E-Scouting Blacktail

[BuckSkinKiller]

Looking for any YouTube video recommendations on E-scouting blacktail specifically in Western Wa. I’ve put a lot of boots on the ground, found sign and hung cameras.. I guess I’m looking for a better since of direction when it comes to looking for deer in the timber. I’m not super interested in looking over clear cuts like everyone else who likes to hunt the area I’m in. Thanks in advance!

 

[limpet]

I don’t think there really is one. E-scouting timber country isn’t near as useful as it is in open/broken country. The only e scouting really applicable is using lidar to find bench’s and saddles that aren’t apparent on classic topo maps. Look at what’s worked before and find more areas like that.

 

[Blacktail_]

Biggest part of escouting for me is figuring out where you can actually go and hunt and see how many access points there are into a certain area.

 

[BuckSkinKiller]

I don’t think there really is one. E-scouting timber country isn’t near as useful as it is in open/broken country. The only e scouting really applicable is using lidar to find bench’s and saddles that aren’t apparent on classic topo maps. Look at what’s worked before and find more areas like that.

The lidar feature is helpful and I’ve found different escape routes because of it. I went out yesterday to go set and move some cameras around and have been seeing sign where I’ve previously seen deer which is good. With all the new growth happening right now it’s getting more and more tough to find travel routes they are using but I’m hoping my cameras can help me piece together the puzzle

 

[aaronoto]

It’s not e-scouting specific, but watch this video and keep what he says in mind when you are e-scouting. Lots of other good videos in his blacktail playlist as well.

 

[BuckSkinKiller]

It’s not e-scouting specific, but watch this video and keep what he says in mind when you are e-scouting. Lots of other good videos in his blacktail playlist as well.

This is the type of content I am looking for! I’ll have to go through his videos but it seems like he knows what he’s talking about. Thanks!

 

[slowreflexes]

That guy is unique, but he definitely knows a thing or two about hunting blacktail deer. I found his channel a while back and watched all of his hunting videos. Then i found his big foot content- which is interesting...

 

[limpet]

That guy is unique, but he definitely knows a thing or two about hunting blacktail deer. I found his channel a while back and watched all of his hunting videos. Then i found his big foot content- which is interesting...

Unique is certainly one way to put it. He also has a book that has so much great info in it but he didn’t pay an editor and it shows. It’s a tough read due to errors but if you can grind through them there’s a lot you can glean from it

 

[slowreflexes]

Unique is certainly one way to put it. He also has a book that has so much great info in it but he didn’t pay an editor and it shows. It’s a tough read due to errors but if you can grind through them there’s a lot you can glean from it

I didn’t realize he put a book out- I’m sure it has good info and I’m also sure it’s a mess to read lol

 

[Hoodie]

Unique is certainly one way to put it. He also has a book that has so much great info in it but he didn’t pay an editor and it shows. It’s a tough read due to errors but if you can grind through them there’s a lot you can glean from it

This is so true. Steve Isdahl's advice has been gold for me hunting big timber Cascade bucks, but man did that book need a little more looking over before hitting the shelves.

The biggest thing to take away from that guy is to stop caring whether or not you see deer. I think I've heard him mention putting in 40+ days in a season and seeing 5 deer the entire time. Then killing a giant. If you want to kill blacktail bucks in places where they can't be easily glassed up, you've got to learn to keep your mind right while having very few encounters.

 

[Hoodie]

To the OP, I also hate clear cuts. Pretty much exclusively hunt national forest, so my advice only applies there.

At higher elevations (2500+), look for diversity in timber age. Learn to determine the age of timber from aerial views and look for areas where old growth borders old reprod with a viable food source nearby. Viable destination feeding areas are smaller and more spread out on USFS land.

After you find that trifecta (old growth, reprod, feed) draw some area shapes around those spots. Now prioritize the areas that meet those 3 criteria that have the highest topographic diversity. Small micro benches, folds in the terrain, etc. The number one factor I've seen correlate with buck bedding is steepness. Rim rock and cliffs are a plus but are not always visible from satellite images.

Once you've got three good areas identified, put boots on the ground and look for big buck sign. Outside of peak rut don't focus on areas with the most sign, focus on areas with the best sign.