Hunting the 454 -- where to go?

[RLTW]

I didn't get a chance to get out this year for the early archery hunt.  There is one weekend left in the late season and I'm going to focus on something close due to my limited time.  Would someone please share info on hunting the 454 (around I-90 or Hwy 18), such as good access, etc?  I have no problem walking long distances and my treestand (Lone Wolf Alpha) is light and packable.  Any info will be greatly appreciated!

[Crunchy]

The only place I would recommend is the Denny/Hanson Creek area.  Take exit 47 from E/B I-90.  Make a right at the end of the exit and then another right at the T.  Follow that road til the first left and drive up as far as you can get.  i think the road is the 5510.  I dont know how far up you can get, but I hunt all the way to the top.  If not you might find some decent areas down lower.  Good luck. 

[bearhunter59]

RLTW - Don't bother with what Crunchy just told you.  He apparently doesn't know where the boundary for 454 and 460 are, or just didn't think about what he was telling you.  That area he just described is in the 460 unit, which of course is not open for late archery buck.

As your heading east (or North, whatever it is) on Hywy 18, say from Maple Valley towards I-90, just after you top out on Tiger Mtn. summit, and just start back down the other side, (and I mean just start), there is a yellow gate on the right.  There are a couple of roads to head back in there.  I've seen a nice buck back there before, and a couple of does about everytime I go back that way.  Also, if you keep heading towards I-90, there are a couple more gates on both sides of 18.  I don't know whats on the west side of 18, cuz that's firearms restricted, and I'm a rifle-hunter.

PM me and I can tell you a little more about the area across from Tiger Mtn.  I have some of the roads marked on my GPS and maps.

[lemondog]

I agree, I like that spot. I killed a nice 3 point behind that yellow gate 2.5 miles in up top 3 years ago during late buck (Modern). He was fighting with a small 4 point. It was the coolest thing I have seen. Watched them fight for 12 min. They kicked the crap out of each other on a steep clear cut I could hardly walk in......I wish I had taken my bow, I could have shot either one with it! There are some cats up there so I dont know how much trouble they have given the deer but if you glass the hillside from I 90 you can see how good the habitat is. Good luck!

[edmondshunter]

you can hunt Taylor mountain on hi 18.  Take 18 west from 90, once you cross ragging river go to the 2nd gate on the left.  You can hunt that area to the summit, do not cross over the peak, it is well checked by wdfw .  Check regs though it is a firearms restricted area

[Palmer]

Taylor Mt is east of 18 and therefore not restricted.  I saw some rifle hunters a couple weeks ago.  I thought m firearm was closed so I figure they were hunting something besides elk or deer.  However, the caucasian guy went back to put his rifle away and the Indian/Hispanic? guy encouraged him to get it back out of the car.  Is Taylor Mt part of Muckleshoot hunting area?  I was with my 5 year old son and didn't want any confrontation.  Earlier that morning a man drove up on his ATV and told me three archery hunters drew back on his two kids because they were on ATV in a restricted area for motorized vehicles.  All in all I probably will stay away from the yellow gate at the summit of Tiger/Taylor mts. along 18.  Too much pressure. 

I have seen several carcasses at several of the gates along 18.

[Palmer]

The best thing to do is check your community for anyone who owns land in 454 and has deer on their property everyday.  Ask them if you can archery hunt on their property.  Check your church, gym, school, or anywhere where people know and trust you.

[edmondshunter]

I think your right Palmer, about the restriction, my bad.  I dont think that its a muckleshoot area though.  I just think that it was someones honey hole till it started getting over run.  It shouldn't be so bad this time of year.

[RLTW]

Thanks for all the feedback.  I hunted the 35920 and 35900 roads today.  The '920 has too much snow and there was no sign of deer to be seen.  Don't blame 'em, I walked 25 yards off road and didn't see the point in going any further. 

There're deer in the area -- saw plenty of sign and jumped, uh, I mean, spooked, two does.  Best bet is lower elevation this late in the year.