Columbia Blacktails Are the Toughest Deer to Hunt

Columbia Blacktails Are the Toughest Deer to Hunt

The author shot his first Columbia blacktail 49 years ago and he ranks them among North America’s most challenging big game animals.

Darkness consumed the Douglas fir forest in Oregon’s Cascade Range. The author had been hunting for 31 of the 35-day season, but was unable to kill the buck he wanted.

After the season ended, the author scouted the mountains multiple times, spotting the buck twice more.

Once it was chasing does in the middle of a late muzzleloader season. I could have hit it with a rock.
The other sighting was in late December, where the colossal buck was the only deer seen that day.

This experience highlights the challenge of hunting Columbia blacktails, as

that’s common with big blacktails
.

Author's summary: Columbia blacktails are a challenging hunt.

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Outdoor Life Outdoor Life — 2025-10-18

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