GMU 215 scouting help

[irish52084]

So I'm helping my buddy scout/hunt GMU 215 and I'm kinda frustrated. There's a ton of people hunting the roads and we are struggling to find many areas that look like they will be holding whitetail for his November buck tag.

So far the wildlife area looks like it might be our best bet, but other than that it's not looking too hot. There's private property to the east of the wildlife area and maybe with less pressure in November and some rut activity this area will be our #1 option. Seems like he southern side of the unit hold most of what I generally consider whitetail habitat, but I only had 2 half days to scout. We've been focusing on anything that looks like a decent drainage or creek bottom.

Should we expect snow in November and if so how does weather affect the deer in this area?

We generally hunt GMU 204 and have had success, but the 215 is all new to us.

Anybody willing to share some more insight on the area? My buddy is staying until Tuesday night to scout around and see if he can find some white tails. But we're thinking we may be back to the drawing board for November ideas.

[spin05]

Not alot a whitetail in there but i see most of em around the lakes north of blue lake.

[MtnMuley]

How are you frustrated scouting during the general season? I would expect nothing but chaos this time of year there. Search the multiple threads on here for some helpful info.

[Schmalzfam]

When I get a chance, I will pm you some info. It won't benefit him right now, as far as scouting, buy possibly help him during his actual hunt.

[jackmaster]

Have you tried getting access to private property? It's might be a little to late!! All the private property is probably all sewed up by other dudes that got on it a little earlier..

[SkookumHntr]

I would just keep driving up and down the valley, ones gonna pop out soon or later!

[Henrydog]

I don't think of that as a whitetail area, that said after this weekend most of the traffic will go away, the weather will get cold and the rut will start.  I found stick to creek bottoms and brush with edges.  If the tag is good for November just find does and wait.  The boys get dumb and come out, just like college boys at closing time.

[moocher97]

Hunting the bottoms in the morning and evenings and the hills surrounding them any other times....there are some MONSTERS in there. Blue lake is where is start and they are pretty responsive to rattling

[elkrack]

Hunting the bottoms in the morning and evenings and the hills surrounding them any other times....there are some MONSTERS in there. Blue lake is where is start and they are pretty responsive to rattling

 

[LuckyDog]

PM sent

[irish52084]

Wanted to jump on here and say thank you to everyone for sending advice our way.

We have a week in November to come back and get in on some rut action hopefully. We've had success in mid November by using a combo of grunts and doe bleats to get dominat bucks to come looking for a fight.

I've never really tried to rattle them in before but I'm definitely willing to give it a shot. How aggressive should we be when it comes to rattling? Just go nuts with a set of horns and maybe slap some trees and dirt around?

[Hoyt28]

Irish I've been hunting the 215 for 30yrs and bow hunting the late season for 16 years. I've got some spots where we seen some great whitetails. PM sent