WA Deer Newb - Modern Season Mulie Question

[VortekNW]

Hello,

I have a newb Washington deer hunting question.  I've been hunting the wet side archery elk primarily, and always buy a modern deer tag in case any buddies need help packing out, etc... so I have a tag in my pocket, but haven't gone out for deer yet here in WA in the last 14 years.  I head back to MT for 10 days of archery, and then 1-2 weeks of modern rifle during the rut for deer towards the end of November, and have never really needed to hunt deer in WA.  They just raised their prices for the special program I apply through (Non Resident Native Montana License) so I will most likely start hunting deer in WA and limit my MT trips to archery elk only.

That being said, I love the terrain and views the northern central units offer (think GMU 242-247).  I have two questions.

1) I understand some of these GMU's are coveted quality deer hunts, but am I reading the regs correctly in that any OTC tag can hunt these same units for 3pt min October 15-25? Does the quality tag primarily buy you better dates (rut) and less people? 

2) I'm assuming there are a TON of hunters in these areas.  Is it possible to get away from the crowds?  I generally backpack in for elk, and have yet to see another archery hunter for elk on the wet side where I hunt.  Is that style possible in these units, or is it much harder to get away from the crowds?   

The area looks like a blast to hunt and explore.  I will still be hunting MT this year, and am looking at this primarily for the 2017 season.  I will hunt it this year mainly just to orient myself to the crowds to work on my 2017 plan, but will bring a long range rig along in the event a stupid one stumbles out while glassing up high. 

Thank you for any info on those two questions.  Any PM's regarding the GMU's with the least amount of orange are welcome (or any other tips for WA deer newbs).  Don't need your spots, can find deer pretty easily on my own.  More concerned with being overwhelmed by the sheer amount of 2 legged critters...

Thanks for any info.  Good luck this season!

EDIT:  A little background for clarification.  Not new to deer hunting, or hunting by any means.  Spend about 30 days in the field hunting a year, just new to Washington deer hunting.  I primarily archery hunt for elk, and rifle hunt for deer.  I love long range spot and stalk hunting, and often switch between long range hunting setups for dusk/dawn with my long range rig, and timber stalks during the day or on extended backpacking trips with a nice light rifle.   

[Henrydog]

I will speak to 245 because that is what I know.  3 point min OTC, and in most of the unit you will not see a sole.  The forest is thick and requires a lot of scouting or dumb luck unless you are packing in on the pct

[VortekNW]

I will speak to 245 because that is what I know.  3 point min OTC, and in most of the unit you will not see a sole.  The forest is thick and requires a lot of scouting or dumb luck unless you are packing in on the pct

Thank you for the insight!

[Skyvalhunter]

Well 245 has more than its share of hunters. I would check into 242.

[VortekNW]

Well 245 has more than its share of hunters. I would check into 242.

I'll do some map recon of both GMU's and try to find some remote bowls.  Thanks!

[VortekNW]

Are there any restrictions on the wilderness areas during the modern rifle season (not during the HBH)? 

I found some spots in the Pasayten I would like to scout and hunt, but during the regular season when there are less hikers and outfitters from the HBH.  Does the Pasayten just follow 203 GMU's as any other GMU's even though it's a wilderness area during the modern rifle dates?  Same for all the other Wilderness areas?  I understand the HBH is quite competitive, but get the impression during the modern rifle season, those areas see less pressure.  Seems like a decent possibility to get away from crowds as long as you are aware of changes to animal behavior from summer to fall transition.