2005 Blacktail hunt

nmtaxi · May 6, 2004

I'm just starting to research this, so I thought I would post this question to y'all. Where is the best area for an unguided, non-resident to hunt blacktail? I would really like to go in 2005, but am not sure where to start. Which state I hunt in really doesn't matter to me, as long as I can do it on my own (just not really into the guided thing). Trophy quality in the area isn't near as important as the quality of the experience. If any of you can give me a starting point, that would be awesome!!!

manny15 · May 6, 2004

nmtaxi' are looking for a purebred blacky or does it matter (cross).?. if your looking for a purebred, in Cali it's not hard to draw a B-zone Tag which cover's alot of topography, from Redding ca. to the Oregon Boarder.

If it doesn't matter (cross) then the C-zone have a little better sucess rate, but you gotta have your tags purchased by August....let me know if you want more info....

nmtaxi · May 6, 2004

Manny, thanks for the info. I'm still a year away from this trip. This Sept. I'm heading to AK for moose and caribou. I was able to take a coues deer in AZ this last year, and blacktail are next on my "wish list". As far as the "cross-bred" goes, I'm not sure. It really doesn't matter to me what Boone & Crockett says they are, but I really would like to get a "classic" looking blacktail.
Any additional info. you have would be awesome.

BOHNTR · May 6, 2004

Without getting into a lot details on the main board.....Go to CA, Trinity Alps Wilderness, timberline, 5-10 miles in. Archery season is best.

BOHNTR )))------------->

RACKMASTER · May 6, 2004

B-ZONE!YOLLA BOLLY wilderness if any weather comes in or any any time
after opening weekend(horses or foot in only no deer carts)!
TRINITY ALPS at tree line after opener! but thats much tougher
hiking! Tags never fill,can hunt rifle,or bow at their time,will have many more chances with Archery season (no hunting pressure).
Lots of Black Bear too!
Rackmaster

Sheepshooter · May 6, 2004

BOHNTR and RACKMASTER advise is real good , look into those areas . If your backpacking get in good shape those areas are pretty steep .

nmtaxi · May 7, 2004

Thanks a lot guys. That's great info. I will definately start looking into this trip.

polarbear · May 7, 2004

If you want a "true" columbia blacktail, you have to hunt in Western Washington or mid to northwest Oregon. I know that I will probably catch sh!t for that, but those Cali blackies aint pure blacktails.
Let er' rip!
Eric

BOHNTR · May 7, 2004

PBEAR:

You obviously don't know your deer species and/or their home ranges.

All three states have overlapping ranges between mule deer and blacktail. As a result, some deer are "claimed" to be blacktails that are probably not. Just like the one last year from Washington that was trying to be passed as a true blackie.......was never accepted by B&C as such. I don't know how many times I've been brought "blacktail" antlers from a hunter to measure for the record book, only to find out the animal was shot east of the boundary set forth by B&C / P&Y.

However, the coastal ranges of CA north of Monterey definately hold genetically tested Columbian Blacktail Deer as does the coastal ranges of Washington & Oregon. This isn't my personal opinion, just scientific facts. Now how about those whitetails....

BOHNTR )))------------->

RACKMASTER · May 7, 2004

BOHNTRs" has said it right! B&C has the boundries set for a reason(cross bloodlines,subspices). California Blacktail are (by genes,home range)true Columbain Blacktail!
I thought also that Muledeer are a Blacktail subspices!!
(right or wrong?)
RACKMASTER

polarbear · May 8, 2004

Haahaaaa... You guys are too easy to get riled! I was just throwing some of that "our deer are better than yours" b.s. at ya. I have a degree in Wildlife Biology (even though I have never done anything with it) and am aware of the genetic and geographical boundaries.
Rackmaster.
The mule deer is a sub-species derived from the inter-breeding of the western whitetail and blacktail. There use to be many "coastal" whitetails in Washington and Oregon. There are still a few, but are protected. There numbers have been rebounding in Oregon to the point of possible relocation to establish huntable populations. A couple of islands in the lower Columbia river, Puget for one, have small, healthy herds. There are also a few sprinkled along the mainland along the river.
Eric

RACKMASTER · May 8, 2004

Polarbear: You should hook up with my "EX"! LOL!
She get me riled up also(then kisses my butt).
Thank for the info on the deer crossbreeding!
rackmaster

BOHNTR · May 8, 2004

LAST EDITED ON May-08-04 AT 10:33PM (MST)[p]PBear:

Tell me more about the coastal whitetails (size, antler size, range). Do you have a photos of some? I don't think I've ever seen one unless they look like eastern whitetail.

BOHNTR )))------------->

polarbear · May 9, 2004

Bohntr
I dont have any pics. Whenever I am on the Columbia around Cathlamet, I always intend to snap a few pics of them but seem to get too wrapped up in fishing. They look just like regular western whities. About the same size or a little smaller. They sport the same antler configurations as the westerners. I have seen some pretty nice bucks, but never any monsters. You would think that the fact that they are not hunted there would be some brutes around. They use to range from southern Puget Sound (WA) to around Roseburg Oregon. Now they only occupy a couple of isolated pockets (preserves). If I remember right, there are about 6000 or so now. Rumor has it that they are supposed to transplant some in the Saddle Mountains of North Western Oregon to try and establish a huntable population. If they do, watch out, every one and their brother will be putting in for those permits! Myself included.
Eric

nmtaxi · May 10, 2004

Thanks for the info. guys. It definately gives me a starting point.

Dan

greatwhitehunter77 · Oct 18, 2004

I would avoid southern california.I live in santa barbara and it is very difficult to shoot bucks without horses. Unfortionaly any where you can drive or walk easily has been shot to pieces.(not saying people don't shoot bucks there) Good bucks on ranches if you want to pay,but sounds like you are like me and not interested in that.If you deceide to hunt around here I could give you a few ideas where to go.X zones have big bucks but hard to draw.Only reason I hunt a zone is cause I live here.Good luck!!

MikeLonsford · Dec 20, 2004

Don't know if this is still active or not but I saw the notes about the whitetails in the Wa and OR coastal areas. My grandfather has a farm on the eastern slope of the coastal range between Salem and Lincoln City. It has farm fields in the bottoms and timber on the hillsides. The whole time I grew up they always had blacktail deer in this area. In the last few years they have had whitetail deer in the area. I started thinking this was the case by looking at some shed antlers that were sizable enough to tell the difference. Then later on in seeing both bucks and does. Anyhow I thought at first I was seeing things until reading in the Oregon game reg's that there are whitetails along the coast but any whitetails west of the Cascades are protected. So apparently they must be reproducing well and increasing their range.

deerdropper13 · Feb 1, 2005

You might want to try zone C-4 in california up near MT. LASSEN. It is pretty easy to get picked for and the terrain varies. The late-season hunt is only 8 days long, and is always packed with alot of hunters. There are some big ones if you work for them.- D.J.

bowguy · Mar 11, 2005

LAST EDITED ON Mar-11-05 AT 02:24PM (MST)[p]Hey guys,

nmtaxi send me a PM [email protected] let me know when you want to come, what your condition level is, and I can give you a location to have an enjoyable hunt with a decent chance for success. I live in Redding and could line you out in Northern California or Southern Oregon.
Also for the guys talking about Columbian Whitetails apparently this year 2005 first time since the early 1970's there is a hunt available in Oregon hunt 123 in the umpqua, 10 tags estimated for either Columbian Blacktail or Columbian White-tail one buck fork or better of either.
Good luck,
bowguy

nmtaxi · Mar 16, 2005

Bowguy, I really appreciate it, but it appears my dreams of a blacktail are put on hold for a year or two. My boy (10) passed his hunter ed. class, so he starts hunting this year. If he doens't draw, all my money is going for an antelope permit for him. I'm sure I'll be in touch, though.

blacktail26 · Jun 21, 2005

Hey
A B zone IS easy to get--but then you gotta deal with the thousands driving the roads. I get a B zone and then hunt near the OR line in the Red Buttes. You ever hunted em? Hard hunts but you can still choose a nice buck.
blacktail26

buckmster28 · Jul 24, 2005

My reccomendation is ca. B zone Pure blacktails in my opinion a much better hunt than c zone. I have seen alot of people saying the alps and the yolla bollys, both good choices. B zone actually has four wilderness areas obviously the father you get from roads the less people. I have hunted B zone for over 19 years and dont have any problem filling one or two tags. Mainly trophy hunting now and have taken a few dandys in the last few years none of which were in a wilderness area all on national forrest. There is a lot of people, just learn where people go and hunt where they dont.

Jingow · Jul 24, 2005

jakstr · Jul 25, 2005

hey buckmaster tell us where to go?

IDhornhound · Jul 29, 2005

What ever happened to just looking at the "books" and going there? I used to live in jackson county Or. and romed down into josephine co. They have a late archery hunt that puts you into the best of the rut and there are REAL blacktail there that could easily put you in the record books, I've seen bucks there that would push the 180 + mark. World records come from there! I can show you a 155 b/c rack I got from a guy who was throwing it into a dumpster!! Didn't have clue as to what he had!! I appologize to anyone already pointing this out, no time to go through all the responses. I can say I have hunted in so oregon on that late hunt and have had my chances at monsters, I'm not a great shot and have missed record book animals every year I tried. Damned recurve

I might catch flack on this but I know what I have seen personaly, I can go there with you (have family in Medford)all I need is an excuse!!

jakstr · Aug 1, 2005

hey nmtaxi,did you find out where to go? I'll send you a email.

buckmster28 · Aug 4, 2005

>hey buckmaster tell us where
>to go?

Come on jakstr you know where they are give the guy some advice, Im still learning. How about I follow you this year?