Disheartening first Muley trip...

[bigmike86]

New to the PNW, have been hunting from tree stands for 6 years and couldn't wait to get out and stalk some Muleys. For whatever reason, I decided to hit GMU 218/Chewuch. Spent the night up on N. Twenty Mile peak, about 20 miles north of Winthrop. Sooo cold...and such a tough hike. Saw two shooter bucks but was so freaking tired from the hike up and soaked from the rain, that I couldn't do anything about it. Also, no potential way to pack them out by myself with an already full pack.

Next day I hiked down and hit thompson ridge area SW from Winthrop. Found some nice glassing spots at sun up but didn't see a thing. Only saw one doe and fawn once I got back down to the road. I am taking the last week of September off to hunt and have to make a decision on where to go. I can't really see myself finding and killing a legal buck in this area. Its a little thicker than I planned, and even if I glass a buck on the opposite ridge, will he realistically sit there all day while I walk my behind down the one I'm on and up the next one? Looks like people mostly still hunt this area, or just drive around and glass from the truck. Heard stories of opening day kills, so jealous...

Up for debate. Should I focus my week long efforts on the area I have already scouted eventhough I am unsure of how to succeed and possibly settle for a Muley doe? Or should I hit something more flat like Entiat, cover a ton of ground by walking and glassing everyday, even though I wont be able to scout it previously?

Again, not looking for a monster here since this style of hunting is new to me. Will pretty much shoot any legal buck and work on a bigger one next year after I find some success.

Thanks for the input.

[Dan-o]

Only advice I have is to stick with it.   You are in deer country.


Good luck.   Success will be sweet when it comes.   

[Jonathan_S]

You saw two shooter bucks...what's wrong with the area? Make two trips out one with camp and one with a boned out buck 

[trophyhunt]

You saw two shooter bucks...what's wrong with the area? Make two trips out one with camp and one with a boned out buck 

:yeah:You already succeeded in the hardest part, you found some bucks.  I'd go back to that same area.

[270Shooter]

I've never heard anybody call the entiat flat before

[bigmike86]

I was very excited to see those bucks. Problem is camping back there in late september, and I'm not sure I could make that hike twice in one day. It was pretty miserable and I'm not sure I'm versed enough in mountain camping to be back there myself yet. Last time i was in the mountains I had 30 bubbas with rifles and air support watching my six lol!

[JLS]

I'm not going to tell you do something you're not comfortable in doing, but I've found that many folks overestimate the obstacles and make them greater in their mind. 

If you can't do two trips in a day, pack out meat on one day, go back in and sleep then bring camp out the next day.  Or, get a bigger pack. . Camp and a full deer isn't fun but it's certainly doable.

If you have decent gear, late September camping should be fine.  Take the appropriate survival gear and go hunt.

[huntnphool]

I was very excited to see those bucks. Problem is camping back there in late september, and I'm not sure I could make that hike twice in one day. It was pretty miserable and I'm not sure I'm versed enough in mountain camping to be back there myself yet.

 Welcome to muley country!

[bigmike86]

I was very excited to see those bucks. Problem is camping back there in late september, and I'm not sure I could make that hike twice in one day. It was pretty miserable and I'm not sure I'm versed enough in mountain camping to be back there myself yet.

 Welcome to muley country!

I was worried that would be the response i'd get!

[Jonathan_S]

Up the confidence and embrace the suck Sarge. I know you have done it before!

[boneaddict]

I'm happy you saw deer.  They are very thin this year.  It's a tough haul.  Sometimes it's worth it.  Other times it might come to mind, what in the hell was I thinking.   Then you get back to town and there is a buck standing in the field. Lol. 

My father used to describe some of my best hunting spots as...."better take a salt and pepper shaker with you".  Because you are going to have to eat them right there.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I'm happy you saw deer.  They are very thin this year.  It's a tough haul.  Sometimes it's worth it.  Other times it might come to mind, what in the hell was I thinking.   Then you get back to town and there is a buck standing in the field. Lol. 

My father used to describe some of my best hunting spots as...."better take a salt and pepper shaker with you".  Because you are going to have to eat them right there.

 

[2labs]

Oh. My god, there like lice!  Winter wheat at night?...

[cougforester]

I've never heard anybody call the entiat flat before

Same thing that I was thinking.

[Birdguy]

Bigmike you have already been where most will not, you know there are deer in there. You know what the hike is, make a plan (gear in day one, hunt days 2-??, when you shoot one, clean it, hang it, hike out with meat when ready, sleep in truck or hotel, go back in next day for the camp) and go for it! Maybe you can get another guy from here or? to go with you. Late September will likely be cold at night but comfortable during the day. Good luck and do not get to discouraged it will make for some great memories!! Good luck.