Words of Encouragement?

[Bainbridge Bowman]

I'm relatively new to this, having only been trying to bowhunt for two years now - and always with a traditional bow (a Bear Grizzly).  I've hunted birds for years, but my only attempts at hunting things with fur have been with my bow.

Last year, I got close enough to a blacktail to have it respond with a snort, blow and a couple of stomps before crashing away through the woods.

This year, I've now been out 7 or 8 times.  I've yet to see a deer - though I've seen a lot of sign so I know they're around.  I'm still hunting, and have managed to surprise quite a few other critters (nothing to make me draw the bow).  Any tips or words of encouragement here?  Do folks chasing blacktails have better luck hunting from stands?  I'm trying to push some really thick undergrowth (salal, ferns and the like) in most of the places I've tried and it is pretty hard to be quiet - so I'm wondering if that might be a better approach.

Thanks!

[hnt2mch]

never hunted blacktails but the stand thing works for me on whitetails.good luck keep after em and follow your gut intsincts if you think you are making to much noise then you prolly are.try the tree or mebbe slow down on the stalk or mebbe sit.
 am sure some blacktail hunters will add some info for ya good huntin to yas

[Bowwild]

A friend in OR says they react to calling very well but in early Nov.

[Bear Heart]

I will let you know if I figure it out. Sixth year out and no blacktail in the freezer.

[Bainbridge Bowman]

Originally posted by Bear Heart:
I will let you know if I figure it out. Sixth year out and no blacktail in the freezer.

Actually - that makes me feel quite a bit better.

[Bainbridge Bowman]

Originally posted by Bear Heart:
I will let you know if I figure it out. Sixth year out and no blacktail in the freezer.

Actually - that makes me feel quite a bit better.

[fmscan]

Brian,
When I lived in Or. I tried going after blacktail,going through the thick stuff will not get you anywhere but frustrated. I had some success with elk and mule deer but I would think with blacktail, stand hunting is best, let them come to you. Look for funnels, crossings near creeks or near clearcuts. Just my 2 cents.

[TSchirm]

Back in the 80's when I lived in western WA, I took 6 blacktails by stalking, unfortunately with training wheels (compound).  I found if I could find old growth near second growth reproduction, I would often be able to find the deer in the old growth near the reprod.  It is almost impossible to sneak up on them in the thick second growth, but the more open timber was possible.

[ChuckC]

I think it can be said that stand hunting is better for any animal, for the simple reason that they are moving, not you.  The moving entity is easier seen than the one waiting in the shadows.

That said, we do what we like.  I personally will still hunt as often as I can because I like it, I get special enjoyment doing it, knowing full well that if I would just sit in a likely spot I would almost definitely see more.

If you enjoy the stalking and don't mind not killing things use it to grow and expand your talents, both in the stalk, in the knowledge of your area and its inhabitants, and also your shooting skills.  In time, you will learn and be successful doing it your way.  

If you feel the need to kill something every time out, I believe a stand is a much more efficient option.

ChuckC

[gringol]

You're doing pretty good if you're sneaking up on anything in that thick stuff in western wa.

Like others have said, finding a good spot and sitting tight might help.  You can actually do a combo of still hunting and stand hunting.  Still hunt while scouting, then set up when you find a likely spot.

[Wannabe1]

Aaaahhh, this thread moves me. I won't say how long I've been trying to get my first, not just traditional but first ever. It's been a while.   :D   Longer than six year and I hunt from the ground also. I love the adventures and will not give up. In fact, I will be out again tomorrow so, don't get discouraged and especially don't give up! I hope it happens for you because I know it will be a special feeling.  

[Green Mountain Boy]

Still waiting here as well.  Have lots of anticipation about this season, good trail camera pictures, nice set up for October on an active run.  I can't wait!  Good luck to all and especially those who are working on their first!!

[Sam McMichael]

I just can't do the stalking thing. I have never hunted black tails, but I understand they may be even more skittish than white tails. I just clump like a horse no matter how careful I am, and I have been readings books and practicing various techniques since the 1960's. Maybe you need to mix in some stand hunting to increase your odds. But I admire your tenacity for continuing to do it your own way. Good luck.

[Wannabe1]

Folks take black tail deer from stands all the time. The problem I've read and learned from talking to the experts is that black tail deer cannot be patterned like white tails. Meaning, you can put up a stand in a likely area but, don't expect them to come marching down a well used trail. They like to make their own trails and that's why I stalk. Have seen more black tails this way than sitting in one spot all day.

I bought a treelax tree seat thinking to give that a try. I ended up carrying around extra weight all day!  

[Jhawk]

I am in the same boat a you are.  Bird hunter for years and started deer hunting a few years ago.  Still working on my first.  If you can meet up with someone that is willing to take you on some hunts.  If you have the opportunity to hunt with a skilled woodsman you will learn more in one trip than years of trying to figure stuff out on your own.  I have been blessed with a friend who has been willing to teach me what he spent years learning.  I had some amazing encounters last year and I owe them all to the help I received from a buddy that didn't mind showing me the ropes.  Enjoy the journey.

[Bainbridge Bowman]

Thanks to all for the suggestions and encouragement.

I'll be out again this weekend - though we've got a youth only bird hunt going as well so I'll be in guide mode for my 10 year old son at least one morning.  If I'm honest, I'm more hoping to see him get a duck or two than to get a deer this weekend (but I certainly wouldn't pass it up.

[elkken]

Brian for blacktail in the thick stuff you need to spend a lot of time getting to know an area and where the deer are concentrated. Hunting randomly will keep you frustrated. I walk my dogs in an area near Black Diamond WA and it is REALLY brushy and thick, but over the years I have gotten to know where the deer are by their rubs and trails and tracks. I see the most deer there the last of Oct and first of Nov , the rut. Blacktails, like whitetails do not roam much and can be fairly nocturnal but the rut puts them out there. You can hunt with your bow in rifle season or try for the multi-season tag to get a chance at hunting in that time period. I have put up stands in that period and seen bucks cruising.

If you hunt the thick stuff also choose rainy days over dry, you can be quieter and the deer will be out more. But for me the key to it is really getting to know your area, blacktails live in pockets and you need to find those pockets.

[Bjorn]

Stick with it-definitely worthwhile. Move slow and slow down some more-use binoculars checking for fur amongst brush. Keep checking the wind too.

[jonsimoneau]

You are on the right path.  Where I hunt in Illinois I will only see a deer 1 out of every 7 or 8 hunts. That's just the way it is in my area and possibly yours.   The more you are out without seeing a deer, the more likely your time will come.  Just keep after it.  It will happen.

[Trumpkin the Dwarf]

Hello from Montana. It took me seven years of chasing elk here in Montana to get a shot. Elk are, by most accounts, easier to locate, easier to sneak up on, easier to (fill in the blank).  You get the picture.

It sounds like you are doing remarkably well for being two years into it. Have you considered carrying a ghillie suit on a pack? You can then combine the still hunting with sitting.

If I were in your shoes and had enough time, I'd take this season as a scout season. Don't worry too much about moving slowly and quietly, worry about finding the little pockets that hold deer. They will return to those pockets year after year. Once you have the pockets in your mind, you have places that are worth spending an entire day in.(small places at that) This is when still hunting will become really fun, because you will have confidence that the deer are there.