Trophy Deer Spots

[AJ Howard]

I know everyone is particular about there deer spots - not asking to reveal your favorite hidey holes. Just looking for what everyone thinks holds the biggest/trophy bucks in the state?

A.J. Howard
@Unbounded_Pursuit

[Tbar]

542 east!

[X-Force]

371

[winshooter88]

Sage brush, wheat fields and forests

[huntnphool]

 Everybody knows it's C-post.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Biggest blacktail buck I ever saw was in 410, easy 150”. 

I shot right over his back, darn rotten log he was running in ended right when I shot. I don’t feel bad, I know another guy who missed him twice.

[DaveMonti]

Montana.

[Reidus]

The area in front of Bone's camera lens seems to hold some good bucks!

[X-Force]

The area in front of Bone's camera lens seems to hold some good bucks!

I was going to say the same thing! If I could just know where that lens is pointed.

[Skyvalhunter]

certainly not in the areas I hunt!!

[Magnum_Willys]

Private land, east side, just past notellum creek....

[boneaddict]

Thanks Reidus



Nw trek!

[kellama2001]

Up north 

[2MANY]

A trophy is in the eye of the beholder.

[GUscottie]

371

I see what you did there!!!

[bobcat]

Best trophy area I can think of is the Colville Reservation.

Not really many trophy areas in the state anymore, due to fires burning up winter range, and last year's harsh winter.

A couple of the Chelan county units probably still have potential, but the issue there is, partly due to social media like this site, (in my opinion) that area has become so well known that certain people who don't have to follow the same rules as everyone else, hunt it in late November and December, and come out of there with truckload after truckload of bucks, according to rumors I've heard.

So yeah, like others have said, private land is about the only chance for good numbers of mature bucks at this point in time.

 

[pianoman9701]

47.669721, -122.351660

[7mmfan]

Everybody knows it's C-post.

That place is just now recovering since mention of it was prohibited a few years ago! You blew it!     

[DaveMonti]

McNeil Island in the South Sound.  There is even a place for you to stay there. 

[jamesfromseattle]

47.669721, -122.351660

In my experience, that is actually a better elk area.  Haven't seen any deer.  Gotta be comfortable hunting around grizzly (and the occasional polar) bears, though.

[CaNINE]

Eastman's Hunting Journal has it all figured out...

In all seriousness I don't think we really have any "trophy" areas in this state. Not many Boone and Crockett class animals are taken in WA. Every once in a while a blind squirrel finds a nut though. 

Edit: i'll define a "trophy" area as a unit that consistently produces record book quality animals year over year. To my knowledge we don't have any such units for deer but someone can correct me on that.

[jackelope]

47.669721, -122.351660

[pianoman9701]

47.669721, -122.351660

In my experience, that is actually a better elk area.  Haven't seen any deer.  Gotta be comfortable hunting around grizzly (and the occasional polar) bears, though.

[Whitenuckles]

Senora

[vandeman17]

I think there are lots of area with trophy critters and trophy potential but a true "trophy area" doesn't really exist in Washington for deer. By that I mean one that is known, year in and year out, to have book bucks taken.

[bhawley76]

Hanford

[h20hunter]

Everywhere but where I hunt.

[Stein]

Cabelas in Tulalip, some huge ones there.

[Watimberghost]

I think there are quite a few areas in this state with "trophy potential". Those areas have great genetics, and all the great big deer habitat essentials (food, cover, water, escapability). I don't think there's a tag or unit in the state that can guarantee a book deer. But that's what makes hunting so fun... That monster could walk out at any time 

[eastsidemallard74]

In the thick, thick s#$/ no one wants to walk in

[Skyvalhunter]

Go into Hanks Grocery in Twisp if you want to see some dandies!!!

[huntnphool]

Go into Hanks Grocery in Twisp if you want to see some dandies!!!

 They are all from Alberta.

[Skyvalhunter]

yep but they are trophies and Red Dawg did some of the taxidermy work

[Fish4Fun]

47.669721, -122.351660

Has to be the Best Kept Secret in Mule Deer Hunting as you don't see many other orange vest here   

[eastsidemallard74]

Just google those coordinates.....

[Tbar]

Aj,
 Glad to see you are hunting and welcome to the forum.  As for trophy spots, they are where you find them in Wa.   Washington is more managed for opportunities than potential. What subspecies are you looking for?  If it's blacktail, right in your backyard is as good of a place as any.  We are dominated by 2 point genetics but the Lynden guys usually prove me wrong on that theory on mature bucks.  For local deer, if you want to lessen your learning curve spend more time in the field (predator hunting, trapping, hiking, camping) year-round. The guys who consistently take trophy class animals do not do it by mistake.  With your drive I am confident you will find "trophy" spots.  Good luck!

[kellama2001]

Just google those coordinates.....

 

[snagglepants]

This certainly isn't the norm and doesn't really answer your question, but the best trophy buck I have ever seen in WA was walking about 15' from Highway 18 near Tiger Mountain between Snoqualmie and Maple Valley.  Was an enormous blacktail with double drop tines...I almost drove my truck off the road I was so shocked.

[Skyvalhunter]

Pics or it didn't happen