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Thread: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

  1. #1
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    Dec 2016
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    Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    I know Blacktails are a niche topic or interest for few folks, but I've been wondering from those who are following them, if you've noticed a drop in cam footage/sign this year following a harsh winter on the coast, or conversely a dry summer?

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  3. #2
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    Great question. I was assuming the same thing, but the area I hunt in the northern Cascades I've gotten so many more deer on camera this summer than ever before. And surprisingly the majority have been bucks (mostly spikers and forks) but I do have a few big forked horns and a giant 3 pointer on camera. Also have a number of does with fawns on camera too.

    Yesterday we got to our spot shortly before 6am, made the perfect entry into our blind with wind in our favour, didn't make any noise, we smelled like cedar trees. Right around 7am a giant doe and fawn stroll right in front of our blind, casually sniffing and tasting stuff along the way. (the blind is setup on the edge of a small bench, and really close to the trail, so very cool to see them up so close). 20 minutes later a group of 3 spike bucks come right to us from the opposite side of the trail. Unfortunately I came down with a severe case of buck fever and shot low. Thought I hit one of them, but there was no blood trail. We searched for the next 4 hours looking for him, but eventually found my bullet hole in a stump right where I shot, and I definitely shot low - it was a pretty brutal shot as anyone could have nailed him right in the boiler room he was so close to us. Oh well, that's why they call it hunting and not "bagging". I sometimes have a real tough time maintaining my composure and steady hands when there's bucks right in front of the blind. Regardless it was pretty awesome to hang out with the grey ghosts yesterday morning.

    But to answer your question, I've never seen so many blacktails on my trail cams, and never had so many walk by my blind before. So in the north Cascades (in the area I hunt anyway) they seem to have done really well over the rough winter. The fawn I saw yesterday morning still had spots and was still trying to nurse and was still pretty small, so I'm guessing her mom might have missed getting bred in her first estrous and got bred late November/early December. Not sure if that had anything to do with the rough winter or not.

    Sorry to ramble on - I just love talking blacktails so much I could go on about them all day (sure beats talking about work right now).

    Let me know if you're seeing any deer in your area. Good luck this season!
    "It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." - Benjamin Franklin

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  4. #3
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    Aug 2010
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    I have noticed an increase on the trailcams. Saw a lot more does with twins this year and several bucks... couple nice ones too. Also seeing a lot more deer. A total of 6 over the weekend. Actually maybe 7 now that I think of it (its possible two could have been the same)

    Technically anything I see is not really a blacktail, as I hunt outside the official blacktail zone, but it's blacktail genetics for the most part and the odd mule or hyrid.
    Last edited by caddisguy; 09-11-2017 at 01:22 PM.

  5. #4
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    I wonder where they really start fadeing into muleys...hope?...pitt lake?....shit couqahalla summit?...hmmmmm

  6. #5
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    Quote Originally Posted by scotty30-06 View Post
    I wonder where they really start fadeing into muleys...hope?...pitt lake?....shit couqahalla summit?...hmmmmm
    Past hope, there is a map outlining the areas. Which of course isn't a black and white line in the real world, but I have found it to be fairly accurate minus the few stragglers and cross breed/hybrid deer.

  7. #6
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    There are dominant blacktail genetics all the way up the canyon to Boston Bar or Coq to the summit.

    I believe the official boundary is the peak of the mountain range between Hope and Chilliwack, but I would estimate 90% of deer on the Hope side are dominant or pure blacktail genetics. There are roughly the same number of pure mules or hybrids in the valleys on either side.

    There are no borders as you mentioned. Moose and whitetails show up in Chilliwack/Hope. It's the really the habitat that changes. Blacktails like steep country and jungle rainforests. Once you hit Merritt or Cache Creek, it is obvious blacktail country is long gone.

    One question I have is if blacktails will continue to exist on the mainland or if they will be displaced and breed out of existance. Mule deer and whitetails seem pretty adaptable to the coastal rainforests.
    Last edited by caddisguy; 09-12-2017 at 08:03 AM.

  8. #7
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    Very interesting point caddis....I assume general population of mule deer compaired to blacktails dosnt even compair....so having that much reinforcements for mule deer coming in on blacktail country....I wonder if only islands on bc coast would sustain a real pure population. ....on a side note....has your action picked up on the cams.....I have one up high soaking and gonna put on right on the valley bottom. ...people say BT like high altitude amd brutal terrain. ...but I cant see some big bucks not hanging out down low ....where no one goes into and food is plentiful and timber is thick....theres no way a few atleast wont be in there.

  9. #8
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    Actions on the cam, yes and no. It's been a while since I posted any trailcam videos due to lack of time. It doesn't help that YouTube removed their video editor which was great for mixing video in 3 different formats from 6 cams... short story long:

    Up until October I had a lot of good bucks on my mountain of focus. A young 4x4, mature 3x3 which huge bases, a gnarly looking 4x3 I call The Godfather (cool vid of him interacting with a fawn, seemed to be politely telling the fawn he will always be the boss)

    I haven't seen any of these bucks since the beginning of October. I am seeing a fork almost daily. Looking at the cam footage, I almost bumped into him (well, missed him by an hour so "almost" might or might not be the right word)

    Still lots of does. At least 3 single does and a few does with fawns too. Unfortunately a lot of cougar crap in the last few weeks.

    It's really neat to what goes on my little mountain. I can tell when someone drives up the road. I had one doe spend an hour watching some people shooting while her fawns messed around and hit the salt). Most of the deer show up on all of the cameras. I have one camera that has seen every deer, so my place to set up seems like a no brainer.

    In the last couple weeks the deer have been very nocturnal. The only daytime vids seem to be when it's pouring rain. One video looked like it was snowing pretty good (not sticking though) and the deer were having a blast.

    Now I am wondering about this weekend. It's still early but their could be some pre-rut activity or younger bucks harassing does.

    Also, the weather for Saturday is saying 50+mm of rain. That is a favourable wildcard. My bucks (and does for the most part) never hit open feeding areas during the day. It's all steep timber with moody wind all over the place so I think a good rain storm will work in my favor, hopefully get them moving and dampen scent and sound.

    I am not entirely sure but I think it's too early for rattling or blasting the deer talker. The bucks aren't going to stick with the does and and the mature bucks probably aren't interested in fighting. I don't know how the young 4x4 or the fork would react but I am not going to risk blowing up my spot. I'll be waiting another week at least and will keep it minimal.

    That's about it for updates other than caddisgirl is out of the game for now due to back pain. We're not sure exactly what happened but she did tumble down one ridge to the next pretty much head over heels several times in the process. Oddly that happened a couple weeks prior to the onset of the pain. She is doing physio now so hopefully nothing major and a speedy recovery. For now she definitely can't be sleeping in the jeep at night or climbing around during the day. Probably back in it a Boston Bar doe hunt if the snow holds off.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    I'm about to head up to my spot in the Chilliwack valley to check my cam and hunt next week sometime. I'll update everyone. The cam I have up there has been running since last October. It had 8 high-end batteries in it and a 32GB card so I have high hopes. I tried to get in last Nov but was snow locked. Has anyone seen any rutting activity yet? I had good luck last year this exact week rattling and blowing my can.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    Re: Coastal Blacktail deer numbers? Trail cam footage/sign.

    Hahaha I too will be heading up chilkiwack valley this weekend....black jeep patriot if you see me stop and say hi

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