Entiat Late hunt Nov 1 - 20

[Rainier10]

That is all great information and i appreciate it! Passing on the good bucks and holding out for the toad is going to be the toughest part! If November would only come sooner!

I am sure you are getting excited and remember it is what you think is a toad, I have seen guys not shoot, second guess what is big and end up with nothing.  Good luck and enjoy it.

[coachcw]

I'd hunt the 1st to the 20th with that tag !

Of course you would, how do you get the time off?  I am thinking you are one only a few exceptions that if given the permit could commit to the entire hunt.

To the OP I think you have a great hunt opportunity coming your way, take as much time as you can and take to heart the advice about chains, covering ground and shooting the first deer that you think goes 170 or just has the wow factor.  I think once you start hunting you will see that there are quite a few bucks that most guys would shoot any day of the week and twice on Sunday.  And hope for snow, without it you will have a tougher hunt, less deer and the deer that will be there will be tougher to see.

I;m just saying that could be the best chance  a guy has to kill a buck of a lifetime. I wouldn't worry as much about scouting if it means less days off during the hunt. if your in a good spot keep hitting it the bucks will show up . I tell you that it's really tough for me to get out of work being self employed like others on here but you really have a opportunity . if in doubt throw the chains on the back I've seen trucks get passed by there rear bumper up there ! good luck.

[Rainier10]

 
Just by your posts that I have read you seem to be more of a whatever it takes to get it done kind of a guy and if that means taking the month off than so be it.  Definately a trait I can relate to.

And I don't think chains can be stressed enough, you may never need them but when you do they are pricless. Chains are sometimes needed in the mud up there.  When the ground is cold and hard and gets a little rain on it it can be just like ice.

[muleracks]

Right now nearly all of the more mature bucks are at the snow level way back in the wilderness country.  Snow will bring them down.  I would hunt at or near the now level if we don't get much weather; the western end of the GMU 247 like east side of the Shady Pass road and upper Potato Creek.  Get weather and the deer will be as far down as Mud and Crum Canyons.  Have fun and hunt high; these are migratory muleys so don't waste your time low if there is no snow.

[crabcreekhunter]

what muleracks said! Look at the upper end of the unit where it borders lake creek as the deer move down, you'll see lots of deer but the mature bucks still wont be stupid... put some boot leather on and get away from the roads.. use glass.. good luck!!

[jburkett]

In 2011 my brother father and myself drew the archery permits. We had our hunts all planned for opening morning based on preseason scouting, and never made it to our spots. On our drive up we slid into some ruts and got my brothers cummins completely high centered on both differentials. It took several hours of digging and running a come along to get unstuck.  With only three inches of snow we never even thought of chaining up, and it cost us a half day of hunting. The moral of my story is don't underestimate the roads in the entiat! If you think you might need your chains, put them on!  We left the truck chained up for the rest of the hunt

[BrettinWen]

Has anyone mentioned CHAINS ALL AROUND?
I'd also add that while moving your eyes should be glued to the road and stop before looking for bucks.
I've hunted the Entiat several years in November and December and besides the 30" bucks I remember how close to death I was driving the game trails called roads that were packed ice. Why do they always slant roads toward the downhill side? I think it's to scare the *censored* out of me while driving on ice. I still have seat cloth between my ass cheeks.

[Rainier10]

Has anyone mentioned CHAINS ALL AROUND?

Almost 50% of the replies have mentioned them, I am agreeing with you they may be one of the most important things to pack.

[huntnphool]

And if there has been a decent amount of snow for any significant amount of time, it will be more ice than snow in the two track. I recommend V-Bars, put them on right away you should be okay as long as the road slopes in rather than out.

[beaslayer6]

drew that tag 3 years ago tons of bucks up there bring a good spotting scope and move as much as possibly.. shoot the first one that makes u happy I spent a week there with a bow.. looking for a 190 or bigger.. I seen one and ended up get a 165" as long as it makes u happy.. that all that matters..

[Rainier10]

Every year one of these threads pops up looking for advice and help and I am always amazed at how much really good advice comes up.  I mean that seriously, anyone that has hunted there should agree that this is all good information for a first time tag holder.  It's not so much of hunt here or look for this, that is easy, the tough part is being prepared for the unexpected and having realistic expectations of what you are going to see and want to shoot.

Great information here.

[WAmuleyHunter]

Another thing to add is the deterioration of a lot of the roads in the entiat valley units.  It has been years since any work has been done on a lot of the roads.  Most road signs and numbers have been shot, removed, broken and have not been replaced in ages.  And after the weather events the last two years there is some really dangerous ruts, and wash outs.  It will be even more dangerous with getting high centered or falling into one of these with a little ice and snow covering how deep they are.  It is sad that the Forest Service does not maintain like they used to up there.  Just another thing to be aware of.   And as for the bucks, have a great time, enjoy it, take lots of pictures.  It will be a blast.  Pick out the one that trips your trigger.  If you are chasing a certain size/score then hold true to it cause if you pass up a buck more than likely you may never see it again.  When they move and chase their girls its astounding how much ground they can cover.