Quilomene Muzzleloader Deer

[mp.hunter]

Figured I would also post about my tag as I drew this one Sep. 21-29. I have not seen any threads about the muzzleloader season in here, only the rifle. I was in the unit up high recently and looked around some. I have contacted a few members on here also but I guess it couldn’t hurt to see if anyone else would be willing to share their  thoughts on this hunt. There are only 2 tags for this season so I’m guessing not many folks on here have had this tag. I’m really curious about hunting this from the river up, it seems most of the good cover is up high, but I would think there are some good pockets down low. Also, does the wind farm hold deer consistently or do they move down later in the season? I have access to a good jet sled, just not an ATV. My family also has a house in Entiat so I can access the unit from the north side for scouting as well as the south out of Ellensburg. Any input is much appreciated.
MP


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[MackDaddy509]

I had the archery tag last year... I did a fair amount of scouting throughout the summer and found a couple nice bucks, but nothing jaw-dropping. I am from Selah and have a lot of hunting buddies and acquaintances in the Yakima/Ellensburg area. Since Quilomene has been draw only for literal decades, I assumed the late archery hunt was going to be a mix of good resident bucks and migratory bucks as well.

Didn't fill my tag and only saw one buck that was worth the notch (160-170"). Hunted daylight to dark for 12 days and even got a blanket of 8-10 inches of snow at about day 5.

I spoke with 4 other archery tagholders that didn't see a deer larger than a 20" 3 point. Talked to many rifle tagholders who while scouting in November that told the same story, very small bucks.

I would scout your @$$ off and stay high elevation in the mixed timber. That is where I had most of my luck.

[mp.hunter]

I had the archery tag last year... I did a fair amount of scouting throughout the summer and found a couple nice bucks, but nothing jaw-dropping. I am from Selah and have a lot of hunting buddies and acquaintances in the Yakima/Ellensburg area. Since Quilomene has been draw only for literal decades, I assumed the late archery hunt was going to be a mix of good resident bucks and migratory bucks as well.

Didn't fill my tag and only saw one buck that was worth the notch (160-170"). Hunted daylight to dark for 12 days and even got a blanket of 8-10 inches of snow at about day 5.

I spoke with 4 other archery tagholders that didn't see a deer larger than a 20" 3 point. Talked to many rifle tagholders who while scouting in November that told the same story, very small bucks.

I would scout your @$$ off and stay high elevation in the mixed timber. That is where I had most of my luck.

I appreciate your insight on this, I will be in there throughout the summer, and it's good to know what expectations to expect for deer there, thank you.