Sinlahekin whitetail buck tag

[Molon5labe]

I drew a modern buck tag for sinlahekin. I'm not familiar with the area, so I'm looking for information on what I should expect as far as deer numbers, rut action, weather, etc, and also some basic whitetail hunting tips and tactics in general, as all I have ever hunted is blacktail (successfully, so far) on the westside.

The tag is for Nov 1-20, though I certainly don't have that much time to be over there. If you had 4 days to go over there and hunt, which days would you go?

Thanks

[blindluck]

Later the better

[boneaddict]

last 4 days

[LabChamp]

Wife and a friend had the tag last year. Definitely wait until the last days. Still wasnt as great as they thought it would be. Neither saw a buck they wanted and both ate their tags.

[elkrack]

There are some great bucks in there just better hope for that bitter cold air to move in. Last year around the 7th of November it was in the teens and we saw some nice whiteys out and feeding during the day.

[bobcat]

Only eight bucks taken last year out of 50 permits, and one of those was a spike.

[elkrack]

Only eight bucks taken last year out of 50 permits, and one of those was a spike.

 

People need to get out of the rigs

[coachcw]

Only eight bucks taken last year out of 50 permits, and one of those was a spike.

or at least where reported .

[Molon5labe]

Only eight bucks taken last year out of 50 permits, and one of those was a spike.

If I'm putting all my eggs in one basket and passing on general season blacktail, then come Nov. 20 I will take a spike. This tag is good for any whitetail so I wouldn't pass on a doe either, to put some meat in the freezer

[elkrack]

2 of the 42 unfilled whitetail tags were my brother and his buddy .
They drew the quality buck tag and the buck tag last year! Obviously they hunted the mule deer!

[HvyHorn338]

No question,  last four days. 

[Moe the Sleaze]

Best bet, line up some private land access.  The Whiteys there prefer the lowland fields.  Although you might be able to find some public land giving you opportunity along the "edges' where private meets public.

[HighCountryHunter88]

2 of the 42 unfilled whitetail tags were my brother and his buddy .
They drew the quality buck tag and the buck tag last year! Obviously they hunted the mule deer!

sooooo..... how'd they do?

[elkrack]

Well when you pass on a 28” wide  5x5 that would go in the 160’s just cause it was the first 10 minutes of the 2 week hunt they did not fully meet their expectations! My brother shot a nice 4x4 and his buddy took a 3 point on the last day they could hunt

[Sutherland]

So I haven't hunted that area up there before but I am curious for the late archery season is the Loomis state forest land all open for hunting? Or would I have better luck trying  to find some BLM land? Just trying to get my first whitetail doe. Any advice would be great as I've never hunted for whitetail before. I've been a mule deer guy my whole life. Thanks everyone!

[spin05]

So I haven't hunted that area up there before but I am curious for the late archery season is the Loomis state forest land all open for hunting? Or would I have better luck trying  to find some BLM land? Just trying to get my first whitetail doe. Any advice would be great as I've never hunted for whitetail before. I've been a mule deer guy my whole life. Thanks everyone!

For a whitetail doe stick to the valley floor.  I have been seeeing them as high up as 3 or 4k thou

[BKMFR]

Common tactic and successful one for what your wanting is, stay in Sinlahekin valley go in between Blue Lake and Ford Lake, hunt on west side of main road, get up off road 100 plus yards, use tree stand on a well used trail, and for added success use apples as an attractant. It works for many in the area. Deer are going to and from water/swampy area on valley floor, then back up the mountain a few hundred yards to 1/2 mile.....

[Skyvalhunter]

  That's how I hunt that area

[Molon5labe]

Common tactic and successful one for what your wanting is, stay in Sinlahekin valley go in between Blue Lake and Ford Lake, hunt on west side of main road, get up off road 100 plus yards, use tree stand on a well used trail, and for added success use apples as an attractant. It works for many in the area. Deer are going to and from water/swampy area on valley floor, then back up the mountain a few hundred yards to 1/2 mile.....

Thank you

[dibbs]

I have spent a LOT of time in the Sinlahekin the last couple of weeks.  Sadly, deer numbers are WAY down.  The only place there are any numbers/herds of Whitetail consistently are on the private ground /big ranches protected area. 

Yes there are a few animals being harvested.  However, multiple predators- (there are wolves running around whether WDFW would confirm this or not) over hunting(mismanagement by WDFW), and loss of habitat/cover have both mule deer and whitetail deer numbers in the toilet in Okanogan and Ferry counties, where I work on a daily basis.  Flame on~ and good luck with your hunt.

[MtnMuley]

No sense to flame on. You hit the nail on the head. Sad but true.

[spin05]

I have spent a LOT of time in the Sinlahekin the last couple of weeks.  Sadly, deer numbers are WAY down.  The only place there are any numbers/herds of Whitetail consistently are on the private ground /big ranches protected area. 

Yes there are a few animals being harvested.  However, multiple predators- (there are wolves running around whether WDFW would confirm this or not) over hunting(mismanagement by WDFW), and loss of habitat/cover have both mule deer and whitetail deer numbers in the toilet in Okanogan and Ferry counties, where I work on a daily basis.  Flame on~ and good luck with your hunt.

Good maybe the crowds will thin out and opening up some camp spots