Entiat late rifle tag

[shanek]

If anyone has any suggestions for my hunt in the Entiat unit I would love to hear it. The season starts on November 1st but have heard that I should wait until the 8th to start my hunt. Any pics from this area would also be nice to see.

[Bigshooter]

Do a search on the Entiat in the deer section and you will find everything you need to know.  By the way, that's my tag you have.

[shedcrazy]

Don't shoot the first buck you see, bring chains

[Huntnphish]

Any pics from this area would also be nice to see.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,77970.msg966685.html#msg966685

[hirshey]

Go on a scouting trip a few times and get a lay of the land and then we'll talk.

[shanek]

Is it all drive in and open all year and when would you suggest to scout the area? I appreciate the advice...

[hirshey]

If you're lucky enough to have a snow year, as soon as the snow flies you should get out and start looking. (sometimes this is early Oct, sometimes not.. if not, I'd say familiarize yourself with roads early in the year and come back and scout through the month of October anyways). Roads are pretty open. Bring binos and a spotting scope. If its a heavy snow year expect to use a snowmobile.

[muleracks2]

I support the idea of getting over there with a map and drive the roads.  The only deer there now are those too lazy to migrate but you can see the country and learn some of the roads.  You will be able to shoot a buck from the road but quality bucks are more likely to be away from the roads.  You can glass a lot but I like to drive to the top and hunt down to a "pickup spot".  Get as far away from roads as you can.  I could name some spots but you will find those on your own.

There have been plenty of pics of that country; mostly big bucks and burned trees from the 94 fire.  You can blame us for all those 10' tall ponderosa pine trees; we packed them in and crew stuck'm in the ground.

[JDHunter]

I drew this tag as well.  Hunted the area many years ago but not lately.  I plan on spending the summer getting to know the area better and the fall scouting.  Looks like it will be you, me and 23 others.  Certainly better odds than the general season. Hope for an early snow.

[Tbar]

Muleracks is right on just hope your vehicle is a snowmobile. Even with no snow big bucks move down that country is nasty and the nastier hole the better. Its usually a packboard show for big bucks. Prepare physically thats still a *censored* tag. Good luck to all.

[Bearmtn]

I have been dreaming of this tag for years now, seeing how I basically live over there in the winter and all I can say is HUNT HARD, and you will probably be happy with the results

[jackelope]

You guys should be prepared if they outlaw snowmobiles in there this year. The writing was on the wall last year. I'm not from the  area and I don't know any specifics other than the chatter on here about it. Just throwing some info out there so you don't end up screwed if they do go through with it.

[JDHunter]

I have a 2 wheel drive Rokon Trailbreaker motorcycle with chains so I know I can get around in the snow on that.  I am wondering if anyone knows of any rules against dirt bikes driving on the dirt roads in the Entiat GMU?  It is not street legal but I have an ORV permit on it.

[Rainier10]

If you are working and have limited vacation, I would scout on the weekends starting at the beggining of the hunt, you can learn the roads and see what is there.  I would then take the last week and a half of the hunt and just pound that area.  By then you will know your way around and have a pretty good idea of what a quality deer for you is.  If the snow starts coming and you have spot that you need to get to get a six pack of Mountain Dew and stay up all night driving the road to keep a path packed down and open.

[bobcat]

The Forest Service in this state, for some reason, require all vehicles on National Forest roads to be street legal. It's dumb that snowmobiles can be used but other non-street legal vehicles cannot.   

[YoterHunter]

i drew the tag in 06 great hunt . do like i did i went over on the general season .to learn the area .like every one says dont shoot the first one .seen 15 to 20 bucks each day great tag .i ended up with a 27 inch 5x5.i will try to get my son to post pic .im not to computer savey.  good luck

[JDHunter]

Thanks Bobcat, I figured that might be the case with motorbikes on the roads.  I will use a snowmobile as long as they don't ban them this year. ...and if  they do then a good pair of snow boots will have to do. 

[eastsidewa]

how many points did it take to draw

[esh]

Drew the tag in '07 passed up allot of bucks with no snow.ended up shooting a decent buck.pic in gallery.Hope for snow good luck

[MuleySniper]

I drew this tag as well.  Hunted the area many years ago but not lately.  I plan on spending the summer getting to know the area better and the fall scouting.  Looks like it will be you, me and 23 others.  Certainly better odds than the general season. Hope for an early snow.

Not trying to disappoint ya but there will be WAY more than just the rifle tag holders up there. I had the tag last year. Don't forget all the camera guys snapping pictures and all the guys who just head up there to look at the deer. That place is just as busy with people as it is with deer that time of the year. Like others said, hope for snow, but don't count on it. I could have hunted in a t shirt, shorts and flip flops if I wanted to last November. I saw lots of bucks and ended up killing this guy. Although not even close to the biggest that unit can hold, I was perfectly happy with him. He was an old deer, all his teeth were worn down pretty bad. Its definitely a fun hunt
MS

[JDHunter]

I definitely had luck on my side this year.  I drew the tag with 7 points which I think is the average but still very lucky.  Thanks for the heads up on the extra traffic Muleysniper.  That's a nice buck in anybodies book.

[bigfish51]

My son, hunting partner and myself drew the late Entiat tag last year.  Great hunt, and we were all successful.  As stated above, bring bino's and a big scope, as you will be able to put both to the test.  We hunted both low and high, and saw a number of good bucks.  Hunted starting the 4th of November all the way through to the 12th.  Pretty much full on rut the whole time.  Not a lot of snow up high, but we kept hoping for it.  When the big snow falls up high, 18", they will really start coming down.  We didn't really run into to many people, other than a few other tag holders, but I'm sure some areas get beat up pretty good on the weekends.  We all three tagged out with decent bucks.  My 11 year old got this one!  25" inside, not the biggest one that we saw, but he was tickled none the less.  It's on the wall in his room now.  Taxidermist thought it might be a 7 - 8 year old deer.  Sure tasted like an old timber buck!!!!

[bigmak154]

I have hunted this area for about 5 years. I have been lucky to have hunted with a couple people that drew this tag. My suggestion is to be picky. There are plenty of big bucks in this area that migrate into the area. Don't shoot the first nice buck that you see because chances are there is one bigger. Also look down into the deep ravines most people drive right passed the deer and don't even know they are there so spot and stock is key. Lastly, be prepared to hike! Good luck!

[hunterofelk]

Great buck bigfish!  What a great deer for a young hunter!