Blacktails in timber

[hibernation]

I see quite a few mature bucks get killed in logging country in brand new cuts, and often adjacent to landings. My theory is that buck likely spent the last 4 to 6 years on that ridge under the safety of the timber, and slips up when he cruises thru his old neighborhood.

That's a great point, I like the theory. It always seems weird to watch a buck cruise through a wide open clearcut where there's barely any growth yet.

 

[welkin]

I have seen bucks rutting in fresh cuts before. This one particular spot is a ways back behind a gate and up a pretty steep road, not a lot of human presence. Big fresh clear cut next to a 5-10 year old cut that's getting a little bushy, and some mature forest next to that. Always see animals there, last year I killed my deer there, should have killed an elk but I was soaked and freezing and decided I wasn't going to see a bull that day, and this past spring I saw and passed on a small bear.

 

[welkin]

I got this blacktails in timber thing dialed. Won't be sharing how I do it, when you have a system this good you don't go passing it out like candy

 

[Islandeer]

Love the thread.

Blacktail is definitely one of my favorite deer subs species to hunt. I’m primarily hunting the Washington peninsula.

This past year I was able to double up with a buddy. After I shot my buck, my buddy saw a larger 3 point stand up probably 25 yards past where my buck was and in the thicker treeline.

Question- has anyone noticed that larger more mature bucks sit back a little deeper generally? Newish to hunting blacktail so trying to absorb any info I can! Thank you!


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For sure they do, they can safely observe and gauge their comfort zone. Big mulies are masters of this too, late pre rut.

 

[atdp]

Great write up and great bucks! Thank you for that

 

[lightelk]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm new to Blacktails after lots of success elk hunting and getting spanked.

 

[Hunterrancher15]

I’m fortunate to be able to hunt blacktail deer here on the central coast of California.

The areas I hunt typically range from about 400 to 2,000 feet in elevation, where these adaptable deer seem to show up just about everywhere depending on the day and conditions. You’ll spot them bedded under massive live oaks, tucked deep in thick brush, and grazing out in the middle of open fields or grassy clearings. They don’t stick to predictable patterns, it’s all about reading the pressure. When things are quiet with low predator or hunter activity, they roam freely across the landscape, feeding and bedding in the open or semi-open areas. But crank up the pressure (from hunters and mountain lions), and they vanish into the thickest stuff. That’s when slow, quiet still-hunting or glassing edges becomes key, they are masters at disappearing.