Mule Deer Buck

 Found this Buck up in North Dakota after taking a break from work.  Sure is a wide buck, pushing probably 32'' wide but what do you think? I am not an expert on mule deer, sure would like to find a blacktail deer this wide.  After a couple hot days I figured the deer would be wanting to move around and I was lucky enough to find this bruiser again after bumping him. Enjoy the pics, he is a 4x4 with no eye guards still in velvet.

Blacktail Bucks

This is a special group of blacktail bucks, the three amigos.  This photo was given to me by a friend so I can't take credit for it.  It would be difficult to create a foot plot to attract a group such as this.  They find clear cuts and old growth edges home.  But you might be able to entice them a couple times which would give you an idea of what's in the area.  Deer have a good memory for old food sources and have an incredible sense of smell to guide them to new ones.                                                  

Wolves in Washington

Washington wants around 12 packs of wolves:
Each pack has between 7-15 members.
Each wolf will eat an estimated 15-19 deer per year.
Wolves will increase in population 10-34% each year.

Washington's Deer and Elk Populations:
Deer: 16,056, applied WSFW ratio 23,570
Elk: 24,615, applied WSFW ratio 36,135

*totals come from helicopter surveys, and WSFW ratio is the + or - factor error on the high side.

Elk counts in Montana between 1994-2008 dropped 67-87%

So if there is 12 packs of wolves and roughly 120 members 2040 deer will be eaten or roughly 840 full grown elk or 4080 calves will be eaten.  Idaho wanted 10 packs now they are up to 1000 wolves so that means in our state of Washington 20400 deer or 8400 full grown elk or 40800 calves or any combination will be eaten by wolves after a few years of getting established.  Now wolves don't normally take down a full grown elk but prey mostly on the young and old.  So if the calf numbers go down then the overall population down the road will go down when the healthy elk get old.  So do the research and do the math if we hunters want the ability to harvest an animal then actions need to be taken.  Please read Eastman's blog found at the bottom of the blog, then the reality of what's at stake will hit.

Now all my facts about deer and elk populations were gathered from:  http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/01327/

Facts about wolves: http://www.wolf.org/wolves/learn/basic/faqs/faq.asp.,

http://westinstenv.org/wildpeop/2009/02/11/wolves-reducing-elk-populations-in-montana/,

http://blog.eastmans.com/the-predator-death-spiral/

The Best Food Plot for Blacktail Deer

   After a couple years of experimenting with what food plots work best for blacktail deer I stumbled across the easiest food plot ever.  I was actually clearing brush to extend my food plot further up an old logging road about 30' when I quit.  I came back the next day and this four point was devouring what brush I had cut down.  It was interesting because last year this happened as well.  I would suggest to everyone that wants to create a plot or scout for deer that during the months of May-July.  That they cut down salmon berry, ferns, blackberries, etc and place a camera overlooking the cutout.

   This year I planted more biologic outfitters blend and alfalfa from another company.  I have yet to see any results that would warrant more planting of either but I will wait to definitively conclude on those results.  I also plan on experimenting with attractants such as; trophy rock, apple jam, c'mere deer, and swamp donkey.  As I have mentioned before swamp donkey brings in the deer.  But during August and September activity switches to nocturnal feeding and less frequent visits.  So in conclusion food plots great for scouting but not for hunting over.

Pre-season blacktail scouting

Check out the long guard hairs on these blacktail deer.  Even the young fawn has them.  These photos were taken earlier in the year across the Hood Canal Bridge.  But its June and these guys are still packing winter coats.  Over on the Kitsap Penisula I haven't observed blacktail deer with the thick winter coats that these deer have right now.