Tough year so far for Blacktails

[Metdawg44]

Man this has been a tough year for me. I've found one Blacktail freshie and one old one. The place I hunt for them is an open space area that has lots of deer trails. I've found many bedding sites but there are no sheds there. I don't think there are other shed hunters in this area. These coastal hills are just starting to have the poison oak coming in so it does restrict me to some degree but I'd figured I'd find a few based on all the trails and beds that I've found so far. Maybe these Blacktails move around more than I thought they did.

 

[B&CMulies]

As hard as it is I always wait until the 2nd weekend of March to start looking, by this time most all have usually dropped. I am the only one that shed hunts on these two ranches so I don't have to worry about others getting them first, obviously you should start sooner if there is a little competition. I am however worried, things seem a little off this year. Saw 7 bucks last Sunday and only one has lost his antlers, seems like lots of deer are yet to drop. Hope I am suprised but this may be the same thing you are experiencing?