Desert Unit...Where's the Quality?

[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.