GMU 245

[dlb.730]

Let me start with: First time poster! I have been reading these forums on and off for a couple years and have decided that at 31 years old, I haven't spent half as much time in the woods as I would like to. I have been a (mediocre at best) hunter for about 6 years, but again, haven't been as serious about it as I would like. So I am here. I have seen the bounty of information and knowledge that this forum contains, and I want to be a part of it!   

I have always hunted modern, but drew a multi-season tag this year along with my brother-in-law. Bought a bow, have shot the crap out of it, and think i'll give it a shot. I am going to be in the Lake Wenatchee/Fish Lake area the first few days of September and have been looking at GMU 245. There is a LOT of land there, just wondering if anyone more familiar with the area had any insights or thoughts to lend.

Looking forward to being a part of this community, i love what goes on around here 

D

[dlb.730]

Feeling the love guys! 

All jokes aside, I understand that it isn't common practice to spill the beans on good hunting grounds; nor do I expect anybody to! Just throwing the feelers out at the wall and seeing if anything sticks! I know that the best way to learn new land is to get out there, i'm just poking around to see if there is any info that someone is willing to lend. Any tips at all are greatly appreciated! Maybe I am out of pocket with my post 

To those heading out Sept. 1st.....Happy Hunting!

[7mmfan]

Welcome to the forum man! Nice to have new blood to beat up a little.    In general, the issue is that exact question gets asked time and time again, and people have been burned by sharing info on the web with guys they don't know. You might get a PM from someone who is willing to share a starting point but I wouldn't expect much. A year of sharing your experiences, some photos, etc... goes a long ways.

I have virtually no experience in the Chiwawa itself, but have hunted Mule Deer in that kind of terrain for a long time. What you're most likely to find is that there will be deer throughout the whole unit, but the lower elevation ground will mostly be does and small resident bucks. Not saying you can't find success there, or a nice buck or two, but the bigger deer are going to be up high. There's huge swathes of densely forested ground in much of that unit, making it very tough to spot and stalk. You really do need to be boots on the ground to find the sweet spots in there. The plan that makes the most sense is to head to timberline and try to get the first crack at bucks on the summer range before they get educated, and hopefully before they shed velvet. If they have velvet they generally tend to spend most of their time in more open ground. As soon as they shed, they're into the timber.

Good luck, let us know how your hunt goes! Have a blunt or judo or target tip handy, there are lots of grouse up there to whack with a bow! Killing grouse with a bow is about as much fun as you can have, in my opinion anyway.

[dlb.730]

Thanks for the shout 7mm. As for being new blood around here.... beat away!  I have no problem taking the shots in the interest of learning the ways!  I plan on beating the road with my boots. My brother in law (who will be with me) says he used to be pretty familiar with the area above Fish Lake, but this was years ago. I think we will just take whatever he remembers, find an area that seems somewhat promising and head out. After all, I wont gain anything unless I try!

[The Marquis]

Let me start with: First time poster! I have been reading these forums on and off for a couple years and have decided that at 31 years old, I haven't spent half as much time in the woods as I would like to. I have been a (mediocre at best) hunter for about 6 years, but again, haven't been as serious about it as I would like. So I am here. I have seen the bounty of information and knowledge that this forum contains, and I want to be a part of it!   

I have always hunted modern, but drew a multi-season tag this year along with my brother-in-law. Bought a bow, have shot the crap out of it, and think i'll give it a shot. I am going to be in the Lake Wenatchee/Fish Lake area the first few days of September and have been looking at GMU 245. There is a LOT of land there, just wondering if anyone more familiar with the area had any insights or thoughts to lend.

Looking forward to being a part of this community, i love what goes on around here 

D

Welcome!

I hunt 245 for deer for one reason... because I have property up there and I like to visit the area in the fall and spend time outside in the brisk weather.  I GET my deer elsewhere after the season closes up there.  There are a few deer, but they aren't very easy to find (even does) and are fairly consistently spread out.  It's not much of a migration corridor, so you don't see the big numbers coming through at all like you would to the east.  You'll be boots on the ground, bushwhacking vine maple unless you get up high, so really, the way to do 245 is to choose your location based on how you like to hunt rather than "where they are", because frankly, that location doesn't really exist.

Check the harvest numbers over the last few years... they tell the truth.  Fires last year cut the already low harvest numbers in half and as you read them, bear in mind that 245 is one of the largest units in the state. 

If you like to hunt grouse and bear, 245 is for you.  Your likelihood is probably higher for bear, hell, I think members of my family have seen more bear than deer this year.  Granted, if it's where you'll be, then it's where you'll be.  It's beautiful country to be sure.