Desert hunting unit does

[DevilDog]

I am new to Hunting Washington.  I was referred by a coworker who loves this site.  My grandson, wife and I have doe tags for the Desert unit.  I have been out scouting it but not finding many does.  Anybody have hot spots for doe in the desert unit?  Thanks, DevilDog

[M_ray]

I drew it for Archery a few years back. The main thing is like anywhere else get off the roads, the does are there and plenty of them and another thing about that desert the animals are not allways hanging close to the cattails and Russian olive tree's as you would think, my best opportunity's came out in the vast sage where it doesn't look like there are any deer! that stuff is over your head when you get out in it and there are plenty of places for them to bed.

[Wea300mag]

DevilDog,

M_ray is correct in that you need to get away from the roads and stay on the upper plateau of sage. If I had those tags I would go in from the north side at A-road (it is between Hiawatha and Dodson and there is a parking area at the end of the road). I would take the trail that goes directly south, the other one dives down to the potholes (that's where all the bird hunters go, don't go there). Walk in about 1/4 mile and from then on you have to approach each rise or dune like there are deer right on the other side of it. Either stay low or approach from behind one of the larger sage. You should be able to fill all of your tags within a mile of your rig. Other than lots of deer, this is the easiest area to extract the animal too. If it was me I would borrow a one wheeled deer cart for the extraction. With the cold weather, the ground is hard and the cart will work well. Let me know if you have any other specific question.

[MuleySniper]

I was fortunate enough to draw a desert doe tag about six years ago! It only took me like seven points! Actually, my dad F'd up on our application and marked desert "b". Basically blew all our points we had built up over seven years. I along with some of our buddies still give him crap about that one every year we apply! Oh yeah, I didnt bother to go shoot a doe either

[Wea300mag]

Ouch!!! Those were points not well spent.

[Cougeyes]

Actually, my dad F'd up on our application and marked desert "b". Basically blew all our points we had built up over seven years. I

My buddy did the same thing, called WDFW and they let him keep his points, they just gave the tag to the next person in line. 

[DevilDog]

Thanks, Wea300mag, I will check out the area you suggested.  I have a 2 wheeled game cart, do you think that would work or should I just get out the wheel borrow?  I find that old wheel borrow is not glamorous but it works better then you would think in a lot of areas . 

MuleySniper too bad about your points but from what Cougeyes says it sounds as thought you f'd up twice by not contacting the WDFW to get your points back.  Make that three times because you missed out on some good muley meat too or don't you eat your game? 

[Bighorse]

Now your threading a very fine line there partner.........

Some gentlemen in the hunting community prefer at all cost to preserve and maintain a given hunting population.

I know what some people are thinking........ Fish and Game says we can and has deemed the population healthy enough to support doe harvest.

In Alaska we were given six deer tags a year.  I  was allowed to take bucks and does.  I always shot bucks.  My rational is that given the volitility of the the environment and game populations I just couldn't humanly predict the future and the forces at play.  So I did my best to ensure that all those does were living and producing spring time fawns  (hopefully more bucks).

Case in point, Last year the snows came down heavy in SE and there was a large die off.  I hope I was able to help maintain a viable population over the years by always pulling the trigger on bucks only.  I don't know I did but its nice to think I tried.

[billythekidrock]

Now your threading a very fine line there partner.........

Some gentlemen in the hunting community prefer at all cost to preserve and maintain a given hunting population.

I know what some people are thinking........ Fish and Game says we can and has deemed the population healthy enough to support doe harvest.

While I agree with that rationale, we need to remember that we are all on the same side as hunters and sportsmen and I am sure that most hunters would take offense at being called gentlemen! If it's legal, go for it.

[MuleySniper]

Actually, my dad F'd up on our application and marked desert "b". Basically blew all our points we had built up over seven years. I

My buddy did the same thing, called WDFW and they let him keep his points, they just gave the tag to the next person in line. 

That thought never even crossed our mind!! Too bad, wish we would of done that one.

[DevilDog]

MuleySniper, that is what is so nice about forums like this.  There is a lot of information out there that we by ourselves would not come up with.  Next time we and a lot of other sportsman will know we can contact the WDFW. 
Both Bighorse and Billythekid raise good points that need to be considered.   What it comes down to is we need to support each other as hunters and sportsman while still doing our own thing.  You have fun hunting your big bucks and I will hunt my meat.  We will both be enjoying our sport just being out there. 
Someday I may go back to hunting the big bucks when I have more time.  Someday you might enjoy a nice young doe in the freezer for the winter.  Wish we could shoot six deer like in Alaska or one deer a day like in Alabama but we just get the one here in Washington so we have to settle for that for now.  Good luck to you next year on your draw.

[Fletch]

"I am sure that most hunters would take offense at being called gentlemen! If it's legal, go for it. "

LMAO!

[Wea300mag]

DevilDog,

I would go with the wheel borrow, the cart will be hard to get through the sage. The trail gets weak as you get away from the parking area.

[MuleySniper]

DevilDog,

I would go with the wheel borrow, the cart will be hard to get through the sage. The trail gets weak as you get away from the parking area.

  You mean get out of the truck??

[DevilDog]

With the price of gas nowadays hell yes I get out of the truck.  Little harder to get the wife out though.  Walking and stalking are the best parts of the hunt.  My grandson pulled his shot a little yesterday so we spent 3 1/2 hours tracking in the dark but we brought home the beef or I should say venison.  It was one beautiful night.  We were pretty turned around in the dark, in the russian olives, scrub brush, cattails and sagebrush but found our way out again. The sky was clear and the stars outstanding.  My grandson started to gripe a little until I turned of the flashlight and had him look at all those stars. It was great bonding too.  He will remember that night forever and hopefully his old Opa.