GMU 204-Okanogan East-- Updated

[jeepasaurusrex]

Dad and I are headed over to that area on Labor Day weekend to do some scouting. Just by using some mapping software and satellite photos, The area to the NW of Bonaparte lake, up towards Lost lake looks like a good area. Some dead end roads that offer a nice hike into some good looking country.

Anyone hunt this area?  Any advice?


Thanks.  

[Buckblaster]

Look in the more remote areas that still have water. Things are getting pretty dry there now. I have been working not far from there and have watched the small streams and springs dry up over the past month or so. Even muleys need water.

[clindsayrun]

There aren't any deer over there.

[DeerHarvester]

NO DEER IN OKANOGAN.... NONE! 

[Buckmark]

Like everyone else has said, no deer here, lots of hunters though for the rifle season, looks like a pumpkin patch, i swear i think this unit is like third behind vail and methow for people during that hunt, the area you said is reallly not that good and has easy access which = lots of people. You should just stay home and chase those blacktails around your area..

[addicted]

our party that went in there last year only saw a bunch of coyotes and a fork and horn muley to go along with all the other orange.

[jeepasaurusrex]

Thanks for all the input guys. Gonna give it a look, but may look around for less orange. 

[KimberRich]

Buddy did a scouting/fishing trip over there last weekend and said it's pretty dry..

[DeerHarvester]

It's always dry this time of the year

[Buckmark]

It's pretty dry all the time overhere, some rain and greenup in the early summer, but in the trees remains dry, heck it is just as dry after ice out as it was in november when the snow started flying.

[KimberRich]

Obviously it's pretty dry over there..  I meant it's drier than normal.  The vegitation in the spots we hunt was only half as tall as it has been in the past, at this time of year. 

[SHANE(WA)]

People talk of all the orange, yeah on the roads  I have been in the sherman unit several times hiking during the rifle deer season, never even saw a hunter the whole weekend, one weekend we only saw 1 rig. Same with the grande ronde area, Tons of hunters, yeah road hunters, get off the roads and climb some peaks, never saw a hunter, sure watched a boat load on the road below driving around. Same goes with the high country of the methow, u get the point hike in 

[KimberRich]

The orange I generally see in 204 is usually sneeking around on private property trespassing.  Don't think a year goes by when we don't have to run people off. 

[Buckmark]

People talk of all the orange, yeah on the roads  I have been in the sherman unit several times hiking during the rifle deer season, never even saw a hunter the whole weekend, one weekend we only saw 1 rig. Same with the grande ronde area, Tons of hunters, yeah road hunters, get off the roads and climb some peaks, never saw a hunter, sure watched a boat load on the road below driving around. Same goes with the high country of the methow, u get the point hike in 

I agree with SHANE(WA), lots of road hunters, like every unit the farther from the road the better, I used to hunt opening day because there is only one opening day, then would not hunt hard untill the second week when the rats abandonded ship, then they took away the mule deer for week two  , Like SHANE(WA) said, sherman unit 101 sounds good, yeah or grande ronde 

[jeepasaurusrex]

Well, just got home from our scouting trip. We arrived around mid-day on Saturday and met up with Frank (Buckmark). He gave us some ideas on the areas to take a look at. We looked the area over pretty good. Seen a nice Muley doe, a Whitetail 3x3 and doe together. We camped up on the 100 road that night. Had the tent set up in record time. It rained for part of that night, then the moon came out and it cooled off. Dad actually got cold (blamed it on his POS sleeping bag) and hopped into the truck and fired up the heater. I just got cozy in my mummy bag. 


The next morning I fixed a breakfast of ham and eggs. We packed up camp and headed down the road to see what else we could find. We came across 6 blue grouse hanging out in the road. Took a shot at one but missed. 

Went on down the road a bit and I caught some movement out of the corner of my eye. I grab the camera and started my "stalk." I got within about 35yds and finally got this pic of a nice 3x4 playing peek-a-boo with me between two trees. I couldnt get a shot of his horns, but he had some nice long tines. 




We stopped by Frank's place after that to see if he was home. Left him a note. Thanks again Frank for all your help.

We then headed over to Fir mountain to have a look around. Seen some more grouse and a couple of Muley does. Also came across some mexicans smoking something out of a weird pipe.

Took a detour down to Mount Annie and had a look around before heading home. Ran into a big thunder storm on Loup Loup pass. The fire up there covered a big area. Should be good in a couple of years.

Made it home with out any problems (other than a tail-gating stater just outside Omak )

Now its time to take a shower and relax tomorrow.