Looking for tips to hunting wilderness blacktails in the B zone

[Sharpshooter_]

I’ve been a brush jump hunter my whole life by hiking the timbers, water drainages and shooting bucks within short range from 30 to 100 yds. I’m trying to switch my hunting technique by glassing and began a spot and stalk. I haven’t had any luck glassing bucks. I use onyx app to find vantage points to glass from, hiked 3 to 8 miles from trail heads and made my own trails into the wilderness areas trying to find a secluded spot to locate a honey hole. I use Leupold Bx-5 Santiam 15-56mm binos and got a new 6.5 prc chassis rifle that hasn’t seem any action yet! Any tips would be appreciated

 

[Braaap]

I’ve hunted B zone several times but it’s been awhile, but I am familiar with the terrain. Have you been able to glass up deer in other areas? Glassing deer from a distance is a skill and if you’re new to it you might just need more time doing it. Are your binos on a tripod? If they’re not then that’s probably the first thing to fix. Next I would try to verify there are deer in these areas your hiking into by just looking for deer sign. Just because you’re 3-8 miles back doesn’t mean there will be good amounts of deer. You said specifically you haven’t been able to glass up bucks but I don’t know if this means you’re seeing zero deer or just no bucks.

My other suggestions is to scout pre archery season next year. Doesn’t mean they will be there during rifle but at least find where they started at during summer before moving down lower later.

Are you looking in some burns?

 

[Sharpshooter_]

Yes, I’m using a tripod.

I’ve hunted B zone several times but it’s been awhile, but I am familiar with the terrain. Have you been able to glass up deer in other areas? Glassing deer from a distance is a skill and if you’re new to it you might just need more time doing it. Are your binos on a tripod? If they’re not then that’s probably the first thing to fix. Next I would try to verify there are deer in these areas your hiking into by just looking for deer sign. Just because you’re 3-8 miles back doesn’t mean there will be good amounts of deer. You said specifically you haven’t been able to glass up bucks but I don’t know if this means you’re seeing zero deer or just no bucks.

My other suggestions is to scout pre archery season next year. Doesn’t mean they will be there during rifle but at least find where they started at during summer before moving down lower later.

Are you looking in some burns?

I haven’t been able to glass deer in other areas and haven’t glassed any bucks or does. I’m using a tripod. Glassed an elk and some bears. I’ve seen lots of deer tracks and seen some buck scat but wasn’t fresh. Seen a few does still hunting last week in the area. Last year I hiked in the rain and seen 3 bucks in one day. I know they’re in there. I’m hunting in and around the burns in B6. Definitely plan on scouting before archery next year. Yes, I’m new to glassing. Might just need some more time doing it.

 

[Yoteassasin]

Slow down ! Also find a friend that can find bucks and take him out with you. You'd be amazed at the different things you key off of. Ear twitch , color, antlers being straighter than the brush he is bedded in , hide looks like a rock under a tree with the head hidden. And my favorite a glisten of white from the tips of their hair in the breeze .
Also bigger glass isn't always better . My 8.5 ELs will pick up bucks easier than most 12x .Sharpness of contrast is better than mag power .
And lastly I like bumping them in the brush . It took years before I killed a deer that didn't see me first .
I glass in the am and 2 hrs mid day and last hr of light .
Otherwise I'm pushing

 

[Norcal18]

Ya I feel like others have said, slow down. This is my 3rd year hunting b zone public and I finally spotted a doe a fawn at about 800 yards. That alone was a win for me lol. Usually my buddies find them first. B6 is tough, I was just there a couple weeks ago and had the same thing. We jumped a couple bucks but they were gone before we had a shot. There was sign they were there but never actually glassed anything up.