Where to go for decent bucks (permit possibiliities)

[Birdguy]

As I read some of the proposed changes in the new regs it got me thinking about my future hunting in Washington State  . I have rifle deer hunted for 20 years (I started later then most) and have never been a trophy hunter but I do put in for the late whitetail hunt at our property and a quality buck tag as well. I deer hunt our property in unit 204  and have always looked at it as a camping trip with a gun. We have mule deer and whitetails on the place but legal mule deer do not show up until the rut generally.
    I have always wanted a decent whitetail and black tail (mule deer would still be black tail in my book) to hang on my wall. Ones that I hunted and killed (hopefully with one or both of my kids). I think I could get a decent whitetail on our place with the late tag as we get some good ones on cams each November. The mule deer would be much tougher.
    My question is what areas should I be looking into for my permit possibilities to find a couple deer to put on the wall. Again, I am not looking for 180+ mule deer or even a 160+ white tail. I just want a couple of nice looking deer that I killed to put on the wall (most likely in a cabin I build someday). I have 8 or 9 points in each category this year and I am just looking for some other areas to consider. Not looking for spots or a tag I have to put in for 20 years to get just a couple of solid areas to have a better than average chance of getting a "nice" deer for the wall. If I fail to get the deer I will no longer be putting in for special tags in our state so it is kind of a one and done deal for me. If I continue to hunt deer it will likely be on our property or in National Forest close by.

   Thanks for the help  .

[Wingin it]

C-post! Just kidding, don't ban me! In general I think it would be an easier draw for blacktail. A lot more people put in for the East side tags.

[bobcat]

This might not be a good year for big bucks. After the big fires the last two summers and then a tough winter now, along with a harvest of mature bucks that was well above average in North-Central Washington,  I would think this may be a year to not use your points on any of the quality mule deer permits. Desert might be an option for a good mule deer as it wouldn't have been affected by the fires and I don't think snow is an issue there. It's just a very tough draw and to have a chance I hope you have 20 points or close to it. For whitetails I think 204 is as good an option as any, and even more so for you since you're already very familiar with it.

[jackelope]

Do you have points in the "buck deer" categories too?

[Birdguy]

C-post, I should have thought of that  .......

As for this season, not really a requirement. I am just looking to see what some of the real hunters of the site think. Like I said hunting is a camping trip for me but someday I plan to cash in the $$$ I have been putting into permits. I think I can find my white tail in 204 but the mule deer will be much tougher there. I have seen some good ones taken in 204 and 209 over the years but only because those are areas I know a few folks who hunt there. A solid dark antlered 4x4 mule deer would be perfect even with short fronts, or backs, or both if it has some mass  . Not too picky just looking to expand my knowledge of other areas to consider a bit.

Yes, I have points in both buck and quality, figuring I will use the buck deer for the late white tail around the cabin (unless I find a few other areas to apply in). Not 20 points but I believe 8-9.


Also thank you to those that have already PM'd me, appreciate it 

[splitshot]

   most of the real hunters wont say much.  go to  the surveys and hunting reports and see where the 4x4 deer are shot.  do your homework and determine where the good spots are to put in then you will be a real hunter.  I go to a bar in a small town near what I think is a good spot to huntand listen to people talk and all you need is one good spot.  sometimes a free beer will loosen lips.     mike w

[MtnMuley]

Every rifle draw unit holds quality bucks. There's positives and negatives about each. Nearly every person will have a different oopinion. Hardest part is just drawing a tag. Personally, I'd take any and put in the time. Also, this isn't going to be a great year for many areas with the fires, hard winter, and harvest success last year.

[Bob33]

For mule deer, permits in Douglas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties are probably your best bet.

[Limhangerslayer]

Are you okay with muley/blacktail cross AKA benchlegs?  They're are some really nice bucks down here although not the highest scoring but can get some good solid heavy horned bucks

[MtnMuley]

For mule deer, permits in Douglas, Chelan, and Okanogan counties are probably your best bet.

No muley permits in Douglas. Whitetail either for that matter.

[fishnfur]

Don't forget, last year was a bad disease year due to the drought caused Blue Tongue problem.    Might be a good year to accumulate points but not draw.

[Birdguy]

I am OK with not drawing for a couple years. It will get me a little more time to scout out a few more areas. I agree this will be a tough year for the quality we have seen the last few years though there will certainly be a few brutes taken as there always is. I am liking the Okanogan/Chelan areas for the mule deer, 2017-2019 should be much better providing the winters between now and then are mild and fires take a couple years off from being as massive as they have been the last couple.

[MtnMuley]

I'm expecting 2017-2019 to be much worse. We'll notice it more then than we will this year.

[fishnfur]

OK.  I'm going to ask why it's going to get worse (MntMuley)?   I can make a case for it being "just about the same" as what we guess this year will bring.  I'm missing something in your line of thought.

[bobcat]

Actually if we don't continue to have bad winters, the mule deer in Okanogan county should do very well in the next several years, due to all the country that burned up the last two summers. Yes, 2017 to 2019 may be too early but soon thereafter the deer in the burned areas should begin to thrive.
(in my opinion)

[grundy53]

OK.  I'm going to ask why it's going to get worse (MntMuley)?   I can make a case for it being "just about the same" as what we guess this year will bring.  I'm missing something in your line of thought.

The loss of this year's fawn crop would be legal bucks then. So their loss will be noticeable at that time.

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[MtnMuley]

Grundy touched on it.  Fawns are really having issues at the moment.  They're the generation you'll primarily be hunting in 2017-2019.  MAture deer also seem to be struggling a lot the past few weeks as their using up all that's left in their tank waiting for more feeding areas to uncover.  We had what I would consider a record harvest this past season.  More and more doe tags each year.  The 1200 or more special doe tags given after the Carlton Complex Fires.  A huge portion of the winter range burned over the last couple summers, driving nearly all the deer to the lowest elevations possible.  Record numbers of car/deer fatalities.  Predation at a high level without a manageable cougar plan (use of dogs).  The worst winter we've had since 96/97.  I remember very well what happened after that winter the following seasons.  These are just my perspectives as a local here that spends a fair amount of time out and about.

[DBLDWN]

Grundy touched on it.  Fawns are really having issues at the moment.  They're the generation you'll primarily be hunting in 2017-2019.  MAture deer also seem to be struggling a lot the past few weeks as their using up all that's left in their tank waiting for more feeding areas to uncover.  We had what I would consider a record harvest this past season.  More and more doe tags each year.  The 1200 or more special doe tags given after the Carlton Complex Fires.  A huge portion of the winter range burned over the last couple summers, driving nearly all the deer to the lowest elevations possible.  Record numbers of car/deer fatalities.  Predation at a high level without a manageable cougar plan (use of dogs).  The worst winter we've had since 96/97.  I remember very well what happened after that winter the following seasons.  These are just my perspectives as a local here that spends a fair amount of time out and about.

+2, hit the nail on the head!

[fishnfur]

I was trying to factor in all those variables.  It's hard to get an idea of the level of losses over this winter without actually seeing it.  Hopefully the region rebounds quickly over the next 5 - 6 years.

So...... back to the question.....   where to hunt?

[Boss .300 winmag]

 Coweeman! 

[Birdguy]

I am hoping with the extra snow this year we will have enough moisture in the ground for long enough that I can get some real plantings in that will help for the next several years. We have planted before and it works until it all dries up in the summer heat. Not living there and not having power makes growing tough. We will keep at though, everything loves clover, and I have seeds of several varieties to try out.


Coweeman you say