Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 18, 2020, 10:13:00 AM
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on November 18, 2020, 10:15:21 AM
Post by: AROTTY on November 18, 2020, 10:23:32 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 18, 2020, 10:27:14 AM
Good luck all!
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 18, 2020, 10:33:32 AM
Heading N. in about an hour. I'll be in the box at zero dark thirty tomorrow.
Good luck all!
In the box? Didn’t know you were prior military mister :tup: Go get em!
Post by: Spuddieselwwu on November 18, 2020, 10:37:18 AM
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 18, 2020, 10:44:11 AM
Post by: Sundance on November 18, 2020, 11:08:01 AM
I know we briefly had a discussion in the other rut thread - but does anyone change their tactics in the late season vs. the general season?
That really depends on elevation for me. Over 2000' and I'm glassing or hunting snowlines to cut track. Below 2000' and I'm hunting traditional rut zones or near a feeding source where a cruising buck would come to scent check a trail for does still in estrus.
Post by: fishnfur on November 18, 2020, 07:05:26 PM
I know we briefly had a discussion in the other rut thread - but does anyone change their tactics in the late season vs. the general season?
That really depends on elevation for me. Over 2000' and I'm glassing or hunting snowlines to cut track. Below 2000' and I'm hunting traditional rut zones or near a feeding source where a cruising buck would come to scent check a trail for does still in estrus.
For ne - not at all. I hunt like it is the last day of Oct. With less leaves on the brush, working alder stands might provide more action than earlier in the season.
Post by: fishnfur on November 18, 2020, 07:17:13 PM
Heading N. in about an hour. I'll be in the box at zero dark thirty tomorrow.
Good luck all!
In the box? Didn’t know you were prior military mister :tup: Go get em!
CAPT, USN (retired) (Dental Corps - I didn't shoot down any planes or sink any ships. Many hundred root canals and extractions, and a million fillings to my name, That's enough!)
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 18, 2020, 08:51:25 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 19, 2020, 03:59:27 AM
Post by: Dark2Dark on November 19, 2020, 02:38:24 PM
Just got down to the Coast. Setting up the bike/trailer on the other side of the gate...sitting in my car and resting until about 5 and then hitting it hard! I've got everything I can imagine crossed for good luck!!! There's a guy passed out in the Jack in the Box drive thru, is that a good or bad sign for the rest of the day... im hoping I have a matching pair of Pink StarburstsI’m not sure why they make any other flavors besides pink.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 19, 2020, 06:25:26 PM
Post by: Platensek-po on November 19, 2020, 07:02:51 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 19, 2020, 10:37:15 PM
Post by: HunterofWA on November 20, 2020, 07:23:52 AM
Post by: dreadi on November 20, 2020, 11:20:04 AM
BLACK HAMMER ARMS
http://www.blackhammerarms.com
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Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 20, 2020, 01:03:31 PM
Sitting my little one man blind till dark today.
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 04:29:51 PM
Also did a cam check. I'll post pics later. Some really good bucks. Roughly 15 different Buck's between 3 cams . Short crib notes. Most buck movement was Oct 25- Nov 2nd. Very little movement the past week. No daytime pics the last week. All night pics. One cam had two bucks last night that didn't seem bothered by each other's presence. The buck to doe ratio in this spot is 1-1 based on cam pics.
I think the rut activity is all but done and they are back to nocturnal, at least in this area.
Post by: Dark2Dark on November 20, 2020, 05:25:34 PM
Solo little hike today. Jumped a forky but couldn't pull the trigger without my kid there. He wouldn't care but he's put in so much effort this year it just didn't seem right dumping a deer the one day he's not with me.I would say that’s similar to what I have observed.
Also did a cam check. I'll post pics later. Some really good bucks. Roughly 15 different Buck's between 3 cams . Short crib notes. Most buck movement was Oct 25- Nov 2nd. Very little movement the past week. No daytime pics the last week. All night pics. One cam had two bucks last night that didn't seem bothered by each other's presence. The buck to doe ratio in this spot is 1-1 based on cam pics.
I think the rut activity is all but done and they are back to nocturnal, at least in this area.
Two days, saw twelve deer and only one was a little spike. I saw three solo does (no fawns/yearlings) and none had bucks following them.
Hoping for some rain on Sunday.
Post by: TheStovePipeKid on November 20, 2020, 07:02:46 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 20, 2020, 07:24:09 PM
Solo little hike today. Jumped a forky but couldn't pull the trigger without my kid there. He wouldn't care but he's put in so much effort this year it just didn't seem right dumping a deer the one day he's not with me.
Also did a cam check. I'll post pics later. Some really good bucks. Roughly 15 different Buck's between 3 cams . Short crib notes. Most buck movement was Oct 25- Nov 2nd. Very little movement the past week. No daytime pics the last week. All night pics. One cam had two bucks last night that didn't seem bothered by each other's presence. The buck to doe ratio in this spot is 1-1 based on cam pics.
I think the rut activity is all but done and they are back to nocturnal, at least in this area.
Sounds promising. Are your cams close to home or south of there?
You know it slow in Late Buck when you only hear one shot all day (0830) and you hunted first light to last light in two different areas.. Haven''t see anything move at all in two days. They seen to be entirely nocturnal. I see fresh sign - tracks and beds that happened overnight, but no one's home during the day,
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 07:28:54 PM
Solo little hike today. Jumped a forky but couldn't pull the trigger without my kid there. He wouldn't care but he's put in so much effort this year it just didn't seem right dumping a deer the one day he's not with me.
Also did a cam check. I'll post pics later. Some really good bucks. Roughly 15 different Buck's between 3 cams . Short crib notes. Most buck movement was Oct 25- Nov 2nd. Very little movement the past week. No daytime pics the last week. All night pics. One cam had two bucks last night that didn't seem bothered by each other's presence. The buck to doe ratio in this spot is 1-1 based on cam pics.
I think the rut activity is all but done and they are back to nocturnal, at least in this area.
Sounds promising. Are your cams close to home or south of there?
You know it slow in Late Buck when you only hear one shot all day (0830) and you hunted first light to last light in two different areas.. Haven''t see anything move at all in two days. They seen to be entirely nocturnal. I see fresh sign - tracks and beds that happened overnight, but no one's home during the day,
Nothing is close to home anymore since they decided to dig the road up near my house and it takes 45 minutes to get to my spots :chuckle:
I have cams spread out all over Kitsap/ Mason. I've probably forgot where some are at.
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 07:40:59 PM
Post by: Deerdad44 on November 20, 2020, 07:51:14 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 07:52:10 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 20, 2020, 07:55:52 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 07:58:00 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 20, 2020, 07:59:11 PM
F&GR, are the dates correct are your cam pics? Maybe in reading them wrong.
No I'm to lazy to set the dates. I just get my pic taken when I check them and figure out pic dates that way. :chuckle:
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 20, 2020, 08:04:24 PM
F&GR, are the dates correct are your cam pics? Maybe in reading them wrong.
No I'm to lazy to set the dates. I just get my pic taken when I check them and figure out pic dates that way. :chuckle:
Ahh, gotcha. Thanks.
Post by: dreadi on November 21, 2020, 11:44:04 AM
BLACK HAMMER ARMS
http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms
GLOCK Certified Armourer
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 21, 2020, 11:55:38 AM
Hunting a different spot in grays harbor county. Ain’t seen nothing all day. Sure sounds like the wing shooters are busy.
BLACK HAMMER ARMS
http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms
GLOCK Certified Armourer
Good luck “D”. I’m gonna hike in and sit one of my spots till dark. Hoping there’s a dumb buck out there somewhere.
Post by: CP on November 21, 2020, 11:57:46 AM
:tdown:
Post by: Brandon.Hunter on November 21, 2020, 01:22:05 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 21, 2020, 02:35:40 PM
Post by: Pegasus on November 21, 2020, 02:47:08 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 21, 2020, 03:09:47 PM
Got a fork yesterday as well. There were a lot of deer in the area, it was hard to tell if he was actively pushing does or not. I think he was rubbing a tree when I first spotted him. Neck seemed to be pretty swollen as well. Last day I could hunt so it was his unlucky day. He’s the 6th deer that our group has pulled out of this cut in the past few years.
:tup:
Post by: Brandon.Hunter on November 21, 2020, 03:13:11 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 21, 2020, 06:09:56 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 21, 2020, 06:16:07 PM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 22, 2020, 03:12:09 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on November 22, 2020, 03:40:40 PM
Called it a day after lunch had other obligations.
I know where some good Buck's are now so off season is going to be predator control, minerals, horn hunting and stand building.
And a multi season tag next year I think archery is best for me to get one of the big boys.
Post by: Jrtishchuk on November 22, 2020, 05:15:32 PM
Gave out 2 bleat calls, waited a min, rattled for 20 sec an this buck should up. 145 yards shot to the neck an dropped him.
First blacktail buck. An first time ever rattling anything in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: CP on November 22, 2020, 05:54:34 PM
Gave out 2 bleat calls, waited a min, rattled for 20 sec an this buck should up. 145 yards shot to the neck an dropped him.
First blacktail buck. An first time ever rattling anything in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow. That's a toad. Good job.
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 22, 2020, 06:04:33 PM
Gave out 2 bleat calls, waited a min, rattled for 20 sec an this buck should up. 145 yards shot to the neck an dropped him.
First blacktail buck. An first time ever rattling anything in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wow. That's a toad. Good job.
No doubt about that, congrats on a great buck mister :tup:
Post by: stickbuck on November 22, 2020, 06:05:25 PM
Stud buck! Congrats!
Gave out 2 bleat calls, waited a min, rattled for 20 sec an this buck should up. 145 yards shot to the neck an dropped him.
First blacktail buck. An first time ever rattling anything in.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 22, 2020, 06:10:01 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 22, 2020, 06:11:00 PM
Post by: fishnfur on November 22, 2020, 06:31:15 PM
Cams in the back yard showed a buck chasing on the 19th, and another still hanging around on the 20th. That is on par with last year. Normally, I'd never capture a buck on my backyard cams after the 12th, so something is certainly different. It will be interesting to see how the hunter success numbers turn out (though I always suspected that WDFW pads the numbers to keep hunter's hopes up and buying tags).
The good news may be that if you still have an un-notched multi-season tag, there might still be some pretty good action for the next week or so.
Post by: Dark2Dark on November 22, 2020, 07:33:25 PM
Had a quiet end of the MF season (like bad fireworks - it fizzled out Pffft). Hunted till 0930, once again, didn't hear a shot from any direction. Fun was over - packed up, went home. I think I heard three, possibly four shots in the four days of late buck, less than a typical number for a single morning or afternoon in any other year. I can only guess that the rut is protracted again this year.I saw 17 does in three days. One spike a couple I don’t knows. Not sure what it means for the rut, other than it’s not hot and heavy at the moment.
Cams in the back yard showed a buck chasing on the 19th, and another still hanging around on the 20th. That is on par with last year. Normally, I'd never capture a buck on my backyard cams after the 12th, so something is certainly different. It will be interesting to see how the hunter success numbers turn out (though I always suspected that WDFW pads the numbers to keep hunter's hopes up and buying tags).
The good news may be that if you still have an un-notched multi-season tag, there might still be some pretty good action for the next week or so.
Post by: Jrtishchuk on November 22, 2020, 07:49:18 PM
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Post by: scottfrick on November 22, 2020, 08:36:44 PM
Post by: WoolyRunner on November 22, 2020, 08:46:58 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 22, 2020, 08:49:36 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 23, 2020, 05:30:16 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 23, 2020, 08:24:39 AM
Post by: Griiz on November 23, 2020, 09:23:00 AM
Post by: Onewhohikes on November 23, 2020, 09:31:32 AM
Post by: fishnfur on November 23, 2020, 08:19:45 PM
When you come across an area (behind a gate, 1 main road, with 2 small spurs off of it...about a mile in length total, turns and twists and all) that has over 30 rubs with active trails everywhere...but no deer in sight period...would that mean they are actively rubbing and cutting through the trails at night? I guess hard to say without cam footage.. As mentioned prior, there were bunches of rubs between 1-2 in a spot, and all the way up to 8 in a line...whats the likelihood there is more than 1 buck in this small of an area? Or would a dominant buck have already pushed them out? Just seems too insane to have that fresh of rubs without live animals in the vicinity, that we could have jump/spot. We are talking bark shavings curled on the ground below, blood red exposed bark that has clumps of hair still stuck to it. I have a ton of photos, but my pictures are all to big
Unless you had been in the area recently and not seen the rubs (where there are now rubs), then that is the only way to know how fresh they are. Most of the rubbing takes place prior to the peak of the rut, to the point that I'd say there's almost none going on now. By all accounts the rubbing activity ends when breeding begins. Whether or not that is correct, only the deer know. Those shavings and hair from the rubs will lie there on the forest floor for weeks without changing appearances much so unless you see the buck make the rub, or you know for sure that it wasn't there a couple days ago, then all you can surmise is that it happened somewhat recently, like in the last month or so. The good news is that it does mean that there is still a buck somewhere close by, unless it got harvested. Active trails and lots of sign should keep you hunting that area frequently. There are definitely deer there, which is way better than hunting an area with no deer. :)
It is hard for humans to interpret rubs - you can only best guess why they are there. Deer intentionally leave their scent, presumably related to territoriality in some rubs, and at other times express sexual frustration by thrashing small trees or making some massive rub line with many (30 is a lot) rubs while they are waiting for the doe to come into estrus. Some rubs are used by multiple bucks, such as in a rut hole, where many bucks all contribute to multiple rubs repeating over many years. There are also the rubs on small sapling fir and alder that bucks use to remove velvet at the end of August. All in all, you can guess what is going on, but you can probably never be sure. Once again, the important thing to a hunter is that you now know that you are close in a buck's home turf. You may not see him, but he is likely somewhere close doing what deer do.
Post by: jjhunter on November 23, 2020, 08:22:31 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on November 24, 2020, 08:13:30 AM
7:50 ish this morning. Right place at the right time. Very thankful for this cool 2pt. Had to work the last three days so today was my Hail Mary.
Great buck mister; love those tall two points!
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 24, 2020, 09:39:14 AM
Post by: SeatoSummit88 on November 24, 2020, 09:40:53 AM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 03, 2020, 08:14:06 PM
Post by: JakeLand on December 04, 2020, 04:54:51 AM
Post by: fishnfur on December 06, 2020, 12:38:39 AM
Post by: 85yota on December 06, 2020, 10:49:51 AM
Post by: JakeLand on December 06, 2020, 01:43:33 PM
Post by: EPF11 on December 06, 2020, 03:12:18 PM
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on December 06, 2020, 04:19:12 PM
Post by: fishnfur on December 06, 2020, 06:08:15 PM
EPF11 - if you're hunting for meat, then kill the first legal animal you see. If you're hunting for sport plus a little extra meat in the freezer, then you decide. Though we have one report of a buck chasing this morning, statistically 99.5%+ of doe have been bred at this time of a normal season. This is not quite a normal season though. I would say we are a full week to 10 days late on the normal dates of the normal BT buck activity, which means squat in a single localized small spot. Last chase I had on cam was 27 November, which is two weeks later than a typical year.
Good luck!
Post by: DamnDams on December 06, 2020, 07:21:44 PM
At this point in the season should I give up on filling my tag with a buck? I can take a doe in the 666 but would still like a buck. I've tried every tactic I can think of and haven't seen a buck since the late rifle. Any suggestions?
Following replies to this. I hunt muzzleloader and was seeing bucks moving does in the area I’m hunting in 651 before season opener. And now, I’m not seeing anything. Busted one doe last Friday and haven’t seen anything since. Also saw 2 juvenile lions the other day and wondering if they’ve sent the deer running. Considering hunting 666 as well for the any deer opportunity.
Post by: 257wbymagkiller on December 06, 2020, 09:59:48 PM