Will Blacktail deer feed on alfalfa fields near heavy timpber?

I have seen mule deer and whitetails do this but not sure about blacktails. Drew a tag in WA state that is mostly timber stands with some clear cuts but are agricultural field on perimeter.

Oh YA! We have some creeks around here that are very thick and over grown about 100 yard up both banks and they are loaded with big bucks. On the outside of the brush are alfalfa fields on both sides and like clock work about 20 min. before dark they will come out to feed. Every once in a while you can still catch them at first light as well. Good luck on your hunt.

CABugle

Especially early in the season, some blacktails can be very patternable. I used to hunt about half a dozen bucks that came from heavy cover into our barley fields most every night. Many times they'ed use the same trails, i'd be laying for them in a pit type blind that grandpa would ok me to dig right in the barly field down wind of these trails. If i wasn't such a terrible archery shot, i'da killed a lot more bucks with my bow than i did. As it was, i had lots of shots but usually missed by inches. Bows back in the 60's & 70's ain't what they are today! No sights , no rests, no release. Just a clamp on metal knock stop and kentucky windage.

Joey

you bet they will....

Does a fat baby fart?

Mark

"When there's lead in the air, there's hope."

Yes they will but the big bucks are going to come out right at dark and if they have been disturbed they will come after dark. What you want to do is find their trails where they are coming from their beds to the fields set a stand up in the middle and wait them out. A blacktail will usually use a different trail coming to a feeding area than leaving a feeding area so you want to make sure you are on the right one. A blacktail is a home body so they will not move far but will become nocturnal. Blacktail are fun to hunt. I grew up in Wahsington, near Mt. St. Helens and took a lot of blacktail and elk around that area. because they will take the same trails and to find which way they are traveling, look for rubs. Looking down a trail, they will usually always be on one side and you can see the direction they are going. If it heads to a feeding area than you can bet that is an evening trial. If it is heading to a bedding area it is a morning trail. A good book to get for Blacktail is by Boyd Iverson called Trophy Blacktail Tactics. It is a great book and Boyd is very open to answer any queations. I think he has more trophy blacktail than anyone. Good luck and wait for a good one.

God Bless and see you in the outdoors,

Jon Ball
www.jonsoutdoors.com
Oregon Fishing
Wyoming hunting
1-877-347-4662