Looking for Giants!

[Bwilliams1286]

Hey guys, I know it says this is my first post but I used to be active on this forum for many years when I was going to college in Longview and Spokane. I couldn't remember my damn username and no longer have my college email so I created a new account. I doubt many of you will remember this, but I was at the DIY trail camera building workshop that took place many years ago. In fact, surprisingly, I still have all of the parts from that original workshop. My name is Brandon, nice to meet you all...again!

Now that the re-introductions are out of the way, I'm going to brag a little. Due to the fact that I am quitting my job , I have the incredible opportunity this year to bowhunt literally every single day of the month of September. For the first week I'll be chasing deer on the east side, then heading to the coast for elk, and back to the east side again if I haven't filled my tag. Based on the amount of time I have available to hunt, my focus will be on big mature mule deer only. I've spent a substantial amount of time reading through the 2017 Hunting Prospects and searching through the records on Northwest Big Game Inc. and have narrowed down my focus to Chelan, Okanogan, and Douglas counties as those seems to offer the best mule deer numbers and opportunities for mature bucks. However, the only mule deer hunting I have done on the east side of the state was in GMU 290 years ago when my father and I drew archery tags, and GMU 278 last year. I saw some absolute pigs last year during the late hunt but unfortunately couldn't close the distance. I would go back there again but I know a lot of the east side deer are migratory and I'm assuming I'll have to get up much higher if I want to increase my odds. I've looked through the forum quite a bit for info on those counties and most of what I've read is a little discouraging. A lot of guys are talking about how the deer in Chelan and Okanogan aren't doing so well because of previous years burns so I'm starting to question whether or not I'm focusing on the right areas.

Here's my question. For those of you that have hunted the east side for mule deer, if you were in my situation and were looking for a big mature buck, what counties and GMU's would you focus on during September? FYI, I love backcountry hunting because it's so challenging and even more rewarding. If there's some GMU's with a lot of remote country, low deer and hunter densities, and monster bucks, I'm in!

Thanks guys!

[Bwilliams1286]

Oh by the way, if anyone is looking for a hunting partner this season let me know. I usually hunt solo but wouldn't mind some company considering how much time I have. I have excellent eye sight, smell halfway decent, can cook a mean mountain house, and would love to help you harvest a deer!

[fishnfur]

Welcome back and congrats on quitting your job!  Sadly, I have no help on your inquiry.  Hope you find that monster buck though.

[Bwilliams1286]

Thanks fishnfur! My girlfriend and I are moving to Australia in October so I figured I’d quit a little early and really dedicate the early season to hunting some studs. I can’t wait to quit and be in the woods every day!

[CAMPMEAT]

101 unit

[Mudman]

Shh!     I have seen 1 very large Mulie and 2 large Whitetail in 101.  Limited time hunting and of course didn't shoot either.  Don't go without a Bear tag.

[CAMPMEAT]

Shh!     I have seen 1 very large Mulie and 2 large Whitetail in 101.  Limited time hunting and of course didn't shoot either.  Don't go without a Bear tag.

That's all I'm saying after living in the 101 for nearly 17 years...

[fishnfur]

Thanks fishnfur! My girlfriend and I are moving to Australia in October so I figured I’d quit a little early and really dedicate the early season to hunting some studs. I can’t wait to quit and be in the woods every day!

How cool to move to Australia!  Hopefully near some beach with killer waves.  (Jealous!)

[Jimmy33]

I agree...101


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[elkchaser54]

If my elk tag gets tossed in to the soup like it usually does chasing spikes . I will hit you up and would love to archery hunt for deer with ya .

[Bwilliams1286]

101 huh? I didn't really consider that unit because I figured it would be mostly whitetail. I've hunted turkey up in the Colville national forest and only saw a ridiculous number of whitetails. I'm assuming the big mulies must be up higher. 101 is a long ways from Vancouver but hopefully I'll be able to get up there and do some scouting to check it out.

elkchaser54, sounds good man. Let me know how elk season goes and good luck!

[Boss .300 winmag]

I agree...101


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Monsters up there.👍

[Doublelunger]

Plenty of Whitetail and Mule deer both in 101. Maybe 50/50 split with more whitetail every year it seems. Yes, typically whitetail are lower and mule deer are higher but iv seen mulies down at 2700 ft and whitetail up at 6000 ft so keep that in mind.  Whitetail quality is blowing mule deer quality out of the water in 101 IMO. If I were specifically looking for a "giant" mule deer 101 would not be my first choice.

[X-Force]

I would look on onx for a roadless area, minimal or no trails... if its in Okanogan or Chelan county it will probably hold some number of deer but the scenery will be amazing and September is an awesome time to be in the woods.

Congrats on this opertunity.

[Bwilliams1286]

Doublelunger, I figured that might be the case. The hunting prospects didn't list the number of mulies harvested vs whitetail unfortunately. Considering the number of whitetail in the NE part of the state I wouldn't be surprised if they were the majority. I just can't stand seeing their stupid tails flop around back and forth when they run so I've never been interested in hunting them. Plus, I don't have the patience for sitting in a stand or blind.