The Blacktail Coach Podcast

Aaron & Dave
  • 5.0 (17)
  • Wilderness
  • Updated Weekly

We're here to share tips, strategies, and stories of hunting the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, we'll help you turn preparation into achievement and passion into results.So gear up and get ready, because SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT!

  1. 4d ago

    Blacktail 5-Factor Weather Report for 9/21

    Send us Fan Mail You can waste a whole season hunting “good looking” days, or you can stack the odds with a repeatable plan. We run our weekly high-factor forecast for September 21 through 27 using the five factors we rely on for blacktail deer hunting in the Pacific Northwest: rut phase, moon phase and lunar activity, weather fronts, barometric pressure, and temperature drops. The goal is simple: help you choose the sits that give you the best chance of daylight movement when you only have a few windows to hunt. The biggest teaching moment is the Moon Guide. We dug into what the gold star actually signals, why the strongest lunar pull isn’t always the most huntable, and how a “white” time can beat a “red” time if it overlaps normal morning or evening movement. We also translate the app’s whitetail-style location labels into blacktail reality where “field edge” and “bedding” can blur, and why we keep coming back to the transition right outside bedding. From there, we compare rain timing and pressure swings across Bellingham, Woodland, and Eugene to show how a front can hit your area differently than the general forecast. We wrap with two practical tools: using AI to score mornings and afternoons (with verification), and a detailed breakdown of leapfrogging trail cameras to track a buck back to where he finally daylight’s. If you like concrete picks, we give them, including our top hunt windows for the week. Subscribe for weekly forecasts, share this with a hunting buddy who’s trying to plan time off, and leave a review so more PNW hunters can find the show. https://pnwbowhunting.com/ https://patreon.com/blacktailcoachpodcast.com/ https://podscan.fm/podcasts/the-fall-podcast/episodes/ep-483-the-red-moon-explained-with-adam-hays?utm_source=chatgpt.com Support the show

  2. Sep 14

    Blacktail 5-Factor Weather Report For 9/14

    Send us Fan Mail Hunting blacktail can feel like roulette if you’re picking hunt days at random, especially when you only have one evening a week to get out. We’re changing that. Aaron and Dave lay out our new in-season format: a weekly Five Factors Weather Report built to help you decide when to hunt, where to sit, and what kind of movement to expect based on conditions you can actually track. We break down each factor in plain language: the rut phase (and why bucks can spar well before the “real rut” kicks in), weather fronts in the Pacific Northwest (including those micro shower systems), barometric pressure trends (why rising pressure during hunting hours matters), temperature drops (sudden vs gradual), and moon phase timing using a deer hunter’s moon guide. You’ll hear how terms like transition zone and field edge translate into real blacktail setups near bedding and feeding, plus how to use moon overhead and underfoot windows and that gold star timing to tighten your plan. We also zoom out to season prep that pays off fast: moving trail cameras from summer patterns into thicker cover near bedding, cutting access trails early so the woods settles, and staying flexible as bucks shift behavior after velvet shed. Along the way we talk gear and experimentation, including decoys, scent strategy, and why minerals and protein can matter for herd health and antler growth where legal. We also challenge the “just in case” mindset around cougar, bear, and coyote tags and share how Hunters Gathering helps turn predator hunting into a planned, purposeful season. Subscribe so you don’t miss the weekly reports, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave a quick review if the show helps. Got a timely question you want answered on the next drop? Email us by Thursday at blacktailcoach at gmail.com. Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  3. Sep 7

    How To Call And Rattle Blacktail Bucks With Tom Ryle

    Send us Fan Mail Rattling for blacktail isn’t magic and it isn’t random. It’s a story you’re telling in the woods, and the buck decides whether he believes it. We’re joined again by Tom Ryle and Kelly Riordan for a deep, practical breakdown of blacktail deer calling and rattling, from first principles to field-ready sequences. We start with the why: bucks fight over breeding rights, but a lot of the deer that respond are coming in out of curiosity, sizing up the scene, or looking for an opening. From there, we lay out a clear rut timeline you can actually plan around, including the long seasonal build after velvet-off, the more aggressive late-October window, peak breeding behavior, and why rattling can still shine in December when does cycle again and tired bucks still can’t ignore opportunity. Then we get tactical. Tom walks through how he layers sounds the way real deer interactions build: soft doe bleats, natural movement in the brush, subtle grunts, and only then escalating into antlers. We talk duration, patience, and the real risk of getting busted when you go too long or get too aggressive. We also get into gear choices like shed antlers versus rattle bags in wet weather, how to tune grunt calls for a softer blacktail tone, and a simple cold-weather trick to help prevent reeds from freezing. We close with setup and strategy: wind, topography, expecting the downwind circle, and how a partner can call while the shooter waits where the buck wants to verify the sound. If you want to call in blacktail more consistently, this is the playbook to build from. Subscribe, share this with a hunting partner, and leave a review so more blacktail hunters can find the show. Learn more at https://pnwbowhunting.com/ Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  4. Aug 31

    Reading Deer Sign

    Send us Fan Mail The woods are full of clues, but most hunters only see noise. We sit down and translate the signs that actually matter when you’re scouting for a mature blacktail buck: tracks, game trails, bedding edges, scat, and rubs, plus what each one can and can’t prove about daylight movement. We start on the ground with tracks, including the small shape differences between buck and doe prints, how size can hint at age, and why genetics and habitat can make “rules” bend. From there we get practical about direction of travel and how it helps you decide whether a trail is a morning route into bedding or an evening exit to feed. If you’ve ever watched a buck creep closer to daylight on camera, you’ll like how we connect those patterns to where you hang a stand. Next we move to terrain and strategy: finding the nastiest thick cover that bucks use for security, walking the edge, and picking the high-traffic trail that leads to a real bottleneck. We also talk about tight canopy and shooting light, why pushing too far into bedding can turn a spot into a one-hunt mistake, and why smart exits after dark keep deer from learning to look up. We wrap with scat and predator pressure, then rubs and rub lines, including why rubs in open clear cuts can be nighttime dominance displays. If you want more consistent big buck decisions, not just more opinions, this one will sharpen your eye. Subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave a quick review with the sign you rely on most. Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  5. Aug 24

    Five Factors For A Successful Hunt

    Send us Fan Mail Deer don’t move at random, even when it feels that way from the stand. We’re Aaron and Dave, and we lay out the five factors we watch for when we’re trying to predict blacktail deer movement and pick the highest-odds days to hunt. Each factor can help on its own, but when they stack together, the difference is real: more daylight activity, better timing, and fewer wasted sits when you’re short on time.  We start with barometric pressure and the threshold Dave keeps coming back to: around 30.2 and rising. Then we get practical about how to check pressure trends days in advance using the weather app on your phone or common hunting tools. From there, we dig into moon phase and why Adam Hayes’ Deer Hunter’s Moon Guide makes it simple to spot red moon week and the strongest daily pull windows, including how that can steer you toward a morning hunt or an afternoon hunt without overthinking the science.  We also cover a temperature drop of about 20 degrees between daily highs, how weather fronts can trigger feeding before a storm and right after it, and how deer often move in those short breaks between showers. Finally, we talk rut phases, why “the rut” isn’t one long blur, and how tactics like rattling change depending on whether bucks are seeking, locked down, or sliding into post-rut patterns.  To tie it all together, we share the story of our pro staffer Chris and a monster blacktail he calls Bambino. The conditions lined up, the plan held, and the buck showed up close before dark. If you want more consistent success in blacktail deer hunting, subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave us a review where you listen. Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  6. Aug 17

    Scent Strategy For Blacktail Hunting That Works

    Send us Fan Mail Your best stand location means nothing if a mature buck smells one wrong detail and locks up. We dig into the real mechanics of deer hunting scent control and why the “spray it and wait 30 minutes” mindset sets hunters up to fail, especially on cautious blacktail deer that live and die by their nose. We walk through the scent categories we actually use and what each one is designed to do. That includes calming pheromones like EverCalm for bedding areas, plus tools like Hodag Scent Rope to create a summer communication hub where deer leave orbital gland scent and establish a routine you can monitor. From there we get honest about doe estrus and dominant buck urine: they work best as part of an illusion, but only when you match the product to the correct phase of the rut. We also cover practical issues like CWD-related rules, synthetic urine options, and why gels and concentrates can matter in rainy climates. Then we hit cover scents and full system scent management. We explain Nose Jammer and “vapor lock,” why you must introduce it progressively weeks ahead, and how scent-free detergent, dryer sheets, scent-free storage bags, rubber boots, body wash, deodorant, and field spray all fit together. We also talk merino wool for odor control on multi-day hunts and why ozone generators like Ozonics can be a true game changer when used responsibly. If you want more consistent daylight movement and fewer blown encounters, listen through, try the framework, and tell us what’s worked where you hunt. Subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave a review so more hunters can find the show. Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  7. Aug 10

    How To Hunt Blacktail Across Rut Phases

    Send us Fan Mail Most hunters circle “the rut” on the calendar, then spend the best days wondering why their biggest buck disappeared. We take a step back and map the whole arc of blacktail deer hunting season, from early archery to pre-rut, full rut, and the second rut, with a simple goal: help you choose tactics that match how bucks actually behave, not how we wish they behaved. We start with early season blacktail, when velvet and summer patterns can make mature bucks shockingly predictable. That’s where we’d rather pattern than call, using observation and trail intel to lock down entry trails, exit trails, and daylight windows. Then we dig into the “movement drivers” we track every year barometric pressure, moon phase, major weather fronts, and those game-changing 20-degree temperature drops plus how these factors can line up to create the kind of evening a giant finally shows in shooting light. From there we move into October pre-rut strategy: when to rattle, when to grunt, why blind calling can hurt you, and why scents work best when you don’t overdo them. We also explain why the full rut can be the hardest time to target a specific mature buck, and why late season and the second rut can swing the advantage back to the hunter. With fewer does in estrus, a consistent, believable scent setup can make a buck cycle through repeatedly until he edges into daylight. If you want a clearer plan for blacktail rut phases, late season tactics, and smarter calling and scent strategy, hit subscribe, share this with a hunting buddy, and leave a review. What part of the season do you trust most, early season or late season? Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

  8. Aug 3

    Eyes, Ears, and Nose: Mastering Undetected Entry to Your Hunting Set

    Send us Fan Mail Defeating a trophy blacktail's senses requires extraordinary dedication and methodical preparation. In this deep-dive conversation, Aaron and Dave explore the critical components of entering a hunting set without alerting deer through their incredibly sensitive ears, eyes, and nose. The hosts begin by shattering a common misconception: "You're never as quiet as you think you are." Dave shares his philosophy on trail preparation, recommending gradual habitat modifications spread across multiple visits rather than dramatic one-time changes that make deer wary. For those who only visit their hunting areas occasionally before season, strategic pruning with hand shears creates just enough clearance for quiet passage without establishing obvious human trails. Equipment selection proves equally crucial, with Aaron and Dave examining how expensive modern hunting gear can sometimes work against you. They discuss waterproof rain jackets that make unnatural sounds against vegetation, metal components that create alarming clanks, and practical solutions for each challenge. Visual concealment strategies follow, including the use of screen vegetation as artificial visual barriers and proper headlamp discipline when approaching sets in darkness. Perhaps most vital is their comprehensive approach to scent control. The hosts outline their meticulous process: traveling to hunting locations in base layers, changing into scent-free hunting clothes stored in sealed bags, applying field spray, and reversing the process when departing. This level of dedication isn't necessary for harvesting average deer but becomes essential when pursuing record-book blacktails that simply won't tolerate human odor. The conversation culminates with fascinating insights into extreme tactics like sleeping overnight in stands, hiking significant distances to approach from favorable wind directions, and studying thermal patterns to time entries perfectly. As Aaron notes approaching his third year of hunting, these might seem like extraordinary measures, but they represent the mindset difference between casual hunters and those consistently harvesting mature blacktail bucks. Ready to take your blacktail hunting to the next level? Visit blacktailcoach.com to discover our upcoming boot camps and training opportunities designed to help you consistently pursue trophy-class blacktails. Nilch'i Wind ChecksNilch’i Wind Checks - An easy to use, must have gear addition to our huntsDead Down WindScent Elimination ProductsTinksTinks ScentsBlacktail SolutionBlacktail feed supplements. Use code BTCoach for 15% through March 31 2026Bonded OutdoorsPersonalized leather tags to remember your huntsSkullCraft Collectiveskull mounting systems Ghost Hook Sale until March 31, 2026 Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show

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Trailer

5
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About

We're here to share tips, strategies, and stories of hunting the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, we'll help you turn preparation into achievement and passion into results.So gear up and get ready, because SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT!

Information

  • Creator
    Aaron & Dave
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    110
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Blacktail Coach Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Blacktail Coach Podcast

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