Late Muzzleloader Blacktail

[andrew_in_idaho]

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.


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[andrew_in_idaho]

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?


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[highside74]

Should be snow by Thursday. Go cut a track in the morning and walk one down.

[bkaech]

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.

[cohocrazy]

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.

[lewy]

Should be out feeding to replenish lost fat from the rut

[andrew_in_idaho]

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


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[bobcat]

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.

[blackveltbowhunter]

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.

[mbj]

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.

[Crunchy]

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.

[ThurstonCokid]

Saw a solid blacktail chasing a doe today.


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[boneaddict]

They should be doing their second surge now. It usually follows Muley just ever so slightly. 

[Wanttohuntmore]

Definitely rutting on Saturday.   

[andrew_in_idaho]

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


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