Alaska Blacktail in November

[Larry Bartlett]

Just a quick post to share some pics from my recent trip to SE Alaska with my family. Great trip, lots of deer action. Stayed in a USFS cabin.



Calling bucks in November is a great experience. They responded well to bleets and rattling (i use plastic tent stakes in a small stuff sack). But having my daughter with us made it that much more of a special adventure.



I tested Kryptek's new Mandrake pattern, and it was a great fit for that region. This will be a popular pattern in the NW states and SE Alaska.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

The weather was rainy, of course, but that kept the deer moving during daylight hours instead of nocturnally. I usually find a meadow and sit and call. Usually have a deer down in less than 30 minutes. Early morning and right at dark was the best times to get bucks to respond.

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Hunting the tidal flats where bucks have made rubs on small trees seemed to be the key, but they prefer the meadows surrounded by timber stands the best, IMO.

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Kryptek's new Action Shooter gloves are the shiz for sure.

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[Stid2677]

WOW,, what a beautiful young huntress you have there Mr Larry. Congrats!!!!! Nice deer too.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Not sure WTF is up with posting pics to embed as attachments here. The first post links them properly and then the rest show as attachments. Hope someone can help me figure this shit out. Frustrated as a mofo, out

 

[Larry Bartlett]

The weather was rainy, of course, but that kept the deer moving during daylight hours instead of nocturnally. I usually find a meadow and sit and call. Usually have a deer down in less than 30 minutes. Early morning and right at dark was the best times to get bucks to respond.



Hunting the tidal flats where bucks have made rubs on small trees seemed to be the key, but they prefer the meadows surrounded by timber stands the best, IMO.



Kryptek's new Action Shooter gloves are the shiz for sure.

 

[BackcountryMT]

Awesome hunt and great memories! Thanks for sharing

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Looks like if you "go advanced" with replies the attachments show up properly. Guess I'll stick with that method from now on.



Thanks Stid...yeah having a little huntress starting off at 10 months old was a huge challenge man. We tried a new kit for her called Oakiwear, and it served her well. Temps stayed in the mid 30s most days, and rain was cold and humid inside our gear. I like this kit for her and she stayed warm and toasty. Feeding her often was the key to keeping from squeeling like a monkey...although it seemed to bring in the bucks! Ha



Wiggy's AK, Marc Taylor, sent me this Bunting bag for her, and she's almost outgrown it. But she sure loves it!

 

[tipsntails7]

Man the color on those horns is awesome.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Ayla seemed to like the flights. We chartered with Ward Air out of Juneau. Great service and reliable.



Scenery was phenomenal



Amazing how steep the terrain gets right up from the salt. Those SE islands are incredible and scenic.

 

[Larry Bartlett]

Yeah Tips, the deer rub against this veg which is unique to SE, which lends the red color of the horns. It's bad ass, huh?

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[tipsntails7]

Yeah Tips, the deer rub against this veg which is unique to SE, which lends the red color of the horns. It's bad ass, huh?

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I figured they rubbed on something, just didn't know what it was. Always makes those bucks very distinct. It's a great, great color and a place hopefully I'll get to visit someday. Looks like a great hunt.

 

[realunlucky]

Awesome trip Larry congratulations. All those years doing logistics sure payed off bringing the princess along. Be a trip remembered for a long time I'm sure

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

Awesome pics Larry! Love the mini sleeping bag for the little one. Looks like a great trip.

 

[FreeRange]

Awesome trip, super neat buck! Just checked out that Oakiwear, that looks like some good stuff at a great price. And they make waders for 2 year olds, couldn't believe that!

 

[Jon Boy]

My dream deer ! Sitka BT with those pumpkin orange antlers are freaking awesome!

 

[Moe.JKU]

Very, nice deer. As you were saying about the mandrake pattern, I was just looking into that as I like in BC and it seems to suit the terrain very well. I will probably be getting some new camo in the spring to test out on my spring bear hunts.

 

[Frosty82]

Looks like a great trip Larry!

 

[AKHUNTER]

Wow, it looks like you had a great hunt with the family! We'll keep an eye out for the new "lil rig" so the kiddo can float behind daddy in the "Big Rig"!

 

[Becca]

Larry, this thread made my day! Glad to see you out and about with your family. Little Ayla is turning into quite the huntress already filled up your freezer with the good stuff too from the looks of things...Sitka Blacktail is some of the best meat AK has to offer.

Congrats again to all of you!

 

[William Hanson (live2hunt)]

That's awesome! I love the stories when kids are brought along, especially babies, it gives me ammo to weaken my wife's defenses about saying ours are to little. I agree those red antlers are bad ass.