Bones Alta Hunt

[Skyvalhunter]

Well let just hope those big boys get into the heat of the rut and their natural instincts lessen so you can take one. Have you seen any sparring going on yet?

[Vek]

You want the one with the white face and roman nose.  The horns will take care of themselves.  He's up there somewhere. 

[WDFW-SUX]

Ive been out on some wet days on the westside but I think that when it rains in the methow its worse just seems like the rain is really wet and there is nowhere to hide

Glad to hear there as 1-2 good bucks in the hood

[boneaddict]

They are there Sky, I had that one all out buckfight in front of me in the fog but I couldn't see it. It was fun to listen too. There were 5 bucks there.  No bruisers, but it would ahve been fun to watch.  I am with you Vek.  That is exactly the type of buck I want.  Screw the antlers, I want a big mountain old timer.   My biggest problem has been the fog and finding the deer.  Seems like all the middle country and low where I normally find the bucks or where they finally move into is vacant.  All the does are down in yards.  Not sure where the big ones will end up.  Seems like all of the Traditional spots are adding up to a  big zero.  I have noted some mountain does showing up in other units, and have been hopeful that they would fill in the gaps and not end up in the yard of the nearest tree hugger.  We shall see.  My hunt is essentially half over.  Time to get out the "man juice" and round one of those big buggers up.  I can rule out the high country now.  No way in hell would I even consider being back there now.  I am hoping the snow holds high but he rain takes it out in the middle country so it sin't so crunchy.  I can track just fine without it and see if the fog ever lifts.  Hard to close the gap down to 30-40 yards in crunchy snow.

[Red Dawg]

good luck on the rest of your hunt. It seemed like last year they peaked at about the first part of this coming week and then they were all grouped back up by the end of the week. sounds like you could use some good weather. Which it seems like it is generally the other way.

[boneaddict]

got the hands and boots snowsealed for round 2.  I was thinking abut coating myself and the rest of my clothes in it. LOL

I shaved all my natural camo off, the Mrs didn't like it too much and it was in the drive me nuts stage.  Now I am thinking about getting a haircut so I can look fresh with my fiield photo.   

[nwhunter]

Enjoying your ongoing story , it is getting me revved up for my entiat bow hunt coming up soon. Do you think the lack of deer in the spots you were expecting to see them in is due to winter kill last year or are they just not down yet? Keep up the good work and good luck. nwhunter

[boneaddict]

I am afraid it is due to the winterkill for the most part.  Most are on their way down and should be in that country  I hope I am wrong enough to have one show up.  I am thinking about trying some rattling and grunting for muleys.  I haven't had much luck with them but I have brought in some does with it while trying it on whitetails.  Going to try all the tricks I think.  I hear the Entiat herd is in ALOT better shape, which makes sense.  They didn't have the deep crusted snow that the Methow had, so you should have a great hunt.  What are you holding out for?  ...anything with bone, or what size?

[nwhunter]

I was afraid of it being the winterkill. Too bad and hope this winter will be better and let them recover a bit. As far as the entiat tag there are three of us hunting togethor and will probably hold out for descent bucks for the first 4-5 days and then try to bring home some meat. Descent for me is in the 24" neighborhood with a bow in this state. Hope to see some hogs like we have in the past but with all the tags for the last several years not holding my breath. GOod luck on your hunt. nwhunter

[Swiftkid]

great pictures, i love the rain...but i know how it is to be walking hitting brush and it seems like every little drop of water is stickin to yah...good work!keep it up

[DOUBLELUNG]

Bench was the only one who commented on that deers ass.  Should I put it in its own thread.  WHat do ou guys think?

Blacktail-mule deer cross is my guess.

[MichaelJ]

Hey Bone I now know how you feel with the wet and fog!  Just spent the last two days up around Chewelah huntin whiteys and it was TOUGH!  Saw deer everyday but only does and fawns, not a single buck and the temps were a little warm... I hunted this morning in a T shirt but we were walking fourwheeler trails as thats the only way to get through that country cause its so thick!

Had my Rivers West and good Rain pants on so I stayed relatively dry but the visibility was an average 20-60 yards with that damn fog!!!
Oh well had fun and got to stay in a sweet wall tent and hunt private ground with good people so we had some good laughs and lots of fun...  Best of luck the rest of the hunt I know you'll get it done!

Michael

[boneaddict]

Sounds like a good weekend Michael.  I jsut had some down time with the family and will be headed back shortly.  I'll be back at it in the morning.  i have a virus so hoping it disappears.  No matter, I will be on duty.  Hope they are down and at it this week.  Its already dipping into being late for Muelys though I know they will be still active. 
Glad you had fun chasing whittails.  Nice to have some private stuff to hunt.

[MichaelJ]

Ya we seen deer, but I'm not much into hunting the thick stuff....  This weekend I used my binos by far the LEAST I have ever used them!  Seemed like we would walk all day long on fourwheeler trails... We sat maybe an hour all weekend but we seen deer and they've hunted that land for a lot of years and had luck...  from what I hear they had a pretty nasty winter kill and the weather was the worst they'd seen in a LONG time...

Michael

[boneaddict]

Need to still use your binos.  LOTS, its unlike that open Wenatchee country though.  You need to pick apart the brush.  They will stand and let you walk right on by and never move.  Your only saving grace is if the rut is making them move at all.