Does any one have any tips on bow hunting Columbia black tail hunting in california

[russell4214]

I live in California and hunt black tail and I'm sure all off you that hunt black tail know they are know were near as predictable as whit tail not to mention I only hunt on public land (BLM) I would like very much to know any tips or tricks that any one may know. I have hunted deer my hole life but most of that time was spent hunting with guns. Any help would be great thank you.

[bloodtrails]

:helpsmilie:

[buckee]

Welcome to the Realtree Forums. It's always a pleasure to meet another Blacktail hunter.

You're right about them being totally unpredictable. It's hard to pattern the bucks, because they seem to use different trails every day. You just have to use that information and be patient.

I'm a Blacktail hunter, but I hunt them way up here on the West Coast of BC. It's all rain-forest up here, unlike California.

Knowing big bucks are in the area helps make you sit tight, for sure. Hunting between food sources and bedding areas, like whitetails, is the way to go. I like to find where 2 or more trails intersect, just to up the odds of seeing deer.

During the rut, Blacktails are no different than whitetails, so hunt where all the does hang out.

It's my experience that Blacktail Bucks are harder to hunt than Whitetails, for a few different reasons.

They are shyer and unpredictable

For the most part, they live in thick rain-Forest

They are not as aggressive as a whitetail, which makes calling, and rattling, a bit more of a challenge, than whitetails.

Those California Blacktails are way bigger than the Blacktails up here. It seems the further south you go from British Columbia, Canada, the bigger they get.

What is the terrain like where you hunt them??

[russell4214]

foot hills/ it is a mix of high desert and coniferous pine and manzanita at about 2500 ft well to be exact it is the siskiyou mountain range very thick vegetation and dry not to mention our season begins in august and is only three weeks long we are nowhere near a rutt so that makes rattling impossible and sent is almost useless. the only advantage we have is that the deer are in velvet so they are not prone to brush up thank you for your interest

[buckee]

Our bow season here starts the last week in August too, but the bucks are just out of velvet by then. Our bow season last 2 weeks, and then gun season opens 2nd week in Sept until Dec 10th. The nice part about the early season is that the bucks are still in their bachelor groups. They'll be bedding down in the shady draws, on the hot days, or the NW side of hills. They sometimes respond to very, very light rattling that time of the year, but keep it to a tinkle. And little buck grunts too. The thing is with Blacktails is you just can't get too aggressive with the calling or rattling.

They should be starting to rub their velvet off down there at the end of August, and doing a little play sparring with their buddies.

There is another call that works well on blacktails in early season. It's the "WOODSWISE" friction tube. It's a low key, communication call, used by all deer as they browse and feed. It works well along with a couple of doe bleets, and subtle buck grunts

Edited January 17, 2010 by buckee

[russell4214]

Awesome I had know idea that calling would work so early in the season I will most def give that a try. thank you sir

[BOHNTR]

Think Trinity Alps Wilderness......above timberline in August.

[buckee]

Think Trinity Alps Wilderness......above timberline in August.

It sounds like you might have the inside scoop on where those big bucks are.

[bow hunter steve]

srry im from new york but man id love to hunt in california

[bloodtrails]

Good luck! :cool2:

[ChrisSeb53]

never hunted blacktails... would like to give it a try someday though... are the licences over the counter or draw in cali?

[BOHNTR]

are the licences over the counter or draw in cali?

For true Columbian Blacktail deer, they reside in the "B" zones of Northern California. For archery, you can purchase an "AO" (archery only) tag that is valid in ALL A, B, D zones throughout the state. These tags are unlimited and are valid during the archery and general season.....but you apply for them through the mail and/or buy them directly at DFG offices.

[russell4214]

I hunt B zone on the Oregon boarder.