Winthrop Hunting Advice or Buddies.

[hunter6191]

Hello,
          New guy here, wanted to say hi. I am planing to hunt around the Winthrop area, I have been in nursing school and finally graduated this year. Prior to this, I had moved to AZ to take care of elderly parents. They passed on, so I came back here because I love it here.
I am excited to finally get to go hunting, unfortunately have had no time to scout, and have knowone to buddy up with  . My wife can not go even though she hunts. She is a Nurse and can not take time off work right now.
     Is there anyone hunting around the Winthrop area that would not mind if I join your camp? All my past hunting buddies are now gone as they are military and moved on. I live on Whidbey Island, I retired from the Navy back in 1997. I don't relish the idea of going to an empty camp, however I have the experience and the gear to do so if I must.
     I am a field hunter, however I use a Yamaha 660 Grizzly to take on jeep roads to get me in an area to begin my hunt. I do stay on existing roads however, it irritates me to see hunters that don't and go in the field and scare off everything. Not sure but unless your packing out something I think that is illegal in WA? I am safe, I don't mix alcohol and firearms, I am 53, and a team player. Open to meet and make new friends, especially those that love the outdoors. I have plans to hit the rd and get up there the 9Th of Oct so I can prepare camp, wood for the fire, and find the place I hunted years ago and scored a buck. That is if I don't get an invite to join someone else.
     Back in 1993 it took most the season take a buck. Same scenario, no time to scout, since military schedule does not allow it. That trip I went with 3 guys. They did not score anything as they hunted horns, not meat. Some day I hope to get a really nice buck to post pics of and brag about. However this trip desperation sat in on the last few days of the season for me. I moved up high last day of the season in the early morn and waited. I took the first legal buck that I saw, which was a 3pt. Nothing to brag about, but at least I took home meat. Hope to meet up with someone, but if not, I'll go with the idea, I'm going camping, and if I score some meat, what a bonus. It's just more fun to go with people to visit with around the campfire during non-hunting hrs. I'm also more than happy to assist others to pack out downed game. Good luck guys, hope everyone has a great time.....Charlie

[MtnMuley]

Not too much legal quad country in the Winthrop area.  Be careful.  Plenty of access roads though via a vehicle.

[hunter6191]

Are you saying that your not allowed to operate a quad on back dirt established roads or logging roads in Winthrop area? I will be in the Federal Forrest area near the river?

[MtnMuley]

The Winthrop area is pretty "green" friendly with many more ATV restrictions than other areas of the county.  I don't ride quads there, so I don't have your answer.  However, I'd be checking on it if I were you.

[hunter6191]

The Winthrop area is pretty "green" friendly with many more ATV restrictions than other areas of the county.  I don't ride quads there, so I don't have your answer.  However, I'd be checking on it if I were you.

I'll check this out, the local forest dept should have an answer. Thanks for the advice, can anyone else elaborate on this. I like the quad because it is cheaper on gas and very handy to get in places on roads only jeep's can go on. Logging roads, etc, that are legal to drive on.....Charlie

[bobcat]

ATV's are legal on most state land (DNR & WDFW) but mostly illegal on National Forest land.

[Kittman]

I am heading a little ways further than Winthrop, but not much on about the 10th.  I have a Multi-Season tag so it will mostly be a camping trip for me.  Quads not so much on NF lands, but dual sport motorcycle is the way to go if you have one.  For the 2011 season I hunted over there, saw quite a few quads in camps, but no one was ever riding them for scouting/pleasure etc., just keeping for deer retrieval I guess.  Just plan on seeing more people than you remember in the past and probably a few less deer available.  Do keep this in mind in regards to your expectations.

[hunter6191]

I am heading a little ways further than Winthrop, but not much on about the 10th.  I have a Multi-Season tag so it will mostly be a camping trip for me.  Quads not so much on NF lands, but dual sport motorcycle is the way to go if you have one.  For the 2011 season I hunted over there, saw quite a few quads in camps, but no one was ever riding them for scouting/pleasure etc., just keeping for deer retrieval I guess.  Just plan on seeing more people than you remember in the past and probably a few less deer available.  Do keep this in mind in regards to your expectations.

Where are you headed and do you want company? Not sure I understand why it will be mostly camping for you? Can you elaborate on this for me? Thanks...Charlie

[Kittman]

PM sent.

[hunter6191]

PM sent.

PM replied to. Nice to meet you, thanks...Charlie

[Alchase]

As far as I know, any road in the Winthrop are that a quad would be legal, so would a car or truck.
I only know of one area that allows quads and not vehicles, that is the Handicapped area near Rendezvous.
Most areas are marked "No Motorized Vehicles pass this point" at the barricades or gates.

[Alchase]

Oh, and welcome Hunter6191!

[Red Ryder]

I ride both motorcycle and ATV during hunting season. Last year I watched a hunter get a ticket from the forest service and his quad taken by the sheriff off of Campbell Lake Road. The Twisp / Winthrop area is not quad friendly. You need to know absolutely where ATVs are legal to use. There are areas in the state where they can be used. If you head further east to Okanogan, there are huntable areas that allow quad usage. More local to you, I believe there have been some folks going to the Capitol Forest area to hunt deer with their quads. 

The recommendation for a dual sport motorcycle is a good one. You can equip them to carry hunting gear.  And they will take you most anyplace it is legal use a quad and places where an ORV isn't legal.
 
I would recommend searching for areas that allow quad usage and overlapping that effort with the GMUs that you can hunt deer in.

[MtnMuley]

I ride both motorcycle and ATV during hunting season. Last year I watched a hunter get a ticket from the forest service and his quad taken by the sheriff off of Campbell Lake Road. The Twisp / Winthrop area is not quad friendly. You need to know absolutely where ATVs are legal to use. There are areas in the state where they can be used. If you head further east to Okanogan, there are huntable areas that allow quad usage. More local to you, I believe there have been some folks going to the Capitol Forest area to hunt deer with their quads. 

The recommendation for a dual sport motorcycle is a good one. You can equip them to carry hunting gear.  And they will take you most anyplace it is legal use a quad and places where an ORV isn't legal.
 
I would recommend searching for areas that allow quad usage and overlapping that effort with the GMUs that you can hunt deer in.

Yep, good advice.