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.

[csaaphill]

yeah I'd go back you've already seen one or two shooters so.... I feel ya when out like that miserable and exhausted, all you're thinking at that moment is getting back to rest. So from me I understand that, no qualms from me. But yeah I'd go back you know they're there so that's half the battle.

[pd]

A couple of things.

First, there isn't anytime left this season for new scouting.  Go with what you know.  Next time you might see two, twenty or zero bucks.  It is hard to know, but at least you know this area.

Second, you had a full pack for a single night stay?  Hmmm.  I am willing to guess you could lose quite a bit of that, and still be able to spend the week in the woods.  During the winter do your research on backcountry hunting.  Next year you will be a much more mobile hunter.

It sounds to me like your clothing system and camp/pack need some serious attention.  Nobody can Monday a.m. quarterback this for you.  Best of luck---you are on the right track.

[Gringo31]

I think it really comes down to how bad you want it.  This is the point where some just don't want it that bad and do something else and where some dig deep and get it done.  Both options are fine!  I've been in spots where on the way out I was very glad I didn't kill something. 

Priorities change over the years and sometimes from year to year.  BUT!  It seems you might be a little too focused on the harvest vs the hunt.....   

[bigmike86]

Thanks for the motivation and confidence booster guys! Here's the real story of what happened. I convinced my wife to go with me and since she's a normal civilian female (not used to carrying packs on her back) I carried most of the weight. We planned on 3 days so we had a lot of gear, and half of my gear is heavy army crap since I've already spent a crazy amount of money on goods for western type hunting (binos, tripod, more guns that I couldn't resist, etc). Plus half of it was the wrong gear since we really didn't know what to expect.  When I go back I think I can make the pack a reasonable weight, provided some September rains refresh the dried out creeks so I can pump water. Also have been thinking through the 2 day hike out scenario, and it makes it feel manageable. Hike out deer on first day, sleep in tent at truck, then hike out camp the next.

I think I'll sack up this year and give it a real shot. Hell, I ain't getting any younger so I might as well do it while I can.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Thanks for the motivation and confidence booster guys! Here's the real story of what happened. I convinced my wife to go with me and since she's a normal civilian female (not used to carrying packs on her back) I carried most of the weight. We planned on 3 days so we had a lot of gear, and half of my gear is heavy army crap since I've already spent a crazy amount of money on goods for western type hunting (binos, tripod, more guns that I couldn't resist, etc). Plus half of it was the wrong gear since we really didn't know what to expect.  When I go back I think I can make the pack a reasonable weight, provided some September rains refresh the dried out creeks so I can pump water. Also have been thinking through the 2 day hike out scenario, and it makes it feel manageable. Hike out deer on first day, sleep in tent at truck, then hike out camp the next.

I think I'll sack up this year and give it a real shot. Hell, I ain't getting any younger so I might as well do it while I can.

I can't add much for this season, I think you have the right plan.  I strongly recommend David Long's blog posts http://www.altitudeoutdoors.com/author/david-long/ and his book Public Land Muleys:The Bottom line for offseason reading.

[jaredwitman]

Heres my  and that is about all its worth. Keep in mind all of our goals ultimately are to harvest the animal we hunt. That being said I have found in my experience that I began to enjoy the hunt above all, even when I did not harvest. It took me quite a few years of similar disheartening seasons like yours to enter into this mentality and I am surely not done growing in that aspect. I would be lying to say I come home empty handed not feeling a bit disheartened, it will always be there in those tough seasons. But what better opportunity than in that moment to dig down deep within yourself and grow as a hunter. Those moments of "failure" have proved over and over again to be my greatest times of growth in this lifestyle.

So in that sense it excites me to know you have experienced something that has potential to really change things in a BIG way like it did with me and make you a greater hunter. Stay after those two, maybe change up your preperation in gear, learn what the deer do in that area, work hard and embrace the challenge, and each time out of the woods take something away from the hunt and not just the harvest. Sooner or later the preparation will meet another opportunity! Congrats on the find! keep it up

[Rainier10]

I will say this, never leave deer, elk or fish to go find them somewhere else.  You know where legal deer are that is half the battle.  Make a plan and go get one of them.  If you need more motivation read my signature block.  Both statements apply here.

[teanawayslayer]

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.

i love your fathers saying! I know I've been there and thinking to myself am I crazy. Answer, yep!

[Sakko300wsm]

Stick with it! It's not easy - it's mule deer! You saw deer - that's more than slot of people can say at that elevation this time of year. They will start showing up more and more. I spent that last 4 days up in that area in the 6000'-7300' range- they are still pretty sparse , but they'll show. Weather was nasty - thunder,lightning and tons of hail one day- just gotta prepare for it.

[Bearhunter]

PM sent think my buddy ran into in one of our hunting spots this weekend while up bear hunting, you where in a good area...

[JDhunting_Aus]

This just makes me excited to hunt mule deer! Gotta love the challenge

Sent from my D6653 using Tapatalk

[JLS]

I think I'll sack up this year and give it a real shot. Hell, I ain't getting any younger so I might as well do it while I can.

Gotta love this attitude!  Good luck.

[Miles]

Keep at it in the backcountry, and NEVER share details or locations once you find a good spot.  You'll do alright.

[bigmike86]

Keep at it in the backcountry, and NEVER share details or locations once you find a good spot.  You'll do alright.

Hahaha that was only because I was convinced I wasn't going back!! Chalk it up to lessons learned.

Its a few weeks away but I'll make sure to keep everyone posted on my experience. Good luck everyone!

[HookedOnQuack]

Like has already been said you are in some of the best muley country in the state, it wont be easy but if you stick with it you will have success. My family owns a few cabins on the river directly across from Thompson Ridge and we went 3 for 4 this weekend, nothing worth bragging about but meat in the freezer nonetheless. good luck!

[Lincoln4]

Hell, I ain't getting any younger so I might as well do it while I can.

Yes to that.  As you get older, even if you've been lucky injury-wise and health-wise, conditions have a way of appearing that slow you down...  Trust me...

[theleo]

Buddy up to someone that has pack animals.