Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Bantams on October 22, 2011, 06:44:29 PM
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My dad and I will be hunting tomorrow and Monday on a large piece of private land in W WA (we have permission).
This will be my first time ever hunting; my dad is also fairly new to hunting (he got a nice buck on our property last year, his first).
My question is about where to hunt on this property, given the weather. Some portions are older growth forest, some newer, and some is clear cut.
Where would you go, if it's raining? Or cloudy but dry? Sunny?
Unfortunately I wasn't able to do much scouting earlier in the year, but did see lots of deer sign while I was there.
I know it's not ideal to go hunting without properly scouting first, but I'm okay if this adventure just turns into a nature hike. It will be good preparation for next year!
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated!
Thank you,
Kelsey
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I would try the clear cut first. sit on the edge and glass. worked for me in the past
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one more thing......nasty weather seems to get them moving around. Do not ask me why! :)
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Nasty weather, toss in the rut, then the private property, I like this recipe!
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blacktails will stick it out in the rain. my buddy just got a 3pt plus eyegurds in vail today, in a clear cut, nasty weather, and at 11am. it was bedded. pics will probley be up soon. my point is, dont give up, stay there all day despite bad or real bad weather.
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I am a rookie too but I have notice that if you can find a valley with a good flat bottom and a lot of fern with timber behind it they will come out in the rain. They seem to get nervous with wind and rain because it is loud in the thick stuff and they can't hear so the go to the open areas so they can see whats coming. If you don't have a valley like this look for an older cut with timber behind it and glass that area until it hurts then glass it some more they will show. Wish you and your dad luck.
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Hunt the clearings all day. I have killed many blacktails and just when you think nothing is going to happen, thats when the buck stands up. Rain, sun, snow, don't second guess them. Sit still and look through everything you usually only see part of the deer, they are masters at hiding. Good luck and don't give up.
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Whether to hunt, yes... where to hunt, where the deer are..... :chuckle:
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If it's raining you better be huntin', blacktails move a lot in the rain. Sit somewhere you have a good vantage of the treeline of the clear cut, especially if it's near an area that's got good cover. Watch for 'em to come out from there. Just be sure to look everywhere, blacktails are famous for just appearing out of nowhere.
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My favorite tactic for rough weather blacktails is sitting in a treestand 30-40 yards back in the timber overlooking some sort of clearing wether it be a clear cut, swamp or just a tiny little open spot. They tend to move around in the nasty weather because it messes with their sences. A lot of times the bigger bucks will cruise just inside timber. :twocents: Still hunting is also very effective in the rain and wind.
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Do they seem to prefer a clearcut on the upwind or downwind side of the tree line?
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Wow, thanks everyone! Great tips.
Hopefully I'll have something to report tomorrow! I've never wished for rain so much...
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So much for nasty weather - it was perfectly quiet and sunny today as I'm sure you all know.
My dad and I didn't see a single deer, but in the small clear cut we waited at (beginning at dawn) we saw more fresh tracks, droppings, and scrapes than I've ever seen.
We hiked about 17 miles exploring new trails and decided on the best spot to hunt next time. Hopefully my dad can take off again next weekend!
Thanks again for the help.
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If by "scrapes" you mean trees with bark rubbed off and branches broken then you should stick VERY close to that area. If you can find a line of them where it looks like a buck has been walking along rubbing then get down wind and wait patiently. Using black tail doe in estrus probably wouldn't hurt either.
