Sinlahekin Wildlife Area

[DamnDams]

Hey y’all. Realize that I’m prolly not gonna get a ton of answers but worth the ask anyways. I’m gearing up for the early deer muzzleloader for primarily whitetail and originally was going to hunt in the Methow Valley around Twisp but a whole summer of fishing up there with some scout trips mixed in has me feeling pretty pessimistic about the whole area. So...I’m strongly considering changing plans/location and going to the Sinlahekin Wildlife Area. I’m not looking for trophy whitetail...I’d be more than thrilled to shoot a legal buck for the freezer. Question is...am I wasting my time driving another hour north of where I was originally intending? Or do y’all favor the Sinlahekin over other areas south? On OnX the river valley looks great and the WDFW district hunting prospects mentions the area as being worth checking out but outside of that there’s not a ton of info...

[Fatherof5]

Be prepared to see more hunters than deer.

[WARHORSE]

 

[CP]

If you haven't seen the Sinlahekin valley you should. 

[DamnDams]

Be prepared to see more hunters than deer.

😔😔 Even during muzzleloader huh? Seems to be the case everywhere in WA

[MADMAX]

 

Everywhere
And over there ATVs and UTVs
Tons of fun

[cbond3318]

Invest some sweat equity up those canyon walls and you should get into an opportunity.


And don’t be pessimistic, there is deer where you were and there is deer where you’re thinking about going.

[archerykraze]

I'd stick to the area I know best. Can be hard to find the whitetail bucks preseason when they are mostly in bachelor groups but by Oct they have split up and spread out over an area. I feel like going in blind to a new area on general season lowers your odds. Try the area you know and if it's dead for the first few days relocate to learn the new unit, cover some ground and enjoy the time in the field.  Good Luck!

[DamnDams]

Invest some sweat equity up those canyon walls and you should get into an opportunity.


And don’t be pessimistic, there is deer where you were and there is deer where you’re thinking about going.

That’s the plan. Hoping that any increase in folks out during muzzleloader thanks to COVId will help push more deer around and away and that I get far enough in to have them pushed straight to me.

[spin05]

Most of the whitetail hang on the valley floor around Ford lake. Its brushy but they like that. I have seen a influx of them as high up as 5k feet. but majority are down by the lake

[Hillbilly Zen]

Oops.  Pm sent

[SpicyTacos]

You have a very good chance of tagging out. You may have to work hard for it. I shot my first whitetail in the area in 2017. And a buddy shot one moments later. Two bachelors coming up a draw on an old abandoned road. It was pretty great feeling to drag two deer out at the same time. High fives for days. It was his first time hunting ever and he also got a black bear. Beginners luck I guess? Lots of high fives! Its worth checking out...it’s stellar country.