I'm still on my quest to get a local blacktail buck with my recurve. I've managed to take 2 turkeys and almost had a shot at a bear but still haven't managed to find any bucks during these early seasons we have here in CA. If I didn't know better, I'd say they don't even grow antlers until October.
I've managed to locate some fantastic bedding and feeding areas over the years. For example, last week, I stumbled upon an area that had well over 15 bedding spots (I quit counting at 10). I'll see plenty of does nearby, too, though mostly down a tad lower on the slope. But the bucks are nowhere to be found until well into rifle season, with only a couple weeks left to hunt. So here's my question for anybody who hunts the western Sierras:
In the warmer days of August, am I better off looking higher along the ridgetops where I find these bedding areas? These areas are obviously active but I never find deer up here in the daytime. Or am I better off staying lower, down toward the cooler meadows where I mostly see does and fawns? Perhaps somewhere in between? I've staked out a couple trails between the two but still only see does and fawns from Aug-Sept. The ridges are warm & dry. Last weekend, temps were about 75 degrees. The meadows & creek draws were easily 5-10 degrees cooler and where I almost always find deer (just not bucks).
By the way, the areas I have been getting most of my attention are in the 6500' - 9k' elevations so not too high. I've certainly gone higher but sign is incredibly sparse up that high by August -- no tracks and only old, dried up droppings. Glassing can work at shorter ranges but this isn't wide open country where you can see the ground on the opposite ridge.
I have been fortunate enough to be successful on bucks and bears in august sitting springs in high country, just finding remote springs close to source in prime areas. still alot of blank sits but putting in time has paid off.
How high is high in your case? Above 9k? 10k?
No, not that high, more like 4,500-6,500'
But would assume if it's dry it would still work.
Well, I've found lots of does in those kinds of spots. Guess I'll just wait until October when the young bucks will start hanging out more with them.