Summary of New Hunter's second year hunting.

[Kumacub]

Alright, so the girlfriend and I went out near Winthrop this time seeing as we didn't see any deer last weekend near liberty and previous advice was that elk were there so deer aren't there/it was too hot.

Spent the first day getting to know the lay of the land and to get as far away from all of the hunters in the area. We ended up setting up camp where there were only a father/daughter hunting duo nearby. We started hiking out at 0300 and went a little over 5 miles away in an area we scouted that no other hunters were going to. Mostly due to terrain and distance. Lots of fresh sign, scat, tracks. But we only saw 4 does around 1315 trekking uphill on a slope too steep for us to climb. We routed around that area to get into cover and into a spot where we were roughly 180 yards away and could break a shot in case a buck followed after them. Wind was still in our face and we waited for a few hours. Afterwards we started slowly making our way back to camp as it got closer to sunset. Then glassed up the last basin closest to camp until sunset. Then drove home late that night to spare some time on Sunday to get ready before work as we would only be able to hunt in the morning and we weren't seeing much in any of the three basins we mainly hunted.

Now that we are 2 years in without seeing any legal bucks we are going to do more research and get back at it next year. It is demoralizing to think that we are doing right but just aren't seeing any bucks. We see all large game except for bucks. Elk, Moose, Does. What can we start doing to get better at hunting and take our first buck? We have been hiking out far from hunters, take our time and stay quiet as we walk, keep the wind in our face, track fresh sign and stay in those areas, we have identified scrapes and game trails that are getting use but we aren't seeing deer when we glass for hours.

We will likely try a new area next year and get more scouting in to try and improve out success. But we both would appreciate all advice to help us be successful. I have been reading a bunch of books on mule deer habits, habitat, feed, and hunting. We just don't know why we aren't successful but we see truck hunters who seemingly get deer every year.

[Muleydude]

The truck hunters are getting deer because in low deer density situations, they are covering more ground then you are on foot.  Thats not a reason to be a truck hunter....but it gives you insight into what you need to do.   One of the mistakes many new hunters make, especially in mule deer, in lower deer density areas, is they don't cover enough ground.   If your someone who can scout pre-season, or has lots of historical reference to know where animals are, you can move less.  But, thats not what you have.   The whole get away from other hunters can also be a little problematic.  Yes, you can get away from them, but you might be getting away from the deer as well.   It sounds like your goal is to just find a legal buck.  Then don't worry about hunter pressure, you want to go where the animals are.    Sounds a bit as well that you are hunting at higher elevations.  Deer are spread out even further apart in these areas and covering ground is tougher.

I would say that you need to move down in elevation, get into areas where there is a transition habitat (sage to forest for example).   These areas hold pockets of resident deer every year.  And then cover ground on foot; don't stay all day in one basin area;  move;  Even in these areas, it is not difficult on foot to get seperation from other hunters.   Be in areas that look like they will hold deer right at daybreak;  still cover ground, but do it slowly;  by mid morning they are going to be bedded down, then get your pace up and move, and cover ground.  You are trying to bump one out of their bed at that point, so sitting still isn't going to do anything for you.  Then, right at dark, make sure your back in a good looking area and once again cover ground, but slow your pace down a bit.

If you see 4 does, early in season like this, that doesn't mean much, just keep moving.  That strategy would be different later in the season, but, all mule deer general hunts in WA are pre-rut.   Take a look at them for a few minutes to make sure there isn't a buck with them, then get back on the move.

If your in the Winthrop and Methow areas, while the herds are very low relative to historical standards, there are still pockets of deer in the lower to mid elevations.  Just get out and cover as much ground as you can.

Just my 2 cents.......

[WSU]

If you can, hit the blacktail woods this weekend and during late buck.  Bucks are starting to move now with the rut starting. 

It ain't over yet!

[GeoSwan]

It just takes time and patience. It can take years before your luck turns one day and a buck gives you a shot. You're doing everything right though so it will happen one day. you just have to keep at it. If you can, spend more time out in the field. The season is 10 days ending tomorrow, so next time see if your job will let you use all of them. Obviously this might not be possible but the point is that you should try to spend at least 4 days dedicated to deer hunting.
Hunter pressure isn't necessarily a bad thing. Muleydude makes some great points and I would add that having other hunters in the field pushed deer around and gets them moving. Especially if you're in a gulch or canyon and one hunter is pushing deer your way, down the valley. Also, one piece of advice I got which helped me fill my tag this year is to hunt the upper third of the terrain. Find them on benches and tucked into cuts that drain into the main basin. Let your glass do the walking for you. Treat every unsuccessful season as a scouting trip. Learn the land like the back of your hand and cross reference it with Google Earth. You'll tag out, you just have to think about it hard and prepare for months before and potentially years before that. I can't speak for you, but I started thinking about and prepping for modern season in March. Good luck!

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

If I lived in Everett and wanted to get a deer in the freezer, I'd look hard into blacktail hunting.  I'd hunt within 20-60 minutes door to door of my spots, this would increase hunting hours and encounters with deer.  The season is longer for early rifle and there are some great late hunt options as well, just have to travel a bit. I'd focus on a few areas in unit 448 and hunt hard long hours during the BT rut.  Get to know them real well and you'll fill your tag annually.  Also, it can help with scouting for Roosie's.  Recently logged areas are your friends.  Follow logging companies around and get in a unit after they've demobilized equipment.  Lot's of public land options and NF options.  Bait piles set back in a ways will help you get intel on the local bucks, start baits and salt blocks in May.  The guys that fill tags every year aren't just lucky; these guys hunt year round- cameras, hiking, blinds, stands, woodsmanship, baits/salts, etc.  Going two years without filling a tag isn't bad.  Some of us have had longer drought periods than that.  You will be successful just be persistent.  Also, I'd start pushing through bedding areas after you stop seeing deer in the mornings.  It can help if one hunter watches while another pushes through thicker cover.  This can bump bucks out of beds.  Make sure the shooter is good it may be a running shot!  Group hunting we all try to glass mornings and evenings and then push cover the rest of the day. 

[GWP]

I have gone years without seeing a legal buck or bull. That is hunting. You get out and enjoy the outdoors with the time allotted and if you get to take one, good on ya!
That is one of the reasons why people celebrate taking a critter. The effort and time spent scouting does not guarantee getting an animal, so it is a special moment when you do.
EVERY time I have gone out I wonder how many animals saw me that I did not see.
I learned to relax, enjoy my time outdoors, and have fun regardless.
Yes, it can be frustrating at times.

[IslandHunter]

How many days have you spent out in the woods sounds like you only really hunted one day? In general I wouldn't expect success spending a day or 2 out in the woods unless you know the area really well. Lots of hunters spend a week or longer in the woods without success.  I hunt BT on private land with deer coming through every day and still have been skunked and had long periods of not seeing a deer.

Sounds like you are doing a lot right. Seeing doe is a good start. I would pick an area and get to know it well and try to spend as much time as you can hunting. You can't get them if you aren't out there.

Good luck.

[Hectocotylus]

I have gone years without seeing a legal buck or bull. That is hunting. You get out and enjoy the outdoors with the time allotted and if you get to take one, good on ya!
That is one of the reasons why people celebrate taking a critter. The effort and time spent scouting does not guarantee getting an animal, so it is a special moment when you do.
EVERY time I have gone out I wonder how many animals saw me that I did not see.
I learned to relax, enjoy my time outdoors, and have fun regardless.
Yes, it can be frustrating at times.

Amen


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[GASoline71]

I have gone years without seeing a legal buck or bull. That is hunting. You get out and enjoy the outdoors with the time allotted and if you get to take one, good on ya!
That is one of the reasons why people celebrate taking a critter. The effort and time spent scouting does not guarantee getting an animal, so it is a special moment when you do.
EVERY time I have gone out I wonder how many animals saw me that I did not see.
I learned to relax, enjoy my time outdoors, and have fun regardless.
Yes, it can be frustrating at times.

Amen

Amen x2!

You have to keep going out year after year, regardless of the outcome.  It will eventually happen.  Whether it's skill or luck, it will happen. I also agree with what was said about getting to know the Blacktail woods close to your home, and in the west slope foothills.  There is excellent Blacktail hunting very close to where you're at. already. 

Gary

[FreeSkier85]

It happens to all of us, brother. I agree that it can be extremely frustrating when you are putting in the work and not seeing even a hint of results. Trust the process and consider it to be part of the learning curve on an activity that hopefully will be a part of your life for decades to come. Slowly increase your skills, gear and intuition.

I am getting skunked so far this season too. It was been especially trying since I have been out 8 days in modern (in addition to a 5 day backpacking trip for high buck in September). This is while I have a very understanding wife and a 1 year old son at home. She has been patient but I can tell she is exhausted being a hunting widow. Every time I come home empty handed, I feel guilty for being away from them. But such is life and I try to chalk it up to learning (only been hunting 4 years).

The previous mentions of hunting closer to home are good ones. Get out into the field closer to home to get experience tracking, observing animals and terrain. This experience will provide dividends down the road, even if its frustrating currently.

Keep your head up man, I had some beginners luck early on and now that I am more experienced, I am having a rough season with very few deer in genera and no legal bucks yet. Gonna give it one last go tomorrow evening (been hunting close to home due to family constraints)