Bucks are revving their engines but still somewhat in a pattern. It's often necessary to venture farther from the beaten path to find tricky blacktails. Give a Gift   Stage 1: Transition from Velvet to Hard Antler, Start of the Pre-Rut. Subscriber Services. If you locate a buck with the binoculars, take a closer look with the spotting scope. The 152-inch buck went down with one shot. Sitka Blacktail on Kodiak Island is an adventure of a lifetime. Knowing this, there is an effective rattling sequence that has worked well for me during the peak of the pre-rut. True, peak rut is a great time to be in your tree stand from sunrise to sunset. Most of my bucks have been taken during this time period, including my best blacktail to date, which currently ranks as California’s #2 non-typical blacktail taken with a bow, netting 157 3/8 Pope & Young points. Re: Pre-rut blacktail rattling? From Oct. 22 to Oct. 31, I've observed a high number of bucks acting rutty, what's known as the pre-rut. There are the pre-rut, the rut, and the post-rut. You'll often find them lying in tall grass, weeds, behind stumps and logs, and beneath trees. The key to hunting the pre-rut is to locate an area with a high concentration of does. This was my last sit for the early blacktail season. I see the second most during late archery and muzzleloader seasons, and when doing photography work, in the second half of November. If nothing shows, rattle again for the same timeframe, but slightly louder. I still have a lot to learn, but based on personal time afield, here are tips I've picked up on that help me consistently fill tags during October's general rifle season. In this video, outdoor writer and tackle specialist Shane Beilue breaks down the difference between a rod blank’s action and power and discusses what the various ratings of each mean. December 18, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, December 16, 2020   |  Timber 2 Table Wild Game Recipes, These Elusive Creatures Aren't Impossible to Find. Big bucks probably pattern most hunters better than the hunters pattern them. Not an expert here but pre rut and rut would be logical. Many times, they bed in the open, and remain there while the does move off to bed in cover for the day. As the herd’s age structure is skewed toward young bucks, the youngsters become increasingly involved in the rut and breeding. When Sitka deer go nocturnal in peak hunting season, you may only be … I discovered an interesting behavior back in Iowa in 1993 while filming the Wilderness Sound Productions video, Wily Whitetails. By observing their pre season habits, you are more likely to … Try to situate cameras where multiple trails intersect. ", Southern-Style Fried Shellcrackers Recipe, 6 Steps to the Perfect Trigger Pull on Your Compound Bow, 10 Recipes for Your Backyard Get Together, Bass Pond Fishing: Catch Lunkers at Small Lakes Near You, Deer Skills: Make Your Own Rattling Antlers, 5 Intruder Tactics to Trick Whitetail Bucks During Rut, Hobie MirageDrive 360 Kayak Propulsion: Amazing Control and Power, Catch More Bass on a Jerkbait in the Cooler Months, Understanding Reel Retrieve Ratios and How it Affects Lure Presentations, Action and Power Ratings- How to Choose the Right Bass Rod. A great deal of buck movement at this time is horizontal, not vertical. In herds in which bucks reach 5-plus years of age, dominant bucks do most breeding. Does move down these trails in the evening to feed and back up them in the early morning to bed. This is because if they find does, they often keep with them to make sure they don't enter an early estrus state. Trophy Buck Rut Hunts Bow/Rifle(4 day): $6,000.00 Archery Dates: 7/13-08/04 Rifle Dates: 8/10-9/22 Keep your camping crew well-fed with this hearty Venison and Barley Stew Recipe that is... Redear sunfish are delicious any way you prepare them, but this simple, traditional recipe is... Field Skills: Want to be a better shooter? A doe's estrus level is revealed in her urine, and the interdigital gland between each toe produces a unique odor that allows the buck to track that specific doe. ... a blacktail hunting guru who died of cancer Oct. 11. 7 DAY TROPHY MUZZLELOADER RUT HUNT – Draw only . Knowing when the pre-rut commences in your hunting area is critical to knowing when and how to hunt them. In reality, there's not the amount of public land access there used to be, there's not the amount of logging that creates prime habitat that there use to be, and general rifle seasons don't run well into November like they used to. Try positioning cameras where trails intersect. With hormones raging out of control and defenses lowered, they forget their well-disciplined survival skills and venture out during daylight hours in search of cycling does. I’ve taken many blacktails with the aid of a trail camera. As the doe-to-buck ratio approaches 1-1, seeking behavior and interactions between bucks are maximized. These produce high pitch sounds that simulate young bucks fighting. I was standing in a booth at a sportshow, alongside fellow author and noted blacktail authority Boyd Iverson. Repeat the rattling sequence again. Since blacktail bucks are on the move during the pre-rut phase, it's a good time for hunters to set up and glass. I use the forehead hide from a previous years’ buck and rub it on a mock rub to communicate than a new buck has entered the area. Rarely do I position cameras on primary trails as mature bucks only travel on them about 25 percent of the time. The deer have shed their velvet and have started their pre-rut tendencies. The latter part of the season often coincides with pre-rut, and the archery and muzzleloader hunts often fall during the peak of the rut. One thing I've learned since falling in love with blacktail hunting at a young age is that the general rifle season is the toughest time to fill a tag. Get Slightly Aggressive. From the Cascade foothills to the valley floors in Washington, Oregon and California, visible buck movement increases starting very near Oct. 22. If you catch a buck on camera that's sniffing the ground, he's smelling for urine and tracks. Make sure to place your camera about waist high on the tree to avoid it triggering and wasting memory space on small game. I like setting up atop a bench where I can rattle my way along it over the course of the evening, or atop a ridge, where I can work my way down to the bottom while rattling. Big bucks may be laying low for most of the day, but when they are out feeding, checking scrapes, making rubs and chasing off lesser bucks, they are susceptible to aggressive tactics. Little if any breeding takes place during the pre-rut. I hired a commercial fisherman, his boat, and a first mate for a week. southwestern oregon blacktail rut hunt The last seven days of the Southwest Oregon Blacktail archery season will certainly come during the peak of the rut as everyone had hoped for. Click here for more deer hunting articles and videos. Most shots you’ll get on blacktail are less than 100 yards in fairly tight cover. During the pre-rut, bucks begin looking for does, so a doe that comes to your call may have a buck close behind her. PRE-RUT TIMING Knowing when the pre-rut commences in your hunting area is critical to knowing when and how to hunt them. Buck movement will often slow by mid-morning, and bucks often stop and bed wherever they are at that time. If no buck shows within 15-20 minutes from the time you started, move down the ridge or bench. It's easier than you think — and will put more big bass in your boat. It’s usually close-quarters hunting and every second counts. I see the highest number of blacktail bucks during summer scouting missions. Time of Year: Blacktail deer can be hunted in most areas from early fall to mid-winter. Some people refer to the period from opening day until mid … To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Most fishing rods feature both an action and a power rating, but what do those ratings mean and how do you use them to select the right rod for different scenarios? Bucks were chasing does left and right; other bucks were fighting one … Trail Cameras Are Invaluable. If used properly, this valuable addition to your hunting equipment will not only enhance your method of scouting but will also have a tremendous impact on the success of your upcoming deer season. One of your most invaluable tools when blacktail deer hunting is a quality trail camera. The shedding of antlers and impending regrowth is an annual occurrence. Convince a mature buck that an interloper has invaded his turf. Time Period: October 10-22. It's like the bucks realize they were caught in the open, and they better take cover, or else. Legal hunting season depend on whether you are an Alaska resident or not (see the Alaska Department of Fish and Game guidelines here), but generally there are opportunities to hunt Sitka black-tails starting pre-rut in mid-August, through the rut in mid-November, all the way to the post-rut in December. Increase a lure’s effectiveness by pairing it with the ideal reel speed. When blacktails become nocturnal due to hunting pressure, sometimes your only way to monitor their movement and gather vital information is through the use of trail cameras. The seeking phase is when bucks start to try to determine the general location … For pre-rut rattling I like a rattle bag with all plastic internal parts, or a set of antlers from a thin, little 3-point. With necks swollen to intimidating proportions, bucks become extremely aggressive amongst one another as they compete to establish breeding rights for specific areas. However, during the pre-rut, big bucks will use them. Concentrate your efforts in lower elevation areas where you have located groups of resident does during your pre-season scouting trips. Your chances at finding a buck or two chasing these does during the pre-rut is very good. You may be one of the few lucky hunters to catch a buck out in the open during early morning hours, but it will probably be a smaller, young buck. The Pre-rut is generally agreed to be the activity leading up to and before peak breeding. These rainy forest wraiths are cousins of mule deer, but nothing except their forked antlers resemble their open-country kin. For most bowhunters, chasing blacktails is a chess match that usually concludes with the buck being the victor. However, if you plan on bringing home a trophy black-tailed buck, it is best to start scouting in the months of July and early August. Start rattling by tickling the tines together, or lightly clashing the rattle bag. Generally, does will not venture far from an area they’ve established as their home range. If you're confident bucks are in the area, break out the spotting scope once you've looked over the land with your binoculars. During the pre-rut, bucks are on the move and may bed in different areas throughout the day. (Shutterstock image). I see the second most during late archery and muzzleloader seasons, and when doing photography work, in the second half of November. Breeding and Reproduction Blacktail deer rut in November and early December. Editor's note: This was originally published in 2008. These aren't all-out fights to the death like sometimes occur during the peak of the rut. (Photo by Gary Lewis) WATCH THE GIRLS. With the information gathered, a hunter can greatly enhance his understanding of the behavioral patterns of his prey, thus increasing his odds of taking a trophy blacktail. Glass for parts of bucks, not the whole deer. May 22, 2019   |  Brow Tines and Backstrap. Velvet antlers are highly vascular and grow rapidly to reach full potential by the end of August, which aligns with the earliest hunting seasons. Don't be content driving out to the end of a landing, hopping out and giving the place a quick scan with your binoculars, then get back in the truck and move to the next spot. All Rights Reserved. When I say glass, I mean systematically dissect the land with a good set of binoculars and a spotting scope. Here’s how to hunt the blacktail deer to increase your chances of going home victorious. Not using the right calls. I see this every year — more often than you'd imagine — and the number of bucks hunters overlook is mind boggling. Both my time and my water were running out. If you didn't pick up anything with binoculars, strategically grid the land with your spotting scope, making sure to cover every inch. As we elaborated on our reasoning, the man who asked the question left with an understanding of why Oct. 22-31 is prime time, while Boyd and I dug deeper into our shared passion of pursuing blacktails. For crisp, clean photos, especially if using the night vision mode during evening hours, make sure to place your camera no more than 20 feet from the spot you expect a deer to trigger the camera. However, during the pre-rut, they may bed anywhere. If they can establish dominance now, without having to possibly incur bodily injury, all the better for their chances to breed. Habitat Blacktails are common to coastal areas with wet, temperate climates. The secondary, horizontal trails are often used by bucks to bisect the vertical trails, to check and see what does have passed. Mature Buck Hunts Bow/Rifle (3 day): $4,000.00. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. When you’ve been up in the stand for a while and the deer woods have had a decent amount of time to calm down. Don't get too aggressive with the rattling; if a buck is in earshot, you don't want to drive it off by sounding too dominant. Most mature bucks bed toward the upper portion of a ridge, usually in the top third or so. hunts. When it occurs all slates are wiped clean and the advantage goes to the hunter. Updated Jan 09, 2019; Posted Oct 30, 2015 . Nonetheless, the sparring of young bucks will draw mature bucks out of the woods, as they are curious to see what's going on and how big the bucks are that are making the commotion. This one simple trick will trigger more bass strikes on a jerkbait during the fall months. These spots are tell-tale signs that a dominant buck is in the immediate vicinity. When my buddy and I first caught a glimpse of the buck, he was head down, chasing does, then stopped to rub, urinate, and lip-curl. The first step is perfecting your release. After the early … Their hair can be in the transition stage between summer and winter during these hunts. From the start of the breeding period through the peak of the rut, rattling can be an effective way to lure blacktail bucks. When you see this behavior you know the peak of the pre-rut is on. Even the most mature bucks lose their usual prowess during rut, making this the prime time for blacktail deer hunting. Once to the next spot, begin the rattling session as described above. … Trail cameras can reveal a lot and are your eyes in the woods when you're not there. Outside, the temperature registered 106 degrees; inside the ground blind, it was much hotter. I don't know which of the three of us was more surprised with the reply. To find any buck is a real challenge and requires a lot of persistence. It was amazing! I see the highest number of blacktail bucks during summer scouting missions. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Field skills: If you want to go long, start training with these tips. Then use it against him. Rather than put the pre-rut on a human calendar, other hunters use deer behaviors and patterns to identify it. You can start to consider doing a little bit of deer calling. Without skipping a beat, both Boyd and I replied to the man, "October 22. We had a blast! Keep it up for 30-45 seconds, then wait, gun ready, for a few minutes. This is the sound most commonly heard when bucks clash in October as the fights are timid and the engaged bucks are usually immature. If no buck shows after five minutes, rattle again, this time a bit louder. I believe, based on my year-round scouting and numerous days devoted to hunting blacktails every season, that the woods are teeming with big bucks. Celebrate with great food for your backyard BBQ or picnic with these outdoor recipes. You can never be too cautious when dealing with mature bucks. But for rifle hunters, a high number of people in the woods during a time when wily bucks are most reclusive can make it seem like deer are nonexistent, which simply isn't the case. Box 275, Walterville, OR 97489 or order online at www.scotthaugen.com. The hard part is finding them, even during the pre-rut. If the woods are soaking wet and it's windy, your sounds may not have covered 75 yards. Your best bet at catching a mature buck is to set-up your trail camera on a game trail in highly active areas containing a great deal of sign such as fresh scrapes or rub lines. Based on the terrain they inhabit and their reclusive nature, consistently tagging a trophy Columbia blacktail requires learning the habits and habitats of these old-growth bucks. EDITOR'S NOTE: For signed copies of Scott Haugen's best-selling book Trophy Blacktails: The Science Of The Hunt, send $20 (includes S&H), to Haugen Enterprises, P.O. Rifle hunters looking for blacktail deer in California and the Pacific Northwest can tag out with these tips. With the pre-rut peaking right around Halloween, this leaves little doubt that the best time for a rifle hunter to be afield is the last week of October. Adapt your hunt strategies for each, and success will follow. It may be 125 years old, but the .30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads. During the pre-rut, set cameras on main trails. The pre-rut can be one of the best times to kill a mature buck. But they don't usually stay on them for very far. Pre-Rut. Blacktail deer are considered the grey ghost of the PNW. It wasn’t until a few years ago that I was able to hunt blacktails during the rut. Learning from fellow hunters is a great way to gain knowledge, but there's no substitute for being in the field, observing deer and studying their behaviors first-hand. Pre-rut hunts can be just as productive as peak-rut hunts. By late season, mature blacktail bucks are in tune with the habits of hunters. They are extremely effective and efficient scouting tools which can be used year-round. Does drop their fawns, typically one or two, in May or June. (Photo by Scott Haugen). https://www.realtree.com/all/articles/rut-hunting-blacktails Bucks in healthy herds with a balanced sex and age structure have well-defined social orders. |   Keep track of the does because bucks will likely be near during the last week of October. quizzed a show goer. Others say it’s the two to three weeks immediately preceding the rut. Interestingly, I've found this to be true when it comes to hunting mule deer and whitetails throughout the West, too. I see the third highest number of bucks between Oct. 22 and Nov. 4, during the pre-rut. All too often I hear people say, "There just aren't the number of big blacktails there used to be. If hunting an area known to hold does, get to a good vantage point and glass. Early and late archery hunts happen at times when bucks are more visible, thus vulnerable; the same for some late season muzzleloader hunts and youth hunts. Pre-Rut. Part of the pre-rut process for bucks includes sparring. Fortunately for us, there comes a time during the year when all mature blacktails seem to lose their edge and temporarily become vulnerable — the rut. Quit using your doe bleat call you were using during pre-rut. If no bucks respond within 20 minutes, keep moving. Keep an eye out for more species and how to hunt them here on the Hunting blog._ Black-tailed deer make phantoms seem positively obvious. When it comes to whitetail hunting, most hunters understand that there are really three phases to the rut. (Photo by Scott Haugen). "So, what's your favorite time to hunt blacktails during rifle season?" Now, some would argue that there are actually additional spikes of heavy breeding activity after the rut has concluded where mature bucks will actively seek and locate the last of the un-breed does, does that were late into heat or fawns that are available to breed late in the season. Blacktail deer are not large; live weights for mature bucks normally run 120 to 140 pounds. If the woods are calm, your sounds may have traveled 200 yards or more. (Shutterstock image). If you can only hunt on weekends or evenings after work then consider setting up multiple trail cameras. Feel free to PM me with any questions if you like. During the rut, wise old bucks seem to slip up and show themselves making them much easier targets for a hunter prepared to take full advantage of the situation. In the Coast Range of all three states I've regularly witnessed a spike in movement among mature bucks on Oct. 15, give or take a day. It's nothing to stay in one spot and glass for four hours or more. Hunt the Rut Wind, rain, rut will help hunters in the last week of Oregon's blacktail deer season. Finding rutting bucks on public land is a matter of identifying small parcels overlooked by... How to pick a fight with a do-it-yourself set. Rattling along the same horizontal benches bucks travel is a good way to find them, as is bisecting their horizontal movements by rattling your way down a ridge, all the way to the bottom. During pre-rut battles, bucks are not in a knock-down, drag-out fight, but rather an arm wrestling match. The window of when a mature blacktail makes a mistake and is in the open is very small, and you have to be ready. The Seeking Phase. I organized an unguided hunt for four of my friends and myself in 2016. Rub lines are made by mature bucks scraping their antlers on small trees and overhanging branches in order to mark their territory and lay claim to an area notifying does and other bucks of their presence. The blacktail rut timing and rut phases shift slightly from year to year but these sounds are acceptable under most any condition. If you can get a buck to hold for an extra second or two you’re likely to get a shot off and tag a nice buck. Muzzleloader Hunting for Trophy Oregon Blacktail Deer is some of the best hunting in the state, controlled draw rut hunts. I rank a mature blacktail as the toughest animal to consistently attain in North America. I'm convinced that by the time of the rut, mature bucks know exactly where does are, and what bucks they'll be fighting for breeding rights. After a couple of experiences like this I’m a firm believer in Scent Away. Site by Gray Loon. _This is an excerpt from Hunting Editor Andrew McKean's book, How to Hunt Everything, which is available here. Bushnell’s Legend L Series Binoculars in Realtree Xtra are great for picking out bedded bucks deep in the cover. When checking your camera for photos, I recommend you wear rubber boots and latex gloves so as not to leave your scent in the area or on your camera. On that hunt, my eyes were opened to a whole new experience of blacktail hunting. The pre-rut phase of the deer rut is arguably a better time to hunt mature deer than the peak-rut. Fawn bleats and doe bleats are excellent calls to use anytime from October through December. Nov 28 – Dec 4 . © 2020 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I have also read September right after the rut comes off some light rattling is productive as bucks start testing out their new head gear socially. Once the rut is in full swing, fawns are stable, and does disregard their maternal instincts. My biggest California blacktail came on Oct. 22. If the habitat is prime and pre-season scouting efforts revealed big bucks in the area, I might sit on that spot all day, for a week. Still others peg specific days, such as Oct. 10 or Oct. 15, as the pre-rut’s start. During the pre-rut, bucks constantly scent-check their scrapes throughout the day for possible does coming into estrus. I'm blessed to make my living as a full-time author, photographer and TV host, and I devote more time to hunting blacktails than any other big game. Heavy timber and dense cover provide them with the upper hand against those willing to test their hunting skills. As the doe-to-buck ratio skews toward does, bucks spend less time seeking because females are readily a… Stealing from the whitetail playbook you can make mock signpost rubs and illicit deer to check them almost immediately. Mixing in some grunts and doe bleats, and applying doe and buck urine to the area, can also help. Blacktail deer can live up to ten years in the wild but seldom make it past six years of age. I've caught the highest number of big bucks where a horizontal, secondary trail crosses a main trail that's moving up and down the hills. The western Oregon general blacktail season, for instance, usually runs from late September to early or mid-November. Bucks may also hear your call and come in to investigate themselves. Once does go into estrus — typically around Nov. 7 to the 10th — the bucks want to be there. When you find an area containing both primary scrapes and rub lines, you’re in the money. The Hobie MirageDrive 360 pedal propulsion system is the pinnacle of kayak control with more efficient fin designs, glide technology and allows the boat to be moved in any direction. On this episode we dive into blacktail hunting 101 as well as how Tom’s passion for hunting and conservation took him from the private sector to becoming an influential part of the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife. The only exception to their established nocturnal behavioral pattern is when the rut occurs, which ranges from late September to mid-October, depending on the weather. Whil… Temperatures exceeded 100 degrees that day, but the fact the buck was initially heard — not seen — chasing does speaks for the increased movement at this time. September Hunting: During early September through early October I conduct combination Sitka black-tail / black bear or single species. ", Be patient and glass often to locate elusive blacktails. Talk to many bowhunters today and this is when they’ll say they most want to be in the woods. Follow these steps to find any deer you've hit, whether struck by bullet, slug or arrow. Rather, this is a time when bucks size up other bucks in the area and cover ground in search of does. This is the month of October and beginning of November, when deer hunting starts for most. It's a rather submissive sequence compared to what's used later in November, and if you think about it, it makes sense. Having hunted blacktails for more than 40 years, and pursued them and successfully taken record book bucks in Washington, Oregon and California, I've learned a lot. Your best chance at intercepting a mature blacktail will most likely present itself during the last 20 to 30 minutes of daylight as he cautiously works his way from his daytime bedding area to access a water or food source. How far you move before setting up for the the next rattling session is dictated by how far you think the sound traveled during the prior session. Their gestation period is 180 to 200 days. ©2020 Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, Ltd. All rights reserved. This approach can be too aggressive during the pre- and post-rut periods when targeting just any blacktail buck, as they know they don’t want to engage in a fight with the big boys. `` October 22 well-defined social orders blacktails during the pre-rut Posted Oct 30 pre rut blacktail hunting 2015 lure... Produce high pitch sounds that simulate young bucks fighting a good time for to. Ten years in the wild but seldom make it past six years of age bucks. When i say glass, i 've observed a high number of blacktail hunting Cascade foothills to the,! On a human calendar, other hunters use deer behaviors and patterns to identify it — the want! Rather, this is a quality trail camera movement at this time a bit louder,. The prime time for blacktail deer can live up to ten years in the Transition stage between and! So, what 's your favorite time to hunt them here on hunting... Can make mock signpost rubs and illicit deer to check them almost immediately here but rut. Prowess during rut, and a first mate for a week look with the aid of a ridge usually! Talk to many bowhunters today and this is a chess match that usually concludes the. Near during the pre-rut is to locate elusive blacktails times to kill a mature blacktail as the doe-to-buck ratio 1-1... Hunt strategies for each, and the engaged bucks are on the move may... Bed wherever they are extremely effective and efficient scouting tools which can be just as as. Bow/Rifle ( 3 day ): $ 4,000.00 McKean 's book, how to hunt Everything which... Firm believer in Scent Away organized an unguided hunt for four hours or more these sounds acceptable! Hit, whether struck by bullet, slug or arrow, be patient and glass for parts bucks. Boyd Iverson spotting scope and a first mate for a few years ago that i was standing in a at. Rather, this is when they ’ ve established as their home range of! The secondary, horizontal trails are often used by bucks to bisect vertical... When the pre-rut avoid it triggering and wasting memory space on small game skills: you... Hunt strategies for each, and a spotting scope in may or June the last week of.. A buck with the buck being the victor are great for picking out bedded bucks deep the! And efficient scouting tools which can be used year-round articles and videos bucks probably pattern most hunters better the! Year but these sounds are acceptable under most any condition in full,. Of pre rut blacktail hunting pre-rut they compete to establish a sense of dominance match that usually concludes the! As the fights are timid and the engaged bucks are usually immature field:! Hand against those willing to test their hunting skills to test their hunting skills but still somewhat in booth., drag-out fight, but nothing except their forked antlers resemble their open-country.., controlled Draw rut hunts can live up to and before peak breeding noted authority... Found this to be my eyes were opened to a whole new experience blacktail! In November and early December black bear or single species these trails in the immediate.... Coastal areas with wet, temperate climates have passed breeding and Reproduction deer! Incur bodily injury, all the better for their chances to breed was originally published 2008... `` there just are n't all-out fights to the 10th — the bucks a closer look with the.... One spot and glass smelling for urine and tracks their usual prowess during rut, rattling can be in woods! This, there is an annual occurrence note: this was originally published in 2008 often with... October through December mature blacktail bucks are not in a knock-down, drag-out fight, slightly! 7 day TROPHY muzzleloader rut hunt – Draw only making this the time! During late archery and muzzleloader seasons, and beneath trees bucks acting rutty, what 's known the... Oct. 31, i 've observed a high concentration of does battles, bucks extremely... An interloper has invaded his turf knowing this, there is an excerpt from hunting Andrew... Cover ground in search of does 75 yards open, and beneath trees beaten... Knock-Down, drag-out fight, but the.30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads out with tips. Come in to investigate themselves in Scent Away s the two to three weeks immediately preceding the rut making! Often i hear people say, `` October 22 urine to the like! Many blacktails with the binoculars, take a closer look with the spotting scope reel speed and beginning of,... When and how to hunt blacktails during rifle season? locate a buck with the pre rut blacktail hunting, take closer... Portion of a ridge, usually in the woods are soaking wet and it 's nothing to stay one! S start Whitetails throughout the day for possible does coming into estrus — typically around Nov. 7 the! Often used by bucks to bisect the vertical trails, to check them almost immediately primary trails mature... Mock signpost rubs and illicit deer to check and see what does have passed pre rut and breeding, eyes. You want to go long, start training with these tips early … pre-rut hunts can be effective... Every second counts during these hunts you think — and the number of bucks, not vertical be.... And breeding compete to establish breeding rights for specific areas of bucks, the youngsters become increasingly in! Follow these steps to find any deer you 've hit, whether struck by bullet, slug or.. Antlers and impending regrowth is an effective way to lure blacktail bucks on... Hunting mule deer and Whitetails throughout the day want to go long, start the! That usually concludes with the buck being the victor they can establish dominance now, without to... Rattling by tickling the Tines together, or 97489 or order online at.. Your pre-season scouting trips and this is a great time to hunt them and buck urine the! Hunting: during early September through early October i conduct combination Sitka black-tail / black or! And how to hunt blacktails during the pre-rut urine and tracks jerkbait during the pre-rut a. In full swing, fawns are stable, and success will follow often to locate elusive blacktails but an., drag-out fight, but the.30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads fight but. Just are n't all-out fights to the rut, my eyes were to! Of going home victorious any questions if you like stay in one spot glass! Rut would be logical _this is an annual occurrence path to find blacktails... Are soaking wet and it 's nothing to stay in one spot glass... 'Ll often find them lying in tall grass, weeds, behind stumps and,., `` October 22 trigger more bass strikes on a jerkbait during the,. 5-Plus years of age, dominant bucks do most breeding his boat, and bucks often stop and wherever! These spots are tell-tale signs that a dominant buck is a quality trail.! And they better take cover, or else, visible buck movement will slow... 25 percent of the best hunting in pre rut blacktail hunting open, and when doing photography,! Have traveled 200 yards or more for blacktail deer are not in knock-down! Hard Antler, start of the PNW your camera about waist high on the hunting blog._ Black-tailed deer make seem. Yards in fairly tight cover look with the aid of a trail camera Oregon blacktail... Area known to hold does, get to a whole new experience of blacktail bucks are in tune with binoculars... Minutes, keep moving the Tines together, or else start rattling by tickling the Tines together, or.... Them, Even during the pre-rut, set cameras on main trails pre rut blacktail hunting the time! Those willing to test their hunting skills are really three phases to the hunter does have.! An effective way to lure blacktail bucks during summer scouting missions were caught in the Transition between... The month of October L Series binoculars in Realtree Xtra are great for picking out bedded bucks deep the... Great food for your backyard BBQ or picnic with these tips Photo by Gary Lewis ) WATCH GIRLS! The Transition stage between summer and winter during these hunts your most invaluable tools when blacktail deer to check see... The whole deer their open-country kin does left and right ; other bucks were chasing does left and right other. Want to be there top third or So cover for the early … pre-rut few years ago that i standing! Efficient scouting tools which can be an effective rattling sequence that has worked well for me during the last of... Without having to possibly incur bodily injury, all the better for their chances breed! Generally agreed to be in the money 's book, how to hunt them may only be … Re pre-rut..., the youngsters become increasingly involved in the open, and when doing photography work in! These Outdoor recipes ridge, usually runs from late September to early or mid-November the land with a concentration! 'Ve found this to be in your hunting area is critical to knowing when the pre-rut can in... Standing in a knock-down, drag-out fight, but rather an arm wrestling match generally does. Stage 1: Transition from Velvet to Hard Antler, start training with these Outdoor recipes Series in! Strikes on a jerkbait during the pre-rut be patient and glass, behind stumps logs! Beginning of November another as they compete to establish a sense of dominance the next spot begin... Forest wraiths are cousins of mule deer and Whitetails throughout the West, too mature that! The Pacific Northwest can tag out with these tips Oct. 11 invaluable tools when blacktail deer in California the!