Staff Member
Platinum Supporter
- Messages
- 9,740
- Reactions
- 15,480
You did get the "hole" size right.I get partial credit.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
You did get the "hole" size right.I get partial credit.
Paging @FourTeeFive not to walk through this door…You did get the "hole" size right.
Describe the shot. Distance, placement, how the animal was standing, etc.This year was a pretty good year for me. I helped another hunter pack out an absolutely beautiful mature buck. My main goal this year was to harvest a buck with my reloads. I was able to take a little fork. I was pretty happy with my reloads but I was a little shocked at the damage. I will probably be switching bullets. I was using a 280 rem with 140 grn Accubond. I think im going to try a partition or mayby a barnes copper bullet.
I had heard lots of people spend part of November scouting where bucks still are alive and plan on that area for next season. These blacktail are such a mystery.I wrapped up my Blacktail season yesterday in the rain and heavy fog unsuccessful this year. I drew an eastern Oregon elk tag that opens this week and runs into the weekend so I'm spending today switching gears.
I put in an extra effort this year to preseason scout and pattern some bucks but wasn't prepared for them leaving that area for all of October. I could have sat on my stand for a week straight last week and would have never seen one. I will be studying what I missed or overlooked for next years hunt to add to my strategy, though currently at a loss.... I suspect hunting pressure in this spot drove them out... my trail cams picked up 2 different bow hunters in Sept, then a couple of rifle hunters were in there too... my guess right now is the increase in activity in the small spot kept the bucks out of the spot.... (its not a terribly large location).
I'm creeping up on enough preference points to start considering applying for a nice controlled mule deer tag but will always hunt blacktails on the off years but they continue to stymie me...
Good luck to everyone still getting out over the next week and a half.
this is a very useful tip.I had heard lots of people spend part of November scouting where bucks still are alive and plan on that area for next season. These blacktail are such a mystery.
I'm going to head out today to look around after this storm. Even if I tag out, I still have a bear tag, so I can be in the woods and scout the bucks.
Thanks! I'm going to pick up the Sportsmans package next year just in case I see a cougar (somehow out in the day). I keep hearing cougar tastes amazing.I have a bear and cougar tag.
I left the gut pile from my buck in the woods. I was tempted to go sit and watch it yeasterday.
We had to much work to get my buck butchered though.
Good luck today. I hope you find one to hang your tag on.
Thanks! I'm going to pick up the Sportsmans package next year just in case I see a cougar (somehow out in the day). I keep hearing cougar tastes amazing.
Going to a 150 or 160gr bullet will help a bit. The accubond is a great bullet and it usually will retain more than 50% of its weight. The 6 or so I have recovered averaged about 70% weight retention. Close shots hitting bone will do that kind of damage, in fact a partition will be worse as they are not bonded and the front half will completely come apart on close shots while the base drives through. That is why they kill so well. Monolithic bullets may cause less damage on closer shots but when bone is hit the fragmenting bone will to some extent, cause the kind of damage you saw. On closer shots maybe shoot higher on neck. All in all you have to get a hole in them so good job on filling your tag. Realistically you probably only lost a couple #'s of meat.This year was a pretty good year for me. I helped another hunter pack out an absolutely beautiful mature buck. My main goal this year was to harvest a buck with my reloads. I was able to take a little fork. I was pretty happy with my reloads but I was a little shocked at the damage. I will probably be switching bullets. I was using a 280 rem with 140 grn Accubond. I think im going to try a partition or mayby a barnes copper bullet.
Ive often wondered if road traffic even matters much with coastal blacktail and if they just get used to it and duck for a few minutes. I dont know, cant say... but yeah I agree its frustrating when someone just drives thru a road your wanting to walk or glass from.I was behind a locked gate, but nevertheless, some asshat drove the entire route I was going to walk just as I started on the main stretches. Likely scared anything easy off into the brush.
Yea good point. It could likely go either way. I'm thinking if they are on the road they are definitely bolting. Stuff in the brush already near a road likely just duck or quietly walk off. Like everything blacktail, it probably "depends". lol. I was quite excited to approach everything on foot. I have a game camera set up and have not seen a single person on it in the last 10 days.Ive often wondered if road traffic even matters much with coastal blacktail and if they just get used to it and duck for a few minutes. I dont know, cant say... but yeah I agree its frustrating when someone just drives thru a road your wanting to walk or glass from.
Definetly bolting if on the road but I imagine many road hunters drive by many blacktail in clearcuts and never see them cause they are driving. Sometimes you catch them out in the open easy enough but ive glassed cuts for a long while and about ready to give up then suddenly spot one right in the middle. Its just so random.Yea good point. It could likely go either way. I'm thinking if they are on the road they are definitely bolting. Stuff in the brush already near a road likely just duck or quietly walk off. Like everything blacktail, it probably "depends". lol. I was quite excited to approach everything on foot. I have a game camera set up and have not seen a single person on it in the last 10 days.