Swakane?

[muleyslayer#1]

Headed over there for late season archery. wondering how many people and how many deer are in that area between the 23rd-30th any help would be nice. Thanks!

[halflife65]

No one ever goes to the Swakane; should have it all to yourself...

Alright, LOTS of people in the Swakane - bring chains for all 4 and a change of underwear for driving around after it snows. 

There are some deer there but the last few years have been a mad house with the number of people hunting. 

[jstone]

Some friendly advice. Be careful. i have been hunting up there for over 30 years. 15 years bow hunting. Can be nasty, chains, shovel. tow rope. Equipment to make a fire and stay the night. And if you see someone on deer, dont screw up there stalk. Be a good hunter, gets bad up there sometimes. Rude people. Good Luck

[Lowedog]

Headed over there for late season archery. wondering how many people and how many deer are in that area between the 23rd-30th any help would be nice. Thanks!

Approximately 600 + other people will be hunting there at that time with you. 

[muleyslayer#1]

Thanks for the good info I was wondering also since it's during the migratory. Should there be legal bucks roaming around?

[Armadillo]

Thanks for the good info I was wondering also since it's during the migratory. Should there be legal bucks roaming around?

statistically speaking....yes

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Lots of us coasties will be over there. It should be a great hunt with all our neighbors to talk to. Every body will know each other like a family reunion.   

[Lowedog]

Lots of us coasties will be over there. It should be a great hunt with all our neighbors to talk to. Every body will know each other like a family reunion.   

True dat!

Enjoy it as this will more than likely be the last year for that hunt to be general season from what I keep hearing. 

[wrongway]

i stoped hunting it after I had a nice four point taken from me, good luck

[DWP]

Everything already has been said, but having 4 sets of real chains bears repeating. Not cables, chains. I have been Very scared on those roads without encountering other vehicles-the pucker factor can be crazy!

[GoPlayOutside]

Last year I saw 3 guys holding onto the back bumper of a truck, trying to keep it in the ruts...and not over the cliffs.  It was so frickin hilarious! 
The driver was white as a ghost.

[eastside boy]

There used to be a time when I enjoyed that hunt...wether I got a deer or not....enough people and enough said!!!

[HardCorpsHuntr]

There used to be a time when I enjoyed that hunt...wether I got a deer or not....enough people and enough said!!!

 

[jrebel]

If you have never been there before, you have no business there late season for the first time.  I don't say this to be mean or nasty.  the road system is scary...very steep in some places.  Sometimes people who have never been to this unit will comit to a road they cannot turn around on.  They find themselves in lots of trouble fast.  If it does not snow the hunting is hard...deer will be scattered around an extremely large gmu.  If it does snow (enough) then the hunting is great if your willing to hike. 

Good Luck and be safe.

OH YEAH, if it hasn't been said before LOL....bring chains for all four and lots of underwear and butt wipe.

John

[CountryslickR]

If you have never been there before, you have no business there late season for the first time.  I don't say this to be mean or nasty.  the road system is scary...very steep in some places.  Sometimes people who have never been to this unit will comit to a road they cannot turn around on.  They find themselves in lots of trouble fast.  If it does not snow the hunting is hard...deer will be scattered around an extremely large gmu. 



 

[jstone]

  Especially if your a coasty

[muleracks2]

You will see deer and hunters but if you are planning to pull back your bow string you should consider finding pockets away from the hunters.  In those pockets the deer will more settled and relaxed; more huntable for an archery stalk.  Using a partner as a "bird dog" to move a buck past your ground stand is also helpful.

Road :yike:Are a lot more scary but no more dangerous than they were before the fires of 88 and 94 but now you can see all the way to the bottom.  Trees use to give you a false sense of security.  Four wheels with chains plus good sense of what you can and can't do will make for a good experience.  Park and hunt where no on in their right mind would go.

[muzzlebuck]

...

[GoPlayOutside]

Hunt birch mountain, that's where all the deer are in that unit. Good luck/quote]

Well, we know where you will be

[jackelope]

If you have never been there before, you have no business there late season for the first time.  I don't say this to be mean or nasty.  the road system is scary...very steep in some places.  Sometimes people who have never been to this unit will comit to a road they cannot turn around on.  They find themselves in lots of trouble fast.  If it does not snow the hunting is hard...deer will be scattered around an extremely large gmu.  If it does snow (enough) then the hunting is great if your willing to hike. 

Good Luck and be safe.

OH YEAH, if it hasn't been said before LOL....bring chains for all four and lots of underwear and butt wipe.

John

I have been in there a few times so maybe the 1st sentence doesn't really apply to me but it does make me laugh.  You said if you've never been there, you've got no business being there....so what business did you have being there the 1st time you went?  I don't get it.
I don't see why everyone makes such a big stink about the roads. I don't think I''ve ever driven in more than a couple miles at the very most and there's plenty of deer to be hunted. I've never put chains on in there and have been in there in the snow 3-5 different hunting seasons. I do carry 4 chains. I often wonder how much better it is way in there where you need the chains. 

[jrebel]

If you have never been there before, you have no business there late season for the first time.  I don't say this to be mean or nasty.  the road system is scary...very steep in some places.  Sometimes people who have never been to this unit will comit to a road they cannot turn around on.  They find themselves in lots of trouble fast.  If it does not snow the hunting is hard...deer will be scattered around an extremely large gmu.  If it does snow (enough) then the hunting is great if your willing to hike. 

Good Luck and be safe.

OH YEAH, if it hasn't been said before LOL....bring chains for all four and lots of underwear and butt wipe.

John

I have been in there a few times so maybe the 1st sentence doesn't really apply to me but it does make me laugh.  You said if you've never been there, you've got no business being there....so what business did you have being there the 1st time you went?  I don't get it.
I don't see why everyone makes such a big stink about the roads. I don't think I''ve ever driven in more than a couple miles at the very most and there's plenty of deer to be hunted. I've never put chains on in there and have been in there in the snow 3-5 different hunting seasons. I do carry 4 chains. I often wonder how much better it is way in there where you need the chains. 

Jackelope

Please read it again.....and make sure when you quote someone, you use the entire quote.  I said, "If you have never been there before, you have no business there late season for the first time." 

Someone that has never been in that GMU has no business driving those roads for the first time in the winter.  The roads system is very extensive.  The roads also get very dangerous.  If you get lost, stuck, or roll over a hill you are likely not going to get found until next spring.....if even then.  You apparently have more common sense than 90% of the other hunters that frequent that GMU.  Most people will not stop, until they get in over their head.  I was just sending out a friendly warning.....I also stated that my comment was not meant to be, "mean or nasty."  This is my two cents and if you someone gets offended by it then they shouldn't post where others can comment. 

Thanks

Johnny