Post by: Ridgerunner on April 22, 2024, 04:19:11 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on April 22, 2024, 04:23:58 PM
The rut had actually died off in our area..First week of Nov isn't always the best...prime in our spots is usually Oct 25-30th...give or take a couple days.
We kill big enough bucks during general season we typically don't apply for these tags.. just did it for his last year of youth...
Post by: trophyhunt on April 22, 2024, 04:26:54 PM
Post by: Bullkllr on April 22, 2024, 04:45:24 PM
Post by: jason stevens on April 22, 2024, 06:53:45 PM
Post by: Ingwe on April 22, 2024, 07:27:49 PM
Post by: kentrek on April 22, 2024, 07:47:30 PM
Post by: Ingwe on April 22, 2024, 07:53:21 PM
Post by: Huckleberry on April 22, 2024, 09:04:01 PM
Post by: kodiak06 on April 23, 2024, 07:47:44 AM
Oregon made it $25 but not sure if it makes a difference here.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on April 23, 2024, 09:03:12 AM
Both quality tags were home runs. Resulting in multiple buck sightings, lotsa rut action Several above average bucks, was able to pass on bucks I would have happily tagged during general and essentially had the woods to myself. Harvested my goals on both permits.
My buck tag was tougher for several reasons. Proximity to unit was an obstacle for scouting etc.... I also had a multi elk tag that year, which caused some moments of indecision. In the end, I saw few deer, fewer buck, no BIG bucks. Also battled heavy pressure from elk hunters. Did harvest a buzzer beater, a solid forkhorn and was grateful to take him.
Hunting partners hunt was somewhat better, he was able to scout hard, saw more deer overall including a few nice bucks and rut sign. However, he also battled woods full of elk hunters, and sporadic rut action. He ate the tag after passing a couple younger branched bucks.
To summarize. The majority of the buck hunts seem to be in units with lower deer densities, and larger elk populations attracting more folks to those areas. My personal goals would be lower on these hunts, unless I had the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the unit and locate a stud. However, like most blacktail country, a mossback is for sure hiding in a nook or cranny and that is the best time to catch him slipping up.
Post by: JakeLand on April 23, 2024, 10:28:46 AM
I have had 2 quality, and 1 buck. Hunting partner had a buck as well. Won't say specific units. But am happy to report my observations. Side note: I only apply for bt, so it's not like these tags are raining, lotsa points burned.we need pics !!!!
Both quality tags were home runs. Resulting in multiple buck sightings, lotsa rut action Several above average bucks, was able to pass on bucks I would have happily tagged during general and essentially had the woods to myself. Harvested my goals on both permits.
My buck tag was tougher for several reasons. Proximity to unit was an obstacle for scouting etc.... I also had a multi elk tag that year, which caused some moments of indecision. In the end, I saw few deer, fewer buck, no BIG bucks. Also battled heavy pressure from elk hunters. Did harvest a buzzer beater, a solid forkhorn and was grateful to take him.
Hunting partners hunt was somewhat better, he was able to scout hard, saw more deer overall including a few nice bucks and rut sign. However, he also battled woods full of elk hunters, and sporadic rut action. He ate the tag after passing a couple younger branched bucks.
To summarize. The majority of the buck hunts seem to be in units with lower deer densities, and larger elk populations attracting more folks to those areas. My personal goals would be lower on these hunts, unless I had the opportunity to become intimately familiar with the unit and locate a stud. However, like most blacktail country, a mossback is for sure hiding in a nook or cranny and that is the best time to catch him slipping up.
Post by: mikeandcilla04 on April 30, 2024, 04:07:30 PM
Post by: TeacherMan on April 30, 2024, 04:34:43 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on April 30, 2024, 06:06:20 PM
Harvest stats are very misleading. A lot of individuals do not report their kills with that in mind. It's only $10 for not reporting.
Oregon made it $25 but not sure if it makes a difference here.
In Alaska you can't get game permits the next year if you don't report.
Post by: dylanb on April 30, 2024, 07:06:28 PM
Post by: greenhead_killer on April 30, 2024, 07:32:33 PM
Post by: Sundance on April 30, 2024, 09:38:39 PM
My advice for these tags is that just pulling the tag isn’t enough, you need to have historical knowledge of the area to consistently take mature bucks. I’ve identified core rut zones that have been unchanged for 10-20 years in some areas. I can put a camera there October 31 through November 15th and catch good bucks consistently working these spots during peak rut, sometimes 10+ legal bucks a day.
Where it’s different for me, is that during general rifle I still see a lot of cruising and find the deer are more responsive to calling. In a 600 acre area I may have 8-10 stand locations to work depending on wind and time-of-day. Come November 1st through the 12th that same 600 acres will be narrowed down to 1-2 spots which I’ll sit on for the whole day.
One area in particular I’ve taken 5 bucks on, all within an 300 yard zone. I can go to this spot for an all day sit any day in October and be lucky to see one good buck. Go back to this same spot November 5-10 and it’s a madhouse, literally almost been run over by bucks chasing does while taking film. For me these tags allow you to hunt mature bucks that are usually nocturnal in their most vulnerable state, and with next to no pressure.
My caution would be that just because you draw these tags doesn’t mean you can fly blind into a unit and stumble upon crazy rut action (but hey it happens). With some knowledge of an area and scouting these tags can turn what normally is a decent hunt, into a memorable experience hunting one of the toughest critters to connect on.
Post by: Sundance on April 30, 2024, 09:39:43 PM
Post by: Sundance on April 30, 2024, 09:56:43 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on May 01, 2024, 05:04:15 AM