Swakane Quality Deer

[mbutler]

I drew a swakane quality deer tag. I know that is steep rough country.  I plan on a few scouting trips this summer to get a feel for the area.  Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated.  I have never been in this unit, always hunted Entiat in the past.  Thanks.

[Rainier10]

If you have always hunted Entiat you will be fine, Swakane is steeper, deeper, more trees and less roads.  Just do a search of last year's requests and you will see that you shouldn't worry about hunting hard it until the last 10 days of the season. Bring chains for all four tires, this will be needed if you get snow, ice and sometimes you need them just for the mud depending on which road you go in on.  If your plan is to shoot a 180 class deer be ready to eat your tag.  They are there and annually one or two get taken during the entire season.  It is a great hunt and you should see lots of nice deer.  I will be there the week before your season ends setting up our archery camp maybe check in and let me know how you are doing.

[UBA]

Plan on doing lots of glassing

[Rainier10]

  And do it off of the road, there is a ton of real estate that you can't see from the road because there aren't as many roads.  Get off the road drop over the edge and then start glassing.  It won't be easy but you don't get this permit every other year so do your time and make the most of it, it is not shooting fish in a barrel but can be very rewarding if you put in the effort.

[muleracks2]

With only 15 permits you won't have much competition.  If you are a "trophy" hunter don't be too quick to decide it's a shooter.  If your just a one or two day hunter, take the first good 4x4 you see.  Carry a shovel and chains plus a backpack to bone out and pack up hill or down the canyon to a road or river.  You will have fun.  Contact us if you need help www.icicleoutfitters.com/hunting.html