Desert Unit...Where's the Quality?

[Bushcraft]

For a variety of reasons, I was under the impression that the Desert unit was being managed as a quality unit and held some of the biggest bucks in the state.  Unfortunately, I’ve yet to see a single bruiser worthy of putting the sneaky-sneak on, much less punching what has historically been a highly coveted tag.

All last week was spent slinking through the dunes, sagebrush and Russian olive trees and glassing for miles and miles across the pocketed expanse of the Desert unit.  The first part of the week was bitterly cold, which probably kept more critters hunkered down than usual, but I was still seeing lots of does and a handful of small, younger bucks per day.  Okay, no biggie.  That’s just part of hunting I told myself.  The latter part of the week seemed more promising with a few inches of fresh snow and higher temps.  And, the white background definitely helped with contrast and glassing. There were more critters bedded and/or up and moving around, but I still saw no bucks worth writing home about.

Perplexed and admittedly frustrated at only seeing does, dinks and coyotes, I bailed for home to wash my clothes, straighten out my gear, and mentally regroup for next week.

I could have thwacked a young/small buck that happened to be looking the wrong direction just as I eased over a dune.  I was pretty discouraged at that point and was very tempted to just punch my tag then and there and put some more meat in the freezer, but remembered all those years of seeing “NOT SELECTED” next to my quality deer choices.  So, I let down and waited to see if he had a big brother hanging around close by.  That was not the buck to take with this tag.  Plus, it felt like cheap random luck instead of an earned spot and stalk.  (Don’t get me wrong, if it had been a heavy beamed monster that arrow would have found it’s mark and I’d have counted my lucky stars.  Ha, ha!)

This “quality” hunt is just not shaping up the way I’d envisioned it……1) Put in the miles and time and glass up a nice representative buck that was at least 180” or better.  2) Work the wind and the terrain.  3) Close the gap.  4) Perfectly release the arrow and kill it.  Repeat steps 1 through 3 until I got it right. 

I’ve spoken with guys that know the area intimately and they are convinced I’m looking over some primo public parts of the unit.  I don't have access to any private property.

For those that have been successful in desert archery hunts, what are some pointers you’d be willing to share about how you’d approach it?  Also, if you know where one is tied to a Russian Olive tree, that’d be great too.   

[buglebuster]

So you mean to tell me the hype about the desert being the best draw in the state isn't true  all those applicants and its not number 1? 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

All the monster bucks are on private property.......

[benhuntin]

They're in there!!

[highside74]

Hunt off the A rd. Park at the end, go to the fence follow it to the end,  angle right slightly and walk for 30 minutes. That will put you in prime deer area and much more stockable turrain for archery. If your not in the brushy plants that are 3 to 6 feet tall your not where the deer are.

[Bushcraft]

Thanks Highside.

Do you think A Road is any better than Division (next road west)?  If so, why?

I spent half a day glassing/sneaking south of Division towards C Road and glassed up exactly one 3x4 buck.  Sort of a semi-tall weird looking thin framed spindly guy.

Allen

[splitshot]

  I don't think desert is number 1 or 2.   mike w

[Magnum_Willys]

So you mean to tell me the hype about the desert being the best draw in the state isn't true  all those applicants and its not number 1? 

Note to self: Don't put in for Desert in 2016 !

[2labs]

If you drew and your hunting without a army of clowns around you. In this state that's quality

[highside74]

Thanks Highside.

Do you think A Road is any better than Division (next road west)?  If so, why?

I spent half a day glassing/sneaking south of Division towards C Road and glassed up exactly one 3x4 buck.  Sort of a semi-tall weird looking thin framed spindly guy.

Allen

That's the same area,  just different access point.

You could go to Mardon resort and speak to Dick Hemor. He keeps track of the deer in that area and helps guys find big bucks. If they are out there he knows where.

[jackelope]

I'm not sure anyone in this state should "expect" to find a 180" buck regardless of what season or where unless you've got an army of guys out scouting for you. If you do find one on your own, you've done very, very well.
With all that said, there have been some massive bucks killed in the Desert unit recently. Pretty sure one of them just came out of a taxidermy shop recently. I'd still think it has some very big bucks, but maybe just not as many. It's definitely not an easy unit to hunt from everything I've read about it on here and heard from friends. I've never been there though.

[Bushcraft]

Thanks Highside.

Do you think A Road is any better than Division (next road west)?  If so, why?

I spent half a day glassing/sneaking south of Division towards C Road and glassed up exactly one 3x4 buck.  Sort of a semi-tall weird looking thin framed spindly guy.

Allen

That's the same area,  just different access point.

You could go to Mardon resort and speak to Dick Hemor. He keeps track of the deer in that area and helps guys find big bucks. If they are out there he knows where.

Roger that Highside.  Yep, I spoke with the legendary Dick Hemore.  A friend of mine that knows the area really well gave me his name and number early last week.  Dick encouraged me to hunt that same area we're talking about, among others.

Thanks,

Allen

[Jonathan_S]

If you drew and your hunting without a army of clowns around you. In this state that's quality

Kind of makes me think about the NE unit tags for whitetail and mule deer.  They are quality because of low pressure but if you see a nice buck, you'd better take it 

[muleyslayer]

I'm not sure anyone in this state should "expect" to find a 180" buck regardless of what season or where unless you've got an army of guys out scouting for you. If you do find one on your own, you've done very, very well.
With all that said, there have been some massive bucks killed in the Desert unit recently. Pretty sure one of them just came out of a taxidermy shop recently. I'd still think it has some very big bucks, but maybe just not as many. It's definitely not an easy unit to hunt from everything I've read about it on here and heard from friends. I've never been there though.

goodluck, I hope you find what your looking for

[crabcreekhunter]

Unit was amazing before it went to draw only, far better bucks then than now... Poaching is a huge problem.  Good bucks can be all over the unit.. Head to job core dyke road to the very end (lock your vehicle leave nothing of value atleast visible) head west from parking lot across sage flat, there's a old road that will get you through the ponds and hunt the west side of the resevoir.  Another missed spot that I've seen some of my bigger bucks out there is from the dune loop road an hunt west along crab creek area (north of the mud flats/orv area).

[Bushcraft]

I'm not sure anyone in this state should "expect" to find a 180" buck regardless of what season or where unless you've got an army of guys out scouting for you. If you do find one on your own, you've done very, very well.
With all that said, there have been some massive bucks killed in the Desert unit recently. Pretty sure one of them just came out of a taxidermy shop recently. I'd still think it has some very big bucks, but maybe just not as many. It's definitely not an easy unit to hunt from everything I've read about it on here and heard from friends. I've never been there though.

Jackelope,

As far as my experience goes thus far, and evidently that of others that are familiar with the unit, this is more of a "Quantity" deer unit than "Quality".  In my estimation, given the tremendous amount of high quality food, water and shelter these animals have readily available to them year round, there ought to be a fair number of big bucks out there.  Others may differ, but in my opinion Decent starts at 160", Good starts at 170", Nice starts at 180", Big starts at 190" and so forth.  And no, I'm not at all suggesting or expecting one behind every sagebrush and sand dune, but to not see a buck over 130" out of all the bucks I glassed last week is a tad weird and unexpected for a so-called quality deer hunt.

I'd love to see some pictures of the bucks you are talking about if you don't mind.  (Anything to keep the dream alive, right! )  Of the pictures I've seen thus far of the deer taken in there this year, I've seen a few respectable bucks (including a nice solid framed 4X4 a local took during the rifle season), but no giant jaw-droppers.

Anyway, lest anyone get the wrong impression, this isn't a sour grapes issue for me at all.  I am absolutely thankful for all the time I can spend afield and the opportunity to hunt this unit.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Regards,

Allen

[Bushcraft]

Unit was amazing before it went to draw only, far better bucks then than now... Poaching is a huge problem.  Good bucks can be all over the unit.. Head to job core dyke road to the very end (lock your vehicle leave nothing of value atleast visible) head west from parking lot across sage flat, there's a old road that will get you through the ponds and hunt the west side of the resevoir.  Another missed spot that I've seen some of my bigger bucks out there is from the dune loop road an hunt west along crab creek area (north of the mud flats/orv area).

Thanks CCH, but doesn't your first suggestion pop you out west of the ponds south of Road A?  Thanks for the other idea.  I'll give it a look see.

Another question...how does rain affect these Desert bucks?

Regards,

Allen

[crabcreekhunter]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

[Bushcraft]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

Yep.  I've been through and glassed those places too.  Saw the most deer north of C Road.  Flying it to get a better lay of the land and pin-point some larger/denser bitterbrush locations crossed my mind, but like you say you've got to wait 24 hours (a rule I wholeheartedly agree with BTW), but have no idea how transient the deer are this time of year or if they generally stay in a particular area.  Not particularly interested in wasting money or time or going to jail.

I talked with the bio and they were going to fly it for a population count prior to the archery season, but had to cut it due to funding shortfalls.  I'm fairly certain that sustainable science-based management of our ungulate populations is almost impossible without having good accurate counts.     As far as poaching goes, we need to double the number of our game wardens and actually get them back in the field doing game warden stuff as opposed to all the police work they are forced to take on.

[Bob33]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

FYI.
apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-057

(1) It is unlawful to use aircraft to spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

[crabcreekhunter]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

FYI.
apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-057

(1) It is unlawful to use aircraft to spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

Good to know, didn't realize it was illegal to spot even if one abided by the 24 hour grace period.. Didn't intend to suggest anything illegal. After reading that, sure looks like it could be interpreted a couple ways. Don't mean to thread jack.  Deer don't seem to move much however bird hunters on these public areas do push the deer around a bit.  Still some great deer out there best of luck!

[Bob33]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

FYI.
apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-057

(1) It is unlawful to use aircraft to spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

Good to know, didn't realize it was illegal to spot even if one abided by the 24 hour grace period.. Didn't intend to suggest anything illegal. After reading that, sure looks like it could be interpreted a couple ways. Don't mean to thread jack.  Deer don't seem to move much however bird hunters on these public areas do push the deer around a bit.  Still some great deer out there best of luck!

It would be hard to prove, but using aircraft to spot game for the purposes of hunting is not legal.

Best of luck to everyone still looking.

[rasbo]

All the monster bucks are on private property.......

yep many are,I get see see the pics of these bucks every year..I live just over the hill from the unit,and would love to get that tag..

[splitshot]

   the only reason I put in is I live 15 minutes from it.   mike w

[jackelope]

Where's Link??

[bigelk1030]

Good luck!  I hope you arrow a big one.  I am heading over in 2 weeks for my kids youth doe tag.

[kenzmad]

Yes it does but pushes you out further towards the resevoir I believe with a shorter walk and some decent deer usually in the bitter brush flat.  Also croad across from the state park area.  Road 4 off Dodson along winchester.. If you really want to find the buck you want could also fly the unit (just a suggestion some don't approve of this method) but I believe have to wait 24 hours to hunt.

FYI.

apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-057

Bob33, whether driving in a car, looking out the window, riding in a train, looking out the window, or riding in a plane,looking out the window, you cant help but see what you see. Law says, you cant hunt within 24 hours of being in a non commercial plane. # 1 of your link is trumped by # 4 if you are not hunting the same day. Again, if you are looking out the window and see an animal, you cant be punished for seeing it. No cites for this from me, just the word of wdfw in Oly. I use dads plane as a scouting device every year and have for 20+ years.

(1) It is unlawful to use aircraft to spot, locate or report the location of wildlife for the purpose of hunting; except as authorized by a permit issued by the director.

[Bushcraft]

Good luck!  I hope you arrow a big one.  I am heading over in 2 weeks for my kids youth doe tag.

Thank you BigElk.  If you'd like some intel, or even personal on-site assitance, I'd be happy to oblige. Kiddos are our future!

Regards,

Allen

[bigelk1030]

Thanks Allen, I sent you a PM.  Kill a big one!

[Odell]

So you mean to tell me the hype about the desert being the best draw in the state isn't true  all those applicants and its not number 1? 

Note to self: Don't put in for Desert in 2016 !

Everyone should continue to put in for Desert....

Actually it is still a great hunt. Has unique genetics and not weather dependent.

[MerriamMagician]

One thing I have noticed is that the rut seems to have already dropped off every year by the time the archery hunts start out there. I live close to the unit and go out every year just to photograph the bucks. During early and mid November I typically see 30-50 bucks a day, and at least 5-10 are dandies. Then, starting in late November (Right about the time the archery season opens) all the bucks kind of disappear. I see maybe 5-10 per day, and absolutely nothing worth shooting. I've heard of a lot of other desert archery hunters complain about this. Personally I think the deer rut earlier and end sooner than most of the other mule deer herds in the state. This is my best guess as to why you are struggling to find the big bucks. They ARE there.

[The Weazle]

One thing I have noticed is that the rut seems to have already dropped off every year by the time the archery hunts start out there. I live close to the unit and go out every year just to photograph the bucks. During early and mid November I typically see 30-50 bucks a day, and at least 5-10 are dandies. Then, starting in late November (Right about the time the archery season opens) all the bucks kind of disappear. I see maybe 5-10 per day, and absolutely nothing worth shooting. I've heard of a lot of other desert archery hunters complain about this. Personally I think the deer rut earlier and end sooner than most of the other mule deer herds in the state. This is my best guess as to why you are struggling to find the big bucks. They ARE there.

Does it typically get colder there earlier than most other areas?  This might explain the earlier rut.

[Bullkllr]

I would guess the rut could wrap up early. Since it is a permit-only area the buck/doe ratio is probably comparably high. More bucks = does get bred faster.

[splitshot]

    no,no,no, don't tell people to put in for desert cuz less people greater chance I get drawn.   lets help an old guy out..  don't put in for desert.    mike w

[niceshot]

Sent you a PM!  I filled my tag on a little buck out there BUT I missed the largest deer I have ever seen in an area that is mentioned on some of the previse posts.  By large I mean one that will haunt my dreams forever. 

This Rain will be a blessing for you.  That loud snow was horrible and I would bet that those big bucks heard you from 200-500 yards away. 

[MuleySniper]

My buddy had a "quality" hunt in the desert this year. That is if a 180's buck qualifies as a trophy standard anymore. He hunted his tail off too.

[foambeetle]

Good discussion ... I would generally echo the comments by Bushcraft. 

Crunchy snow was a bit of a downer for a good part of the time I was out.   And some fog caused some difficulty for glassing.  The weather is the weather, though.

I am going back to make a hail Mary attempt this Sat.  For some reasons out my control the total number of days I planned to hunt got cut back a bit ... going to make the best of it.

I have glassed up some small herds of does.  Did see one lone buck, maybe 140".  Way off and too late to put a stalk on ... the crunchy snow and limited ground cover would have probably made it impossible anyway.

Good luck out there to those still getting after it.