I suppose this post might draw some flack, especially from the east side, but I'm going to ask anyway. I live on the west side in a rural area, and have a little timbered property here, and my brother and I have been looking into buying a 10-30 acre woodlot/hunting parcel somewhere on the east side. (Don't worry, east side folks, we're not slob hunters, drunks or litterbugs, truly!).
Anyway, I'd like to find property that is at least somewhat timbered, and close to USFS or state land (with no Weyco land anywhere for miles!

). We'd like to be in an area where it's possible to hunt mule deer, and upland birds.
I've been reading articles for weeks about hunting opportunity in different areas, and finding tons of conflicting information about what areas do, or do not hold mule deer. I've been looking at the eastern Okanogan to the Idaho border, and generally north of hwy 20. I'm planning on taking a road trip this winter to scope out some areas. I know pretty well what Pend Oreille country looks like, and the Kelly Hill area, too, but I've never been anywhere in the Okanogan. Chelan and the Cascades seem too expensive for our budget, although I have friends who have decent luck hunting there, and the backpacking is beautiful.
If you were in my shoes, looking for that kind of place to buy, what GMU/area would you be focused on?
OK, flame away....
