Public Land Archery Whitetail Vs Rifle

[Zag11]

Hello All

I truly enjoy reading all the stories and info on here - it has helped me learn a ton as I’m trying to learn anything I can about the new part of the state I’m loving in (new to Spokane).

I put thousands and thousands of miles in the last few years just checking out new areas, hanging trail cams, and trying to find public ground I liked. Everywhere from 139 steptoe up to the northern half of 113 Selkirk. I feel as though I’ve gotten a pretty good idea what each unit holds and looks like. I’ve bow hunted public land the last 3 years pretty hard but ended up taking does in 124 last second over bait because I simply could not get into any bucks, which I’m ok with as I view any animal taken with a bow as a success especially on public land.

Work prevents me from hunting any more than one weekend day at a time during early season. So, the large majority of my hunting is done during late season. My first question is this: would I be better off bow hunting or rifle hunting NE corner with my limited tome? I get the feeling while I’m in the treestand that I should be out covering ground since I don’t have a ton of time. Or, would I be better off rifle hunting and getting way back in there and camping out for a few nights and going all in on a couple trips like that?

My 2nd question is, in your opinion, with such a large amount of public land/private timber company land to hunt over here, is one better off picking one area (1 range, 1 drainage, one trailhead, etc) to hammer out in the early season scouting and go all in on that spot during hunting season? Or is it a good tactic to try and cover as much ground/units as possible? Also, is the NE rifle season pressure really that extreme, or is it not bad if you get back off the roads?

Again, I am NOT asking for your spots or WHERE to go, just acting for strategy advice. Appreciate any help and happy holidays!
 
-Sam

[KFhunter]

Hunt right inside Spokane city limits archery.   Where you can't use a firearm.

I dunno why you'd leave so many urban deer to run up into remote areas that hold far fewer deer with a piss poor density and worse buck/doe ratio. 


I got a friend that puts big bucks down, and they're all urban in firearm restricted zones.

[buckfvr]

      Why drive through deer country to get to other deer country......Look at harvest reports, patience is your biggest asset, you'll see more deer from a correctly placed tree stand OR glassing edges from distance, rather than covering ground.

Get under the canopy to find deer.  Does are only a success if you are hunting does, regardless of weapon.  Cant take does in n.e. units even with a bow for now anyway. 

[Zag11]

Good info - never thought about that. Thanks!

[vandeman17]

I will also add that a lot depends on if you are trying to kill bucks or fill the freezer. As for methods, I have killed a few whitetails still hunting but the vast majority have been killed when I am plopped down and waiting in a stand. Find travel areas and be patient, even if you only have a few days to hunt. 

[Zag11]

I hear ya...it makes sense to hunt closer to town, although I do have a fascination with getting out and exploring the country up north...which is why rifle hunting appealed to me. Even if there are fewer deer if I can get away from people and get into some beautiful country it is worth it.

I guess I'm all about the experience and the mountains and getting out...but also about the harvest. I understand this is the best of both worlds and not ideal. I understand bowhunting mountain whitetails on public land is a tough thing to do..but I love the sport of archery and hunting that way. I guess I should be asking, anyone on here hunt the mountain whitetails with a bow? Any input on that? Or if you're way up there are you better off with a rifle?

Hope I'm making some sense

[KFhunter]

I hear ya...it makes sense to hunt closer to town, although I do have a fascination with getting out and exploring the country up north...which is why rifle hunting appealed to me. Even if there are fewer deer if I can get away from people and get into some beautiful country it is worth it.

I guess I'm all about the experience and the mountains and getting out...but also about the harvest. I understand this is the best of both worlds and not ideal. I understand bowhunting mountain whitetails on public land is a tough thing to do..but I love the sport of archery and hunting that way. I guess I should be asking, anyone on here hunt the mountain whitetails with a bow? Any input on that? Or if you're way up there are you better off with a rifle?

Hope I'm making some sense

How about hunting deer closer to home, and go to the remote back areas to hunt predators?    You can really get back far as you want chasing bear or lions!


And you'd be doing the deer a service, they're really struggling especially up north. 

[vandeman17]

I hear ya...it makes sense to hunt closer to town, although I do have a fascination with getting out and exploring the country up north...which is why rifle hunting appealed to me. Even if there are fewer deer if I can get away from people and get into some beautiful country it is worth it.

I guess I'm all about the experience and the mountains and getting out...but also about the harvest. I understand this is the best of both worlds and not ideal. I understand bowhunting mountain whitetails on public land is a tough thing to do..but I love the sport of archery and hunting that way. I guess I should be asking, anyone on here hunt the mountain whitetails with a bow? Any input on that? Or if you're way up there are you better off with a rifle?

Hope I'm making some sense

Yes I have and do hunt them with a bow. One big benefit, especially if you are after a buck, is late archery gets you out there in the rut.

[Zag11]

Just to add something to look at...here's some bucks I've gotten on camera. Just haven't quite figured out how to get them in the daylight. It seems they disappear when the season starts.

[Zag11]

KFHunter...that's a good idea..always wanted to chase big black bears but never seem to get around to it. Is hunting lions up there just a glassing game?

[KFhunter]

KFHunter...that's a good idea..always wanted to chase big black bears but never seem to get around to it. Is hunting lions up there just a glassing game?

Start here:

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,185537.0.html

and this too:

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,243650.0.html

[Zag11]

Thank you!

[buckfvr]

Right now you should be looking for this seasons scrapes and rubs.....that will tell you approximately where to be during late season next year.  I multi-season because I target specific bucks and will take them how I can.  Lots of late modern opportunity in n.e.. 

Finding bucks in velvet in their home range is good, but most likely those bucks will disperse and move in daylight less and less as summer/fall wans.  Plus, in many cases you will need to find them in their rut phase locations which may be some distance from where your summer pics are.

Any way you hunt them, keep your impact to an absolute minimum in the core area you intend to hunt.

[Jonathan_S]

I wouldn't go too far North. Denser deer populations are closer to Spokane. North woods is great in its own way but if you're wanting to see more deer and have more chances at legal bucks, I'd stay closer to home

[Zag11]

Makes sense. It seems as the rut gets closer I get pics of bucks at night...I'm assuming this means I am in the wrong location and need to locate where they are moving in daylight? Or is this because I'm banging around too much while I'm in there?