Lucky Wife - Slide Ridge

[Wanttohuntmore]

Wasn't her first, 2nd, or 3rd choice, but she did get drawn for a modern quality deer hunt.  Now I'm worried, I know the unit well in Sept, October, but have never been in it in November.  I am worried the snow might make it too difficult!  We will see!  This will be her second big game animal, after the cow moose last year.  Talk about luck!!!

[hirshey]

Good for her! I'll probably be back in the Chelan area by that time.. if you need help finding some animals feel free to email! I'm unemployed Nov-May so I know the area pretty well.

[fishnate]

Most likely there will not be to much snow to access the area.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Thx Hirshey, might have to take you up on that!  I just showed the wife and she grinned!  I know in October I've been stranded in there with quick snows up on top.  Course Nov. I'm thinking they will be funneling down the draws either to the lake or river.  I'm stoked!

[bobcat]

I've applied for that permit and always worried about too much snow, if I had drawn it. Most years I don't think it would be a problem. But that entire unit is high elevation and one big snowstorm overnight could really limit access into it. Not to mention all the deer might suddenly head for lower country (the Entiat.)  I drew the Entiat in 2004 and there was very little snow when we hunted. There had actually been quite a bit during the general season in October but by the time we got there around November 5th, most of the snow had melted off. I ended up killing my buck way up high on the boundary of Slide Ridge and Entiat. The road we were on was the boundary, and luckily the deer were on the correct side for my permit. From the tracks we found crossing the road, my buck had just recently crossed into the Entiat. With that Slide Ridge permit, you'll definitely want to have good tires and chains for all four.

[MtnMuley]

Congrats!  What choice did she draw draw it with then, as you only have 2 choices for quality?  Slide Ridge is a great unit to see bucks that aren't seen as often as deer in other units.  Country is very rugged and steep.  My best advice, have a very dependable 4 wheel drive with good tires.  Chains in the back are a must.  Good luck, and am looking forward to the story to follow.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Mtn Muley, I think you're right, right before I entered her choices, I was assuming the 4 choices like last year,  but ended up discovering that when I was entering them in.  It should have been the 4th choice on my "chart", I must have transposed the number...  Now I'm wondering what I did with my own application

I know all of that watersheds units fairly well, to the headwaters, but not during the migration.  That is what's getting me nervous, especially with my wife who doesn't like "cold".  I took her for whitetails 2 yrs ago and she was fine though, amazing how layered clothing keeps her warm!  Now I need to prep her for some longer shots with the 2506!  Can't wait!

[hirshey]

If its anything like the last few years, she'll be fine. I was hunting coyotes in only a dusting in that area this fall almost into December: they didn't even have enough snow to open the Echo Ridge Ski  on the north shore hill until the first week in January.

The animals will still be in there even with SOME snow; too much will push them down into private property, but here's hoping.

[actionshooter]

There have been years that you can't even get into the unit b/c of snow. (atleast that I know of.)
It would be a awesome tag though, congrats!!