Blacktail Wa?

nwdan

FNG
Joined
Nov 17, 2021
Messages
24
I'm a western WA (coastal) blacktail junkie. I buy my modern rifle tag and use archery equipment to hunt them. The OTC modern tag IMO is the best time of year to hunt blacktail in WA. You get pre rut and post rut with the general and the late rifle season. There are some great alpine opportunities in September with the archery tag and the high buck rifle hunt as well. I draw my multi-season tag almost every year but didn't buy it this year, not enough time to hunt in September for deer, just elk. The statistics aren't the best, but I believe that with enough scouting and hunting the right time a person can have a shot at a P&Y blacktail every year OTC in WA on public access lands.
That is very interesting, I've always wondered if the whitetail tactics would be effective, thanks for sharing!
 

Hawkeye29

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Nov 29, 2021
Messages
214
Slowly reading through this thread. I’ll say this year is kicking my ass! I’ve committed to using a stick bow, but the big issue was holding out on does until after Nov. 1st. I’ve had plenty of opportunities prior to rifle season, but man do those critters go nocturnal after the heavy pressure. Hopefully you guys are having better luck!
 

Sundance

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
192
Still sitting on a multiseason tag here. Between getting Covid and a failed draw tag for whitetail I hunted blacktail for a grand total of 4 hours in October/November. Waiting for snow in the lowlands to walk something down, otherwise I may do a day trip to 2000'-3000' and look for a snowline buck.
 
Joined
Dec 21, 2021
Messages
84
Blacktails are tough, I used my multiseason pass every year. If you don't get drawn, they sell the unused ones around July each year. Just get them immediately when they are open for sale. I always seem busy in September so I miss archery hunts, but got one in this year. Then of course general. And lastly is late bow which I am doing now as my last ditch effort. I usually get full use of it since I have both a rifle and bow and like to hunt with both. I have also had the luck this year to hunt in Western Wa, Central, North Central, and NE Wa because of the multiseason.
 

Sundance

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 9, 2014
Messages
192
I ended up hunting for 2 morning around the Christmas snow. Walked down a lot of tracks and got within bow range of several does and small bucks. The only good buck I saw was between early and late rifle, I'll try for him next year. Ate the tag this year but thankfully I'm not too heartbroken.
 
Joined
Dec 18, 2020
Messages
28
I'm a western WA (coastal) blacktail junkie. I buy my modern rifle tag and use archery equipment to hunt them. The OTC modern tag IMO is the best time of year to hunt blacktail in WA. You get pre rut and post rut with the general and the late rifle season. There are some great alpine opportunities in September with the archery tag and the high buck rifle hunt as well. I draw my multi-season tag almost every year but didn't buy it this year, not enough time to hunt in September for deer, just elk. The statistics aren't the best, but I believe that with enough scouting and hunting the right time a person can have a shot at a P&Y blacktail every year OTC in WA on public access lands.
I completely agree with this statement
 
OP
Jason277

Jason277

WKR
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
486
Location
issaquah wa
Anyone finding sheds this spring??
 

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Jdelorme

FNG
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Messages
12
I will add that 90% of the orange army in October hunts weekends and either road hunts from trucks or sits on clear cuts. Whitetail tactics are the most under used blacktail strategy in WA. Tree stands, saddle stands, rattling, grunts and scent trails are proven tactics for blacktails. Another interesting tidbit is all my P&Y and B&C bucks were shot under 50 yards in thick cover like alder bottoms and big timber transition zones. I have never killed a buck in a clear cut for what it's worth.
Nice info, do you hunt mostly public? Or private timber properties. I’m trying a new timber property, never had success with blacktails, seen a few but never closed the deal. Any tips would be great.
 
OP
Jason277

Jason277

WKR
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Messages
486
Location
issaquah wa
Nice info, do you hunt mostly public? Or private timber properties. I’m trying a new timber property, never had success with blacktails, seen a few but never closed the deal. Any tips would be great.
What are of Washington do you live in?
 
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
44
Here’s a few WA blacktail, the last 5 seasons. All rifle bucks. Modern is my personal favorite, but I see the biggest bucks of the year usually post season scouting, during late archery.
 

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