Assistance Please...New Deer Hunter (Chesaw, GMU 204)

[Armystrong]

A little bit of background...Two years ago I retired from the Army after almost 23 years.  I loved serving and miss it but after several deployments and another was looming on the horizon, I decided to retire to stay home with my family.  I became an avid fisherman and hunter when I was stationed in Alaska.  Long story short, I moved up here to Washington to be with my family and around other relatives. 

Living off my Army retired pay I have decided to try Deer hunting with my Dad who is almost 70 and has taken a couple deer in the 25+ years he has lived in Bonney Lake WA. 

Now for the good stuff...we went to the shooting range at Fort Lewis and zeroed in our guns (modern firearms, 30-06 and 7mm).  In a couple hours we were done...took so long because the range was packed and we had also enjoyed having a shooting competition with our 22LR.  So, zeroed in and read for opening season in Chesaw.

Our plan is to hunt Chesaw area.  Mind you I have never been there, this is my first deer hunt, and it is 8 hours from home.  We will be taking my Dads truck and his trailer where the two of us will be living while away from the family.  To me this hunt is to add some meat to our fridge and to spend some quality time with my Dad. 

If anyone can offer any information about the area or as far fetched as this may sound, offer their private land as an opportunity I would forever be grateful for anything offered.  I am a very ethical hunter with the utmost respect for the land, animals occupying the land, and the hunters.  I look forward to reading any replies and I am grateful to those that post and have created such a wonderful forum.  Perhaps in time I too can offer my assistance to others and this forum. 

Thanks a million
ArmyStrong (Jim)

[rover758]

Wow Army ... going in cold is going to be tough.  Wish I had info for you but I don't.  Just wanted to wish you and your dad good luck.  You can check out the harvest numbers from last year for GMU 204 at the link below.  204 is in District 6 I think.  In the future you may want to check out area 101 Sherman which is next door to 204 Okanogan East.  At least there your Dad can shoot a buck or doe if you're after meat.   (See Game Regs Hunters 65 and Over, Disabled, or Youth General Seasons.) 65 and older is Any Deer.  Heck ... since you're going in cold you may want to slip on over there anyway.

Good luck!

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2013/reports/deer_gmu_all.php

[Yelper Guy]

Army, haven't been up there for years but I know there are deer and wolves.
Try looking at some BLM or DNR maps. I'm sure there's public land to hunt.
Good luck

[CAMPMEAT]

Tons of public land and tons of people up there....... be careful and good luck.

[superdown]

pm sent

[BOWHUNTER45]

I love the Chesaw area ...but I can tell you that people are not friendly up there ..A couple years ago a grouse hunter was shot dead while standing in the road    just be on your toes ..that's all I am saying 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Sorry if I train wrecked this thread 

[Birdguy]

Armystrong, first off thank you for your service . Second, have a great time with your Dad (by far the most important part of any hunt with family  ).  As for the Chesaw area there is public land around and there are certainly deer. There is a fair amount of national forest land around Chesaw, I would certaily recommend buying a map at the forest service station just at the north end of Tonasket on the right. We hunted the NF area north out of Chesaw for a few years after our place over there burned. Some good deer and great camping was had there.

Oh yeah welcome to the forum 

[Armystrong]

Wow Army ... going in cold is going to be tough.  Wish I had info for you but I don't.  Just wanted to wish you and your dad good luck.  You can check out the harvest numbers from last year for GMU 204 at the link below.  204 is in District 6 I think.  In the future you may want to check out area 101 Sherman which is next door to 204 Okanogan East.  At least there your Dad can shoot a buck or doe if you're after meat.   (See Game Regs Hunters 65 and Over, Disabled, or Youth General Seasons.) 65 and older is Any Deer.  Heck ... since you're going in cold you may want to slip on over there anyway.

Good luck!

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2013/reports/deer_gmu_all.php

Thank you for the link.  I saw those numbers last week.  We initially considered Banks Lake area but decided not to hunt there because we have never been or even traveled through the area.  Since I am new to Washington my Dad has traveled to and through the Chesaw area. 

I just hope we/I am as successful hunting in WA as I was in Alaska.  I have been studying the Gazetteer as well as the regs.  The net has a lot to offer but the information so many of you are offering is priceless and the experience you all have to offer can't be touched by any site.

[Armystrong]

I love the Chesaw area ...but I can tell you that people are not friendly up there ..A couple years ago a grouse hunter was shot dead while standing in the road    just be on your toes ..that's all I am saying 

Wow that is awful.  This is suppose to be a fun, challenging, and rewarding time of the hunting season.  I've survived Iraq twice (2005-2006 and 2009-2010) so I hope there are some smart, ethical, and responsible hunters up there making it fun and rewarding for the hunters and the private land owners.

[Armystrong]

Armystrong, first off thank you for your service . Second, have a great time with your Dad (by far the most important part of any hunt with family  ).  As for the Chesaw area there is public land around and there are certainly deer. There is a fair amount of national forest land around Chesaw, I would certaily recommend buying a map at the forest service station just at the north end of Tonasket on the right. We hunted the NF area north out of Chesaw for a few years after our place over there burned. Some good deer and great camping was had there.

Oh yeah welcome to the forum 

Thank you for the information.  Besides my Gazetteer and regulations, I have added a trip to the Forest Service Station.  I plan to walk in a ways hoping to get away from the normal crowd.  Is there such a map that illustrates private property lines vs public land use?

[steelhead59]

I have hunted that area for several years, you cant go wrong by hunting the 100 road that goes over Bonaparte Mountain. White tails on the bottom end and Muley's on the top. You can drive the road across the top and turn back around and drive back over and see different deer that that you didn't see the first time. Killed a many up there. Stay away from the Pontiac Ridge road, lots of private property up there on the Chesaw side.

[_TONY_]

Just hang around Bonaparte, and you should see lots of WT... I have family up there with Private land/orchards, so i'll be up there in 215 209 204 this weekend making use of my multi season permit.

Good luck!

[superdown]

I have been hunting and vacationing in the chesaw area for 23 years been going over there at least four times a year and most years much more than that.My family owned 40 acres east of dry gulch and now i own 20 acres on pontiac ridge and i / we have never met a mean person out there of course there is always an exception to the rule. With that being said the local business owners know me by name and ask about my son and fiancee when they are not with me.A person would really have to go out of their way and step on somebody's jimmy to get a rise out of them in that neck of the woods.Be respectful and close the gates behind you when you go through them to not let their cattle out.most people are scared of the reputation on pontiac ridge and won't travel all the way through the well known public road because of the bs no trespassing signs if the gate is not locked on a well used road it is most likely because they have no right to.I have no problem with people staying off the ridge it's more peaceful that way. 

[steelhead59]

Don't get to excited about the traffic up on the 100 road either, most cant spot a deer if their life depended on it. Me and my wife do not look for the whole deer only parts of them, legs, ears, and butts we see more deer than most of the hunters out there. The crowd will die down after Monday when the weekend warriors go home. The 035 road is a good bet also (Beth Ridge). Two years ago a young man killed a huge 5x5 right across from the Bonaparte Lake look out.

[CAMPMEAT]

There is a little WDFW area in Chesaw that is all walk-in. Google it and call the guy who manages it. It's a pretty good sized area that goes from Chesaw to, I think the Pole China Road, or darn close to it. It goes from Maryann Creek Road on the south side to the Canadian Border

[BOWHUNTER45]

I love the Chesaw area ...but I can tell you that people are not friendly up there ..A couple years ago a grouse hunter was shot dead while standing in the road    just be on your toes ..that's all I am saying 

Wow that is awful.  This is suppose to be a fun, challenging, and rewarding time of the hunting season.  I've survived Iraq twice (2005-2006 and 2009-2010) so I hope there are some smart, ethical, and responsible hunters up there making it fun and rewarding for the hunters and the private land owners.

I am just letting you know what I know .. I may add one more story to this .. I hunted up there around 2002 ...I hike up a ridge and sat on a stump and was looking down this draw ..this guy walks up beside me and sits about 50 yrds from me .. This guy just stirred at me for about 10 minutes ..I was so nervous of the dude I had my finger on the trigger with the safety off ...I finally gave in and left ...this was some creepy stuff if I ever seen it ...That's the main reason I had to let you know ...Thanks for your service .. It means a lot to me and everyone else who cares about this country ..My dad served 2 tours in Nam.,,and my god father was killed in Nam right after I was born ...This day and age everyone needs to be on their toes ...No matter where you go 

[superdown]

There is a little WDFW area in Chesaw that is all walk-in. Google it and call the guy who manages it. It's a pretty good sized area that goes from Chesaw to, I think the Pole China Road, or darn close to it. It goes from Maryann Creek Road on the south side to the Canadian Border

I have hunted that piece quite a bit you can drive through some of it but it get's hammered pretty hard.If you or your dad has a disabled hunter card you can drive more of it up towards the poland-china road from byers road.   

[CAMPMEAT]

There is a little WDFW area in Chesaw that is all walk-in. Google it and call the guy who manages it. It's a pretty good sized area that goes from Chesaw to, I think the Pole China Road, or darn close to it. It goes from Maryann Creek Road on the south side to the Canadian Border

I have hunted that piece quite a bit you can drive through some of it but it get's hammered pretty hard.If you or your dad has a disabled hunter card you can drive more of it up towards the poland-china road from byers road.   

I checked into my disabled hunters permit for ATV use. I was told you can drive some roads too for disabled use. That's all I know.

[81husky]

most people are scared of the reputation on pontiac ridge and won't travel all the way through the well known public road because of the bs no trespassing signs if the gate is not locked on a well used road it is most likely because they have no right to. 

There is no public land on the Pontiac Ridge road, and there are no gates on the main road. Travel off of the main road at your own peril.

[papaonthemountain]

Armystrong... I would like to extend an invite to assist with your hunting quest in the Chesaw area if your dad is unsuccessful the opening weekend.  I have a ranch just out of Chesaw that has a considerable population of whitetails and muleys.  I have opened the ranch in the past to disabled vets, youth, and old timers to harvest antlerless and small bucks in a ploy to reduce the herd.  It's not unusual to count up to 200 head on the alfalfa fields in early fall as they target the regrowth. 

Please understand the opening two days are for my family, but after that I would be open to helping your dad to put some venison in the freezer.  Perhaps this old Navy vet can convince a couple of out of area hunters and those who have had less than desirable experiences that we are not all prone to bring harm or intimidation to those not so fortunate to exist in God's country.

Not sure how this works Armystrong, but I think you can email me from this site if you're interested.  If not, post how I can contact you and we will generate a plan.

[superdown]

most people are scared of the reputation on pontiac ridge and won't travel all the way through the well known public road because of the bs no trespassing signs if the gate is not locked on a well used road it is most likely because they have no right to. 

There is no public land on the Pontiac Ridge road, and there are no gates on the main road. Travel off of the main road at your own peril.

If you read my statement again you will notice i did not mention the pontiac ridge "road" or imply there was public land on it. but heres some public land on pontiac ridge road 

[81husky]

Superdown, I stand corrected.

[superdown]

Superdown, I stand corrected.

It's all good It is really unfortunate and sad that there is the violent reputation that would make people say things like "travel off the main road at your own peril" When my family was getting started out there we went down a lot wrong roads inadvertently and we were always just corrected politely or met a new friend i find that the sentiment for most of the locals is if you tell someone where the public land is then they have no reason to be on my private land. being polite goes a long ways.    

[_TONY_]

I personally have never had issues on Pontiac Ridge, or any other area up there for that matter, but have always been told stories from family, friends and the locals that live up there about the "hill people"....

The grouse hunter that was shot killed a while back just fortifies these stories/warnings.

Most that I've met have either been very nice, or decent in our interactions.

But the hippies that live there... They're a whole different story 

[bracer40]

Armystrong... I would like to extend an invite to assist with your hunting quest in the Chesaw area if your dad is unsuccessful the opening weekend.  I have a ranch just out of Chesaw that has a considerable population of whitetails and muleys.  I have opened the ranch in the past to disabled vets, youth, and old timers to harvest antlerless and small bucks in a ploy to reduce the herd.  It's not unusual to count up to 200 head on the alfalfa fields in early fall as they target the regrowth. 

BRAVO!!!!! So refreshing to see such gracious, heartwarming, hospitality! Makes me glad to be part of this community! Well done!

Please understand the opening two days are for my family, but after that I would be open to helping your dad to put some venison in the freezer.  Perhaps this old Navy vet can convince a couple of out of area hunters and those who have had less than desirable experiences that we are not all prone to bring harm or intimidation to those not so fortunate to exist in God's country.

Not sure how this works Armystrong, but I think you can email me from this site if you're interested.  If not, post how I can contact you and we will generate a plan.

[MtnMuley]

Armystrong... I would like to extend an invite to assist with your hunting quest in the Chesaw area if your dad is unsuccessful the opening weekend.  I have a ranch just out of Chesaw that has a considerable population of whitetails and muleys.  I have opened the ranch in the past to disabled vets, youth, and old timers to harvest antlerless and small bucks in a ploy to reduce the herd.  It's not unusual to count up to 200 head on the alfalfa fields in early fall as they target the regrowth. 

Please understand the opening two days are for my family, but after that I would be open to helping your dad to put some venison in the freezer.  Perhaps this old Navy vet can convince a couple of out of area hunters and those who have had less than desirable experiences that we are not all prone to bring harm or intimidation to those not so fortunate to exist in God's country.

Not sure how this works Armystrong, but I think you can email me from this site if you're interested.  If not, post how I can contact you and we will generate a plan.

You won't get a better offer than this for you and your dad. I can promise that. Good people.

[ldjbuff]

We just got back from that are during the archery season. We have a cabin near Bonaparte.   Saw less deer than last year but more bucks. I was able to harvest a Doe, but had my chances at some bucks, most were a little far to shoot.   A guy staying at the lodge shot a nice 3x4 whitetail, seems as though I see more and more whitetail.  2 years ago i shot a 4x4 whitetail in that area as well. Tons of hunters in rifle season, some even love to poach and come on our property...  Tempted to just hunt archery during modern for next year to catch people.


But if you get up there and end up needing help. PM me

[superdown]

We just got back from that are during the archery season. We have a cabin near Bonaparte.   Saw less deer than last year but more bucks. I was able to harvest a Doe, but had my chances at some bucks, most were a little far to shoot.   A guy staying at the lodge shot a nice 3x4 whitetail, seems as though I see more and more whitetail.  2 years ago i shot a 4x4 whitetail in that area as well. Tons of hunters in rifle season, some even love to poach and come on our property...  Tempted to just hunt archery during modern for next year to catch people.


But if you get up there and end up needing help. PM me

why would you hunt here if you live in idaho?

[ldjbuff]

We have a cabin there and 20+ acres, my dad owned it since i was 5, 30 years later we still hunt there and hunt in Idaho Moved to Idaho about 5 yrs ago. Well worth the 8 hr drive

[pilebuck]

That's my hunting area nickolson creek Rd marias creek main line takes you up to the mine lot of roads off that Nickerson creek has more whitetails as the other mules.Don't trespass respect others and you will be fine.Never had any issues there but keep in mind they don't like coasties but will like your business.Gas is expensive in chewsaw Bonaparte lake is cheaper.Good rule take gas.I hunted black power this yr we have 20 acres there crowds r a problem in modern season but get off the roads and sit very nice country enjoy and don't get spooked by Pontiac ridge lol I hiked out up top almost from cowcamp Rd at night was 4 miles in the cattle at night scare ya sometimes  :drool