that I found Late Season...I can't seem to resize it in my phone, so it won't post. It's a big rub like yours!
Screenshot it and post the screenshot.
Post by: IFunk on November 25, 2020, 07:48:52 PM
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on November 25, 2020, 08:21:23 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 25, 2020, 10:11:39 PM
Last picture of the BT Hair on the bone is my rattling pair***
Post by: fishnfur on November 26, 2020, 09:40:54 AM
I think I found the culprit! Big rub, tiny horns...
I think the rub was created by a forkie or better. A little button buck/small spikes seem to like little whippy one inch wide woody stems, but I guess only the deer know for sure.
Post by: fishnfur on November 26, 2020, 09:59:02 AM
Here we go! Thanks.
Last picture of the BT Hair on the bone is my rattling pair***
Definitely buck hair in the middle. The long black on in the last photo would be elk if you had them in Bothel, which doesn't seem to fit.
We all knew it was a weird year, the way the general season was really slow getting going. Things seemed to get back to normal at the end of October, but then the first 2.5 weeks of November, the bucks were non-existent, though a few nice ones hit the dirt in late buck. The last buck I had on cam was the 19th, which is a full week later than normal and at a point that during a normal year, the bucks would have been gone for good.
I almost pulled in my cams yesterday, but I was feeling lazy. I grabbed a SD card this morning just for something to do and find that two different bucks were in the yard chasing last night - the one sided spike and the three point. They showed and chased several times during the night, even though the apples have been gone for a couple days now. We talk about second estrus in late November but this is the first I've ever recorded it.
I heard from my neighbor that the guy across the street from us arrowed a five point in his back yard last week, and that another five point had been shot/arrowed (?) and found dead and unrecovered under a cedar in his front yard. I guess that explains where the nice bucks disappear to every year.
Post by: fishnfur on November 26, 2020, 11:58:58 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 26, 2020, 12:02:05 PM
I'm hittin' the woods tomorrow.
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 26, 2020, 12:59:20 PM
Last word - this is the moment you suddenly come to the realization that you have too many cams in your back yard : :chuckle:
I'm hittin' the woods tomorrow.
Why aren't you poking deer in your back yard too?
Post by: fishnfur on November 26, 2020, 03:10:23 PM
I've got neighbors very close on all sides, and those deer can run a long way after getting arrowed. I think most neighbors would question my sanity for hunting in my back yard, and perhaps not give permission to retrieve or blood track an animal. Mostly though, they are more fun for me to watch and study their habits than they are to eat, at least for the local herd.
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 26, 2020, 09:30:56 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 27, 2020, 10:20:42 PM