GMU 654 (Mashel), anybody been there?

[Stinkyrat]

Hi Folks,

New to hunting, decided this year to get into it feet first going after deer. 654 is about 30 minutes from my house and I was hoping folks here have had experiences (hopefully good ones) with that GMU? I am looking to park it in the DNR lands out there, took a drive out Scott Turner road and from a novice hunters perspective it seemed decent.

Any thoughts?

Stinkyrat

[Hunter mike]

Lots of decent country around there - you will definately not be alone during modern-firearm deer season (or just about any other time for that matter...).  I've seen some good animals in the area.  I live nearby you so it's my go-to 'drive around in the woods' spot.  I haven't hunted there, but would guess it will be tough due to the crowds.  I know the Scott-Turner area borders some Hancock land (behind gates as far as I've seen) but I'm pretty sure you can't even walk on to that now without a permit

I would explore the area and find any non-Hancock areas behind gates that you can hike into a bit. 

Good luck!

[jackmaster]

i grew up huntn elbe hills, at one time it was a desent place to hunt, now there is a crap load of people and alot of cats, if you come in from elbe town you can walk up the hill and see a few deer, the big problem with that now is there are guys comin in on quads from the propertys off the end of holiday hills, i hate to say it but i think its gets hit pretty hard from the back of quads at all hours of the day and night, my dad owns a big house and some property on scott turner and he hasnt been seeing that many deer at all, the weather hasnt been to good though...

[Stinkyrat]

I've also heard good things about the Kapowsin Tree Farm? Any idears where this is exactly? I'm assuming nearby but my google powers are not helping me today..

Stinkyrat

[jackmaster]

the kapowsin tree farm is now hancock, you need a pass for that but they are sold outm, if i was you i would look into the southern end of alder lake there is still some good country out there, and off of dean krieger rd there is still some good huntn and you could ask some farmers for some permission ti hunt, if you get permission in some of those places you will have a good chance at some stud B/T.....good luck to ya

[deerslyr]

If you get off the roads theres some really nice bucks in there. There happens to be a lot of poaching that goes in there year round though.

[wraithen]

I spent a bit of time over there. It's some treacherous walking sometimes and as someone posted earlier, there's plenty of cats out that way. Everything seems to hide really well though. Good luck, I won't waste the gas over in that area anymore, gotta find myself a better spot for my first year.

[Stinkyrat]

Awesome folks, sounds like there are a few different spots to check out down that way.... we shall see if it pays off!

Stinkyrat