Best Times to Hunt Black Tailed Deer (2025)

There are two subspecies of black-tailed deer: the Sitka blacktail, which is located in parts of the Alaskan and British Columbia coast, and the Columbia blacktail, which is found from central California north through coastal British Columbia. The Columbia blacktail is the more common of the two subspecies, but both are equally sought after by skilled hunters.

When should you plan your hunt for these mysterious deer? Keep reading for our insights into the timing and conditions for a successful hunt.  

Updated September 19, 2025

Why Hunt Black-Tailed Deer

It's thrilling, and it definitely means hunters can claim bragging rights for tagging a black-tailed deer. These deer can be found only in a few locations, and their movements are different from those of other deer, such as whitetail or mule deer.

If you're up for the challenge, make sure you scout and plan so you don't come home empty-handed during blacktail deer season.

What Are the Best Times to Hunt Black-Tailed Deer?

When are the best times to hunt black tailed deer? As you plan your season, the timing of the season and the time of day are crucial elements for increasing your chances of bringing home one of these rare deer. 

Time of Year: Rut and Post-Rut

The most productive time to hunt black-tailed deer is during the rut and post-rut periods, typically from late October through November. 

• During the rut, bucks become more active and less cautious as they search for does. This makes them easier to locate and more likely to move during daylight hours. 

• Then, in the post-rut, bucks often continue to travel in search of remaining receptive does. This provides hunters with additional opportunities before deer return to their normal, nocturnal routines.

How can you plan your hunt around the rut? The best way to do it is to use the HuntWise RutCast feature to track deer movement and pinpoint blacktail rut timing during these high-activity months. 

Time of Day

Once you've targeted the best days to take time off from work and plan a hunt, what time of day should you get out into the field? When hunting blacktails, understand how the time of day and other factors can help you determine the best time of day blacktail deer are likely to be in your sights. 

• Early Morning & Late Evening: Deer are naturally crepuscular, meaning they are most active around dawn and dusk. These times of day offer the best visibility and movement patterns for spotting blacktails while they feed and travel between bedding and feeding areas.

• Hot Weather: During unseasonably warm spells, deer activity tends to decrease during midday. Focus on shaded areas, north-facing slopes, and areas near water sources where deer seek relief from the heat.

• Cooler Weather: As temperatures drop, black-tailed deer may remain active for longer periods throughout the day. You'll see this specifically when cloud cover or light rain reduces light intensity and temperature.

Along with finding the best spots to hunt, being in the field at the right times can significantly improve your chances of bringing down a buck. Plus, you'll waste less time wandering the woods all day, only to come home empty-handed. 

Other Factors Affecting Deer Movement

What else can impact your success when hunting black-tail deer? Hunting pressure and weather are among a few key factors that can make or break your hunt. 

• Weather: Overcast or lightly rainy days can increase deer movement. However, high winds or heavy storms typically reduce it.

• Temperature & Elevation: In early fall or during warm periods, deer often stay at higher elevations where temperatures are cooler. Then, as the season progresses and cold fronts move in, they may migrate to lower elevations.

• Hunting Pressure: Areas that experience heavy hunting pressure can cause deer to become more nocturnal and seek thick cover. Because of the challenge of hunting these rare deer, the locations where they are more likely to be can be full of hunters going after the same trophy you are. Try hunting midweek or exploring less-accessible terrain to increase success.

• Location: Black-tailed deer favor dense, brushy environments near clear-cuts, logging roads, or natural openings where they can feed while remaining close to cover. Use the HuntWise mapping feature and various layers to scout these areas before the season to reveal travel corridors and bedding zones.

While there is no "perfect" day or time to hunt, a solid combination of the right weather, a well-scouted location, and less hunting pressure can help you bring home that trophy buck. 

What to Consider When Hunting Black-Tailed Deer

As we mentioned, don't assume these deer behave like the whitetail you're used to hunting. Sure, they're deer. But you'll need to go into a blacktail hunt with an open mind to different hunting methods and strategies to bring home one of these prizes.

Again, use HuntWise to research real-time animal movements and e-scout locations, and keep the following variables in mind as you plan your hunt.

The Location

Black-tailed deer prefer the thick brush and woodland forests of the Pacific Coast from central California to Alaska. Their habitat preferences make them even harder to spot as they move swiftly and quietly through the dense forests of the northwest, almost completely undetectable. 

This is where the insights you'll gain from the HuntWise app can help you "see" these deer that don't want to be seen and learn about their habitat before hitting the ground for your hunt.

The Solunar Calendar

Black-tails are nocturnal, making them most active during the hours between dusk and dawn. Their behavior is affected by the fullness of the moon, which serves as a night light for them as they search for food.

In general, the larger the moon, the higher your chances of spotting one of these elusive animals. 

The Time of Year

Blacktail deer can be hunted in most areas where they live from early fall to mid-winter. However, if you plan on bringing home a trophy black-tailed buck, it is best to start scouting in July and early August.

Observing their pre-season habits makes you more likely to track one down during the open season. Use the insights we shared today and the HuntWise app to determine the best month to hunt blacktail deer in your area, whether that's October or November. 

The Time of Day

Black-tails are the most active between dawn and dusk. However, plan on long days and long nights of scouting if you hope to spot one during times of peak activity. 

The Temperature

Temperatures in the Pacific Northwest can range from hot and humid to freezing and damp. These dramatic temperature variations have an effect on blacktail movement, so hunters should pay close attention to these variations. 

As the days get cooler, signaling rutting season, bucks begin their pursuit of does, increasing your chance of spotting one using specific mating calls and techniques. 

Barometric Pressure

Experts say the best hunting times for blacktail deer are when the barometer reads between 30.00 and 30.40. Anything lower can dramatically decrease your chances of spotting a deer on the move. 

General Weather Conditions

Unfortunately for hunters, the best weather conditions for spotting black-tails are rainy, foggy, or misty days. Weather and blacktail movement are closely linked, so it pays off to understand how weather can change their behavior and adjust your hunting strategy accordingly. 

However, due to their keen ability to elude even the most skilled hunters, be prepared for long days and every type of weather condition if you are serious about catching one of these Pacific ghosts. 

The Wind

Like whitetails, black-tailed deer have an incredibly keen sense of smell. Though it is best to hunt during days when the wind is calm, if that is not possible, make sure to keep downwind of their tracks and trails. 

Use WindCast in the HuntWise app to plan your hunt around the wind. 

Use HuntWise and These Tips to Tag a Black Tailed Deer This Season

We love it when hunters bring home rare finds with fantastic tales to tell about the hunt. If you plan to hunt black-tailed deer this season, we hope you find the one you're looking for and have plenty of stories to tell friends and family about the adventure.

Use the insights we've provided today and the HuntWise app to learn about these creatures, how they move, and determine the best times to hunt black tailed deer. 
We'll give you your first week in the app free! 

Content most recently reviewed and updated September 19, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

We have answers to your questions about the best times to hunt black-tailed deer. 

Q: What time are blacktail deer most active?

A: Blacktail deer are most active during the early morning and late evening hours, especially around dawn and dusk. They move most during the rut (late October–November) when bucks search for does.

Q: Why are blacktail deer so hard to hunt?

A: Blacktails are tough to hunt because they live in dense, brushy terrain, move mostly at night, and are highly alert to scent and sound. Their elusive behavior and preference for thick cover make spotting them a real challenge.

Q: What is the 7-day rule for bucks?

A: The “7-day rule” is the idea that buck movement peaks for about seven days during the height of the rut. During this short window, bucks are more visible and active in daylight as they pursue does.

Q: Where is the best place to hunt blacktail deer?

A: The best spots for hunting blacktail deer are edges of clear-cuts, logging roads, and brushy timber near feeding areas. Look for locations with fresh tracks, rubs, and trails, especially near cover and elevation zones where deer feel secure.