Mule deer

[Jburke]

So my plans have probably changed somewhat.  Was planning on hunting mulies, muzzle loader, over in central wa but drew a second deer tag, also muzzle loader, that is during the time I planned on hunting for mulies.  So now I'm stuck with a dilema.  Either Hunt mulie for the first half of the season and then head back to shoot a doe for the second half.  Or, hunt mulie in the NE corner and be closer to home for everything.  I can still hunt mulie during the modern season it just means more people(mutli seaon tag).  I know there are not the numbers up north like there are in central wa but I have seen some bucks that other peoplee have shot and think that the quality is definately there.  What are your guys thoughts on this predicament?  If I hunt NE I have not seen many mulies but know that they are around.  Should I find the highest remote areas and start from there with scouting or is there something else I should be aware of?  Anyone hunt the Kettle crest trail area?

[shedcrazy]

Try up smackout pass, stay close to home and scout and hunt hard, good luck!

[Jburke]

I'll have to take a look up there.  Got a couple places that have crossed my mind but nothing real solid. Still looking at all of my options.  Want a good buck and it will be my first mulie so I'm trying to start out with a bang.  Trying for my biggest buck which shouldn't be that difficult.  So far my biggest is a smallish 4x4 whitetail.  Not a bad deer but I want better this year.  And since I have the multi seaon tag I'll be damned if I let that go to waste!

[bobcat]

I would just wait on buying the 2nd deer tag. Hunt for a buck in your area of choice and if you get one, and still have time, buy your 2nd deer tag and go hunt for your 2nd deer. Since you spent $180 on that multi-season tag, I'd be taking full advantage of that.

[Jburke]

I would just wait on buying the 2nd deer tag. Hunt for a buck in your area of choice and if you get one, and still have time, buy your 2nd deer tag and go hunt for your 2nd deer. Since you spent $180 on that multi-season tag, I'd be taking full advantage of that.

Point well taken.  May not be a bad idea either.  Like you said, I spent $180 on the multi seaon tag and I'd rather miss out on the 2nd tag than a good buck.  If all goes well I should not have a shortage of meat in the freezer this year with or without an extra doe.

[Bigshooter]

I don't know what's come over me lately, but I again agree with bobcat.

[Jburke]

I'm leaning towards holding off on the second deer tag right now, but a lot can change before Oct.  I will have to do some scouting and talk with a couple of friends that hunt where I originally wanted to go and see what kind of information I can find.

[teanawayslayer]

wouldn't waste your time hunting mulies in Central washington.  There aren't anything but dinks over here.  I would definitely make sure you get that meat tag filled. 

[piledup]

Mule deer up in the NE aren't so bad. Last year during archery elk, a big 5x5 came within 10 yards of me but I didn't buy a deer tag for archery  . Oh yea that was up in the 49 area.

[Jburke]

Well all of my options are still open, but I do like the fact that there are more deer farther west.  It can be a zoo, I know that much at least.  I guess it will all come down to scouting.  The nice thing about hunting the NE is that it's not such a pain to scout it.  It's not quite so far away for scouting.

[Jburke]

Speaking of the NE, does anyone know if the higher elevations still have any snow left?  I don't want to make a scouting trip if there is still snow on the ground.

[whacker1]

Speaking of the NE, does anyone know if the higher elevations still have any snow left?  I don't want to make a scouting trip if there is still snow on the ground.

Yes, Mt Spokane got more snow last week.  It will be several weeks for the North facing slopes

[Jburke]

Damn.  Winter just wont let go.  Well I don't have time this weekend anyways but soon enough I will be to the point where I will be out there scouting anyways.