Here on the West Coast of the United States, millions of acres of remote and pristine Columbian blacktail deer country and black bear country remain anonymous to much of the hunting community - spanning from northern California to the Pacific Northwest. West coast blacktail deer hunting is a seemingly unknown hunting opportunity to those of us not living near the coast. With its politics and gun control issues, the west coast is far from being thought of as a hunting destination. Another reason for the anonymity is that blacktails aren’t as popular as other big game species like elk, whitetail, mule deer, or even pronghorn. Blacktail are a smaller bodied and antlered subspecies of mule deer, and just don’t get the attention than that of their larger cousins.

Writing about this place is bittersweet. Hunting blacktail deer country feels like one of hunting's best kept secrets. But as a conservationist, I also feel a sense of responsibility to share how incredible blacktail deer are and how amazing the country is they call home. With that in mind, I want to recount my 2024 backcountry blacktail deer hunt and offer insights into what you can expect if you decide to embark on a similar adventure.

It started a few years ago with a casual conversation after meeting a family from the west coast—the Cyphers. They spoke about how fun blacktail hunting is and shared photos from their phones. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. However, after a few yearsI reconnected with the Cyphers and they extended a serious invitation to join them in their blacktail camp. The more they shared their passion for blacktail, the habitat, and the challenge, the more my interest in blacktail hunting grew. The timing was right, and having already a ton of experience with mule deer, whitetails, and Coues, I knew I had to take the opportunity with blacktail hunting. Little did I know that Gary, Mike, Gannon, and the rest of the Cyphers family are among the most accomplished blacktail hunters alive.

1. North American Deer Slam
The North American deer slam is a difficult achievement and a way to celebrate deer conservation, diversity, friendships, and our history as a nation. Achieving the North American Deer Slam means harvesting all five deer species native to North America. The slam includes mule deer, whitetail deer, Columbian blacktail deer, Sitka blacktail deer, and Coues whitetail deer. Achieving a North American Deer slam takes the hunter all over the country, challenging them in new places and a diversity of habitats. The Columbian blacktail part will take you to some of the most gorgeous landscapes in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, or California.

2. Opportunity
Western culture used to revolve around mule deer hunting in the fall, with schools and work places being closed for the opening of the hunts. Dances, banquets, and town events were planned in conjunction with the families arriving to hunt.

While mule deer hunting remains thrilling and a favorite of mine, tags have become increasingly difficult to draw. The era of stopping at the sporting goods store to pick up a mule deer tag are long gone. Now, hunters often plan years in advance hoping to draw a tag once every few years. While some opportunities have been lost, some still remain if you look in the right place. For those who want to hunt deer every year without the hassle of a draw, California blacktail hunting is an excellent option. The most appealing part? Blacktail tags are available over-the-counter (OTC)—just be sure to grab one before they sell out.

3. Timing and Flexibility
For blacktail hunting, in many states, a huge draw is the timing and flexibility of the season. I had other mule deer and elk hunts planned and the California blacktail season worked perfectly and didn’t interfere with my other hunts. With an OTC tag, you can hunt during archery season in August or rifle season starting in late September. This allows plenty of time to fit in a blacktail hunt between other hunts.

4. Bear Hunting
If you’ve followed Muley Freak over the years, you’ll know we’re bear freaks as much as we are muley freaks - bear hunting is our other passion. When I heard I could get an OTC bear tag to go with my OTC blacktail tag, I was ecstatic. The blacktail tag/bear tag combo really kicked this opportunity up a notch. We love hunting and eating bears, so anytime we can combine it with a deer hunt, it’s a win.

If you’re not flying, prepare for a journey in your truck. After my own grueling 15-hour drive, I finally arrived at the Cyphers’ home. From there we loaded up our gear and several mules then drove a few more hours to the trailhead, arriving two days before the opening day of the rifle hunt. The following morning, we packed up the mules with five days’ worth of supplies and began the 10-mile hike to camp. Thanks to Grant, the mule who carried my hunting pack, camping gear, and food, my hike was significantly easier than it could have been. Once there, we set up camp and spent the evening glassing a few bucks until sunset. The next day was dedicated to scouting. We loaded up our packs and spent the day hiking, glassing, and documenting bucks using our MagView phone adapter. For me, it was a chance to soak in my first blacktail experience. By the end of the day, we had identified a couple of solid shooter bucks. In the evening we regrouped, shared footage, and enjoyed jalapeño cheddar brats roasted over the fire. It felt like Christmas Eve as I lay awake, imagining how opening morning would unfold.

As mentioned, the trip to northern California is no walk in the park. I traveled over 800 miles in a truck, then another ten miles on foot leading mules up a long hot dusty trail. In all, my travel took three days before I could ever get my gun out to start hunting. Luckily, it was worth it.

Opening morning, we headed toward the area where we spotted the biggest bucks the previous evening. As big bucks do though, we spent the entire morning glassing with no sign of them. By midday, the sun was beating down on us, and it was clear we needed a new plan. While the east side of the mountain was exposed to the sun, the west side would still offered a few hours of good shade. Our hope was to catch a buck on its feet grabbing a midday snack or heading to a spring we had marked on HuntStand. Fighting the urge to crawl under a tree for a nap, we started hiking up and around to reach the west side.

The terrain we hunted was steep, rugged, and arid—not a place you want to tackle unprepared. We had mapped out springs to filter water, trained physically to handle the steep climbs and heavy loads, and packed enough gear for a comfortable stay, thanks to our mules. If you’re planning to hunt the remote parts of Northern California, preparation is critical for a successful and safe trip.

Once we made it to the west side, it didn’t take long—about ten minutes of glassing—before I spotted a bedded buck in the shade. After consulting with my friend Gannon, we decided to keep searching in hopes of finding a more mature buck. We moved along the side hill to a good glassing spot and unpacked some lunch. Halfway through my ham sandwich, Gannon whispered, “buck.”

We quickly set up the spotting scope and confirmed he was a shooter. I got behind the TS Customs 7PRC, attached the MagView to capture footage, and took a deep breath before taking the shot. “Miss,” Gannon whispered. Staying calm, I racked another round, settled back on the buck, and fired again. This time, I heard the unmistakable thud of a hit. The buck’s legs went up, and there was no further movement. I stayed on him through the scope for a couple more minutes to confirm he was down before turning to Gannon for a celebratory hug.

We packed our gear and headed down to retrieve my first blacktail deer. Midway down, we realized we were critically low on water and made our way to the spring HuntStand had indicated. Thankfully, the spring was exactly where it was supposed to be. After filtering and drinking our fill, we continued on to my buck. When we reached him, I was struck by his size. He looked like a respectable mule deer, with a striking mix of red summer and grey winter coat that shimmered in the light. We took plenty of photos and videos, savoring the moment before the reality of the work ahead set in.

The buck had gone down on the lower west side, which meant we faced a grueling trek with heavy packs up several thousand vertical feet. While the thought of the climb was daunting, I also relished the challenge—this is part of the hunt I look forward to every year. Fortunately, word reached us that a miniature mule would meet us partway up the steep mountain to help us back to camp.

After peeling myself out of bed the next morning, Gannon and I loaded up our packs and took off well before sunrise, heading in the opposite direction of the prior day. Not 15 minutes into glassing at our new area after the sun had risen, we spotted another impressive buck way off in the distance. The buck was 2.5 miles away, so we couldn’t make out the details of his antlers, but his frame was clearly special. We knew it would take most of the morning to get anywhere near the buck due to the large canyon between us. Eventually, we closed the gap and found ourselves 400 yards from where we had last seen him. By then, it was nearly midday, and the temperature had climbed to 85 degrees. The buck was nowhere to be found.

Seeking relief from the sun, we decided to move to the north-facing side of the ridge. While enjoying some shade and water, Gannon and I spotted a flash of fur a couple of hundred yards below us in the drainage. We quickly set up the spotting scope and realized it was a bear. We watched the bear tear into a carcass for about 10 minutes before I decided to take the shot. I set up behind my gun and fired. Hit! We saw the bear collapse and lay motionless. Gathering our packs and gear, we started hiking down toward my bear. Just 50 yards into our descent, Gannon whispered, “Big bear!”

We quickly scoped out the second bear and watched as it struggled to waddle up the drainage, its large, cumbersome body moving awkwardly like big bears do. Gannon decided to take his shot. The bear had just reached the deer carcass when Gannon fired his 7PRC. Bear number two down! After a moment of reflection and celebration, we hiked to the bears, which were lying only 10 yards apart. It was an incredibly long and memorable night. Breaking down the bears and hauling them to the top of the ridge was exhausting, but fortunately, mini mules arrived to carry the majority of the load back to camp once again.

The next day and a half were spent passing up multiple bucks that didn’t meet the maturity level we were looking for. Both Gannon and I passed on several bucks. With a bear and a buck already down, I wasn’t about to settle for anything less than exceptional. During the final hour of the last day of the hunt, I spotted a heavy, mature buck moving through the trees. I took a shot—miss! Normally, I’d head back to camp feeling dejected, but this trip was different. I wasn’t bothered in the slightest. The joy and fulfillment from the experience of the hunt outweighed any disappointment. I was content and ready to pack up camp, proud of what we had accomplished.

We loaded up the mules, heavier than when we arrived, and made our way back to the trailhead with our heads held high.

If you do decide to embark on a blacktail deer hunting adventure in California, keep in mind there are unique rules and regulations you must abide by. A few rules to consider are:

1) Copper Ammunition: You must shoot copper bullets as lead bullets are not allowed. A great option is Hornady Outfitter CX factory ammo.

2) No Suppressors: Suppressors are not allowed. If you've been shooting a gun with a suppressor make sure you take it off and head over to the range with your brake on to verify your gun before the hunt.

3) Rules of Harvest: There are a number of rules and regulations after harvesting your animal that you must perform (besides the obvious ones like filling out your tags). A few things to keep in mind are checking in your buck right after the hunt (this can be done at a forest ranger station or a California Fish & Game office), checking in your bear at a California Fish & Game office, and mandatory online reporting once you get home after your hunt.

You can learn more about hunting rules and regulations in California here.

My 2024 backcountry Blacktail deer hunt was truly an adventure of a lifetime. The terrain was rugged, the deer were elusive, and we were tested both physically and mentally throughout the duration of the hunt. If you’re looking for a hunt in remote country, enjoy hunting bears, appreciate the flexibility of rifle hunting deer in September, and like the idea of purchasing an over-the-counter tag, this Blacktail deer hunt might be perfect for you. If you have any questions about this hunt, feel free to reach out to me at aaron@muleyfreak.com or find me on instagram. I’d be happy to share more details.