GMU 124 Late Buck Season Questions

[wreckerman5357]

A buddy of mine and I are thinking of heading up to 124 for the late MF season next month for the 5th and 6th. We were thinking of paying the fee to hunt Inland Empire Paper's stuff up there. I have never been up there and was wondering if anyone has any experience up there and can tell me what to expect. Not looking for people's hunting spots just an idea of what the hunting is like up there. Thanks in advance.

[CedarPants]

You'll likely get varying answers on this one.

My take - expect company.  Also - expect the chance at a good deer if you're willing to work for it.  Always a lot of hunters, but there are a few noteworthy bucks taken off IEP land every year.  There will be a lot of road traffic, but that land gets really steep, dark, and nasty in places - the kind of places not many are willing to venture.  Pretend you are a mature buck and think about where you'd go to hide from the masses - then go there.

Good luck and shoot straight 

[wreckerman5357]

I was expecting the place to be packed. My opening weekend in Dayton was a bust. The property my family farms that we hunt there is a proven producer but the rain and fog made for terrible hunting and none of us shot a deer. So now I am thinking it would be fun to try the late hunt. Also its one of my buddy's first year hunting deer and I would like to get him one.

I like the any buck part as well. I have only ever hunted 3pt or better and I'm fed up with it. I had to pass up 3 bucks up here on the Palouse this weekend and one in Dayton last weekend that I would have shot in a heartbeat if not for the law. I like the idea of being able to see antlers and shoot.

And I am definately willing to get out and do some work, I'm only 25 so I have another 35 or so years until I become a roadhunter.

[42 Willys]

We had the same issue NW of Dayton.....mostly 2 points.....no meat in the freezer for 4 hunters on private land. Lots of walking.
Game dept. needs a reality check. So does the ranch owner.....too many hunters with permission to hunt his place.

Keep tryin'.......good luck on the NE late hunt. Bring rattlin' antlers and doe scent.....be patient, quiet and focused on the smallest details.

[speakthelanguage]

Depends on which Inland land you are planning on hunting. Mica peak has been closed to vehicles and ATV's which is keeping people out. Mt Spokane will be very busy and it is very dense, but if you hunt hard you will see good deer away from the roads.

[Sneaky]

IEP is really good ground out there, get as far away from people + as high elevation as you can - those deer are going to be rattled by all the trucks and they will head uphill into the steep nasties.

[wreckerman5357]

We had the same issue NW of Dayton.....mostly 2 points.....no meat in the freezer for 4 hunters on private land. Lots of walking.
Game dept. needs a reality check. So does the ranch owner.....too many hunters with permission to hunt his place.

Keep tryin'.......good luck on the NE late hunt. Bring rattlin' antlers and doe scent.....be patient, quiet and focused on the smallest details.

Sorry to hear you had problems down in Dayton. We hunt off Patit where some family farms and last year we cleaned up, the three of us tagged out by Sunday evening. Nothing good this year.