Youth Skookumchuck buck tag

[doyourtime89]

My son drew the youth Skookumchuck any buck tag this year.  His last year being able to put in for youth hunts.  He dew an any deer youth tag down there about 4 or 5 years ago.  We have been hunting muleys over near Spokane the last couple years.  This youth hunt they allow the kids to go in there a week before the general so that is cool.  When he had this tag a few years ago we seen a lot of deer only a few small bucks and he ended up taking a spike.  I was just wondering if anyone has been hunting the last year years in the Skookumchuck and how it has been for good bucks.  Because I think our plan is going to be hunt hard for a nice buck and if we dont see one that nice to whack we will just save his tag for our muley spot in Eastern Washington.  So I was just wondering what people have been seeing down in that area recently.  Thanks

[PolarBear]

Try going in on the Elbe side.   

[jackmaster]

my son drew that tag a couple years ago and it was the funnest hunt i have been on we seen 3 really nice bucks but he was to jacked up to get a good shot, we seen 32 deer the first day and then he shot a nice 2pt the second morning, they give i think 60 youth tags and i bet we only saw a total of 4 people in vail the whole time.

[blacktail chaser]

Both of my daughters pulled that tag two years ago. We saw a boat load of deer. My older daughter passed up shots on at least five two points as she was looking for something with three or better. My younger girl shot her first buck up there  a really nice 1x2. I think you are going in with a pretty good plan.   

[doyourtime89]

Try going in on the Elbe side.   

I will look into that and check that out on a scouting trip.  When my son had this tag before we went in the Weyerhaeuser gate (main Vail gate) between Tenino and Rainier off hwy 507 and just hunted in that Vail Tree Farm area.  The thing is I know you can't get into the Vail Tree Farm before the hunt to scout so I guess we will just play it by ear.

[257 Wby Mag]

Roll in the main gate, take a right up the chuck, take another right , head up around miller hill, the north side of the resivoir. My boy had that tag a couple years ago, seen a couple dandy's, ended up killin a good 3 point the first mornin... Good luck and have fun.

[doyourtime89]

Thanks for the info 257

[257 Wby Mag]

My back property backs up against the South side of Vail, the boy and I are always in there pokin around, if I see some good bucks down here I'll let ya know.  Send me a pm in mid Sept, or I'll forget. Later

[Mudman]

Tons of deer but not as many big bucks as there once was.  Mostly spikes and two pnts killed.  Like the boys said miller hill and elbe side are your best bet for mature bucks.

[bobcat]

My 14 year old cousin will be trying for his first deer on that hunt- except he got the doe permit. I'd love to go on the hunt with him but unfortunately it's the same day muzzleloader elk season opens up. I hope he has a good time and a fun hunt. He just took up hunting last year, neither of his parents are hunters. I'm not sure what inspired him to take hunter's ed so he could start hunting.

[doyourtime89]

My 14 year old cousin will be trying for his first deer on that hunt- except he got the doe permit. I'd love to go on the hunt with him but unfortunately it's the same day muzzleloader elk season opens up. I hope he has a good time and a fun hunt. He just took up hunting last year, neither of his parents are hunters. I'm not sure what inspired him to take hunter's ed so he could start hunting.

That is cool he wants to hunt and yeah to bad your hunts are at the same time.  But if he has the doe permit he will get one or at least tons of chances.  It has been a few years since my son had this tag before, back then it was just all any deer permits.  He wanted a buck so we were going to hold out for one.  He had shot a doe the year before (that was his first year hunting).  He passed on at least 30 or 40 deer and that was just in the first few hours of opening day.  And his trigger finger was getting itchy.  So he finally caved in and said next deer we see he is going to take.  Then next time we got with in range it was 2 does and a spike.  He took the spike.  We there are a lot of deer in there.  I am just hoping to find a nice buck for my son this year.  Good luck to your cousin and post story and pics later....and good luck with your muzz elk hunt.

[doyourtime89]

My back property backs up against the South side of Vail, the boy and I are always in there pokin around, if I see some good bucks down here I'll let ya know.  Send me a pm in mid Sept, or I'll forget. Later

Thank you sir I will do that for sure.

[billythekidrock]

Because I think our plan is going to be hunt hard for a nice buck and if we dont see one that nice to whack we will just save his tag for our muley spot in Eastern Washington. 

What do you consider "nice" for a bt?
Unless you have a muley tied to a tree for him, I would suggest letting him shoot the first 2pt or better bt and not hope on a muley. One in the freezer is better than hope and tag soup.

I am a firm believer in notches on the belt for begining hunters and would rather have them kill the first legal animal than hold out for a something bigger (and get nothing) in the first few years of their hunting experience. Then once they have some successful experiences they can raise the bar.

[akirkland]

Where are you going to enter on the Elbe side? There is a river/lake with no bridge. Are you talking off of HWY 7? Not sure those gates will be open and there are alot of wash outs you arent gonna drive by. Plus its pretty steep country. Wouldnt be my first choice for a youth hunt.

[doyourtime89]

Yeah I am not for sure about this year but when my son got this tag a few years ago they only opened one gate to get into the Vail tree farm.  I am guessing that is how they are going to do it again.  So I wouldn't know where to try to go in over on the Elbe side either.

[deerslyr]

Yeah I am not for sure about this year but when my son got this tag a few years ago they only opened one gate to get into the Vail tree farm.  I am guessing that is how they are going to do it again.  So I wouldn't know where to try to go in over on the Elbe side either.

Pleasant valley road and FR 74. Theres some nice bucks in there but the deer density just isnt as high as the vail side.

[Mudman]

Yup only one gate.  Been that way forever so game check can see ya. Its a long haul but stick to mainline and youll get up into the 9000series I think it is.  A map will help.  Big area and easy to get lost for awhile. Map makes it easy. I think they open gate around 530am so you can get early start up there!!!  Another good spot would be backside of skook res. Hard to find.

[jackmaster]

you cant even get to the gate over past elbe, i believe your talkn about the one up pleasant valley rd, well when it washed out and grew over they didnt clean it up, its been that way for a couple years now, unless they just cleaned it up wich i doubt.... they only have the vail side open, and the game check is at the "Y". but during the youth hunt, the game check is at the main gate, where they let you in at 6 a.m

[deerslyr]

you cant even get to the gate over past elbe, i believe your talkn about the one up pleasant valley rd, well when it washed out and grew over they didnt clean it up, its been that way for a couple years now, unless they just cleaned it up wich i doubt.... they only have the vail side open, and the game check is at the "Y". but during the youth hunt, the game check is at the main gate, where they let you in at 6 a.m

You can get in through forest road 74 by the christian camp. You can also get in to the natl forest through cinebar.