Sinlahekin late archery

[CJ-5]

Well it sounds like rifle season is going well for many of you guys out there!  I have been enjoying the pictures and stories and it is making the wait until late november very tough!  This is my first year bowhunting for deer and i was looking into the sinlahekin unit for the late archery hunt.  Does anyone have any experience hunting this during late season?  Sounds like a pretty good area, but i have never been there before.   Thanks!

[bowsandhose]

you looking for WT or MD?

[CJ-5]

Prefereably mulies, but a whitetail would do too.  I have heard there are some whitetails in the valley and mulies up higher...i would think by that time of year the weather would start to push down some mulies.  by the way that is a HELL of a bull you shot bows!!  Congrats!!

[bowsandhose]

thanks CJ-5 i will pm ya

[TeacherMan]

PM sent

[Buschingc]

I live about 10 minutes from the Sinlahekin.... It gets hunted really hard during the late hunt.. There are a ton of hunters in there... Even though I live so close, I dont even hunt it.. If I were you, I wouldnt waste my time.. But thats just me..

[Geno]

I live about 10 minutes from the Sinlahekin.... It gets hunted really hard during the late hunt.. There are a ton of hunters in there... Even though I live so close, I dont even hunt it.. If I were you, I wouldnt waste my time.. But thats just me..

I hunted the rifle permit there last year. Three days before late archery started the whole valley filled up with archery guys, I think it has become a bit popular since that article in that magazine last year.

[bowsandhose]

its way more popular than it use to be but  its east side late archery there are allot of hunters and not many units open but most people stay close to the roads. still beats sitting home 

[Buschingc]

I have to agree that its better then staying at home.. I'm just saying that there are better places with less people... If there werent as many hunter, then Sinlahekin would be the place to go. There are some real toads in there.. I personally hate when im stalking the same deer that 3 or 4 other people are also stalking..

[Schmalzfam]

Hey CJ5 for some reason I can't send out PM's...ugh.
I was going to send you some places but, not publicly..lol

Can you PM me your e-mail?

[RC3]

For some reason I cant pm you

[Chopaka81]

I just got back from there.
My alias gives away where I like to hunt... 
I once did a fly over of the area during mid Nov, it was "very interesting."
Unfortunately access to the higher elevations is limited as winter comes on. I would be very careful taking a large RV up to Chopaka Lk as it may end up "wintering over."

Good Luck,

[jae]

Chopaca81, I have wondered about your name. My Wife's Grandpa and His brother live on Palmer Lake. I have been up to Chopaca many times. What a beautiful place.
local Biologist, Jeff. Tells me that deer numbers are way down and hunter numbers are way up. In the last three years fawn mortality has been extremely high. Not to many young bucks. Not to discourage anyone but that is the information I have.
John

[huntnphool]

Chopaca is one of the best dry fly lakes in the state, I love it

[spin05]

Chopaca81, I have wondered about your name. My Wife's Grandpa and His brother live on Palmer Lake. I have been up to Chopaca many times. What a beautiful place.
local Biologist, Jeff. Tells me that deer numbers are way down and hunter numbers are way up. In the last three years fawn mortality has been extremely high. Not to many young bucks. Not to discourage anyone but that is the information I have.
John

This i dont doubt.I now last year was pretty sparse.I did see small skulls around.Incedently that valley is one of the coldest dam places.For some reason it seems you get about an hour of sun on the valley floor.Last year it was 7deg. for 3 days.Ended up breaking my heater core in my truck. BBBRrrrrrrr

[wastickslinger]

Man when I first started hunting up there there were deer all over and hardly saw another hunter. Now it is hunters all over and hardly see a deer. I also grew up in the area and would agree that there are areas to go with way less pressure. But when I hunt I like to be alone.  It would be better than sitting at home like others have pointed out though.

[CJ-5]

Just wanted to say thanks for the info you guys have been providing! Hopefully i can get enough time off to get over there and check it out.

[bowsandhose]

 

[Chopaka81]

I have never gone spear chucking over there. However based upon things I have learned since I first went over there in 1981, I can assure you there is indeed a very valid reason why the Toates Coolie road gets packed out by the late hunt spear chuckers.

Last year I shot a reasonable 4x4 on opening day of the bang-flop season, this year my brother shot one on opening day and I did not get mine until Tuesday (270 Win, 385 yds, 130 gr Sierra SBT). Towards the end of modern season the migration had begun and some nice bucks moved into the area. The Wannacut unit has been very productive too.

When we arrived the front stuffers were still hunting and had some decent deer hanging.

There have been some interesting developements over there. A major land holder that the locals call "Buzzard" has sold out. This is a very good thing. However he did retain his grazing rights and leases. This effects Grand View Mt.

In addition another land owner last name "Speer" is still causing alot of trouble for hunters over on Gold Hill. If you-all can figure out a way to hunt that hill, it is holding some very nice bucks. But be very mindful of tresspass rights, because if you are in the wrong - he will hang your butt out to dry. He does have hired hands patrolling his holdings on ATV's.

Up towards Cold Creek things were coming on very strong and there were a couple 250+ lb bucks taken off old abandoned clear cuts. 

Good luck guys, I think you are in for a very good hunt myself. Do not forget to bring chains for "all four".

Don

[spin05]

I have never gone spear chucking over there. However based upon things I have learned since I first went over there in 1981, I can assure you there is indeed a very valid reason why the Toates Coolie road gets packed out by the late hunt spear chuckers.

What do you mean packed out??? Sorta of like packed house???as in everybody seems to be there???Also Sinlahekin is not open for muzzy.Thats one reason why i hunt there....209 is open thou

[Chopaka81]

Hi,
From what I have heard from the locals is that people are camping at every camping spot/pullout/ hole in the wall available, I remember when bang bang season was that way. Looks like alot of the guys took up bows to get better hunting. Not sure what Chopaka Lk is like that time of year - I suspect it is snowed in. Those pockets on the south face of Rattlesnake are well known producers.
Go get'em guys! 
Don