randle/packwood

[jwroberts]

thinking about trying to find a black tail in the randle/packwood area during late archery.  How about the vail tree farm? any ideas?

[MuleySniper]

Ive spent a lot of time in Randle and Packwood and I hardly ever see deer. I talked to a local one day that told me all the locals poach em. Im sure they are around, but it might be some slim pickins.
MS

[Little Fish]

I can't recall where I heard it, but thought someone said the unit to the NW (Skookumchuck) is a better bet for blacktail. I've never hunted the Skookumchuck so can't really say.

While hunting Randle a few weeks ago for muzzleloader elk we came across a forked horn, but wouldn't you know it the season wasn't open for deer at the time.

[Mike450r]

The Skookumchuck unit turns out the highest number of blacktails consistently every year but it has been going down.  I typically slay em out there so I am contributing it to the sunny warm weather the last 2 years.  1 good wet day in the general season last year and the same so far this year,  weekends anyhow which is the only time they open the gates.  The drawback is there are a lot of hunters during the rifle season.  No drive in access on weyerhauser land during archery seaons in this unit.  The gates on Johnson Crk Rd are good walk ins though and if you are not picky and will shoot any deer as they allow for archery the Skookumchuck is as close as a gauranteed deer unit as you will find in the state.  I am 37 and have been hunting this unit since the late 70's, I have lost count of how many deer we have brought out of there.

[jwroberts]

thanks for the info guys.  I have seen a few posts on this site about cougars around vail.  Sure would like to go get one of em.  Any ideas?

[Mike450r]

For walk in archery cats I would say go to the end of Thompson Crk Rd and walk into the 150 line or head down to the end of the Hanaford Rd and walk in the 150 there that is where I have seen most of the cats in vail.

[coonhound]

I've been hunting the Randle/Packwood areas for years, they are full of bucks if you are willing to get out of your truck.

This years Buck, December 2nd, Near Packwood, one of 10 branched antler bucks I seen during this late season.

Coon

[MuleySniper]

Coon, just by looking at your picture Id guess you are hunting down low? Ive only elk hunted the area, but Im typically up high. Our buddy has some prime elk habitat on his property just east of randle between packwood on the cowlitz side. Its full of elk and few deer, but we dont hunt them. Thats nice to hear that you saw some bucks. I tried getting permission to hunt one old guys field one year, he told me no because the poaching was so bad there. Were you hunting thick stuff, or were you able to glass the deer you were seeing?
MS

[sneakyjake]

The packwood and lewis units have been my stomping grounds for quite a while.  I early and late archery in the areas.  I hear rifle season is a madhouse near any of the roads.  We just got back from a pretty successful hunt last week.  I don't always hear that from people though.  I really think it is your style of hunting with the terrain and season.  Sometimes they just don't match.  Anyhow, nice buck.  I've shot one there, usually a big doe gets in front me and it is time to go home.

[Houndhunter]

yup we always hunt at packwood or up higher, for deer and do great. but we are always hiking in, usually a minimum of 2-3miles

[coonhound]

Coon, just by looking at your picture Id guess you are hunting down low? Ive only elk hunted the area, but I'm typically up high. Our buddy has some prime elk habitat on his property just east of randle between packwood on the cowlitz side. Its full of elk and few deer, but we don't hunt them. Thats nice to hear that you saw some bucks. I tried getting permission to hunt one old guys field one year, he told me no because the poaching was so bad there. Were you hunting thick stuff, or were you able to glass the deer you were seeing?
MS

I was hunting pretty low, around 2000 - 2500ft elevation because I couldn't get any higher with all the snow.  I typically hunt the 3500 - 5000 ft areas where you have to hike in but this year the snow was just to heavy.  I was hunting in old growth timber when I shot this buck.  The pictures kind of look like a road, actually it is a creek bed, he ran into the creek canyon, fell off a 30ft cliff and landed in the creek.  I had to wade crotch deep across the stream to retrieve him.  I then had to pack him up through some pretty nasty cliffs to get out, not the farthest pack but probably the toughest I've ever had.

Coon

[Houndhunter]

you get him with a bow then?

[ICEMAN]

yup we always hunt at packwood or up higher, for deer and do great. but we are always hiking in, usually a minimum of 2-3miles

What drainages do you guys hunt up there?

[coonhound]

you get him with a bow then?

Yes

[Houndhunter]

i hunt up above the cow, and hike in