Skokomish help?

[shadowless_nite]

I got drawn for a the quality archery skokomish tag and wanted to expand my searches. I am not very familiar with the unit but I have hunted it before and would like to expand my areas and knowledge. Now as most would say " What made you pick this unit if you dont know anything about it.." Reason being my first year hunting i read it was a decent place, did my e-scouting online, researched an area and went for it during general rifle, seen a lot of does so we decided to come back during rifle late weekend and try to find a buck. Well we did the same round of checking cuts, walking in a few miles passed a gate and brought our best rain gear. On our way back we stumbled upon a dandy 4x4 and being a newb rifle hunter at the time I missed my shot and it got away.  While I was disappointed I had missed, I was proud of my newb research skills. And now that Ive gotten significantly better I would like an attempt at redemption, that and I havent killed a deer yet.

Im willing to put the gas down and scout pre season but would like to make the most of it since im in vancouver and time is limited and be able to put down a quality scouting trip instead of scratching my head and wondering while burning through summer priced gas in my truck. An added bonus is I will be out there with my wife who just passed her hunter safety last month and be able to scout/hunt during rifle season and also get the once in a blue moon chance to hunt the rifle rut season together since it intertwines with the archery quality dates!

[hillbillyhunting]

I grew up in this area, but mostly have spent my time hunting adjacent GMUs.  From what I understand the Skok unit was incredible about 15-20 years ago.  That being said, I spent a little time scouting and hunting this area last year and plan to do more this year.  I live pretty close to this unit, and if our schedules align I would be happy to team up and do some scouting.  Last year was my first year bow hunting and this year I plan on buying the multiseason. 

[sirmissalot]

There are a lot of deer in that unit and some dandy bucks. I also grew up in the area and mainly hunt adjacent units but have killed a couple deer in that unit. Its a 2 point or better unit so the deer have a decent chance at growing up, although there are a lot of forked horns killed from the truck window every year... Should be a fun hunt if you put your time in, I'm sure you'll see some bucks just a matter of it you can get close enough. I need to look it up in the regs and see what the dates are, I've never even known there was a permit for archery at that time.

[AKBowman]

Wait! So if I am understanding this correctly you drew a "quality" ARCHERY tag and the thing that makes this tag "quality" is it gives you a chance at a quality deer by allowing you to hunt the rut...aka the modern rifle season.

What a crock of S!! I drew the quality tag this yr too it's called hunting the modern season with my bow.

Didnt mean to thread jack. Skok is a good unit, the edge of 621 and the Skok is good. Hunt the snow line late and you'll have the chance at large bucks. Tree stand is best up there but a lot of work

[hillbillyhunting]

This hunt is Nov 1st - 21st.  So, it will just be him and the other 9 permit holders. 

What gets me is that this is a quality deer tag.  IMO this should just be a buck deer tag.

[sirmissalot]

This hunt is Nov 1st - 21st.  So, it will just be him and the other 9 permit holders. 

What gets me is that this is a quality deer tag.  IMO this should just be a buck deer tag.

I agree. But, in all honesty this tag has the potential to put a truly "quality" buck on the ground as far as coastal blacktail go, the fact that its archery will make it tough but I'm not sure that should take away from the quality hunt potential, depends on how you look at it though.

The first week of this hunt is where I would concentrate if I had the tag, going by what I've seen for rut activity in the area. I somewhat agree with the treestand idea, but to be honest you would probably see more bucks road hunting... sounds dumb but the bucks are not thinking with the right head at that time of year and you will see deer driving and glass clearcuts, pretty good possibilty of catching one near a road while it stands there looking at you. If you have a really good spot picked out with does around often the treestand is a really good option, just not sure that will work as well with you being close to 2 hours away

[AKBowman]

A tree stand is really effective but I agree it would take a larger effort in scouting, plus things change once the rut hits.

A lot of the stuff around Matlock has been hit really hard by poaching the past few years. Still I have seen more deer in the Skok unit than any other unit I have hunted. I hunted right at the foothills of the Olympics. I would always see deer around Beeville Lp rd, that areas no secret though. If I were to hunt it again I would try to figure an area that was behind gates and concentrate on sitting on some active trails 100 yds or so in the timber from clear cuts. I would bring my climber just in case the opportunity presented itself.

By the time the late archery season rolled around on the 23rd or so of Nov the rut was completely over. It was very frustrating to say the least. Locals I met verified what the above poster stated that the rut is from last week of Oct to second wk of Nov

[bankwalker]

I live in Matlock and would gladly meet up to scout with you. I've been out almost every day myself and I've got my spots locked down in the satsop for early archery, granted it isn't locked up for fire danger.
Now I just need to focus on the skok for late archery incase fire danger or I still have a tag in my pocket.

The few times I've been in the skok has been promising 

[shadowless_nite]

Thanks for all the input and help everyone!!! I know some may not see it as quality buck and I understand that, but in all honesty I would really just like to take my first buck, or deer for that matter. Ive only been hunting for the last 6 years or so and have yet to put a deer down   so im willing to shoot a buck if he's legal and not necessarily a dandy. I know waste of points to some, but this was my second choice for the quality tag since desert unit was my first choice. And between school, work and my family time and money is hard pressed so your help is truly appreciated in helping make the most of this tag and most importantly my time!!!

I live in Matlock and would gladly meet up to scout with you. I've been out almost every day myself and I've got my spots locked down in the satsop for early archery, granted it isn't locked up for fire danger.
Now I just need to focus on the skok for late archery incase fire danger or I still have a tag in my pocket.

The few times I've been in the skok has been promising 

shoot me a pm im gonna be free fridays or sundays this month, just depends on school if i got exams and what not I need to study for. But definitely willing to meet up and get the lay of the land from a local!!

[shadowless_nite]

another question came to mind... after reading through post and searching past post on the unit, why is it that people say there are decent bucks and even locals who live in the unit may agree but it seems that everyone hunts the units around it rather than in it most of the time??? Or is it just me interpreting this wrong, but wouldnt you hunt somewhere you knew there were good bucks first?

[AKBowman]

Probably a few reasons but I believe it is because: 1. A lot of the Skok is steep country and tough to hunt, the surrounding units like Satsop are a lot flatter and easier to get around in. 2. There's fewer gates in the surrounding units and are easier to Ed hunt from.
I lreally think all those units over there are good units, especially the Skok.

[JimmyHoffa]

I agree with AKBowman.  It is kind of the same story all around the peninsula.  It's not too much of a secret that there are some biggies hiding in some tough areas, but most (I think) are more concerned about getting a deer not holding out for a trophy.  So rather than burn boot leather in the steep stuff, they prefer to cruise the lowlands and clearcuts.

[sirmissalot]

I don't hunt the skoke unit because I have spots in other units closer to my house, and the skoke has a lot of pressure compared to where I go (usually). Last year I hunted it a decent amount because I wanted to kill a buck with my musket since I had a multi season tag but couldn't find a buck worthy of burning my tag. I know plenty of people that spend their whole season in that unit.

I wouldn't mind giving you a hand come November. You have a really good chance at getting your first buck with this tag, hope you're practicing!

[arrowflinger]

I knew a guy that lived on Anderson Rd. Before they gated it the at end, we use to drive around out there looking for Elk and I have hunted out there about 20 yrs ago, but we would see a lot of nice bucks on that road. I'm pretty sure by now all the clear cuts out there are grown up. I also chased a nice buck in archery early season on the back side of a pond off of beeville Loop Rd. Again, it has been a few years since I was out there. South Mountain I heard back then was good also.

Good luck.

[shadowless_nite]

I don't hunt the skoke unit because I have spots in other units closer to my house, and the skoke has a lot of pressure compared to where I go (usually). Last year I hunted it a decent amount because I wanted to kill a buck with my musket since I had a multi season tag but couldn't find a buck worthy of burning my tag. I know plenty of people that spend their whole season in that unit.

I wouldn't mind giving you a hand come November. You have a really good chance at getting your first buck with this tag, hope you're practicing!

I am definitely practicing. Gonna be dropping off the bow this coming week for tune and new string as well as upgrading arrows. My goal for the summer is to have a properly tuned set of broadheads and increase my accuracy and confidence in my 40yd + distance.  One downer I realized today is my time is now going to be spread even thinner as I just realized this morning that my tag happens to intersect modern elk which my wife will be needing my help in. Hopefully I can get her dad to help out in that department.

thanks again everyone for your help and offers!! they are truly appreciated!

[mossback636]

I live in the skok unit. it is going to be a tough hunt if you care to kill a decent buck. you wont have a problem killin a small 2pt or mabey even a second year 2pt.  Whoever said to drive around nailed it on the head! your numbers will be way higher driving around as opposed to sitting in a tree stand. its all about covering ground not sitting and hoping for something thats not going to happen. Your gonna wanna hunt from about the 5th to the 12th if ya can. i know that sound stupid but i know first hand when those bucks are ruttin hard. treat every doe as if she was hott because you just never know with these blacktail. very smart but fun deer to hunt! good luck to you

[shadowless_nite]

I live in the skok unit. it is going to be a tough hunt if you care to kill a decent buck. you wont have a problem killin a small 2pt or mabey even a second year 2pt.  Whoever said to drive around nailed it on the head! your numbers will be way higher driving around as opposed to sitting in a tree stand. its all about covering ground not sitting and hoping for something thats not going to happen. Your gonna wanna hunt from about the 5th to the 12th if ya can. i know that sound stupid but i know first hand when those bucks are ruttin hard. treat every doe as if she was hott because you just never know with these blacktail. very smart but fun deer to hunt! good luck to you

thanks mossback! Yeah Im getting that impression that driving around is the best bet. While i dont mind being in a warm truck, the wife might find it more amusing than getting soaked. Like I said in the original post, Im not gonna be too picky, But with limited time to be up there I cant afford to wait long nor do I think i can hold off on something. Any two point there will be significantly better than the majority around any of the units near my area since they get so hammered by everyone. Id be happy harvesting any deer this year and better yet if it was using my special permit that I spent extra money on! I know not everyones cup of tea when it comes to spending points on a tag, but I dont mind it. thanks again everyone for the help!!

[shadowless_nite]

Almost forgot I had this thread up and thought I should bump it up. Due to a busy summer quarter at school (trying really hard not to fail a math class I wont even use) and a very limited funding for gas I was not able to make it out to scout this summer. And what little resources I had I decided to save and dump into early elk season which turned out to be a dry crunchy bust. Im hoping that my less compressed school schedule this fall will give me some weekend time to make it out there to scout even though itll be modern season.

Anyways anyone have any reports or perhaps some motivational pictures of  deer dead or alive from the area. Again I can not thank everyone enough for the help given and would be more than happy to return the favor in anyway that I can.

I did get my bow all suited up with a new string and cables and got some better  and have been shooting at the range atleast 2 times a week since I have been dragging the misses with me so she can build up her shooting skills as well (she just started in june) and i have been making substantial progress and confidence in my 50yd shot which I did not have or practice until I got this permit. Progress is being made with this tag one way or another!!!

[sirmissalot]

Unfortunately most everything was closed for archery season, and with my bull tag I never even made it out. Let's get you a pile of apples going for a backup.  again, I'd be happy to help you tag out on a buck.

[shadowless_nite]

Thought id bump this up. Been out here since the 1st and seen plenty of does but no bucks yet! Trying to notch this tag so I can get my study time back!! Any leads on rutting bucks of legal size ??

[seansfire]

i was just asking around about the area around high steel bridge / browns creek campground for archery deer. is that area worth scouting or has it been hit hard and not much left up there ? is it permit only up there ?

[shadowless_nite]

i was just asking around about the area around high steel bridge / browns creek campground for archery deer. is that area worth scouting or has it been hit hard and not much left up there ? is it permit only up there ?

Check your thread left you a response. Pm me and im glad help where I can. I am in no way a local but Ill try and lend a hand since ive been o ut there the last few days