Post by: trophyhunt on October 14, 2025, 06:14:45 AM
Post by: swanderek on October 14, 2025, 06:44:50 AM
Bucks still moving late in the night.
Post by: trophyhunt on October 14, 2025, 06:54:56 AM
Post by: MooseStock on October 14, 2025, 09:06:10 AM
Post by: Big6bull on October 14, 2025, 09:23:16 AM
Post by: savagehunter on October 14, 2025, 10:14:20 AM
Post by: Crunchy on October 14, 2025, 11:55:13 AM
Post by: ASHQUACK on October 14, 2025, 12:37:17 PM
Post by: Antlershed on October 14, 2025, 02:44:48 PM
Post by: fowl smacker on October 14, 2025, 04:25:17 PM
Post by: mboyle0828 on October 14, 2025, 04:38:50 PM
We've seen 50 plus does since Saturday. 3 spikes and 2 small forks. No signs of the rutting at all here. Most of my bucks on trail cameras are late at night, very early in the morning.
Same on my cams in 627 Kitsap.
Post by: kodiak06 on October 14, 2025, 07:24:10 PM
I went out this morning from 630-10am and didn't see a thing. Weather was too nice. Didn't see any fresh rubs either. Soon we should start seeing some action!!!Same on the oregon side
Post by: KP-Skagit on October 15, 2025, 07:57:59 AM
Post by: deerlick on October 15, 2025, 08:11:34 AM
Post by: Cylvertip on October 15, 2025, 08:50:47 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 15, 2025, 09:39:38 AM
Post by: brokentrail on October 15, 2025, 10:47:35 PM
Post by: BigGoonTuna on October 16, 2025, 04:11:46 AM
Post by: Born2late on October 16, 2025, 05:22:02 AM
Post by: Gentrys on October 16, 2025, 10:05:56 AM
Post by: cavemann on October 16, 2025, 10:11:36 AM
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
Post by: trophyhunt on October 18, 2025, 07:48:21 PM
Post by: WSU on October 19, 2025, 03:06:23 PM
Post by: Crunchy on October 19, 2025, 03:16:13 PM
Post by: Pegasus on October 19, 2025, 08:11:18 PM
Post by: Big6bull on October 19, 2025, 08:50:37 PM
Post by: Crunchy on October 20, 2025, 11:53:33 AM
Post by: ASHQUACK on October 20, 2025, 01:34:43 PM
Post by: highside74 on October 20, 2025, 03:31:44 PM
Post by: SeaRun1 on October 20, 2025, 03:58:39 PM
SR1
Post by: brew on October 20, 2025, 05:54:34 PM
Post by: brew on October 20, 2025, 05:56:21 PM
Post by: swanderek on October 20, 2025, 07:01:53 PM
Post by: dreadi on October 21, 2025, 08:09:53 AM
Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
@blackhammerarms
Post by: MooseStock on October 21, 2025, 02:46:00 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 21, 2025, 03:03:39 PM
Post by: fishngamereaper on October 21, 2025, 03:07:17 PM
This coming weekend should be getting good!
Ya
Pre rut cruising right now
The low pressure system on Thursday combined with good rut activity should make this weekend really good.
Post by: brew on October 21, 2025, 05:02:07 PM
Those rubs look like elk..have You seen elk in your area??I've seen elk around my property but never on it. Blacktail for sure...second year they've been using the same set of trees. Got trail cam picks of three different 4 points and two 3x2's. They come up and eat the wife's flowers
Post by: Crunchy on October 22, 2025, 08:12:44 PM
Post by: jowings22 on October 23, 2025, 10:15:35 AM
Post by: dilleytech on October 24, 2025, 04:19:24 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on October 24, 2025, 04:28:05 PM
Post by: Westsideelkchaser on October 24, 2025, 04:58:12 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 24, 2025, 05:13:49 PM
Saw a buck chasing does on my way to work yesterday so took today off and found him chasing three does right to me and shot him. Stunk bad and had one of the bigger necks I’ve seen in a while.we need a pic !!
Post by: Westsideelkchaser on October 24, 2025, 05:33:56 PM
Saw a buck chasing does on my way to work yesterday so took today off and found him chasing three does right to me and shot him. Stunk bad and had one of the bigger necks I’ve seen in a while.we need a pic !!
Post by: JakeLand on October 24, 2025, 05:39:06 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 24, 2025, 05:45:35 PM
Should be a bunch killed these next few days
Post by: westside bull on October 24, 2025, 07:55:00 PM
Nice jobShould be good.
Should be a bunch killed these next few days
Post by: redi on October 24, 2025, 07:55:45 PM
Post by: Antlershed on October 24, 2025, 09:08:25 PM
Post by: Dan-o on October 24, 2025, 09:14:11 PM
Found the rub in the background a few days ago on my property, so set up a camera on it. Just got this video 10 minutes ago.
Cool video.
He's dogging her for sure.
Post by: highside74 on October 24, 2025, 09:44:29 PM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on October 24, 2025, 10:32:37 PM
Post by: brew on October 25, 2025, 09:50:04 AM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on October 25, 2025, 11:47:45 AM
Post by: WSU on October 25, 2025, 01:39:10 PM
Post by: highside74 on October 25, 2025, 02:37:38 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2025, 03:27:32 PM
Post by: redi on October 25, 2025, 03:57:45 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 25, 2025, 08:18:22 PM
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on October 26, 2025, 09:26:08 AM
Post by: redi on October 26, 2025, 02:04:26 PM
Post by: Pete112288 on October 26, 2025, 03:38:49 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 26, 2025, 03:52:12 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on October 26, 2025, 05:49:57 PM
Post by: fowl smacker on October 26, 2025, 10:08:31 PM
Post by: redi on October 27, 2025, 09:35:29 AM
Post by: highside74 on October 27, 2025, 11:35:55 AM
Post by: elkboy on October 27, 2025, 11:40:28 AM
Good luck out there, everyone!
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 27, 2025, 02:25:13 PM
(Benton County, Oregon) I got out for 3 hours last night, and glassed up a nice blacktail 3x2 and a doe in some fairly dense Douglas-fir, oak, and bigleaf maple timber. The brush and low limbs prevented a clear shot, but the deer were fun to watch. He was definitely interested in that doe, but there wasn't really intense behavior just yet.
Good luck out there, everyone!
Go get 'em, Prof!
Post by: Shrimper on October 27, 2025, 04:14:10 PM
Post by: JDArms1240 on October 28, 2025, 07:02:38 AM
Post by: Big6bull on October 28, 2025, 06:27:13 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on October 28, 2025, 07:51:27 PM
Post by: fowl smacker on October 28, 2025, 07:54:42 PM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on October 28, 2025, 08:22:31 PM
Post by: addicted1 on October 28, 2025, 10:50:10 PM
Post by: JDArms1240 on October 29, 2025, 01:54:16 AM
I saw snow on the mountain tops on my way to work tonight! It’s KILLIN’ me to have a job right now! :bash:
Post by: trophyhunt on October 29, 2025, 06:03:03 AM
Post by: Mfowl on October 29, 2025, 06:06:31 AM
Post by: Angry Perch on October 29, 2025, 07:23:09 AM
Post by: westside bull on October 29, 2025, 07:30:38 AM
Post by: ridgefire on October 29, 2025, 09:06:52 AM
Post by: highside74 on October 29, 2025, 09:11:17 AM
Post by: redi on October 29, 2025, 10:09:38 AM
Post by: scottfrick on October 29, 2025, 10:30:30 AM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 29, 2025, 10:48:25 AM
This guy found a girlfriend and didn't care that I was sitting on the tractor 30 feet away!
You didn’t put him in the cellar?🤔
Post by: wafisherman on October 29, 2025, 11:24:14 AM
(http://)
Post by: slowreflexes on October 29, 2025, 11:37:03 AM
This guy was all rutted up. Caught him alone last night during a wind/rain storm coming up for a bite to eat.
(http://)
That’s a stud!!
Post by: Crunchy on October 29, 2025, 12:08:43 PM
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on October 29, 2025, 12:26:17 PM
Post by: SWHUNTER on October 29, 2025, 01:10:41 PM
This guy was all rutted up. Caught him alone last night during a wind/rain storm coming up for a bite to eat.Nice buck! Did you weigh him?
(http://)
Post by: highside74 on October 29, 2025, 01:12:42 PM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on October 30, 2025, 05:12:38 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 30, 2025, 05:48:01 PM
Post by: highside74 on October 30, 2025, 07:32:58 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on October 30, 2025, 07:48:01 PM
Post by: jamesjett on October 30, 2025, 10:03:15 PM
It’s ramping up in our area.
Nice buck! :tup:
Post by: jamesjett on October 30, 2025, 10:07:15 PM
Post by: Thehowler on October 31, 2025, 04:41:34 AM
Post by: Griiz on October 31, 2025, 06:39:14 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on October 31, 2025, 07:21:06 AM
Good luck to everyone huntin today.
Post by: jamesfromseattle on October 31, 2025, 09:22:45 AM
Hunting 460….I have only seen does the last couple of days and no bucks….I have seen zero rubs and have hunted from 4000’ to 1800’. All the does I have seen were down low. I did see a bobcat kitten which was pretty cool…about the size of a football.
I've had a near identical experience as you in 460 this year. I've seen quite a few does and a bobcat, but I haven't laid eyes on a single antler yet.
I've got a late tag, so I've got a couple more weeks to make it happen...but tough hunting so far where I've been.
Post by: millerwheeler on October 31, 2025, 10:50:57 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2025, 11:27:15 AM
Post by: JakeLand on October 31, 2025, 12:06:22 PM
All my luck must go towards elk, cause these blacktails can kiss my rear end!! I’m seeing rubs, tracks, I’ve sat, I’ve mostly walked real slow and quiet…. Haven’t seen a deer in two days, not even a doe! I feel like an amateur, half day left, just ate my sandwich, we’ll see.fear not it’s Halloween, hunt till dark run and gun keep on the move glassing
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2025, 12:06:40 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2025, 12:07:06 PM
will do!!!All my luck must go towards elk, cause these blacktails can kiss my rear end!! I’m seeing rubs, tracks, I’ve sat, I’ve mostly walked real slow and quiet…. Haven’t seen a deer in two days, not even a doe! I feel like an amateur, half day left, just ate my sandwich, we’ll see.fear not it’s Halloween, hunt till dark run and gun keep on the move glassing
Post by: Feathernfurr on October 31, 2025, 12:33:15 PM
Guess I need to get a cell camera, heard it’s like shooting fish in a barrel when you hunt w one of those!!!
Killed a hammer on the 19th after two days of peak rut on cell cameras. Multiple big bucks cruising, and small bucks dogging does.
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on October 31, 2025, 12:55:45 PM
Post by: ASHQUACK on October 31, 2025, 01:10:53 PM
Post by: WSU on October 31, 2025, 01:12:21 PM
Post by: elkboy on October 31, 2025, 02:53:55 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 31, 2025, 03:10:20 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2025, 04:13:48 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 31, 2025, 05:03:19 PM
Yard buck my wife took a pic of today, he would get a pass but after just seeing 1 deer in two long, miles covered days, I kinda wanna cap his butt!!
Yeah I’m thinking he would be in grave danger on my place.🤣
Post by: trophyhunt on October 31, 2025, 05:17:09 PM
Post by: JakeLand on October 31, 2025, 05:45:58 PM
Post by: furbearer365 on October 31, 2025, 06:28:07 PM
This guy found a girlfriend and didn't care that I was sitting on the tractor 30 feet away!
How, on God's green earth did you hold back from not at least trying to chase him down with your tractor. That's a great blacktail
Post by: Buckhunter28 on October 31, 2025, 08:53:19 PM
All my luck must go towards elk, cause these blacktails can kiss my rear end!! I’m seeing rubs, tracks, I’ve sat, I’ve mostly walked real slow and quiet…. Haven’t seen a deer in two days, not even a doe! I feel like an amateur, half day left, just ate my sandwich, we’ll see.You’re not alone, except my luck didn’t go towards elk this year
this comment made me feel better though, I’ve struggled this year but also have had limited time to hunt with a new baby at home! I am optimistic for late buck
Post by: Buckhunter28 on October 31, 2025, 08:53:38 PM
Then an hour later I heard the unmistakable sound of two bucks locked up sparring. I covered as much ground as I could during the loud parts of their fight and made it to about 80 yards of them, as I was about to crest the knob and get a view of them, the wind completely swirled and did a 180 and blew my sent right into them, and I heard them disperse. Never got to lay eyes on them either. A super fun day to close out regular season and I look forward to late buck. All the modern elk hunters please report back here with all the big bucks you see while hunting and send their coordinates my way
Post by: kodiak06 on October 31, 2025, 09:14:01 PM
Post by: jamesjett on October 31, 2025, 10:05:08 PM
Post by: dilleytech on November 01, 2025, 08:12:45 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 01, 2025, 10:35:54 AM
Congrats on the new baby!!! Yeah, let’s hope the rut is still kicking during late deer, only 12 days away!All my luck must go towards elk, cause these blacktails can kiss my rear end!! I’m seeing rubs, tracks, I’ve sat, I’ve mostly walked real slow and quiet…. Haven’t seen a deer in two days, not even a doe! I feel like an amateur, half day left, just ate my sandwich, we’ll see.You’re not alone, except my luck didn’t go towards elk this year
Post by: Pete112288 on November 01, 2025, 01:38:56 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 01, 2025, 05:24:11 PM
Post by: Rob Allen on November 01, 2025, 08:46:49 PM
The first few years it was exciting. I felt like anything could happen at any time.. now it pretty much just seems impossible.
Post by: Antlershed on November 02, 2025, 08:40:32 AM
Post by: elkboy on November 02, 2025, 09:41:06 AM
Overall, the blacktails seemed active most of the day, and bucks are grunting, rubbing, etc. Rattling did not seem effective, but then I didn't spend a lot of time attempting it.
Good luck to all of you out there!
Post by: dilleytech on November 02, 2025, 09:49:36 AM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 02, 2025, 10:24:43 AM
I have yet to rattle in a single buck though I try all the time. I’ll admit I don’t commit to it very long. Seeing how slow a buck came into doe sounds the other day that I watched the whole way I think I need to commit for longer stretches but I keep expecting something to come in charging.
When I rattle or call I'll sit up to an hour at times... Usually 20-30 minutes... If I'm rattling a cut I'll sit for 20 minutes and glass the edge of the cut well... If I'rattling in timber I may sit 30-40 minutes... Glass through the timber... Then only move 400 yards and try again... I mix in grunts too... Sometimes I only bleat call with two different bleats... Or I'll do rattling sequence wait a few while grunting and do another rattle... I mix it up... I see deer occasionally... If there's no deer that can hear it they won't come in... If they can hear it it's a crap shoot if they come in or not where you can see them... Some have rushed in... Some get way down wind and you never know... I'm betting I've called in way more deer then I'll ever know... I've shot 6 or 7 blackies I've called in over 30 years of trying... :chuckle: It's not the most effective... But it does work sometimes... I've shot more deer, muley and blackies road hunting... lol But it's fun when you see them while calling...
I watched a video of two guys rattling Texas brush country whitetails the other night... I forget how many sets but the guy sitting down wind 60-70 yards saw 48 bucks... The guy rattling saw 1...
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 02, 2025, 03:09:48 PM
It seems like an odd year for me and the areas i have been in seeing plenty of bucks but the typical sign I have associated with strong rut has been missing. Although activity during the weather systems was up.
The 12th seen a couple 3 points hanging out together like summer buddies still, one a large mature buck and the other was a younger lighter framed buck. No observable rutting action and they were feeding well after daylight.
A week later seen really young bucks sniffing around, and 2 fork horns lightly sparring with a large group of does with fawns. A few small rubs found in the buck holes. Nothing angry.
A couple days later seen a pile of deer including 1 2 point who seemed "cruisy" but the rest of the deer were young bucks and does with fawns still tight.
The 23rd turned up a rub line from a mature buck, bigger trees, but still seemed like not overly agressive shredding. One doe pods in area with fawns and no sign of buck in sight. The 24th, deer activity seemed down just prior to the storm. Turned up a 2 point tight on a doe, and a spike. Following the track of the buck I killed he was observing and checking does, not locked in with them. His neck was not swollen, his tarsals just barely open and he was not acting dumb.
After the kid swung a blindside desire to hunt on me, I took her out midweek last week and seen a couple spikes and 2 2 points. Only one was near a doe. And hardly any new rubs or tracks.
Halloween the bro in law killed a handsome 3x4 late in the afternoon. The 3rd buck of the day and the 5th deer. Every deer we saw was bedded and holding tight.
Basically, normally I see new rubs showing up, more rubs in general in the areas I know have bucks, alot more singled out does and fawns, and more sighting of mature bucks in yards and nights. Crossing fingers the early late buck dates will turn up a buck for the kid to shoot at.
Post by: Birdguy on November 02, 2025, 04:35:44 PM
Post by: lazydrifter on November 02, 2025, 04:48:32 PM
Post by: dilleytech on November 04, 2025, 11:29:20 AM
Post by: Mike450r on November 04, 2025, 11:38:13 AM
I’m curious what the more experienced think about the rut activity in the late season Nov 13-16. Tail end of the rut? Bucks held up pretty tight or on the move looking for does still receptive?
I pretty much hunt Lewis, Pierce, Thurston Counties and I see the peak of the rut being the first two weeks of November. The last week of October really usually gets things going good with the third week of November being about the same, rut starts dying off the last week of November from what I have seen. This late buck season should be pretty good.
Post by: highside74 on November 04, 2025, 11:44:06 AM
Post by: npaull on November 04, 2025, 01:06:24 PM
Post by: dilleytech on November 04, 2025, 01:36:30 PM
Here around Olympia I'm still seeing does without bucks on them so I think the rut is just getting going, makes me think late season could be really good this year.
Not all does are in heat at the same time. There’s probably a doe with the buck in the bushes you don’t see. Bucks generally only pin one down at a time.
Post by: HntnFsh on November 04, 2025, 06:13:58 PM
:chuckle:
Post by: HntnFsh on November 04, 2025, 06:14:48 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 04, 2025, 06:23:14 PM
I’m curious what the more experienced think about the rut activity in the late season Nov 13-16. Tail end of the rut? Bucks held up pretty tight or on the move looking for does still receptive?
I've seen more bucks during the last week of October... I've seen more mature bucks during the 4 days of late season... I use to hunt Mason and Kitsap for years... Now I'm in Puyallup so relearning Mashel, Skookum, and South Rainer...
Post by: highside74 on November 04, 2025, 06:32:36 PM
Post by: JakeLand on November 04, 2025, 07:23:25 PM
Post by: Buzzsaw461 on November 04, 2025, 07:42:48 PM
Yep, have hunted Lewis county for years and have killed all my Blacktail bucks during the late hunt.I’m curious what the more experienced think about the rut activity in the late season Nov 13-16. Tail end of the rut? Bucks held up pretty tight or on the move looking for does still receptive?
I pretty much hunt Lewis, Pierce, Thurston Counties and I see the peak of the rut being the first two weeks of November. The last week of October really usually gets things going good with the third week of November being about the same, rut starts dying off the last week of November from what I have seen. This late buck season should be pretty good.
Post by: Buzzsaw461 on November 04, 2025, 07:47:46 PM
I’m curious what the more experienced think about the rut activity in the late season Nov 13-16. Tail end of the rut? Bucks held up pretty tight or on the move looking for does still receptive?I love the late hunt. Deer are moving all day so key is stay out from morning until dark. I have taken some really nice bucks in the middle of the day.
Post by: HntnFsh on November 04, 2025, 08:55:39 PM
Post by: Cylvertip on November 11, 2025, 09:05:55 AM
Post by: highside74 on November 11, 2025, 09:09:19 AM
Post by: Griiz on November 11, 2025, 10:58:31 AM
Post by: Buck Rub Jr on November 11, 2025, 12:10:28 PM
Post by: Antlershed on November 11, 2025, 12:36:04 PM
Post by: Pete112288 on November 11, 2025, 03:46:14 PM
The deer still do most of their movement at night, but odds are still up to catch them moving and making mistakes in open areas during daylight compared to other times of year. If you’re really lucky a hot doe will be around where your hunting and the bucks can be rather nutty and vulnerable.
Yup, my best buck had a fresh 12 gauge slug hole through his neck (flesh wound, not my proudest moment) and I caught up to him 20 minutes later still dogging his doe. Bluebird sky, sunny 1:30 pm. He dang near let me walk up to 10 yards to put another one in him in the vitals. Bleeding out the neck and was still after that doe. I coulda tracked those two by smell alone, that brush was more stinky then an elk herd in Sept
Post by: Mulie87 on November 12, 2025, 12:10:15 AM
Post by: lazydrifter on November 12, 2025, 05:27:20 AM
Post by: Mulie87 on November 12, 2025, 08:11:22 AM
Post by: Mulie87 on November 13, 2025, 01:11:29 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 13, 2025, 06:17:12 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 13, 2025, 06:32:42 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on November 13, 2025, 06:34:47 PM
Hung 5 cams on the 4th... 2 on a ridge on what appeared to be well used trails... 3 in another gmu 10 miles away on road crossings... Totally new area to us... The 2 didn't get a single pic of anything but me and my dad... Pulled them... Seems like a dead zone this time of year for some reason... Went to check the others and ran into a fellow who jumped a small buck but couldn't get a shot... Nice guy... Get to first cam... No animals... Pull it... Second cam... Bingo! 4 different bucks! Nothing huge but 2 big 2x, 1 mid 2x and 1 small 2x... Seems like it may be a thing in this area... They passed the cam often but all after dark... Most 10p-3a... The little guy made an appearance at 8a today... Was probably the deer the guy saw... Third cam had one deer at 1030p yesterday... Couldn't tell a buck or doe... Tried calling a few sets didn't see or hear anything... Reset one cam on another crossing that was tore up with fresh tracks... Going to try and figure out if getting above this area is possible tomorrow and hopefully find some places to set the 2 cams...
Nice. At least you have a place to start now.
Post by: highside74 on November 13, 2025, 06:51:25 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 13, 2025, 08:01:32 PM
Hung 5 cams on the 4th... 2 on a ridge on what appeared to be well used trails... 3 in another gmu 10 miles away on road crossings... Totally new area to us... The 2 didn't get a single pic of anything but me and my dad... Pulled them... Seems like a dead zone this time of year for some reason... Went to check the others and ran into a fellow who jumped a small buck but couldn't get a shot... Nice guy... Get to first cam... No animals... Pull it... Second cam... Bingo! 4 different bucks! Nothing huge but 2 big 2x, 1 mid 2x and 1 small 2x... Seems like it may be a thing in this area... They passed the cam often but all after dark... Most 10p-3a... The little guy made an appearance at 8a today... Was probably the deer the guy saw... Third cam had one deer at 1030p yesterday... Couldn't tell a buck or doe... Tried calling a few sets didn't see or hear anything... Reset one cam on another crossing that was tore up with fresh tracks... Going to try and figure out if getting above this area is possible tomorrow and hopefully find some places to set the 2 cams...
Nice. At least you have a place to start now.
Yeah I'm pretty optimistic... My Dad has a modern tag and I have muzzy... So hunting for him and scouting for me...
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 13, 2025, 08:02:26 PM
Put up a camera Saturday on a chunck of timber behind my buddies. Normally he and his neighbor and their kids hunt it but this year they were in Montana for deer so I figured I'd see whats back there for late season. I had 3 does and 6 bucks 2 solid shooters, 2 up and comers and 2 spikes on the camera every day since Saturday afternoon. Not all everyday but saw all of them more than once except one of the shooters. He was only on camera once. We were pumped for this morning. We didn't see a deer and sat from 7am to 5pm. They were hot and heavy from Saturday late through Tuesday. Less yesterday but one of the up and comers was dogging a doe. So we still had high hopes. We will be back in the morning.
I'd stick with that... Good luck!
Post by: fowl smacker on November 13, 2025, 08:10:12 PM
Post by: craigapphunt on November 13, 2025, 08:35:33 PM
Post by: Pete112288 on November 13, 2025, 10:54:40 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 14, 2025, 12:19:58 PM
Post by: dylan34_36 on November 15, 2025, 10:57:01 AM
Post by: swanderek on November 15, 2025, 11:13:29 AM
Post by: redi on November 15, 2025, 11:20:31 AM
Post by: fowl smacker on November 15, 2025, 01:07:02 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 15, 2025, 04:25:24 PM
Post by: brew on November 15, 2025, 06:08:02 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 15, 2025, 06:20:54 PM
Post by: swanderek on November 15, 2025, 07:03:40 PM
I saw more bucks doing buck things around Oct 18 ish to Oct 28 ish
Post by: furbearer365 on November 15, 2025, 07:21:41 PM
Miles today, sitting, going through thick stuff, looking at open areas for an hour. I hate blacktails, they don’t play by the rules. Zero animals seen today, was nice not being pelted by rain all day though. Not sure what to say about this rut, last year I saw bucks every day!
I couldn't agree more. This year, for whatever reason, is off. I can't remember a year I worked this hard for deer. I know "thats hunting," but jeez. I tagged a spike on Thursday, cuz I'm trying to get my son one, and i figured I better tag out so we at least get one. He is 15 and we've pounded it hard, and he has yet to see a buck, all year. Its crazy
Post by: tgray on November 15, 2025, 07:31:51 PM
Post by: WSU on November 15, 2025, 07:42:31 PM
Miles today, sitting, going through thick stuff, looking at open areas for an hour. I hate blacktails, they don’t play by the rules. Zero animals seen today, was nice not being pelted by rain all day though. Not sure what to say about this rut, last year I saw bucks every day!
Sucked for me too.
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 15, 2025, 07:51:16 PM
This one came running out of the timber to fight me at 7:05 am this morning. He lost…
Love that rack, nicely done.👍
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on November 15, 2025, 08:19:20 PM
I did shoot a last day of season black bear at 15 steps away tho! That was pretty wild! I was creeping through the timber, heard ferns rustling, bear running straight towards me, I pulled up and it stopped at 15 steps and I shot it in the chest. One less fawn eater anyway and some bonus sausage.
Post by: Tball77 on November 15, 2025, 09:05:45 PM
Post by: Rigby416 on November 15, 2025, 10:44:37 PM
Post by: redi on November 15, 2025, 11:11:47 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 15, 2025, 11:14:04 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 15, 2025, 11:16:28 PM
This one came running out of the timber to fight me at 7:05 am this morning. He lost…
Fixed it for you. By far heavy clean 2 points are my favorite Blacktails. Man that buck is awesome.
Post by: Dan-o on November 15, 2025, 11:36:10 PM
Friday we saw spikes running does , but no branch antlered bucks.
Post by: Shrimper on November 16, 2025, 12:55:04 AM
Post by: furbearer365 on November 16, 2025, 10:19:38 AM
Post by: pd on November 16, 2025, 10:28:08 AM
Miles today, sitting, going through thick stuff, looking at open areas for an hour. I hate blacktails, they don’t play by the rules. Zero animals seen today, was nice not being pelted by rain all day though. Not sure what to say about this rut, last year I saw bucks every day!
This is awesome. "I hate blacktails, they don't play by the rules."
You are very wise (or, wizened, if you prefer). I hope you get one. :tup:
Post by: trophyhunt on November 16, 2025, 10:29:56 AM
I got 18 deer points, and its seasons like this that scare me away from putting in for a late blacktail tag. I've got some great deer over the years, but I've also had seasons like this where we just can't seem to make it happen. Not so sure I'd be happy with myself if I waited 20 years to draw a tag, and it ended up being a warm Nov with a slow rut and had to tag a forky.exactly what happened to my buddy last year, had a Nov 1-10 westside buck tag, we hunted all season and only saw two bucks, small ones.
Post by: furbearer365 on November 16, 2025, 11:41:59 AM
I got 18 deer points, and its seasons like this that scare me away from putting in for a late blacktail tag. I've got some great deer over the years, but I've also had seasons like this where we just can't seem to make it happen. Not so sure I'd be happy with myself if I waited 20 years to draw a tag, and it ended up being a warm Nov with a slow rut and had to tag a forky.exactly what happened to my buddy last year, had a Nov 1-10 westside buck tag, we hunted all season and only saw two bucks, small ones.
Plus, there is that added issue of it being rifle elk season. Everyone knows, there's no time of year where there is more people in the woods than rifle elk. I know sometimes that could work in your favor because more people could get the deer moving. But, mentally, the more orange you see, the more you'll not want to be in that spot. So those elk hunters could of just saw a stud buck, but if your not part of their group, you'll likely never know. Just a gamble
Post by: trophyhunt on November 16, 2025, 12:40:00 PM
Post by: brokentrail on November 16, 2025, 02:41:31 PM
Post by: Griiz on November 16, 2025, 08:22:44 PM
Post by: ljsommer on November 16, 2025, 10:17:22 PM
Does that mean I am too late for the rut? Or too early? I keep seeing comments about how warm it was this season; does that mean estrus was pushed back further, or that it happened early and is all wrapped up? Sadly I didn't get many opportunities to hunt this season so I was really counting on late rifle to provide, and the woods were very quiet.
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 16, 2025, 11:53:36 PM
The last 4 days I spent trying g to get my daughter her first buck and we spent every minute in the woods. Saw a handful of bucks, the largest was on a doe in expert level cover and she just couldn't get on him in time. That was 10 minutes into opening morning. Seen 2 spike bucks she elected to pass, and just couldn't get a branched buck to sit still long enough for a comfortable shot. Saw double digit doe and fawns each day and never had a buck with em.
I think a combination of early storms timed right and a bit of cooler weather to get more first cycle does covered, combined with overcast high pressure the end of October and likely paying the piper for the last couple years of great rifle season rut timing lead to a more prolonged less intense scenario. At least that was my experience.
In regards to quality tags the first 10 days in november still had the best buck movment across the board. FWIW
Post by: dilleytech on November 18, 2025, 11:22:02 AM
I was still-hunting this evening and snuck up on two does about 75 yards away. There was a buck some ways off to their right, I am estimating about 50 yards away from them, roughly 100 yards away from me (guessing based on sound and smell, though I never laid eyes on him). The buck never made any effort at all to go near those does. Either he'd already "known" then in the Biblical sense, or he just didn't care. Either way, not a lot of rutty behavior going on. I was really hoping that buck was going to make a move towards those does, and I was ready for it. The last shreds of light evaporated from the forest after two hours of hyper focused attention and extremely uncomfortable body conditioning. The buck never made his move.
Does that mean I am too late for the rut? Or too early? I keep seeing comments about how warm it was this season; does that mean estrus was pushed back further, or that it happened early and is all wrapped up? Sadly I didn't get many opportunities to hunt this season so I was really counting on late rifle to provide, and the woods were very quiet.
We are in post rut territory now.
Post by: WSU on November 18, 2025, 12:05:59 PM
Post by: Pegasus on November 18, 2025, 02:41:50 PM
Post by: lazydrifter on November 18, 2025, 04:05:37 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 21, 2025, 04:45:35 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 21, 2025, 04:52:27 PM
Post by: Mulie87 on November 21, 2025, 09:28:08 PM
Post by: highside74 on November 21, 2025, 10:57:34 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 26, 2025, 05:57:03 AM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 26, 2025, 02:47:12 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 28, 2025, 02:49:35 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 29, 2025, 04:26:27 PM
Post by: addicted1 on November 29, 2025, 06:00:38 PM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 29, 2025, 09:02:45 PM
I feel like I'm alone at this now... :chuckle: Brought the sxs to check out a bunch of area today... Was going to hunt the morning and check my cams at the secret spot but there were 2 rigs at the gate... So we cruised 71 miles today... Saw one blue grouse on the road... Not many areas that you can't drive... Did find a skid road that's not heavily driven... Walked it for a little and saw a bear I could've shot... On the small side... (IMHO I think bear season should go till December 31st) Also found five rubs from this year... Can't make it back out till Tuesday so I think I'll go there and bring some cams in case I find a spot... Spend the day in that area and check out some other roads...am I the only one who is curious where you can run a quad or side by side anywhere in western wa?
Post by: brew on November 29, 2025, 09:49:41 PM
most trails in Capitol Forest are quad friendly. It's been a minute but we used to hunt National Forest south of Randle and a lot of ORV trails thereI feel like I'm alone at this now... :chuckle: Brought the sxs to check out a bunch of area today... Was going to hunt the morning and check my cams at the secret spot but there were 2 rigs at the gate... So we cruised 71 miles today... Saw one blue grouse on the road... Not many areas that you can't drive... Did find a skid road that's not heavily driven... Walked it for a little and saw a bear I could've shot... On the small side... (IMHO I think bear season should go till December 31st) Also found five rubs from this year... Can't make it back out till Tuesday so I think I'll go there and bring some cams in case I find a spot... Spend the day in that area and check out some other roads...am I the only one who is curious where you can run a quad or side by side anywhere in western wa?
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 29, 2025, 10:10:13 PM
I feel like I'm alone at this now... :chuckle: Brought the sxs to check out a bunch of area today... Was going to hunt the morning and check my cams at the secret spot but there were 2 rigs at the gate... So we cruised 71 miles today... Saw one blue grouse on the road... Not many areas that you can't drive... Did find a skid road that's not heavily driven... Walked it for a little and saw a bear I could've shot... On the small side... (IMHO I think bear season should go till December 31st) Also found five rubs from this year... Can't make it back out till Tuesday so I think I'll go there and bring some cams in case I find a spot... Spend the day in that area and check out some other roads...am I the only one who is curious where you can run a quad or side by side anywhere in western wa?
Several area's I go Capitol Forest, Elbe Hills, Tahoma State Forest, Tahuya State Forest, Skate Creek, pretty much all state forest... Federal lands they need to be "highway legal"... Like today I was in Gifford Pinchot... Talked to group of dirt bikes and quads that weren't highway legal... (no quads are highway legal, dirt bikes can be) They have been riding there for years never seen the FS... Our sxs is almost highway legal... Needs turn signals... Not worried about it though... Saw a big group of sxs yesterday... All looked legal but hard to say... Saw some wheelers there to that weren't legal... But legal in Elbe, Skate Creek, Tahuya... Just got to do some research... All in all it seems like nobody cares and it's not enforced often...
Post by: Cylvertip on November 29, 2025, 10:26:00 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 29, 2025, 11:03:57 PM
Mt Baker/ Snoqualmie NF is allowing street legal quads and side by sides. At least off of Mt Loop they are allowed.
Yeah NF has crazy rules to each NF... This summer we were in GP by Mt. Adams and stopped at the ranger station in Trout Lake and got a map of the roads legal for ORV use... None of them connected... So technically you had to drive to legal road, unload, drive road to end of legal and back to load up, drive to next legal road repeat... There were people driving sxs all over... She said they're years behind in making an actual ORV route... But one is in the works...
Post by: addicted1 on November 30, 2025, 08:55:20 AM
Post by: trophyhunt on November 30, 2025, 08:55:33 AM
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 30, 2025, 12:42:05 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on November 30, 2025, 01:40:09 PM
Most weyco permit areas have a sxs permit option as well.
I've been looking into that for next year to have better blackie hunting if I don't tag out for mule deer... I had really good places in Mason but moved to Puyallup and the areas I've found in 654, 667, 510 seem to have really low deer numbers... No consistency in seeing deer, or elk, in these areas... Not even on the cams... According to the WDFW that would be correct...
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on December 02, 2025, 06:05:24 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on December 13, 2025, 05:27:29 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 13, 2025, 08:12:33 PM
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on December 15, 2025, 05:24:52 PM
Post by: Crunchy on December 15, 2025, 05:53:35 PM
Post by: Mfowl on December 15, 2025, 06:41:15 PM
My cell cam in the foothills hasn't had a buck on it for a few weeks now, just lone doe's and a couple fawns.