Ritzville Unit?

[huntndad]

I drew a late archery (Dec 1-8) "Buck" hunt for the Ritzville unit.  I applied for it because it was one of only 2 choices that were offered for the late season, and I elk hunt in the early season.  As a west side hunter, I know very little about the unit and have had no opportunity to travel over there.  I've done some research on line and contacted WDFW and the local game biology office in that area.  They gave me some general info.  Many of the private farms offer "hunt with written permission", but there is no way to acquire the addresses of any of these farms without actually going there.  I have maps of the area that show public land scattered throughout the unit, but it's not easy to tell if there is actually access.  There is a large piece of public land called the Escure Ranch, and I was wondering if anyone had information on hunting this particular part of the unit.  I'm trying to decide if it is even a trip worth taking, as I'd only be able to run over for a long weekend.  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks

[Mandownitis]

I can give you a bit of information on this unit.  I have hunted the Escure area in the past.  It is Federal land and open for hunting.  I have hunted the land in the early season as well as the late season.  I talked to some biologist on the property some years ago and they told me that the deer will travel South as the weather changes.  He said that they put radio collars on some deer and found they traveled many miles for winter ground.  And when I hunted there in the late season I have seen very few deer on the property.  So I tend to believe what I was told.

As far as the rest of the unit goes.  I don't know a lot about it.  I do know that it seems to be a lot of grass range area.  Seems to be mostly private land so I think you will need to knock on doors.  I have seen lots of coyotes running around.

Hope that gives you some idea of what is there. 

[kenzmad]

I don't know of the particular area you are talking about but did hunt ritzville for many years. all we ever found was private land. go up and knock on some doors, we found most landowners were very friendly. I hunt muzzy and that helped as the range with a muzzy helped prevent the errant bullet from hitting a house or their cattle. thats what they told us anyways. you should have no problem getting access since you are slingin a stick at them

lots of deer over there, use your optics and try to stay out of sight.( hard to do when the tallest thing out there is a 3' sagebrush)

also, we found that the landowners were waaaay more willing to allow us onto their land if we were only shooting does as they like to keep their bucks for themselves. what is your tag for? bucks or does?

kenzmad

[kenzmad]

sorry, just saw it was a buck hunt

kenzmad

[bigtex]

The "Hunting With Permission" is a great program but you need to do some work and actually go over and talk to the landowners. Don't expect WDFW to give you the contact info.

[MuleySniper]

Ask Wastickslinger about that tag! He had it a couple years ago and killed a hog, but not until the last day.
MS

[dscubame]

In an attempt to provide some confidence...  You will find talking to the landowners very easy and maybe even entertaining.  Ritzville is far enough from Spokane that the landowners are not getting consistently bothered (relative of course).  Do not be hesitant to talk to the locals and knock on doors as I am confident you will find the experience positive.  It is also definitely worth mentioning you have a special tag as the landowners for the most part will appreciate that opportunity and it will help the cause.  Good to you.

[huntndad]

Thanks for the help.  I'm just trying to determine whether or not I should plan for that hunt or take time off around Thanksgiving and hunt around here for blacktail.  I can't do both and there is no way I can get over there beforehand and actually attain permission to hunt, unless I can squeeze it into my 3 day hunt.  I appreciate all the information, although I was hoping to hear that the Escure Recreation area has mule deer running all over it that time of year .  I've never killed a mule deer, so it might be worth the trip. 

[BENCHLEG]

if you live in blacktail country? take salmon or stealhead , it always helps  you get info.

[HUNT]

PM Sent

[huntndad]

Wow, this site can be awesome.  I spend a lot of time reading on here(I can't log on at work) and it seems like every post turns negative quickly.  I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the help.  The salmon idea is great, although I don't have any fresh at the moment.  As for returning the help, anything I can do I will.  Our deer numbers are way down over here (at least where I hunt) but Elk hunting has been great the last few years.

[BENCHLEG]

sorry for this. you live in woodland and you can't find salmon? get it done and kill a big one . good luck.

[HUNT]

Im sure he will come up with some before he heads over...   

[huntndad]

I didn't say I can't find any, I just said that I don't have any fresh.  Once fall roles around, fishing takes a back seat (way back) to hunting.  Ya, I usually miss out on the fall Chinook run
I have plenty of smoked salmon if you think that will work.

[wastickslinger]

I sent you a PM with some information. Hopefully it helps you out.

Here is the little 4 point I settled for near the end of my hunt. Too bad his right side was a little messed up.

Good luck!!!

[rotty33]

Lots of private land. I hunted that unit for doe s a couple years ago. They were super skiddish after rifle season and i had no chance at getting close. Usually I am able to put a good stalk on them, but it was tough as they were on high alert.

[HUNT]

Does would be cake.  They are everywhere.  Just need to hunt the right spots...