Anyone know much about deer hunting 4-O Ranch or ZMI?

[Pete112288]

Considering putting in for a hunt over there this year. I have the points to stand a decent chance of drawing. Anyone know much about it? Is it a hunt someone can come from across state and stand a chance at a good buck without knowing the area? What are the typical size bucks there? What kind of terrain is it? Any info or opinions would be appreciated.

[bobdog86]

not sure about the ZMI, but the 4-0 can produce some nice bucks. I wouldn't say it's the best unit to put in for. You used to have to schedule your hunt days with the landowner/rancher, but since the states purchased or in the process of purchasing it, not sure it's the case anymore. i'm sure others are more knowledgeable than I am regarding access.

[B.G.hunter]

I also don't know about ZMI but I do know the 4-O.  I would say if you have good chance of a 130-140 class whitetail or a 140-150 maybe better class mule deer.  The way the Blue mountains have been managed in general has not left a lot big deer.  But the 4-O has some of the exclusivity hunting in the blues, you get over 12,000 acres pretty much to yourself.  There is no access fee if you draw the state tags, the seasons are short so they are not the best if you want to be picky.  If you draw some of the people can give good advice to on where on the ranch to look for mules or whitetails.  Don't call until you draw a tag because the get annoyed by people calling all the time (this is a working ranch). 

[Ridgerunner]

Zmi has some nice bucks but you are looking at about 160 top end, still probably a quality hunt with no competition but not sure how many points it would be worth to a guy.

[Pete112288]

Anything you guys have talked about is a true tophy to me. I dont get much money to put into trying to hunt and scout on the eastside. I love my blacktails but I want to get a good mule deer and whitetail at least once. The only buck better than a small fork horn I have shot is a 3 point bt with eyeguards just under an inch. Pretty symetrical but my rough scoring put it around 90 gross. I get excited about anything I see in the woods that at a glance you can tell its a buck rather than having to get glass on it to be sure haha. Im young I have time to build up points again. I also have a coworker from the southeast part of the state that has a buddy that may be willing to show me around over there for deer. Says if I draw anything in the Blue Mountain area I can be almost  promised a good buck if he shows me around. Now comes the choice I will have to make in a couple months when i put in for them. Do I go for the 4-O or ZMI that (from stats of previous years) has a better chance for me to draw this year or do I go for a blue mountain area hunt that I am at the bottom end for points compared to the average number of points the most recent winners have had.

[bigelk1030]

Tagging...

[curlewkiller]

When and how do I start gaining points for me and my son?  I have been hunting in this state for 35 years and never signed up.  I try to look for the schedule for signing up and purchasing special permits but I do not see any information, just results.

[bhawley76]

Question is the 4-0 ranch the same as the 4-0 cattle co?

[B.G.hunter]

Question is the 4-0 ranch the same as the 4-0 cattle co?

Yes, the WDFW is the in process purchasing the most of the ranch. 

[huntnphool]

When and how do I start gaining points for me and my son?  I have been hunting in this state for 35 years and never signed up.  I try to look for the schedule for signing up and purchasing special permits but I do not see any information, just results.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/