Lake Chelan Deer Hunt

[sirmissalot]

Hey guys, just looking for a little information, I tried to search this but couldn't find a whole lot. I have a boat capable of making it to anywhere on Lake Chelan, several of my hunting buddies have talked about wanting to take it hunting up there. Are there a lot of people who do this? I don't plan on hunting from the water, thats just how I would get to a remote area of the lake, and hunt from there. My plan would be to go there opening weekend of modern, since the blacktails I normally chase aren't usually dumb enough to let me kill them that early. I've never been up there, but looking at google earth it looks like some awesome country.

[Biggerhammer]

A pack, rifle, good boots and a boat ride to Stehiken will give you a good start.

[Colville]

If you are going to do Chelan on a flier from a boat, you need to consider it boating with guns.  Unless it's an odd early winter, you aren't going to spot and hunt mature bucks from the boat. The real hunting areas are going to be many miles and thousands of feet up. In most cases, farther in than day tripping. Considering first light glassing etc, you are really in for a backpack camp if you are going to do it justice. There are a number of ports of call so to speak. I'm not sure I'd want to leave my boat at one unattended while I went on for several days into the hills.   I'm not saying a guy can't find a leagal deer within a mornings hike from a boat landing, it can be done.

Regardless, the country is huge and you will have to get UP. Way up, if you plan on really hunting it.  I can think of any number of places that make more sense from a drive/hike standpoint than Chelan by boat with no prior field time.  Put a July/August scout/boat trip on the calendar next year and then you can get your hands around it.  Or, if this is really just an excuse to be out there with the guys, have at it but set your expectations accordingly.

Oh, lastly...  Chelan isn't a tranquil lake. With the wrong weather you can have very serious conditions and difficult docking or anchoring. Be prepared for very difficult water.

[sirmissalot]

Awesome thank you Colville thats exactly the information I was looking for. I didn't think it would be as easy as running way up the lake and finding deer heaven, but thats pretty much what some of the guys were trying to say it would be. There does appear to be some great country way up above the lake, and probably less pressure than stuff that is mroe accessable from roads but as you said it would be tough to do it on day hunts. We are all fully capable and prepared to do a backpack hunt but if thats the case I'd rather skip hauling the boat way over there and having to deal with all the extra work of bringing a big fishing boat along.

[Colville]

Just look at it the same way as the Sept 15-25 high hunt and you have your mind right.  It's awesome, steep country.  Pick a basin, use lady of the lake and get back in there!  It's still a ton of work and a low % play, but you'll love it.  On the other hand you can access a lot of country from manson or from the Carlton/Twisp side of this country too without the boat or from the south side up slide ridge.  Both will put you in popular country though compared to coming from the lake side.  I hope my prior post didn't read to disauade you or suggest you aren't prepared for it. Just trying to be realistic about what you are looking at.

[actionshooter]

I tried it once years ago, its a tough way to go, even finding someplace to accessis difficult.

[Co]

 

[the509hunter]

i am from chelan and hunted up lake once if u go to holden village and hike up to domke lake there are alot of mature bucks up there but u just gotta work them right. u will see right when u get into holden there are deer right in the center of the village cause they are use to ppl.

[bonehead addict]

Your old boat would of been better suited for the lake hunt than your new ride..... .....I guess at least if you dont find deer you can try and catch fesh water hali's.. I heard that lake is ocean fed.

[Wahunter555]

Yea , its Great place to hunt but i would leave the boat at home.  the terrain is verry steep  and you dont want to leave your boat unattended. there have been a few that have lost there boats that way. the weather does get very windy and the lake turns into more like the ocean than a lake. The country is very beatiful and is very productive hunting grounds. just be prepared to work hard on getting the animal out. I think its well worth the hike and the time up in the mountians in that area. Just would not do it from a boat.