NE corner rifle deer opener

[vandeman17]

It has been years since in have hunted deer for the modern rifle opener given that we are usually killing ducks. My Washington deer tag is normally hunted in late season at one of a few stand sites we have hunted for years. I am considering giving the opening weekend a day or two and sitting in one of our stands but not sure it’s worth it given whitetail bucks seem to be mostly nocturnal this time of year. Thoughts?

[RB]

With the amount of pressure opening weekend has, it is sure to move a bunch of Deer around in the daylight. Being in a stand might be a great place to be and let others push them to you. 

[vandeman17]

With the amount of pressure opening weekend has, it is sure to move a bunch of Deer around in the daylight. Being in a stand might be a great place to be and let others push them to you. 

Ya that is true. It’s a good area and I am fine sitting from daylight to dark

[Bowhunter3]

With the amount of pressure opening weekend has, it is sure to move a bunch of Deer around in the daylight. Being in a stand might be a great place to be and let others push them to you. 

Yep that’s a go to move for several hunts each year. The rare occasion we don’t get one, we at least see plenty.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

I’m kinda excited to see how that strategy plays out where I’m at. I typically hunt archery late season on stand but got the MS deer this year so I’m dusting off the rifle. Using the other hunters to bump deer my way. We will see next Saturday how things go. Good luck next weekend at least the weather feels like fall. Some rifle openers in the recent past have been hot in comparison.

[vandeman17]

I’m kinda excited to see how that strategy plays out where I’m at. I typically hunt archery late season on stand but got the MS deer this year so I’m dusting off the rifle. Using the other hunters to bump deer my way. We will see next Saturday how things go. Good luck next weekend at least the weather feels like fall. Some rifle openers in the recent past have been hot in comparison.

The area we go doesn’t see much pressure in the late season so I am curious what general will be like. It’s a meat hunt for us with hopes of getting at least one wa buck so we can be more selective in Montana

[buckcanyonlodge]

Was your area hit hard with Blue tongue like most of the NE this year?Bad year for whitetail in most of Stevens County.

[vandeman17]

Was your area hit hard with Blue tongue like most of the NE this year?Bad year for whitetail in most of Stevens County.

I plan to go up tomorrow to check my two cameras that have been out since early July. Curious to see what shows up.

[buckfvr]

I have discovered some "big empties" from what I believe is wolves moving the animals around, and these are spots where its pretty much "here now, gone tomorrow".

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Was your area hit hard with Blue tongue like most of the NE this year?Bad year for whitetail in most of Stevens County.

Where I late bow hunt the deer got hit but not as bad as areas further south. I drove by Albion the other day there were at least 7 carcasses along their reservoir.
Spoke with a bio he said it was a BAD year all along the whitetail country especially where the water sources were more stagnant and consolidated to one spot.
Interesting though my typical WT spot has more and more mule deer taking up shop last few seasons. But no late MD hunt! Darn it

[vandeman17]

Went up and got set for opener. On the drive yesterday morning we didn’t see but a few deer down in the fields above addy where we normally see tons. We did see a decent amount above town in the higher elevations which was good. Might also have to snag a second bear tag as these two turds have made numerous visits to our stands in the last few weeks. The chocolate is a sow with two cubs so she is safe.

[buckfvr]

Great bears !   

[vandeman17]

Update for opening weekend. Surprised that we didn't see any other hunters out in our area which was nice. Only saw a couple deer, tons of turkeys and we were able to take out a fawn killer so we did our part in some predator control.

[mcrawfordaf]

Saturday didn't see anything. Sunday switched spots and saw 12x doe - no bucks. Hope they get active come the last week. 

[snake]

Typically don't see too many people up chasing ruby whitetail early season. Don't usually see too many bucks either.  Come late season everyone and their brother will be up blasting anything with horns. I did take a gruby little one Saturday.

[buckcanyonlodge]

A friend lives on Bissell Rd by Clark Lake. Sunday a truck load of guys shot a spike whitetail in his field..opened the gate on his access road and drove in to load the buck. He confronted them and got pics of them..the buck..the license plate. Heavy Russian accents..turned them in Sunday night and still has not had any response from WDFW or Stevens County law. Now you know why we ------- road hunters up here. There is NO public land anywhere on Bissell rd yet the traffic during hunting season is very busy. I told him ..just wait until the late hunt if you think this opening was bad. I had a guy in orange walk up my driveway Saturday and asked if they could hunt the 3 point whitetail laying to the north of the house...I told him no and the buck is a 2 point and it is a MULE Deer.  I did direct the young hunter to some public land where he could hunt.

[huntnnw]

hunt the mountains and you wont see the effects of EHD as there is rarely standing water and lots of moving water

[baldopepper]

A friend lives on Bissell Rd by Clark Lake. Sunday a truck load of guys shot a spike whitetail in his field..opened the gate on his access road and drove in to load the buck. He confronted them and got pics of them..the buck..the license plate. Heavy Russian accents..turned them in Sunday night and still has not had any response from WDFW or Stevens County law. Now you know why we ------- road hunters up here. There is NO public land anywhere on Bissell rd yet the traffic during hunting season is very busy. I told him ..just wait until the late hunt if you think this opening was bad. I had a guy in orange walk up my driveway Saturday and asked if they could hunt the 3 point whitetail laying to the north of the house...I told him no and the buck is a 2 point and it is a MULE Deer.  I did direct the young hunter to some public land where he could hunt.

Hwy 25 looks like some sort of parade where you have to wear orange to join. We have 30-40 does and fawns that hang out in the fields around us and it seems every time I look out there's a car or truck parked glassing them, and often times scoping them with their rifle. Kinda spooky because there are a few small bucks around and I always half expect them to start shooting.  Bissell road is very well posted but every year I see hunters slowly driving thru with every intent to shoot regardless of the signs. Don't have an answer for it, but like you I've learned to hate the road hunters. Late hunt is even worse.