November bench bucks, 578

[dilleytech]

I drew the west klickitat 578 quality deer tag for November 18-25. I’m curious what guys think about this time of fall for buck activity. I live in the unit and although I have found some nice sheds the mature bucks have always eluded me for the most part. But I haven’t spent much time in the woods at this particular time of year. I’m usually duck hunting or out of state.

I assume this will be about the tail end of the rut. I have a long time curse with Washington deer and have high hopes for this season. I can seem to kill every other species just fine but deer always seem to get the best of me. If only we had as many bucks as bears and cougar down here lol

[jeffitz]

Good question- rut may be tapering off by then? -we drew 3 of those tags years ago (08ish) and there was lots of rut action but i think the dates were different back then.Wonder why they changed the dates of that tag ?

[teanawayslayer]

Good question- rut may be tapering off by then? -we drew 3 of those tags years ago (08ish) and there was lots of rut action but i think the dates were different back then.Wonder why they changed the dates of that tag ?

Wdfw taking away opportunity of course

[dilleytech]

Good question- rut may be tapering off by then? -we drew 3 of those tags years ago (08ish) and there was lots of rut action but i think the dates were different back then.Wonder why they changed the dates of that tag ?

Good question. People were probably to productive?

[carpsniperg2]

Can really depend, if it’s a earlier rut year then they will be mostly done and harder to find the big boys by then. If it’s a later rut then it will be going hot and heavy. We hunt the 20-30 in 382 for muzzle and some years it’s great others not so much.

[dilleytech]

Can really depend, if it’s a earlier rut year then they will be mostly done and harder to find the big boys by then. If it’s a later rut then it will be going hot and heavy. We hunt the 20-30 in 382 for muzzle and some years it’s great others not so much.

Gotcha, I’m planning to take some time off and really focus on hard long days for the first 4 days or so. Since I can hunt a half a mile from home if I want I have lots of options. Probably to many options.

[fishnfur]

Dream hunt for sure.   I'd hit Goldendale sporting goods stores and ask for pointers and/or for names of someone who's known to be good a big game killer in the area.  My very limited and (very) possibly incorrect knowledge of the area is that the BT deer are migrating from the highlands SW of Mt. Adams and heading S - SE. when the snows force them down.  No snow up high - hunting suffers.  Second estrus should be in full gear for unbred doe at that time so the activity of any bucks actually there should be good, and as I'm sure you know, the bucks can be spectacular specimens.  My take on the situation is that this area is where the deer winter over when pushed down by weather.   You'll hear endless reports of the cat activity in the area and how it affects the number of deer in the area.  You have no control over that.   You've just got to get out there and get it done.  Look forward to hearing stories of your activities.
Good luck!

[dilleytech]

I agree the real big deer in this unit mostly migrate down for winter out of the Indian rez where they can grow big and stay hidden all their life. Some big early snow would be great but we haven’t had that in a long time. 

[AROTTY]

The monsters will be out until 7am instead of 530 am. If I had that tag I’d drive along fisher hill rd around the cuts at 0300 and if I saw a big heard, park and be at the gate at 530 and walk in. Don’t bother with the north part of the unit.

[fishnfur]

The monsters will be out until 7am instead of 530 am. If I had that tag I’d drive along fisher hill rd around the cuts at 0300 and if I saw a big heard, park and be at the gate at 530 and walk in. Don’t bother with the north part of the unit.

Love that help!  Good luck.  Let us know how it turns out.

[dilleytech]

The monsters will be out until 7am instead of 530 am. If I had that tag I’d drive along fisher hill rd around the cuts at 0300 and if I saw a big heard, park and be at the gate at 530 and walk in. Don’t bother with the north part of the unit.

Love that help!  Good luck.  Let us know how it turns out.

I’ll certainly give an update