Been chasing blacktails all my life in NW Oregon, and with all my experience and knowledge it is still a gamble. Used to shoot the first thing that came along, but later became somewhat of a trophy hunter once I got enough self-control to pass up small bucks. For many years I killed a mature buck about every other year, but that ended about 8 years ago. Thought 2014 was going to be a winner since the season was scheduled to last through Nov. 7th, but though the the last week of the season was wet enough (you gotta have rain for good hunting) the temperature was in the mid to upper 50's and that is too warm. The season was disappointing to say the least. Saw a forked horn on Nov. 3rd and that was it. Never saw a deer up walking around after 0930, and most were at the crack of dawn. What I'm saying is, you can plan and do everything possible, but there are no guarantees There's a reason blacktails are the toughest big game animal in North America. And, hope you like brush, and don't mind getting soaking wet (rain gear is out because it's too noisy). My advice is to check out the possibility of doing some salmon fishing if the weather sucks. Hope you have a good time. Stay away from anyone that tells you they have blacktails all figured out - just means they're inexperienced and they've been lucky a few times. Got several months to answer any questions you might have.
