Whitetails in NE Washington

[DaveMonti]

Good morning folks,
I first want to say that I'm looking for some general advice.  I am not going to ask for your secret spot or the details of how you hunt!!
I am from Pennsylvania and have been in the state of Washington for 7 years.  I was brought up hunting whitetails in the state with the most hunters in the NE of the US.  I've hunted for over 30 years in PA with a firearm and bow.
I have hunted here in WA in the late archery season in the Okanogan area chasing after mule deer.  There were whitetails in the area in the river bottoms, but we did not concentrate on them. 
I realize there aren't many hunters in WA that target whitetails relative to Mule deer and blacktails, but I have a deep love for hunting whitetail and with the late rifle season in several units in NE Washington, I've decided to head over there late next week to do some hunting, flying solo.
I understand that the whitetails prefer the lower areas near agriculture and river bottoms.  There doesn't appear to be much access to these areas as the larger river bottoms are all private.  I'm happy to still hunt, which I've done a lot of in the hardwoods of PA, and I understand the patterns of whitetail regarding feeding and bedding areas. 
I do have some spots that I'd like to try and am wondering about the likelihood of finding deer up small drainages in National Forest that are tributaries to larger rivers and streams.  I've heard that whitetails can be found at higher elevation, but that it's mostly mule deer country.  Being that I probably won't have access to the valleys that are private, I'm wondering if I should stay below a certain elevation when still hunting or stand hunting the smaller drainages, or skip the smaller drainages altogether and try something else.  A  lot of the area is heavily wooded with evergreens, which will be different hunting for me relative to the hardwoods of PA.
I am also wondering if most of the NF roads are open in GMUs 105, 108, 111, and 113. 

I appreciate all input and I hope everyone has had or will have a great year hunting!

Dave

[jasnt]

I see whitetail below 4,000'    for whitetail id recommend 121 or 117. Its 4pt min but as you may know that's not hard for a young whity. Plenty of public land here and  quite a few deer still.  Those other gmus are good too but id bet more whitetail in 117,121. If you need any more info or a few spots to google earth pm me

[Goose123]

Going over there next weekend for the late hunt also good luck to you will be my first time also going over there and hunting white tail

[buckfvr]

Whitetail are where you find them and any where in between.......be sure and look places others are driving past.....think " over looked "...............patience is your friend.....glass and glass some more.  Park and walk and every time you can see something new, glass...............

[DaveMonti]

Gents,
Thanks for your replies!  Goose, best of luck to you, maybe I'll see you out in the woods.

Looks like the hunt may be a lot of walking if a lot of the NF roads are closed.  If anyone has hunted the late season for whitetails (I don't think Mule Deer is open in these units), are there a lot of hunters? 
Dave

[jasnt]

It can get crazy near the roads, deeper you go the less orange you'll see

[Maverick]

I'll be taking my girlfriend and her cousin to the huckleberry unit next weekend. We'll start Saturday morning on a little piece of private property and then try to fin some public land. I'd love to make them hike a ways in from the road and earn a buck!

[jasnt]

Quite a bit of public land in huckleberry.  You hunting south end or north? I maybe able to point ya in the right direction for public land

[Maverick]

Jasnt I pm'd you.

[jasnt]

Maverick your in box is full

[huntnnw]

Not alot target whitetails with a bow of all the hunters I know thats all they do  or you havent been in 101 this week

[LeviD1]

Not alot target whitetails with a bow of all the hunters I know thats all they do  or you havent been in 101 this week

I'm getting excited for bow season! I am getting quite a few new bucks decent to big starting to show up and show up during daylight!

[huntnnw]

 

[Maverick]

Maverick your in box is full

Should be good now!

[DaveMonti]

Looks like I'll be headed over on Saturday and staying until Wednesday.  Hopefully that will coincide with the rut.  Staying in Chewelah and looking forward to getting out in the woods.  I'll yell if I need help getting one out!

[KFhunter]

It can get crazy near the roads, deeper you go the less orange you'll see

100 yards usually suffices 

[DaveMonti]

Wife just saw a large 4 point blacktail in the driveway.  He was moving along in search of does.  Good news as there is more and more evidence of the rut being on!  Hopefully it will be on in Eastern WA over the weekend and early next week!