Mason Co. Bucks?

[fishnfur]

Just curious if anyone has hunted SE Mason County - Shelton to Allyn area.  There's a fair amount of private timberland and a bit of DNR land surrounding one or both sides of HWY 3 in this stretch of road.  It appears similar in habitat to the Kitsap Penninsula - but I have never scouted the area at all.

Anybody here ever seen evidence of lots of deer or good genetics in the area??  Is it worth a look?

Thanks!

[dreamunelk]

Lots of deer in that area.  Check the Harvest reports.   As for genetics I won't go into it other than saying it really does not matter as much as most hunters think.  Antler growth is not something one that understands antler growth can discuss in  few sentences.  Suffice if to say there are plenty of book bucks.  You just have to put in the time and be willing to pass on the small ones.

[Eli346]

 A few bucks but like the typical blacktail the good ones are hard to find. Take a bear tag with you. They're not plentiful in the sense that you see them everywhere but I've spotted a few.

[fishnfur]

Good information.  Thanks guys.

[seansfire]

just for a heads up before you waste your gas most of that area out there has keep out signs posted on the gates due to fire danger. kinda hoping it opens up myself.

[Mike450r]

Some of the nicest blacktail bucks I have seen were taken in the Shelton area.  Nice antlers grow out there.  I do not hunt there much at all as I have my spots closer to home but a lot of my buddies out there have shot some dandies. 

[haus]

Hunted behind several of those gates during early and late archery the past couple years on weekdays. Weekends the gates with the most acreage and clearcuts get hit really hard, usually wont be the only vehicle at the gates on weekdays either. Keep in mind that each area ends up bordering residential housing, expect to see people out walking their dogs, riding atv/motorcycles, on horseback, and often times someones out plinking away at targets or shooting skeet.

[fishnfur]

More good info.  We're buying a cabin at Phillips Lake and there's some good looking cuts in the general area.  Nice to be able to sneak out for a morning or evening hunt while the family entertains themselves.  On the other hand, it definitely detracts from the hunting experience seeing joggers run down a road you're just heading in on, or someone is shooting a thousand rounds of semi-auto ammo with their new assault rifle while you're out looking for deer.

Thanks again all!

[kball4]

Over the High Steel bridge, up behind lake Cushman has lots of deer, shot my first 2 bucks up there.  Lots of clear cuts and deep dark timber.  Don't know if its Mason county but its close.

[fishnfur]

It's not, but it's a great tip.  Thanks!

[chester]

It is mason county


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[jtw]

The area your talking about has been my default hunting area for years. For many of the reasons already listed i drive into the mountains when i get a chance, but there are deer there and its 20 mins from my house.

[fishnfur]

Chester's correct  - it is Mason Co. 

20 minutes from home is why I keep ending up in 530/Ryderwood.  There's deer there too, so they say. 

I'm definitely going to do some scouting around North of Shelton.