I'm still on my quest to get a local blacktail buck with my recurve. I've managed to take 2 turkeys and almost had a shot at a bear but still haven't managed to find any bucks during these early seasons we have here in CA. If I didn't know better, I'd say they don't even grow antlers until October.
I've managed to locate some fantastic bedding and feeding areas over the years. For example, last week, I stumbled upon an area that had well over 15 bedding spots (I quit counting at 10). I'll see plenty of does nearby, too, though mostly down a tad lower on the slope. But the bucks are nowhere to be found until well into rifle season, with only a couple weeks left to hunt. So here's my question for anybody who hunts the western Sierras:
In the warmer days of August, am I better off looking higher along the ridgetops where I find these bedding areas? These areas are obviously active but I never find deer up here in the daytime. Or am I better off staying lower, down toward the cooler meadows where I mostly see does and fawns? Perhaps somewhere in between? I've staked out a couple trails between the two but still only see does and fawns from Aug-Sept. The ridges are warm & dry. Last weekend, temps were about 75 degrees. The meadows & creek draws were easily 5-10 degrees cooler and where I almost always find deer (just not bucks).
By the way, the areas I have been getting most of my attention are in the 6500' - 9k' elevations so not too high. I've certainly gone higher but sign is incredibly sparse up that high by August -- no tracks and only old, dried up droppings. Glassing can work at shorter ranges but this isn't wide open country where you can see the ground on the opposite ridge.
Topic: Sierra Blacktails - Bedding & Feeding Areas (Read 837 times)
