I drew 166 Tucannon big buck muzzy tag

[Big P]

This is the first big buck tag I have ever drawn and it is my first year muzzleloading. I'm extremely excited but I also know I have a lot to learn in the next couple of months. I have rifle and archery hunted 3 units right next to Tucannon: 175, 178 and 181 so I know what size deer to kind of expect in those seasons but will it vary much during the muzzy season and due to the fact that only 10 other deer hunters and a couple of elk hunters will be in that unit at that time? What is a realistic trophy, not a record breaker but not a waste of a tag either? Also can anyone tell me a couple good access roads to check out, please. I am planning on 3 scouting trips starting next month to get a better idea of what to expect but any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!!!

[huntnphool]

You might send Jackelope a PM, he had a permit a couple years ago and shot a nice buck, I think it was the only one he saw on the hunt though.

[go4steelhd]

Are you looking for a mule deer or white tail? This unit is general archery and general rifle. So I wouldn't call the muzzy tag a Big Buck tag. There area few big bucks in there, but it will take a lot of scouting and some luck to find one. I guess before I said that I should ask what do you consider a big buck?

[jackelope]

It's a mule deer special permit. What are your goals or expectations? The hunt is on September, isn't it?

[jackelope]

I guess it's either or now. Muley or whitetail. It used to be a mule deer permit. So do you want a whitetail or mule deer. Season is 9/28-10/6. 10 hunters and its a quality tag.

[scotta]

I drew this tag last year, pm me for info .

[Big P]

Yes it is under the "big buck" permit application 9/28-10/6. Yes it is open for whitetail or muley and I am considering either at this point. I consider a "big buck" to be bigger than the average for that unit. I'm not sure what that is, does anyone know?

[jackelope]

There's big bucks in there. The hard part is finding them. It's very thick and very very steep. There's not a lot of deer either so if you're used to looking at 30-40 deer a day in the wheat in 178, you're in for a surprise.

[YoYo99]

Was in there yesterday and seen a few "ok" bucks. Nothing huge. I will be down there off and on and If I see one that I would call a nice buck I will pm you.

[jackelope]

I think of you see a 22" or bigger 4x4 mule deer you should be shooting. Whitetails...a solid 4 point maybe?? You have a cool permit in my opinion, but I honestly don't know why it's classified as a quality hunt other than the lack of other hunters. You don't have the rut or the migration working for you, and there's not a lot of deer.  I killed literally the 1st buck I saw during my late hunt in there in 2010 and it was the 3rd day of the hunt. It was during the rut and the migration, Although I'm not convinced there's much of a migration in there either. I could have killed a couple nice whitetail bucks but that year they didn't give me that option. I could only shoot a Muley.

[go4steelhd]

I don't see the big buck in my regs.

[huntnphool]

I don't see the big buck in my regs.

Hunt 1121

[jackelope]

I don't see the big buck in my regs.

It's a quality permit I think is what he meant. There is no such thing as a "big buck" permit.

[go4steelhd]

Yea jackalope. It's just a buck permit. Not quality for the muzzy. The quality was like the late one you had a few years ago with a rifle. Nice buck by the way. I enjoyed reading about your hunt when you posted it. The weather can be real nasty that time of year.

[jackelope]

The way I read it in the regs, it was a quality hunt. I could be wrong. I've got the late foothills west permit so I'll be in that country again in November.

[270Flat]

I spent the first four days of last years modern elk in the Tuccannon unit. I saw some real nice bucks (all mule deer). Lets just say they were pretty deep!! They are there, just make sure you got your hiking boots on when you set foot into the unit. Keep your eyes open (have good optics) and hope for snow. Best of luck!

[jackelope]

Yea jackalope. It's just a buck permit. Not quality for the muzzy. The quality was like the late one you had a few years ago with a rifle. Nice buck by the way. I enjoyed reading about your hunt when you posted it. The weather can be real nasty that time of year.

Thank you for the compliment. It is indeed a buck hunt. Thanks for clearing up my mistake.

[mtman]

I would agree with jackalope, they are hard to see in there. A lot of the area that burnt up has brush that they just disappear in. The big ones are few and far between. I would shoot the first four point you see. I have never seen a monster buck in there out of the 10 or so times I've hunted it. I want to hunt it in the season you got just to avoid the people. Seems like fun country to have to your self. I hunted it during modern firearm last year with a scoped muzzy. Glad I got it done early, modern firearm has to many people.
     The buck in the pic is from last year I think he is a bit above avg for the area.  Good luck on your hunt.

[Big P]

Sorry for the confusion, I meant "buck deer". Thanks to everyone for the advice, I have more realistic expectations now. I will PM all that offered in the next couple of days