Orange Army Dry side

[outlawbuck]

So I bought property just outside of Tonasket about 5 years ago with hopes of hunting the local dnr land. So I did some scouting during the summer and decided to take modern firearm season off work this year. Woke up this morning excited and ready to try my luck, ate a great breakfast and headed out. Upon arriving to the area I seen the craziest sight I've ever seen with hunters lining the roads spaced about 50 yards apart and orange crawling the hillside like fleas on a dog. The area I scouted has only a couple miles of road and I'm sure I seen over 50 trucks with more heading in as I was retreating back to my trailer with my surrender flag waving. I was scared to get out of my truck and even more scared if a deer were to walk out.
So now I'm back at the trailer pondering if I'm wasting my time over here or if this is just the opening weekend rush and the week will get better? Those who hunt eEast of the mountains is this normal all season and I'm wasting my time, or is it worth waiting for the week to clear out the weekend warriors?

[Southpole]

Your story reminds me of when I went to my place in Curlew in 2008 for the first week of modern rifle (just bought the place in 07). My husband couldn't leave due to business, so I left on my own to go hunting at our cabin in Curlew. I got there Saturday afternoon. Of course, I was very well aware of the crowds in those parts, so it didn't surprise me to see a lot of people. However, for several days, no matter where I went, there was people... A lot of people! Pretty soon I started to get frustrated, depressed and eating way too many Hot Pockets, I was ready to pack up and get out of Dodge. I think it was around Thursday when I pulled my head out of my butt, put the Hot Pockets down, got my crap together and decided to hunt some of the property next to our place. I didn't have much confidence that area held too much for shootable bucks, but at that point I kinda didn't care because at least there weren't any people in there. I just needed to get out there and do something. Well, it turned out that there were quite a few pods of whitetail hunkering down in that brush hole. I ended up hiking around the back side of a small ridge, came down the other side where I had ran into deer below. I sat and watched for about 30 minutes. I wasn't sitting very comfortable, so I kinda shuffled around a bit to get a better dirt chair made. Low and behold a nice little 3 by 4 came flushing out from below. It was about a 80 yard successful shot. I went from super depressed to flying high on cloud nine. Sorry about the long story, but your post brought up those feelings like it was yesterday, of my heart sinking and the frustrations of seeing so many people. I guess what I'm trying to say is keep at it. It may seem super bad right now, but you just got to keep at it and don't give up. And yes, by the middle of the week, you would be surprised just how many people will be gone. For this weekend, you might want to research some maps and cruise around, you may discover some new areas as well. The long and the short of it, make the best out of the situation, at least you aren't at work 

[Chad Osterholtz]

Opening weekend is always like that over there... Just do some road hunting and explore the area a little. If you see an empty spot, sit and wait for someone to drive them to you. I've hunted over there most of my seasons and opening weekend is always a pumpkin patch. But... Come Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday you'll have it all to yourself. In my experience few people can afford to miss work for the whole season. It's definitely worth the wait.
FYI... The majority of the deer I've taken over there opening weekend, have all been around 11:30 in the afternoon and no further then 50 yards from the truck. Everyone sneaks in then kicks and drags there feet on the way out pushing them all back to the parking lot.
Don't get me wrong, I am by no means a road hunter, but when you fear for your life opening weekend, the safest seat is in the F-350!

[fishingnut71]

nice. my post about this got deleated. just my thoughts on actual experiences. its facts.

[outlawbuck]

Thanks for the replys. What a rough opener, I don't think I've ever had a day where I didn't see at least one doe. Hopefully tomorrow goes better. Found some areas on the map I'm going to explore before I head to town to catch the game.

[Naches Sportsman]

Thanks for the replys. What a rough opener, I don't think I've ever had a day where I didn't see at least one doe. Hopefully tomorrow goes better. Found some areas on the map I'm going to explore before I head to town to catch the game.

No need to head to town to catch the game. There is a reason trucks have radios in them. Watching the seahawks game won't provide you meat for the winter. Best time to hunt is when everybody is watching the game, or on a Sunday afternoon when everyone is headed back to the west side.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Thanks for the replys. What a rough opener, I don't think I've ever had a day where I didn't see at least one doe. Hopefully tomorrow goes better. Found some areas on the map I'm going to explore before I head to town to catch the game.

No need to head to town to catch the game. There is a reason trucks have radios in them. Watching the seahawks game won't provide you meat for the winter. Best time to hunt is when everybody is watching the game, or on a Sunday afternoon when everyone is headed back to the west side.

Should be a lot quieter to marrow and rest of the week once the folks from the westside head back over the hill. Good Luck!

[CAMPMEAT]

My wife said she has never seen so many vehicles coming over towards Republic from Tonasket and Omak in 15 years...

[BigGoonTuna]

thank weyco and friends for that one!

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

My wife said she has never seen so many vehicles coming over towards Republic from Tonasket and Omak in 15 years...

I'd be qurious as to how many folks from the west side come over to the east to hunt and compare those numbers to actual permanent residents .

[CAMPMEAT]

My wife said she has never seen so many vehicles coming over towards Republic from Tonasket and Omak in 15 years...

I'd be qurious as to how many folks from the west side come over to the east to hunt and compare those numbers to actual permanent residents .

Neck and neck, ya think ?

[elkboy]

I guess I would try to find the steepest, nastiest, most brush-filled, horrific hole at the greatest distance from the road that you are willing to hike.  Head in there (into the wind) during the darkness of early morning.  Sit well concealed with as good a view as you can find.  Sometimes massive pressure along the roads can concentrate deer in places like that.  Good luck!   

[JJB11B]

It felt pretty cool to be out helping others hunting private land and not have to fight the crowds. New experience for me.

[kentrek]

thank weyco and friends for that one!

 

[270Flat]

This was my first modern hunt experience. Took my son ( for his first hunt after soccer yesterday and this morning. WOW!! What a zoo! We got off the road saw a ton Of deer and a sow with two cubs. It was his first real hunt and he had a blast. Ended up in a different area than I wanted due to the massive orange crowd. Had an area scouted out for whitetails. A few legal deer in 1010 just farther than he was comfortable shooting at and steep. Inwas glad he chose to hold off. I showed him that getting off the road produced some critters.
Going to try this evening to get him on a doe. I'm hoping the crowd dwindles down and the spots I want to take him are free. Good luck everyone!!