Washington State Blacktail in September

My Archery deer season usually starts around the end of March and the beginning of April. This is when I start canvassing my hunting area with trail cameras. I absolutely love setting up trail cameras. Using a trail camera is the only way for me to see what big bucks are living in my honey hole. Hunting the Columbian Blacktail Deer is very difficult in western Washington State because most blacktail habitat is choked with brush. I believe that the only way to really get to know these bucks and to hunt them effectively is to use trail cameras and hunt them in a tree stand like a whitetail deer.

Archery deer season starts on September 1^st and I was lucky enough to be able opening morning it was slow due to the typically hot September weather. I only like hunting in the morning because that is when most of the deer are moving based off what pictures I have had on my trail cameras and it was easier hunting in the cooler mornings.

After the first 3 days I only saw 1 doe moving out of bow range. My trail cameras did have some hits. The trail cam I had positioned under my tree had a possible shooter on the 31^st and I was on the fence on whether or not he could be on my hit list. I knew of about 3 bigger bucks and I was discussing with my co-workers about shooting him if I had the shot. My friend Bill said smoke him he’s a good buck…so I decided I would. I still have a hard time passing on marginal shooter bucks apparently.

The morning of the 4^th was a great morning. I got to my stand 40 minutes before light. Everything was set. Around 8:30 I had a doe working a clearing I had made on a very popular trail about 10 yards from my stand. She took her time and eventually walked directly on the trail I walked in on. She then walked directly under my stand and started browsing on some brush. I decided to video her with my camera because it was so cool to see a deer so close. She proceeded to feed for a few minutes and then my buck came into view at 20 yards. I slowly put my camera away to prepare for he shot.

Because of the thick brush and a tree limb I had to wait for the buck to give me a clear shot. As usual during the moment of truth time seemed to stand still. The buck eventually gave me a quartering away shot…the arrow flew true and hit him high putting him down. Not where I was aiming but he was down and I had my first September blacktail buck. I couldn’t be happier. The effort to set trail cameras, trim shooting lanes and practice with my bow all paid off. I enjoy all the work it takes to harvest a good buck and making your own luck! We all hear of the guy that gets lucky but I prefer to earn it.