Skagit County Blacktails

[kbrowne14]

Hey I am looking for a local hunt for blacktails.  I really want to hunt up in the Lake Cavanaugh Area of Skagit County.  This is my first season hunting....ever, never hunted before.  I checked out some clear cuts up there and saw a bunch of tracks, some rubs on some sapplings, and found a good place up high to see over brush.  Now my question is, is that area up there any good for hunting deer?

If not, I am probably going to go to Manashtash and hunt for deer, and scout for elk.

I am located in Bothell, and I don't want to go too far away, anything in snohomish county or skagit county would be good.

[NWBREW]

2 pt. or better in that area. there's a few deer.  Good luck

[head hunter]

it better latter in the season

[focht22]

I wouldn't head to the manashtash, unless you have had a chance to scout the area. There are tons of people in that area and the deer numbers have declined over the years. It will be a pumpkin patch on opener.

[D-Rock425]

There is a lot of black tails in that area I don't know how the hunting pressure is during modern firearm season.  Good luck

[Special T]

My folks live up there.... I used to modern firearm hunt it....Unless your gona go way back behind a locked gate there are going to be several other people looking over your clear-cut come dawn. Happened to me several times my last rifle season up there. 

[kbrowne14]

I will be going about a half mile past a locked gate.  How early do you think I need to be up there?  I was thinking I get up to the gate at 0530.  It is private property up there owned by a timber company, I called them and they said it was ok to hunt.  Will that have any effect on the number of hunters?

Any tips people have for hunting up in that area?  Is it good to look over a clear cut? or should I go into the woods and look in there? 

[NWBREW]

1/2 mile past a looked gate.....5:30....you will see a lot of other hunters.  Do your self a favor. If you really want to hunt that unit, ride a mountain bike back in 4-5 miles.

1/2 mile isn't squat. You have to get back in there to see less hunters and a few more deer.  Yes clearcuts are good.

If you are hunting with a rifle then there is no late season....permit only.   Like I said before...it's 2 point or better. Good luck

[Special T]

 

[kbrowne14]

What about hunting during the mid week vs. the weekend?  Will there be less hunters?  If I were to ride a bike in a few miles, how difficult is it to pack out an animal if I get one? 

[7mag.]

What about hunting during the mid week vs. the weekend?  Will there be less hunters?  If I were to ride a bike in a few miles, how difficult is it to pack out an animal if I get one? 

Midweek is always better, less people. If you get one down, call some buddies to help pack it out, or do it your self. Blacktails aren't too difficult to pack out. If you cut it in half(between the third and fourth rib), even a large blacktail buck will only be about 200lbs. field dressed, so that's 100lbs. per trip. I've done it, it's not fun, but you get the deer out. If 100lbs is too much, quarter it.

[pods8]

If I were to ride a bike in a few miles, how difficult is it to pack out an animal if I get one? 

If you've got a bike there it seems like you could just put a plastic bag over the seat and put the gutted carcass over the seat/main frame and lash it in place and walk the bike out.

[Skyvalhunter]

If you find a good place let me know I would like to locate one.