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.

[2MANY]

Hike into Little Snowy top in the extreme NE corner of the state and hunt high over on the backside of the nearest hump.

[CAMPMEAT]

I've seen some Huge mule deer taken in the 101 that most are never shared with on here or any other place, except with the locals. Even then, knowing the guys, that won't tell you exactly where they killed them at. General location yes, but that's it. I've honestly seen more WT monsters, but there wasn't a mule deer to be seen when I moved there in 2000. A few here and there..

[Bwilliams1286]

2Many, do you mean Salmo Mountain? Little Snowy Top appears to be in Idaho. That looks like some pretty steep country!

Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.

[CAMPMEAT]

2Many, do you mean Salmo Mountain? Little Snowy Top appears to be in Idaho. That looks like some pretty steep country!

Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.

The bio's name is Dana, unless he retired. He's worthless. I showed him wolf tracks about 10-12 years ago and blew me off. Well guess what..............the rest is history.

I think mostly, you have to be in the right place at the right time and be patient and stay in one spot once you see them.

[bearpaw]

2Many, do you mean Salmo Mountain? Little Snowy Top appears to be in Idaho. That looks like some pretty steep country!

Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.

The bio's name is Dana, unless he retired. He's worthless. I showed him wolf tracks about 10-12 years ago and blew me off. Well guess what..............the rest is history.

I think mostly, you have to be in the right place at the right time and be patient and stay in one spot once you see them.

I know Dana and respect him, he's quite knowledgeable, it could have been the directive from above to deny any wolf sign, I think that used to be the norm. I reported a wolf incident before wolves were out of the bag and got a phone call from the Region 1 director chewing me out and saying it was only coyotes, I wouldn't hold that against Dana, he is a good guy and I think just trying to get to retirement without upsetting the boat.

Bwilliams1286, I think Dana is retired now.

[olsy]

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!

Hey Brandon, I was at that workshop as well.  I am really not sure why I remember this, but your old handle was BaseballStud20 

--Travis

[Bwilliams1286]

Hahaha, wow! I can't believe you remember that olsy. That seriously makes me feel old though because I quit playing ball such a long time ago. Thanks for the reminder!

[Calvin Rayborn]

So are we all, my friend.

[huntnnw]

there are some huge bucks in 101, but like mentioned above most are not shared. Its heavily timbered compared to the open areas available. The biggest problem with this area for a Sept archer and why not many do it is the terrain is not conducive to try and spot and stalk big bucks heavy under brush, down trees and dry makes it downright almost impossible to sneak into range. Few that I know who have tried to bowhunt it spent lots of time scouting  and set up on water, funnels or trails and ambush deer. Its not like hunting above alpine in this unit.

[Pomdale]

Exactly the reason why I also like mule deer over whitetail,more opportunities with mule deer when stalking, especially when you get them to stand for you just looking at you, whitetail are just that....all you see when they run off, it will be my very first hunting season this year in Washington and I'm pumped to get some walking in!!

[Troutnut]

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.

Congratulations on writing the funniest sentence I've ever seen on a hunting forum. Of all the reasons not to hunt a species!

[Mudman]

Hunting that area in sept bow is frustrating.  Its like this, Whiteys don't move in daylight much so you stalk around and they blow and run and you don't even see em.  Muley is a little more possible.  Too dry, too quiet.  Very hard to do.  Sunset seems to be only real chance a guy has.