Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: andrew_in_idaho on November 27, 2022, 03:05:42 PM

Title: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 27, 2022, 03:05:42 PM: I’m getting laid off middle of this next week. I am pretty sure I’ll have a job starting Tuesday Dec 6th(interview on the 1st, I’ve worked for the company including the current management team previously) so I’m looking at about a 4-5 day window I could maybe sneak in a late blacktail hunt. I’ve never hunted blacktails before, will there still be some rut action happening? I just don’t want to completely waste my time if there is realistically no shot at making it happen.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 27, 2022, 03:19:05 PM: I guess I wouldn’t necessarily expect to kill anything, but I would at least like to see some deer, would that be a realistic expectation going into a late season blacktail hunt completely blind?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: highside74 on November 27, 2022, 03:22:38 PM: Should be snow by Thursday. Go cut a track in the morning and walk one down.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: bkaech on November 27, 2022, 04:47:47 PM: I have never "expected" to see deer on a blacktail hunt. Especially a buck. I just saw a buck chasing a doe Yesterday, so there is the possibility of some rut behavior, but not a given, only if a doe happens to go back into heat. If you find a spot that the deer like, and spend several days there you should be able to find a buck, or if it snows and you can track one down, that should work. But Blackies can be real elusive and with thick country and no scouting I wouldn't expect much. But one thing is guaranteed, you won't kill one sitting on the couch! It won't happen unless you try.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: cohocrazy on November 27, 2022, 04:51:34 PM: Bucks seem pretty active in my area. Was out yesterday, lots of fresh rubs. Also found a spot where it looked like two bucks were fighting. Ground was all torn up and clumps of hair on the ground.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: lewy on November 27, 2022, 04:56:19 PM: Should be out feeding to replenish lost fat from the rut
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 27, 2022, 06:21:10 PM: Quote from: bkaech on November 27, 2022, 04:47:47 PM
I have never "expected" to see deer on a blacktail hunt. Especially a buck. I just saw a buck chasing a doe Yesterday, so there is the possibility of some rut behavior, but not a given, only if a doe happens to go back into heat. If you find a spot that the deer like, and spend several days there you should be able to find a buck, or if it snows and you can track one down, that should work. But Blackies can be real elusive and with thick country and no scouting I wouldn't expect much. But one thing is guaranteed, you won't kill one sitting on the couch! It won't happen unless you try.
I know I won’t get one sitting on the couch but it is also a big investment to drive up from Idaho and buy a NR tag for 3-4 days of hunting

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: bobcat on November 27, 2022, 06:37:58 PM: Personally I wouldn't want to spend that amount of money on a blacktail hunt right now. I've been out a few days recently and have seen nothing, in an area that during early October was full of deer. Yes they're still there but they're not very active right now and they sure aren't out in the clearcuts where they were in early October. It's a pretty tough time to hunt blacktails right now.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 27, 2022, 07:05:51 PM: If you have a spot in mind I would go for it. It was an odd rut year at least from my observations. The rut seemed drawn out, so i think it would still be possible to catch a dummy, probably not alot of movement tho. Stick to recovery areas, or known food sources in your area.

If no spot in mind. Now is a great time to scout new area, and you might stumble on one while doing so.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: mbj on November 27, 2022, 07:17:34 PM: Seems to still be rut activity in my area. Seeing deer is never a given on a blacktail hunt, but this is the time of year to make it happen. At least in my area.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: Crunchy on November 27, 2022, 08:40:59 PM: They are still rutting. Seems iike the area I hunt I am now just starting to see bucks, and fresh rubs all over. The 3 point I saw yesterday was glued to a doe.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: ThurstonCokid on November 27, 2022, 08:56:12 PM: Saw a solid blacktail chasing a doe today.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: boneaddict on November 28, 2022, 05:15:18 AM: They should be doing their second surge now. It usually follows Muley just ever so slightly.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: Wanttohuntmore on November 28, 2022, 05:19:43 AM: Definitely rutting on Saturday.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 28, 2022, 06:34:38 AM: Realized I also have a Christmas party to go to this Friday evening so I think I’m gonna hold off for this year, and just go check out some muley spots. But this is all good information for the future. One of these years I’m gonna get after those blacktail

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: Sundance on November 28, 2022, 07:36:42 AM: Between the 2nd rut and the lowland snow this is a good year for the late hunt.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: dilleytech on November 28, 2022, 11:22:15 AM: I would say don’t go. If not Killing something is not a ok outcome you shouldn’t hunt. On a side note. Yes there’s always a chance you are successful if you hunt. But it might not be right for you. Take up duck hunting. Very high success rate.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 28, 2022, 11:35:15 AM: Quote from: dilleytech on November 28, 2022, 11:22:15 AM
I would say don’t go. If not Killing something is not a ok outcome you shouldn’t hunt. On a side note. Yes there’s always a chance you are successful if you hunt. But it might not be right for you. Take up duck hunting. Very high success rate.
I’m definitely ok with not killing something, more of a would I even see deer kinda question. I know those blacktails are sneaky. Alas I’ve determined I don’t have enough time so I’m gonna go see what kind of muleys might have survived the season here closer to home

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: JakeLand on November 28, 2022, 12:12:16 PM: Quote from: andrew_in_idaho on November 28, 2022, 11:35:15 AM
Quote from: dilleytech on November 28, 2022, 11:22:15 AM
I would say don’t go. If not Killing something is not a ok outcome you shouldn’t hunt. On a side note. Yes there’s always a chance you are successful if you hunt. But it might not be right for you. Take up duck hunting. Very high success rate.
I’m definitely ok with not killing something, more of a would I even see deer kinda question. I know those blacktails are sneaky. Alas I’ve determined I don’t have enough time so I’m gonna go see what kind of muleys might have survived the season here closer to home

Well if you ever want to come chase blacktails hit me up and we’ll make a go of it
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: Sundance on November 28, 2022, 05:00:08 PM: 621 is going to be on fire next week with the snow forecast for migrators and the 28-day cycle coming up.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 28, 2022, 05:50:56 PM: Quote from: Sundance on November 28, 2022, 05:00:08 PM
621 is going to be on fire next week with the snow forecast for migrators and the 28-day cycle coming up.
621 was the unit I thought looked good to check out

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: haftard on November 28, 2022, 07:40:52 PM: if it was me i would go for it. but in seams like you dont really wanna go in the first place.
Title: Re: Late Muzzleloader Blacktail
Post by: andrew_in_idaho on November 29, 2022, 02:44:20 AM: Quote from: haftard on November 28, 2022, 07:40:52 PM
if it was me i would go for it. but in seams like you dont really wanna go in the first place.
Well, I would love to drop everything and just go hunt, but with a wife and 3 young kids at home that just isn’t always possible. Reckless, throw it all to the wind me said, hey I’ve got a few days between jobs, maybe I’ll go hunt, reality me starts to realize I have things I have to do and at this point in life sneaking away for short hunts 8 hrs from home for a species I’ve really only ever seen from a highway just isn’t realistic.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk