My 2014 WA Blacktail

[Elkfever]

Well, October 28th was the day my persistence paid off. It was my 11th day of deer hunting this month and I had been seeing quite a few does but only one spike. However, my experience has been that the last several days of October are usually worth the early mornings and long days in the rain if you keep patient and persistent. On the 28th, another hunter beat me to my desired spot at first light. Disappointed that I was slow in getting to where I wanted to be, I focused on plan B which was to go hunt a ridge with a select cut. I hadn't hunted that ridge in almost six years but my dad and I had historically seen bucks in there. As I pulled parked the truck, the rain really started to dump and I just had to laugh at my predicament. Nevertheless, I donned my rain jacket and pack, loaded my rifle and began slowly trudging up the ridge. Every few steps I would stop and scan through the foggy timber. Only maybe 100 yards up the ridge, I happened to catch movement of a deer standing from it's bed. I couldn't see it's head but we had a minute stare down before I decided to move up about 10 yards to an old growth stump where I might get a better angle on what the deer was. As I reached the stump, I could see a doe and buck standing above the first deer, also broadside and staring at me. I had a solid rest, focused the crosshairs on his front shoulder and could hear my dads voice in my head telling me to "squeeeeze." One shot at about 90 yards uphill, the buck took a hop and was done. After attempting a few pictures on my tripod, the work began. Asking my time, I used the gutless method and had him out in two trips off the ridge. Not a hard pack out but I believe that you pay your dues hunting the steep and nasty to once in a while get thrown a bone. I am extremely grateful to harvest a nice, symmetrical buck and fill the freezer at the same time. Good luck to those still hunting.

 

[7mag.]

Congrats. It's been a tough season here. Good looking buck.

 

[E Wa Hunter]

Great buck. Congrats

 

[WonkyWapiti]

Good job and a helluva trophy, any blacktail is in my opinion. Two nights ago I was a proud father as my daughter tagged out on her first deer, a blacktail, after 5 years of trying. I'm glad the little bugger finally got one down.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Nice photos! Congrats on your deer.

 

[westside elkhunter]

Congrats on sticking with it. And getting a nice blacktail

 

[huntin'monkey]

You definitely have to stick with it for blacktails, even if you aren't seeing bucks. Last year I dropped mine on Nov. 1st, the final day of the season in Oregon. This year, I was looking forward to hunting the last week; it goes until Nov. 7th this time.

But I dropped a buck on the opener this year, and have been a little bummed about ending my hunt so early. So tomorrow I'm going to go out and rattle them in anyway, and take photos with my DSLR instead of putting the scope on 'em.

 

[Elkfever]

Thanks for the nice comments everyone.

Wonkey- Congrats to you and your daughter- what a sense of accomplishment!
Huntin' Smokey- post up your Blacktail pics if you get some bucks to cooperate for your DSLR.

 

[trkyslr]

Congrats on the blackie!

 

[huntin'monkey]

No luck Saturday. It's a new spot I'm just starting to learn, so maybe next time.