What to expect

[fair-chase]

Taking the wife out modern rifle deer hunting this year. I have done all of my scouting and have come up with 5 different stand locations and a few trails to still hunt during the middle of the day. I think that I stand a pretty good chance of getting her on a nice buck with one big variable, People. I have stuck to the muzzy season for a long time so I am concerned about the numbers of modern rifle hunters and how this will effect deer movements, and will I feel crowded out there. I have looked up harvest stats for the area, but is there a way of predicting boots on the ground numbers? Always like to know what I am getting myself into.

I do have backup plan that involves the deepest darkest crap around if the pressure gets really bad. However, I put my wife through that on an elk hunt a couple of years ago. Almost turned her off of hunting all together when it took several weeks for her feet to stop bleeding and the blisters to go away. She's pretty tough, just my fault for getting her into something she wasn't ready for. Going to avoid that at all cost this year.

60 hrs till I leave town 

[tralam]

I would tend to think modern would be a lot busier than muzzle season. Really depends on where you go though. You'll probably have to just play it by ear, and see what the situation looks like when the time comes. Sounds like you've done plenty of scouting though, so you should be ahead of the game as far as most people are concerned. If I want to hunt a spot I make sure I get there with plenty of time before daylight, if you know what I mean.

[bobcat]

Check the harvest reports on the WDFW site and compare number of hunters in the unit/season you'll be hunting to others that you are familiar with. This might help to give you a rough idea what to expect.

[coachcw]

Hi location , escape routes , It will be a sea of pumpkins .

[fair-chase]

Hi location , escape routes , It will be a sea of pumpkins .

Oh crap, I almost forgot about the whole hunter orange thing.    I know I have an orange vest around here somewhere probably smells of moth balls and mouse poop.