What size to hold out for in the Swakane?

[gutsnthegrass]

For the late rifle hunt, Nov 1-20.  I was hoping to hold out for something 160" or bigger, is this a reasonable size or to far fetched.  I have shot a 145" mulie out of the Entiat a few years back during a late archery hunt, so I want to up the anti a bit.  I'm a bit worried about all the fires over there and where the deer will hold up now, but I have read that some of the burned areas are already starting to green up a bit.  I am not a road hunter and am not afraid to get out and bust ass to make this hunt worth while.  What do you guys think should be a reasonable goal for this unit.

[jstone]

Sure 160" is very possible. Weather you get trigger happy or not?

[ellensburgpo]

From what I've heard and the pictures I've seen there are a bunch of big bucks up there. I've seen two buck taken by buddies that are both over 160. Good luck.

[uplandhunter870]

i think its doable but that area is far from "greening up", i would also be concerned with access right now, last i heard is that USFS still has the road closed and are not let anyone in, including the lucky sheep hunt tag holder here in town.

160" is doable for that area but be prepared to hunt long and hard

[Ridgerunner]

pray for lots and lots of snow, then it should be pretty doable.

[jackelope]

What Ridge said.
If there's not a lot of high country snow you're gonna have a hard time, green up or no green up. If I  remember correctly the guys hunting those tags last year had a hard time finding deer. I spent 4 days in there last year for the late archery and saw 2 shooter bucks. 1 might have been 160...the other was 140's maybe...kind of a neat non-typical.

[coachcw]

I'd plan on spending a lot of time behind a good spotting scope , there in there just be patiant and glass every inch of those thick canyons . that stuffs to steep and crappy to hunt inless you find your buck first and go after him . good luck i have tag envey.

[gutsnthegrass]

Thanks guys,
  I heard this morning that this year is supposed to be a la nina' year, wich means colder and more precipitation.  Hopefully it hits early and the weather cooperates.  By the way, if any of the other tag holders are reading this, contact David Volsen with the Wenatchee district office.  He had some pretty good info and was helpful.   

[banannaclip]

i would hold out for a 30 pt ,40'' spread with dual drop tines  and crab claws

[400out]

i would hold out for a 30 pt ,40'' spread with dual drop tines  and crab claws

Let me know how that goes    

[shedcrazy]

160 is a realistic goal, You are going to want some early snow to get them moving down. And yes all roads leading anywhere near the main canyon are still closed. Go over your maps, the unit is alot bigger than just the main Swakane canyon. I've found plenty of sheds from bucks that will break the 160 goal. Good luck, I wish I had the tag...

[bear]

Pray for snow.  It's not that good of a tag without snow.  Lots and lots of snow!  Still a fun hunt even without the snow because there's just nobody around.  Last year I had the tag and we didn't get any snow to speak of.  Good luck!

[400out]

Pray for snow.  It's not that good of a tag without snow.  Lots and lots of snow!  Still a fun hunt even without the snow because there's just nobody around.  Last year I had the tag and we didn't get any snow to speak of.  Good luck!

DId you fill your tag anyays?

[bear]

I took this deer on the last hour of my hunt.  I spent about 10 days hunting.  That is about 2 inches of snow at the top of the unit.

[400out]

Nice buck but your right you need weather!