Whitetails in the 204, reaching out for a little advice....

[lastmk8]

Hey guys, I drew a second tag for Whitetail antlerless for GMU 204.  Also the boy drew antlerless any deer for this area.  We usually hunt a little southwest of 204, but will need to adjust a bit this year because of the tags.  I'm only looking for general information about where we might have the best luck finding some Whitetails in this area.  We like to hunt on the National Forrest lands for the most part and I wonder if most of this would be to high for the Whitetails.  We've been through some of the 204 in the last couple years, but recall seeing Mule Deer for the most part.  Any advice anyone can offer is greatly appreciated, not looking for anyones "hunting area" just type of lands we might cross path's with the Whitetails.  Hoping to get over, into some deer and close the deal and get back as it's goning to be busy huntingn this year.  Need to get back to the wet side as a couple in our hunting party have Wet Side Cow tags to fill this year too.  Thanks again for any advice you all can offer.  Happy hunting and good luck to everyone, I love this time of the year!!!

[piledup]

Any part of 204 holds white tails especially if your in national forest but if you want to see white tails more then stick to lower places.
If you're doing rifle hunts, stay away from roads and just watch clearcuts for when the deer come out.
I usually hunt archery up there and when I'm driving to my place to hunt, I see a bunch of whitetails just off the dirt roads but that's in September and the deer seem to stop being close to roads when rifle season opens.

[Birdguy]

What tag did you and your boy draw as it could really impact the advice you get. If you drew the tag for the general season (Oct. 15-23) you should have absolutely no problem fill the tags in the national forest. With your son having an any antlerless tag, man that makes it easy, if the tag is during regular season he can shoot anything but a spike or two point mule deer (though I believer if you draw the tag you should use it)  . You should find plenty of deer in any of the parcells of national forest off the Chesaw/Oroville rd. (top of Mt. Hull around summit lake) or up to the north east of Oroville. I believe there is also a large (3000 acres) of wdfw land just west of Oroville that is managed for upland (sage or sharptail grouse) that is open for deer but it is walk-in only. There are whitetails all over that unit. It is a great tag for you and your son. My daughter drew that same tag, I am hoping we have to atleast leave the cabin (but not too far ) for her to shoot her first deer. Good luck.

[lastmk8]

Yea, mine is general season, Whitetail Antlerless, the boy is "Youth" Antlerless, general season also.  As I read it he can shoot any whitetail and antlerless mule deer or three point/side or more.  Like the information about the Oroville area, I have an old Navy friend over there with something like 15 acres, but the National Forest is pretty much across the road from him.  Thanks for the information, anything else is good too, if my information doesn't change anything to much.  Good luck to you also.

[Birdguy]

Sounds like you are good to go. It should be a great time for both of you. You got the rules right for the seasons ( the other second deer tag for over there is private land only, so I understand the national forest would be closed for that hunt) any whitetail makes it nice. My hunting partner and I drew that doe tag (when it was a doe tag) a few different years and it sure makes the hunting trip relaxing  . To find a mule deer buck during the hunting season you generally have to head up hill a ways, the does are all over, have the boy pick a big doe (mule or whitetail) and post the pictures here  .

[huntnnw]

we hunt over in 101 at 3,800-4200 ft for whiteys...see alot

[lastmk8]

Thanks again birdguy and you too nnw. We are actually looking at some area in 101 also, but because of tags will start with the 204, and see after that what we might do.  As for my tag, it's not the special area tag, (I did put in for that too but didn't draw it), the hunt choice is 1325, which I'm pretty sure is regular hunting, no "land restrictions" other than not hunting on someone's private land.  Looks like National Forest is good for this tag.  Only been at this for three years out here, but I drew 4 of six tags put in for this year.  Spend a lot of time studying numbers, tags available and harvest reports.  No retiring and thinking the second career choice will have to wait until after hunting season, my calendar looks pretty full.  Thanks again guys, and if we have something down we'll make sure the pic's make it here, especially the boy, he's pretty damn excited about his tag.  Didn't put in for him last year because "hunter safety" wasn't done in time, opening morning a mulie doe almost ran us over at 7 yards, talk about an excited kid.

[mrspclayton]

Hello Everyone,

I was also lucky enough to draw this antlerless tag during the general season. Is there any lodging in this area? I don't have an RV or any camping equipment. I am a Disabled Vet, so getting around can be a challenge sometimes.

Are there any EASY access areas to get a whitetail doe??

Thank you and Happy hunting. 

[CAMPMEAT]

Republic has 3 motels and Bonaparte has a resort with rustic cabins plus a restruant that has good grub.