Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 09:56:13 AM
I'm really just looking for some advice, here's a little backstory. I've been hunting for 3 years now, I've spent one year pursuing blacktail, one year pursuing muleys and this year I'll be trying for a mule deer again. Here's my issues, I just cannot for the life of me find a deer. I've spent quite some time glassing, the only time I've seen a deer on public land while scouting/hunting was two does. I'm not going to say that I'm feeling discouraged, but I'm really wondering how much longer it'll take me to finally find a buck, any buck let alone a legal one.
On the west side, I found plenty of fresh sign and I'll chalk it up to fact that they were nocturnal. But on the east side, I find a lot of old sign and for the life of me I cannot find anything fresh and I feel like with the ability to cover so much ground out east by glassing that I should at least be able to find something.
On the east side, I've spent most of my time in GMU 336, 340 and 346. What should I be looking for to find these bucks? I've hiked all over different terrain and it almost seems devoid of life.
Any advice would be really appreciated for someone trying feed his family fresh meat.
Thank you guys.
Post by: jrebel on August 22, 2022, 10:05:47 AM
Look at WDFW harvest stats and put yourself in units that produce deer. Research ground via the web using maps....to include topo and arial maps. Find places that look like they would hold deer. Always keep the wind in your favor. Be patient and keep persistent......when it comes together, it will be worth every minute / year it took to find success.
Again...a mentor / hunting partner will make the learning curve easier and quicker.
Post by: GWP on August 22, 2022, 10:13:51 AM
I have had time periods of no game or fish harvested, even though I put in the 'work'.
One year I got a permit for doe in the Green River Watershed. Saw deer every day. Counted 7 on one hillside alone. I even touched one that walked by me. BIL was with me and said at the time "You should take it!", but I did not.
Once you harvested (at that time) you were kicked out, so I was taking one person in with me (allowed) nearly every day to 'explore'.
The last two days it was open I got serious.
Not. One. Deer. Seen. Not even at a distance. It was surreal.
Got skunked.
You can scout and scout, which is good, and still, when you go to harvest, NADA.
If it was easy, more people would do it. You can read on here how many do not get a critter, and that is only the ones that are willing to admit it!
Best of luck!
Post by: Woodchuck on August 22, 2022, 10:26:54 AM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on August 22, 2022, 10:27:43 AM
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 10:27:59 AM
Whenever I look at harvest reports, it looks like the only places with harvests for modern firearm above 10% have either private land or are flooded with hunters, i.e. Naneum. I understand that where I have been hunting is flooded with hunters and has been for a while, which is why there's so little to harvest.
At this point, I'm just looking for any pointers someone can throw at me when it comes to finding Mule deer in these units.
Post by: Farmer72 on August 22, 2022, 10:29:17 AM
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 10:30:15 AM
What weapon/ season are you hunting?General Season, Modern Firearm. Someday I'd like to get into Archery, but I need to learn to hunt first.
Post by: WSU on August 22, 2022, 10:36:37 AM
Post by: rainshadow1 on August 22, 2022, 10:43:05 AM
Get away from the vehicle.
A LONG way away!
If you're hunting "good" areas and not seeing anything, likely it's because they're not there. At least not while you're there (in the season.) They know you and about a billion other pumpkins are out there looking for them. It happens every year, it's a habit pattern. They move. Gotta find them, and likely they've temporarily hidden further away from the masses.
Without knowing lots of specifics about your spots, style, techniques, etc... this applies. Get WAY away from people and you'll get into wildlife.
I have found exceptions, little pocket hideyholes where they're hunkered down for the season, but it's really rare.
(Twice, I think.)
It's worth it to get into the (truly) wild, IMHO. It just smells like freedom... and it usually pays off. Just make sure you're prepared for it.
Post by: Billy74 on August 22, 2022, 10:50:05 AM
I started hunting in 2018 and it wasn’t until last year I saw bucks while actually hunting. My first year I saw nothing, second year I had some on trail cams but each year I saw more deer and more wildlife in general. I think just learning how to see what is there is a thing you have to train your eyes for. I took a buddy who hunts and he pointed out does while glassing I would never have picked up. So I would pick a unit with good harvest stats and take time to just watch the woods and listen. Trail cams help build confidence that animals are at least in the area. There is nothing worse as a new solo hunter than not knowing why you aren’t seeing animals.
You’ll look back on this in a few years and be able to see improvement. Might be how well you can sit for longer in the cold, maybe you see more animals or you’re moving quiet enough to bump does at 20 yards instead of 100.
I would also suggest picking up other tags like turkey or bear. It just adds to your time in the woods if nothing else. I found a ton of deer in new spots doing this.
This month I spotted 2 good bucks, a flock of turkeys and 6 bears on a weekend scouting trip.
One thing I don’t hear people talk about and you Don’t see it on hunting videos is learn to bring your rifle up quickly and get on target. I missed chances last year because I couldn’t get on it fast enough. When I started practicing I realized I would never get a buck unless I was lucky enough to glass one from hundreds of yards away and not be seen or smelled.
Lastly, don’t get too sucked into hunting videos and shows and try to replicate it. Work on the basics first. There are a couple really good Washington based YT channels (some are in here I think) and those may be more helpful because they are more specific to what you’ll be doing.
Slow and steady. Measure your success on progress in learning, small victories and not punching a tag for now.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 10:50:37 AM
There are places in Washington (modern firearm especially) that this doesn't apply... but boy there aren't many anymore....Absolutely, I try to get as far from the car as possible. I look for areas that have no vehicle access for at least a few miles.
Get away from the vehicle.
A LONG way away!
If you're hunting "good" areas and not seeing anything, likely it's because they're not there. At least not while you're there (in the season.) They know you and about a billion other pumpkins are out there looking for them. It happens every year, it's a habit pattern. They move. Gotta find them, and likely they've temporarily hidden further away from the masses.
Without knowing lots of specifics about your spots, style, techniques, etc... this applies. Get WAY away from people and you'll get into wildlife.
I have found exceptions, little pocket hideyholes where they're hunkered down for the season, but it's really rare.
(Twice, I think.)
It's worth it to get into the (truly) wild, IMHO. It just smells like freedom... and it usually pays off. Just make sure you're prepared for it.
Post by: asmith on August 22, 2022, 10:59:51 AM
Learn to enjoy more than the thought of success being an animal down. In most cases, an animal down means the hunt is over, and another year of waiting.
Post by: rainshadow1 on August 22, 2022, 11:05:09 AM
Advice FROM a skunked hunter:
......
One thing I don’t hear people talk about and you Don’t see it on hunting videos is learn to bring your rifle up quickly and get on target. I missed chances last year because I couldn’t get on it fast enough. When I started practicing I realized I would never get a buck unless I was lucky enough to glass one from hundreds of yards away and not be seen or smelled. .....
Ooooo... you just brought up the heartbreak of heartbreaks! I was about 18, had only practiced well aimed shots from the bench, standing, prone... never quick shots at close ranges...
Had friends get me into the right spot in Colorado, fast tracking through 10" of fresh snow in the timber, came nose to nose with the biggest bull I'd ever seen anywhere (put his head back and his antlers covered his whole body, sword tine about 20") probably 20 yards! Pulled up and just saw yellow hair in the scope! He was bolting, I never shot... gone. Chased him for 3 miles 'til I lost his tracks in a herd from a few hours earlier.
Post by: 7mmfan on August 22, 2022, 11:06:39 AM
Look for clearcuts that are 2-7 years old, and then get in them right now. Prowl the edges, look for sign, beds, trails, poop, antler rubs. Learn where you can approach these spots from based on different weather conditions, wind directions, etc.. and have good views of them. Find 2 or 3 spots like this, and then live in them during the season. If you can find a couple clearcuts that have a lot of sign and you can spend entire days just sitting and watching them, you absolutely will see deer and you are likely to see a buck, especially later in the season.
Also, especially if you are looking for blacktail, you should take a clearcut and break it down into small pieces. The entire thing is unlikely to be good habitat. The best stuff is usually within 50 yards of the edge, and often there are small pockets of the clearcut that get significantly more use than the rest of it. These pockets are usually difficult to see from the road. They're over a slight hill, or around a line of trees, screened from view. The deer know where they're visible and where they're not. The only way to find those spots is to go find them. Each of my best blacktail spots were found by working the edges of clearcuts and identifying the small pockets that had the most sign.
Post by: IslandHunter on August 22, 2022, 11:09:04 AM
Find private land to hunt on. Its easier said than done but most people put little to no effort in to gain access to private lands. You may need to ask 100 people, but that one yes might give you a prime spot with much better opportunity than public.
Don't feel like you need to learn to hunt before you learn archery. You just need to know how to shoot the bow. There are significantly less people out during archery season. Early archery puts you in the woods first before the deer are spooked. There are some areas, East and West side that allow harvesting of an antlerless deer so you have more opportunity. If you get into archery its a good opportunity to learn to hunt, learn to find deer, learn to read the landscape. Then if you consistently see deer in rifle range but can't close the gap to get a shot, next year switch to rifle and use your experience to find deer.
Another word of advice that you will hear over and over again is there is no substitute for time in the woods and boots on the ground. It's annoying advice but it's true. If you are feeling discouraged and want to turn around make yourself get to the top of the next ridge, if you don't think there are any deer in that drainage, go check anyway. I got my second deer, and first buck after almost calling it a day, then deciding "what do I have to loose, lets see what's over that hill?" there way my deer.
Final piece of advice is make it fun. As long as you following the laws, being safe, and ethical there is no wrong way to hunt. If you are tired of still hunting, go take a hike to a viewpoint, maybe you will see something on the way, or maybe find a new area to explore. Try to be as slow and sneaky as you possibly can, try sneaking up on a small game animal.
Good luck
Post by: buckfvr on August 22, 2022, 11:15:49 AM
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 11:24:24 AM
I would also add that I'd choose an area and spend time there. Jumping around place to place chasing the dream isn't likely to yield success unless you stumble onto it. Getting to know an area intimately and how animals use it, even if there aren't many animals there, will yield far more success in the long run. That will also teach you how animals use the terrain and you can then apply that to new areas. I'd pick an area close to home that you can spend a lot of time in. For a person trying to get their first deer, a young blacktail is about as easy as it going to get.Last year I went with that idea of my best opportunity would be a young blacktail because of their closeness to my home, but I just consistently run crazy people no matter where I hunt on the wet side.
Look for clearcuts that are 2-7 years old, and then get in them right now. Prowl the edges, look for sign, beds, trails, poop, antler rubs. Learn where you can approach these spots from based on different weather conditions, wind directions, etc.. and have good views of them. Find 2 or 3 spots like this, and then live in them during the season. If you can find a couple clearcuts that have a lot of sign and you can spend entire days just sitting and watching them, you absolutely will see deer and you are likely to see a buck, especially later in the season.
Also, especially if you are looking for blacktail, you should take a clearcut and break it down into small pieces. The entire thing is unlikely to be good habitat. The best stuff is usually within 50 yards of the edge, and often there are small pockets of the clearcut that get significantly more use than the rest of it. These pockets are usually difficult to see from the road. They're over a slight hill, or around a line of trees, screened from view. The deer know where they're visible and where they're not. The only way to find those spots is to go find them. Each of my best blacktail spots were found by working the edges of clearcuts and identifying the small pockets that had the most sign.
Last year, I was super intent on hunting this clear cut where I spotted a doe, I got there before sunrise. Then Elmer Fudd and his loud teenage son come up from above and behind me at 9 am and set up their stand, hooting and hollering, talking on their phones. That was extremely discouraging. I've had a really hard time finding many spots near home where I can get away from people AND find sign without paying big timber $300 to walk on their dirt.
Post by: buckfvr on August 22, 2022, 11:28:34 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on August 22, 2022, 11:30:45 AM
I would also add that I'd choose an area and spend time there. Jumping around place to place chasing the dream isn't likely to yield success unless you stumble onto it. Getting to know an area intimately and how animals use it, even if there aren't many animals there, will yield far more success in the long run. That will also teach you how animals use the terrain and you can then apply that to new areas. I'd pick an area close to home that you can spend a lot of time in. For a person trying to get their first deer, a young blacktail is about as easy as it going to get.Last year I went with that idea of my best opportunity would be a young blacktail because of their closeness to my home, but I just consistently run crazy people no matter where I hunt on the wet side.
Look for clearcuts that are 2-7 years old, and then get in them right now. Prowl the edges, look for sign, beds, trails, poop, antler rubs. Learn where you can approach these spots from based on different weather conditions, wind directions, etc.. and have good views of them. Find 2 or 3 spots like this, and then live in them during the season. If you can find a couple clearcuts that have a lot of sign and you can spend entire days just sitting and watching them, you absolutely will see deer and you are likely to see a buck, especially later in the season.
Also, especially if you are looking for blacktail, you should take a clearcut and break it down into small pieces. The entire thing is unlikely to be good habitat. The best stuff is usually within 50 yards of the edge, and often there are small pockets of the clearcut that get significantly more use than the rest of it. These pockets are usually difficult to see from the road. They're over a slight hill, or around a line of trees, screened from view. The deer know where they're visible and where they're not. The only way to find those spots is to go find them. Each of my best blacktail spots were found by working the edges of clearcuts and identifying the small pockets that had the most sign.
Last year, I was super intent on hunting this clear cut where I spotted a doe, I got there before sunrise. Then Elmer Fudd and his loud teenage son come up from above and behind me at 9 am and set up their stand, hooting and hollering, talking on their phones. That was extremely discouraging. I've had a really hard time finding many spots near home where I can get away from people AND find sign without paying big timber $300 to walk on their dirt.
I hear ya. It's tough. It took me time to find my spots. I frequently walk or ride my bike 3-5 miles behind closed gates to get to spots where I rarely see people. The plus to getting that far back is that when you do run into people, they are usually as diligent and motivated as you are, not Elmer Fuds.
Also, when it comes to hunting managed timber land on the westside, it's an ever changing landscape. Places that were good a year or two ago are now grown up and difficult or impossible to hunt. However, there are always new cuts. Spending time riding your bike way behind gates in the summer time is a great way to get exercise and see the new cuts and have a leg up on most people come season because you know which cuts are good and which aren't now. Google Earth and OnX won't show you those new cuts, you have to go find them most of the time.
Post by: timberfaller on August 22, 2022, 11:47:31 AM
Post by: Farmer72 on August 22, 2022, 12:31:21 PM
I will say that if you need an extra set of eyes in the woods with you during rifle deer I might be able to go on a weekend and help you glass or impart some of my knowledge. I don't hunt rifle deer so my weekends during that time may be open. I haven't hunted the areas that you listed but I don't have a problem checking out new areas.
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 12:50:07 PM
I think you've given me the motivation to hunt the west side again. After looking at the numbers, it's almost a no brainer to hunt an area 30 minutes from home with 20% success than a place 3-4 hours from home with >10% success.I would also add that I'd choose an area and spend time there. Jumping around place to place chasing the dream isn't likely to yield success unless you stumble onto it. Getting to know an area intimately and how animals use it, even if there aren't many animals there, will yield far more success in the long run. That will also teach you how animals use the terrain and you can then apply that to new areas. I'd pick an area close to home that you can spend a lot of time in. For a person trying to get their first deer, a young blacktail is about as easy as it going to get.Last year I went with that idea of my best opportunity would be a young blacktail because of their closeness to my home, but I just consistently run crazy people no matter where I hunt on the wet side.
Look for clearcuts that are 2-7 years old, and then get in them right now. Prowl the edges, look for sign, beds, trails, poop, antler rubs. Learn where you can approach these spots from based on different weather conditions, wind directions, etc.. and have good views of them. Find 2 or 3 spots like this, and then live in them during the season. If you can find a couple clearcuts that have a lot of sign and you can spend entire days just sitting and watching them, you absolutely will see deer and you are likely to see a buck, especially later in the season.
Also, especially if you are looking for blacktail, you should take a clearcut and break it down into small pieces. The entire thing is unlikely to be good habitat. The best stuff is usually within 50 yards of the edge, and often there are small pockets of the clearcut that get significantly more use than the rest of it. These pockets are usually difficult to see from the road. They're over a slight hill, or around a line of trees, screened from view. The deer know where they're visible and where they're not. The only way to find those spots is to go find them. Each of my best blacktail spots were found by working the edges of clearcuts and identifying the small pockets that had the most sign.
Last year, I was super intent on hunting this clear cut where I spotted a doe, I got there before sunrise. Then Elmer Fudd and his loud teenage son come up from above and behind me at 9 am and set up their stand, hooting and hollering, talking on their phones. That was extremely discouraging. I've had a really hard time finding many spots near home where I can get away from people AND find sign without paying big timber $300 to walk on their dirt.
I hear ya. It's tough. It took me time to find my spots. I frequently walk or ride my bike 3-5 miles behind closed gates to get to spots where I rarely see people. The plus to getting that far back is that when you do run into people, they are usually as diligent and motivated as you are, not Elmer Fuds.
Also, when it comes to hunting managed timber land on the westside, it's an ever changing landscape. Places that were good a year or two ago are now grown up and difficult or impossible to hunt. However, there are always new cuts. Spending time riding your bike way behind gates in the summer time is a great way to get exercise and see the new cuts and have a leg up on most people come season because you know which cuts are good and which aren't now. Google Earth and OnX won't show you those new cuts, you have to go find them most of the time.
I've got some spots to check out, this time I might try some firearm restricted areas. Time to polish up my shotgun and send some slugs through it.
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 12:51:51 PM
I would also recommend maybe looking into Muzzleloader hunting. It might not have as many areas to hunt as the state hates muzzleloaders for some reason (my opinion), but there is less people out and you also have a early and late season.Muzzleloader has always been something I want to pursue, but for some reason I'm stuck in the idea that I should just pursue them with the rifle I have rather than branching out and dropping more $$$. I really appreciate the offer, I'm gonna try to get some good scouting in this week. I'll keep you in mind, but in the meantime I'll go alone to save you the gas money!
I will say that if you need an extra set of eyes in the woods with you during rifle deer I might be able to go on a weekend and help you glass or impart some of my knowledge. I don't hunt rifle deer so my weekends during that time may be open. I haven't hunted the areas that you listed but I don't have a problem checking out new areas.
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 12:53:09 PM
Keep at it! Your luck will change some day! Best advise though, try out of state! At the age of 66 now, the opportunity's to hunt are greater but the wildlife numbers are not.I will start going out of state when my family gets older. I dream of taking my daughter pronghorn hunting when she is older.
Right now, I have a hard time leaving my wife and 18 m/o at home for more than a few days, that's why I'm ditching the Army!
Post by: Rob on August 22, 2022, 01:09:58 PM
Early in my days I found that modifying my glassing technique helped me see more animals.
I sit in an area where I can see pretty well. I set up my spotting scope (just a Leupold compact 15-30 set on 15X) and starting at the closest range (because that is what will spook first), I scan from far left to far right. Then I move the scope up one sight picture, and move back right to left. Then up one sight picture and go left to right again. Repeat until all viewable locations have been looked at. In this way I can cover an entire large hillside in a grid like pattern. Then I do rescan the entire hillside a second or even third time. Any time I see something suspicious, I zoom in and watch for a while. If a deer does not materialize, I make a mental note and re-check that spot every 1-2 cycles of my scan.
Once I started this disciplined scanning method my sightings increased 10x. After a few years of scanning you start to get an eye for it. Odd shape here that turns out to be an ear. An area that looks a little too tan, a fleck of white. I am far from good, but I get better every year.
Deer hide in plain sight - its like their lives depend on it.
Post by: Rob on August 22, 2022, 01:12:01 PM
Post by: Rob on August 22, 2022, 01:29:39 PM
-If you have scope covers on your scope, keep them open if possible (nothing worse than having a deer pop up at 30 yards and only see black when you mount the gun!)
-walk around with your scope dialed to the lowest magnification. Makes finding your target much easier - especially in a quick shot situation, and if you need high magnification you will likely have time to dial it up (but often no time to dial it down)
-If you come to a meadow/opening and you want to glass it, start close and work your way out to far. Most folks tend to do the opposite but if a deer is close, it will bug out much faster than the ones at the far side of the opening. You may never even see the close ones leave.
Don't become so obsessed with getting a deer that you skip safety steps! know your target, and backstop. Firearm pointed in a safe direction, treat the gun as if it was loaded at all times, finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. It is so easy to become focused on your target, that if it pops up 20 yards out and you snap the gun up to shoot, you may not even think about your backstop. I watched my dad kill two impala with one shot as the bullet passed thru and hit a hidden one behind his target (not a game violation because it was Africa - you just pay for what you hit, but it was a reminder of how easy it is to focus on the target when things happen quickly).
Post by: FrothyLlama on August 22, 2022, 01:54:46 PM
Speaking of practicing getting your Rifle mounted for a shot quickly. Some other tips:Absolutely, firearm safety is always number one. I'm a life long trap shooter and worked many years as a range officer.
-If you have scope covers on your scope, keep them open if possible (nothing worse than having a deer pop up at 30 yards and only see black when you mount the gun!)
-walk around with your scope dialed to the lowest magnification. Makes finding your target much easier - especially in a quick shot situation, and if you need high magnification you will likely have time to dial it up (but often no time to dial it down)
-If you come to a meadow/opening and you want to glass it, start close and work your way out to far. Most folks tend to do the opposite but if a deer is close, it will bug out much faster than the ones at the far side of the opening. You may never even see the close ones leave.
Don't become so obsessed with getting a deer that you skip safety steps! know your target, and backstop. Firearm pointed in a safe direction, treat the gun as if it was loaded at all times, finger off the trigger till you are ready to shoot. It is so easy to become focused on your target, that if it pops up 20 yards out and you snap the gun up to shoot, you may not even think about your backstop. I watched my dad kill two impala with one shot as the bullet passed thru and hit a hidden one behind his target (not a game violation because it was Africa - you just pay for what you hit, but it was a reminder of how easy it is to focus on the target when things happen quickly).
Post by: Fidelk on August 22, 2022, 02:12:04 PM
Post by: GWP on August 22, 2022, 02:50:56 PM
If you can, watch ahead for movement, then wait until the cabbage heads have passed and watch behind as many time critters will circle around and come back right to where they were before they were disturbed.
If there are two of you it is a good tactic to go up hills staggered so you push them to each other. Another time to go slow. Just watch the direction you are shooting!
If you are a ‘meat hunter’ keep in mind salvage deer. You have to have gear close to hand, but it can pay off.
Many places have WAY too many deer, say from Montesano West for instance, but finding public land, or private, that hunting is allowed is an issue.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on August 22, 2022, 02:53:11 PM
Post by: GWP on August 22, 2022, 03:07:43 PM
I did archery. As has been stated, you don’t need to be able to hunt to learn how to shoot a bow. It is great fun, and pretty addictive.
Post by: savagehunter on August 23, 2022, 12:11:29 AM
Post by: Will on October 17, 2022, 02:08:34 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on October 17, 2022, 05:30:16 PM
In my opinion you’ve already been successful anytime out in the woods hunting is successful
It can be frustrating for sure but keep at it
Post by: fishnfur on October 18, 2022, 12:39:16 AM
A few years back I saw that the average tag fill rate for deer during rifle seasons was 25% give or take. That means that the average hunter fills a tag every 4 years. (obviously some never hunt, some hunt and never fill a tag, and some fill every year, some fill a tag but do not report - but to set a broad expectation, Wa rifle hunters on average fill a tag every 4 years).
Early in my days I found that modifying my glassing technique helped me see more animals.
I sit in an area where I can see pretty well. I set up my spotting scope (just a Leupold compact 15-30 set on 15X) and starting at the closest range (because that is what will spook first), I scan from far left to far right. Then I move the scope up one sight picture, and move back right to left. Then up one sight picture and go left to right again. Repeat until all viewable locations have been looked at. In this way I can cover an entire large hillside in a grid like pattern. Then I do rescan the entire hillside a second or even third time. Any time I see something suspicious, I zoom in and watch for a while. If a deer does not materialize, I make a mental note and re-check that spot every 1-2 cycles of my scan.
Once I started this disciplined scanning method my sightings increased 10x. After a few years of scanning you start to get an eye for it. Odd shape here that turns out to be an ear. An area that looks a little too tan, a fleck of white. I am far from good, but I get better every year.
Deer hide in plain sight - its like their lives depend on it.
I think Rob's and 7mm ideas about learning to glass effectively might just solve your problems. East side or West side - you have to be meticulous in glassing every potential spot a deer could bed, stand, or travel. Sometimes you get lucky and they are just standing there for you. Most times - not so much so.
You have to glass slow and spend time in each field of view picking apart every little thing that might be just a small part of a bigger deer. White face/butt, leg patches, horizontal back and belly lines, twitching ears, anlter tine tips, round butts, black forehead & black nose/eyes (Blacktail). Once you've covered the area, repeat several times. I'm always amazed to watch how Muley hunters pick out bucks bedded in grass or in the shade of distant trees on TV hunting shows. If you're confident that there are a lot of deer in your area, sit tight and keep glassing. Deer appear out of nowhere - over and over again, I've glassed a spot many times with no results, then the next time through, "poof" there's a deer standing in the exact spot you were glassing 3 minutes ago. When new to it, finding a deer while glassing improves your confidence with each success that you can acutally do it well, which will ultimately keep you in the glass longer and improve your ability to find deer.
Good luck. Enjoy the process and your time outdoors.
Post by: hughjorgan on October 18, 2022, 07:51:38 AM
Hey all,
I'm really just looking for some advice, here's a little backstory. I've been hunting for 3 years now, I've spent one year pursuing blacktail, one year pursuing muleys and this year I'll be trying for a mule deer again. Here's my issues, I just cannot for the life of me find a deer. I've spent quite some time glassing, the only time I've seen a deer on public land while scouting/hunting was two does. I'm not going to say that I'm feeling discouraged, but I'm really wondering how much longer it'll take me to finally find a buck, any buck let alone a legal one.
On the west side, I found plenty of fresh sign and I'll chalk it up to fact that they were nocturnal. But on the east side, I find a lot of old sign and for the life of me I cannot find anything fresh and I feel like with the ability to cover so much ground out east by glassing that I should at least be able to find something.
On the east side, I've spent most of my time in GMU 336, 340 and 346. What should I be looking for to find these bucks? I've hiked all over different terrain and it almost seems devoid of life.
Any advice would be really appreciated for someone trying feed his family fresh meat.
Thank you guys.
Your problem is where you are hunting. You can’t find what isn’t there. Central wa has the worst mule deer hunting in the state; look at the hunting statistics for success.
Head to North CEntral or NE Wa and you’ll do better.
Post by: Buzzsaw461 on October 18, 2022, 08:00:24 AM
Hey all,Have you hunted the 4 day late hunt in November? That’s when I have not only seen the most deer but have taken the majority of my Blacktail Bucks. Key is to stay out in the woods from dawn to dusk.
I'm really just looking for some advice, here's a little backstory. I've been hunting for 3 years now, I've spent one year pursuing blacktail, one year pursuing muleys and this year I'll be trying for a mule deer again. Here's my issues, I just cannot for the life of me find a deer. I've spent quite some time glassing, the only time I've seen a deer on public land while scouting/hunting was two does. I'm not going to say that I'm feeling discouraged, but I'm really wondering how much longer it'll take me to finally find a buck, any buck let alone a legal one.
On the west side, I found plenty of fresh sign and I'll chalk it up to fact that they were nocturnal. But on the east side, I find a lot of old sign and for the life of me I cannot find anything fresh and I feel like with the ability to cover so much ground out east by glassing that I should at least be able to find something.
On the east side, I've spent most of my time in GMU 336, 340 and 346. What should I be looking for to find these bucks? I've hiked all over different terrain and it almost seems devoid of life.
Any advice would be really appreciated for someone trying feed his family fresh meat.
Thank you guys.
Post by: Mudman on October 18, 2022, 08:30:57 AM
Post by: h2ofowlr on October 18, 2022, 09:03:52 AM
Post by: huntnfmly on October 18, 2022, 09:35:15 AM
This is spot on and we’ll said