Mule Deer Chelan County

[Eric M]

So the only dumb question is one you dont ask, so I read this today and had a couple questions. "Most mule deer in Chelan County are migratory, summering at high elevations near the Cascade Mountains and wintering at low elevations near the Columbia River breaks." Now I'm planning a high hunt in 2 years and want to do some scouting between now and then. So my questions are #1) What is a Columbia River "break", #2) Maybe this is part of 1st question but are breaks easy to find? #3) Are you allowed to access these areas to observe the animals? I read some areas are restricted in access. I don't want to disturb the animals, Just want to get a look at them with some optics and see what I'm going up against in 2017. I've never really been around mule deer except the ones at the Yakima Training Center. Thanks

[fishngamereaper]

There is no specific spot they winter. They winter below the snow line if possible. Anywhere between Wenatchee and the Canadian border up through Chelan, Twisp, Winthrop, Omak etc. The "breaks" just refer to the low land areas around the Columbia river basin, including all its tributaries, the Wenatchee River, Twisp River and so on.

[muleracks]

About 80% of the Chelan County mule deer are migratory; they move down away from the mountains and toward to Columbia River which is more like a desert so there is much less snow.  On light snow years the deer will stay higher and as much as 20 miles away from the Columbia.  The key is for them to get way from the deep mountain snow and that usually mean going east and into valley bottoms closer to the Columbia River. 
The Columbia River breaks are where the Cascade Mountains end and break over into the Columbia River Valley.  Drive US97 out of Wenatchee to Brewster and you will be looking up at the "breaks".
Most of Chelan County is public land.  Much of Okanogan is private.
The High Hunt is a Wilderness hunt and most bucks are taken at higher elevation; 6000 feet plus so you will go in 5 to 15 miles on foot or horseback.

[muleracks]

To clarify the 80% migratory behavior of Chelan County Mule Deer.
The 20% that do not migrate just spend the summer at lower elevation and are essentially desert dwellers (they stay in the winter range).  100% of the mountain dwellers head east when September and October snows arrive.

[Eric M]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the information. I saw some video of elk and mule deer migrating in Idaho. That would be pretty neat to experience. This guy (Robby Denning) was hunting the rut during migration.

[muleracks]

Mule deer don't herd up like the elk but they do get concentrated together into the winter range.   You might consider applying for a "Special Permit" to hunt in November.  Apply in late April or early May.
Our favorite units are GMU 245, 246, 247, 250 and 251 hunting the Chelan County migrators.  Those units are kind of a secret so don't tell anybody    The High Hunt is probably more fun but harvest rates are nearly 100% during the permit hunt in the snow.

[grade-creek-rd]

Eric M,

If you want more info give Dave Volson out of the Wenatchee WDFW office a call...he is the Bio for the mule deer from the south shore of Lake Chelan to the Clockum.

Good luck finding access into the High Hunt, even in 2017, thanks to all the fires last summer and the USFS shutting down trails.

Grade

[Eric M]

Eric M,

If you want more info give Dave Volson out of the Wenatchee WDFW office a call...he is the Bio for the mule deer from the south shore of Lake Chelan to the Clockum.

Good luck finding access into the High Hunt, even in 2017, thanks to all the fires last summer and the USFS shutting down trails.

Grade

I didnt even think about accessibility.. I'll give Dave a call though thanks. Next year I'm probably not doing any hunting just scouting in the summer so I have a years worth of time to at least find some access.

[pd]

About 80% of the Chelan County mule deer are migratory; they move down away from the mountains and toward to Columbia River which is more like a desert so there is much less snow.  On light snow years the deer will stay higher and as much as 20 miles away from the Columbia.  The key is for them to get way from the deep mountain snow and that usually mean going east and into valley bottoms closer to the Columbia River. 
The Columbia River breaks are where the Cascade Mountains end and break over into the Columbia River Valley.  Drive US97 out of Wenatchee to Brewster and you will be looking up at the "breaks".
Most of Chelan County is public land.  Much of Okanogan is private.
The High Hunt is a Wilderness hunt and most bucks are taken at higher elevation; 6000 feet plus so you will go in 5 to 15 miles on foot or horseback.

Some good stuff here.   

[muleracks]

Eric,  The major High Hunt area that is expected to be closed is the Entiat Valley and some of the area around Railroad Creek (GMU 244) but everything south of Entiat should be open but expect more than the normal numbers of hunters in the Chiwawa, Little Wenatchee and maybe the Alpine Lakes Wilderness as well.  Extra hunters can help your success if you are "crazy" enough to go into spots that others won't. 
The Entiat closure forces those hunters to seek new spots and some will go to the Pasayten (GMU 203) while many drift south into that part of (GMU 244 and 249 plus that part of 245 in the Henry M Jackson Wilderness).  The High Hunt is always fun so don't put it off.

[Eric M]

Eric,  The major High Hunt area that is expected to be closed is the Entiat Valley and some of the area around Railroad Creek (GMU 244) but everything south of Entiat should be open but expect more than the normal numbers of hunters in the Chiwawa, Little Wenatchee and maybe the Alpine Lakes Wilderness as well.  Extra hunters can help your success if you are "crazy" enough to go into spots that others won't. 
The Entiat closure forces those hunters to seek new spots and some will go to the Pasayten (GMU 203) while many drift south into that part of (GMU 244 and 249 plus that part of 245 in the Henry M Jackson Wilderness).  The High Hunt is always fun so don't put it off.

No I definitely plan to do it. Thanks for the information. I am planning it 2 years out because of works scheduling plus I need some lighter gear and stuff and thats going to take some money. Next year scouting. Find someplace off the path. The year after that High Hunt.