Wenaha-Tucannon Backcountry Mule Deer?

[EasternWaArcher]

I am planning on hiking into Indian Corral soon for a preliminary multi-specie scout from Panjab trailhead. I cannot find much info on mule deer hunting that backcountry, seems to be dominated by elk info. It looks like it could be a really great place to glass for mulies. But, IDK.

Can you help steer a guy into the right country up there to hunt some early archery bucks?

[borntoslay]

Not a ton of mulies but some large old ones do exist. Most people pack horses up the panjab

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[JWEBB]

Wolves killed em all! Don’t bother!

[fillthefreezer]

Definitely not an area with high deer density

[CaNINE]

Definitely not an area with high deer density

I've spent a fair amount of time in the Wenaha.

There are some nice deer in there but the numbers are low.  If you're looking for a backcountry adventure more than actually filling a deer tag then this hunt might be for you....then again you might come across a 170" stud.  Good luck with the scouting trip.

[nwhunter]

Your right it looks like good mule deer country and it should be but deer numbers are low. A few good bucks are around but not where I would go back pack deer hunting . Have a bear and cougar tag in your pocket because that is the problem in there....

[runamuk]

Pretty much what everyone above said. Bears and cougars we have a plenty so if you want to fill those tags please do.

[Magnum_Willys]

I will say I saw more this spring than ever.  But its not a place I’d go for deer or spike elk. 

[bigmacc]

I,ve never hunted it but my neighbor and his brothers go in there every year and bring out some dandys, last year they went 4 for 4 and 3 of them were all in 24 -27 inch range. They go way back in there somewhere. Like some have said there is some real big deer in there.

[Pathfinder101]

Do your homework scouting.  I went in blind a few years ago.  We hunted hard 4 days, saw elk and caught a glimpse of (probably) a cougar.  No deer at all.  Good luck.  X2 what everyone else said about deer density.  The guys that tag out back there are generally guys "in the know" that have spent years in there finding the pockets that hold deer. 

[CaNINE]

....and for what it's worth, the deer I have seen in there during the fall have generally been down low in the bottoms...so start hitting the squat rack now  

[Caseyd]

We have a cabin in West wenaha unit. With that said no one I know hunts up top for deer. Sure we will go spend a day or two from time to time putting in miles but it’s usually just to change it Up.They are there but density numbers are not

[Hot Lunch]

A buddy of mine was bear hunting that unit last spring and saw some deer and elk. I asked him if he saw anything to go back for instead of his central washington hunt. it was a resounding no. There are deer but numbers are way down. The elk have very low calf survival rates and it can be seen in the 1-2% success rates in the spike hunts. The deer don't do a whole bunch better until you hit the low country. There are quality buck in that area but densities are very low. Shooting a big buck in the blues is similar odds to Montana unlimited sheep hunts. Happy easter bunny hunting!

[huntnphool]

@jackelope

[jackelope]

I would agree with a lot of what’s been said. There are people who kill big bucks there every year but the deer and few and far between.  Nothing at all like the foothills areas. The deer density is low. Back in 2010 when I had my tucannon late mule deer permit it was hard finding deer. With that said I’m hoping to draw a  tucannon muzzleloader deer permit here in a few days. 🤞

[Branden]

Last time I was in there I saw a pretty nice non typ in the 170-180 range. Otherwise the better bucks I see are usually 140ish. Just not a lot of deer like mentioned above. Most of the deer I see are on the lower half of the hill sides. That being said the best bucks I've seen have been at the top.

Good luck and glass glass glass.

[mtncook]

The few nice bucks i see are timber bucks.  Spending very little time out like you would expect.  Most of the comments are accurate but so you know the November tag is what I'm holding out for.  I see these oldtimers when i'm pulling my last elk camps.

mtncook