Looking for my first buck, GMU 124 Any help much appreciated

[RiverWarrior]

Hello all,

I’m a new hunter and looking for advice to tag out my first buck. I’ve hunted the west side and also GMU 124, going to school at WSU makes hunting the east side a great option. With all the private land over here in the Palouse I decided to look north at some good hunting grounds. After much research I found that IEP land was the way to go. Looking at the access charts for the IEP land I saw two access points, one by the ski park, and also by Thompson creek. I went further north toward the ski park. On my hunt I saw 3 cow moose up high and very little deer sign so I moved lower in hopes of finding deer. I set up shop at a good looking clear cut and didn’t see anything other than some squirrels. In the middle of the day I searched for a better looking clear-cut, waited until dark and saw nothing again. Very dense country up there. After hours of more research Thompson creek looked like a better area to tag my first deer.  However most of my searches have came up fruitless for deer, and very useful for moose. With the end of the season near, I am focusing on late buck. My question is, should I focus my efforts around Thompson creek? Secondly, how would you hunt this area? Glassing clear cuts, get hiking, etc. Im not afraid to hike, and prefer not to road hunt. I want to earn my first buck. Any Info Is much appreciated. Thanks for the help!


         -RW

[huntnnw]

November will be much better, try using a grunt call. Rattling can work too. Find ridges with trails on them or places where u can see ridges in shooting range and be patient. Using a rifle get to where you can see alot of country and sit. Bucks will move at any hour of the day come Nov.

[RiverWarrior]

Thanks Huntnnw, I really appreciate the help and feed back. I plan on scouting the area out a couple times before late season to see what the terrain looks likes, and to find situations you described. I can't describe the feeling that hunting gives me, but I'm definitely in it for the long haul. Thanks again for the tips Huntnnw!


                       - RW

[huntnnw]

also if you see does in a area..hunt it..there will be bucks around

[TeacherMan]

Try up Blanchard and get a permit for the rds from Inland Empire, lots of land, tons of animals!

[tgomez]

Hunt the IEP land up on Day My. Spokane road. I have hunted up their since I was 12 for late deer. I have never not gotten a deer up their. Keep hunting hard, I recommend still hunting mixed with a grunt or two every 15 minutes, you should do fine. If you want help I'd be happy to show you the ropes up their. Send me a response, GOD BLESS!

[LeviD1]

I would say hunt the lower elevation area usually more does lower and the bucks will follow. Also google earth around where you plan on hunting. If someone has a field off the inland land then hunt
off that a 100-200 yards and find a good trail or intersecting trails that leed to the feeding area.

[RiverWarrior]

Thanks for the help and tips guys! I will be up doing some scouting shorty, hopefully see some good deer sign!

[MHWASH]

We hunted those areas last year during the late season, looking for moose. Thompson Creek is way more crowded than the ski area. I was amazed by the amount of people. If I get a chance I'll hunt the ski area for deer this year.