Mule Deer Permit Location Help

[adamR]

I now have 11 points going into the next permit draw.  I know this is by no means a guarantee to be drawn but what it does mean for me is I've been invested for 10 years and don't want to draw a garbage tag.  I'm not looking for anyone's honeyholes just locations that might meet my criteria so that I can try to do some scouting before the applications are due and decide where I want to apply for.

My Criteria:
I like sage brush hunting, open timber, and a mix of the two.  Basically I like to be able to see a few hundred yards.
I plan on applying for modern permits but for the right permit I would also go muzzleloader which is what I usually hunt with for general season.
I've never killed a nice buck so really I'd be happy with a 150" plus buck.  I'm more concerned with a large amount of deer, I'd like to pass up bucks that are a little smaller and not worry that I won't see anything bigger.  Basically, I'm not looking for a giant buck but more of a quality experience.

I've spent a lot of time in cowiche late season and it's definitely in the back of my mind.  I'm very familiar with alkali and know that there are some dandys out there but not the numbers I'm really looking for.  Desert is definitely at the top of my list right now.  Quilomene has potential, but does it provide the experience I'm looking for?  I'm willing to travel (as you are looking at the gmu map) as far north as about Slide Ridge.

Again, not looking for honey holes just places that come close to what I'm looking for so that I can go check it out this spring and narrow it down to where I want to apply for.  Feel free to pm
thanks guys

[mfswallace]

Quilomene 
Desert unless you know some landowners might be tougher

[adamR]

well that kind of brings up another question then, how much public land is really available in desert?

[GurrCentral]

There is a gmu map available both online and in the reg pamphlet.  Google earth can be your friend as well.

[mfswallace]

well that kind of brings up another question then, how much public land is really available in desert?

Enough to have a good hunt or three but checkerboarded and could end up on wrong property if not careful.
Having GPS on your person with landowners is a plus!

[adamR]

Thanks I'll have to look closer at that then

[vandeman17]

Have you thought about out of state instead of hoping to draw a permit?

[Badhabit]

Alkali. The firing center has some big bucks.

[adamR]

I would love to hunt out of state and someday I will but with a 18 month old and the wife wanting another I can't really afford it right now

[CAMPMEAT]

I've seen some PIGS near Moses Lake, west and south of the Conoco, right off the freeway.

[270Shooter]

Alkali. The firing center has some big bucks.

nope Indians killed them all

[face]

Your odds for drawing alkali are pretty slim as there aren't many tags.I'd stay with Cowiche.You know where my honey hole is.I put in for Alkali for 13 yrs. On the 14th year I just wanted to go on a rut hunt.Cowiche has a few more tags to draw.