Manson

[cougforester]

My wife drew!  Looking to get her first deer.  We will probably only have 4-5 days to hunt as we are going to Montana on the 11th.

Sent you a  PM

[ElkFeaver]

I drew the Manson with a buddy . Any tips would be great . Just know the basics of the area .

[Skyvalhunter]

Well that unit has really dropped off. I talked to several permit holders that went home empty handed or shot a small buck. My advise is that even though there is lots of road hunting that can happen get out of the vehicle and put some miles on. Don't be afraid to hunt below the road and hope for snow.

[ElkFeaver]

Thank you for the info.

[westside Elkhunter]

I drew the Manson with a buddy . Any tips would be great . Just know the basics of the area .

Congrats. Plan a few days were you can't see. That fog sets in and sometimes you can't even see the road.

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[ElkFeaver]

Looks like some good trails to access areas on upper end of the lake .

[Hitsman3]

Looks like some good trails to access areas on upper end of the lake .

I sent you a PM

[Onewhohikes]

I would hike those trails first to see if you want to pack an animal out on your back from one.

[cougforester]

I would hike those trails first to see if you want to pack an animal out on your back from one.

Especially in November....

[heavyhorned]

the manson unit holds some local deer. most are in low areas around orchards and wineries. the unit is big and has a fare amount of migratory deer that come out of the back country and winter at or below grade creek road. last year there was some snow up high but we did not get enough to push them till mid december. i was up grade creek road the weekend after thanksgiving and saw a few deer but nothing like it was. the rut was in but we only saw a few does and two small bucks. we didn't go up nelson butte just because we knew the snow line was in down to a spot that if you get there you wont get out. if it was me i would concentrate my efforts in the heavy timber areas. falls creek, coyote flats, top end of poison creek. i know these areas will hold deer as the migration begins. the migrating deer will come out of areas like minors basin, south navarre, uno, and summer blossom and hold up in those timber areas till the snow gets deep and the move down to the lake. prepare for rain, snow, sun, everything in between. i know of two bucks taken last year that hit 25" wide but one was a 3x3 and the other was a crabby 4x4. both were taken in timber in 7in of snow with two to three does with them. it's become a hard unit but i think the deer are starting to come back. a few years back you could drive and hike all day without seeing a deer. now i average 12 deer a day in the last two years of making the loop.

[Bigbucksnobambies]

Drew the manson tag this year but havnt hunted that area in 15 years.  I figure it's starting to get thicker after it burnt.  Just wanted to see if anyone on here had any Info on a place to start.  I'll probably have 10 days total to hunt so not sure if I should go in Nov 1st or wait for the last 10 days.

[cougforester]

Drew the manson tag this year but havnt hunted that area in 15 years.  I figure it's starting to get thicker after it burnt.  Just wanted to see if anyone on here had any Info on a place to start.  I'll probably have 10 days total to hunt so not sure if I should go in Nov 1st or wait for the last 10 days.

Got your PM. Read heavyhorned's reply above, he knows his stuff. I would wait as long as you can to take your time off and wait for fresh snow. You should have a fun hunt.

[actionshooter]

a few years back you could drive and hike all day without seeing a deer. now i average 12 deer a day in the last two years of making the loop.

That sounds hopeful of a come back... this was one of my favorite units years ago but quit going because the deer had taken such a hit.

[Onewhohikes]

Well I can assure you the deer haven't made a comeback. You will have to hunt hard to find a decent buck. With that being said get off the road and hit the timber.

[cougforester]

Couple weeks ago I saw a big batchelor herd of spikes and forkeys, at least 7 or 8 all running together. That hasn't happened in the last 3 or 4 years. The hills are still really green up there too so lots of good feed following that mild winter up there. Trending in the right direction finally I think.