Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: cvandervort on June 19, 2013, 10:06:42 PM

Title: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 19, 2013, 10:06:42 PM: Hey all,

I drew a Skagit (GMU426) Quality tag this year! I am stoked because that unit is a lot like the High buck hunts/alpine backpacking that I am used to, however, I am not familiar with what the resident deer are like and ins-and-outs of the unit. Anyone have any pointers?

Congrats to all of the lucky ones this year!
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 20, 2013, 10:28:01 AM: I suppose I could have been more specific in my ask for help...with 20 historically closing anywhere from the end of October to December, I don't think I can count on it being open during the tag dates. That being said, access to the unit gets cut considerably, unless you have a snowmobile. If anyone has hunted that unit in November, how do you get around that fact? Or do you just stick to the westernmost/easternmost side?

Thanks again!
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 21, 2013, 08:34:37 AM: 145 views and NO opinions?! I must have drawn a good one, and people are keeping their mouths shut... :chuckle:
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: X-Force on June 21, 2013, 08:40:53 AM: pm sent
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 23, 2013, 05:05:41 PM: I'd love talk with some others who drew the tag...first time drawing it? Locals? Snowmobilers?
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: Rodney107 on June 23, 2013, 08:05:45 PM: Wonder how this tag will work that's about the time thay lock the gates :yike:
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on June 23, 2013, 08:17:23 PM: Quote from: Rodney107 on June 23, 2013, 08:05:45 PM
Wonder how this tag will work that's about the time thay lock the gates :yike:
HUH ...All gates in this county are locked ...at all times :bash: :bash: :bash: But if he works hard enough he may get to see one of those monster bucks :tup:
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: seth30 on June 23, 2013, 08:23:42 PM: Quote from: BOWHUNTER45 on June 23, 2013, 08:17:23 PM
Quote from: Rodney107 on June 23, 2013, 08:05:45 PM
Wonder how this tag will work that's about the time thay lock the gates :yike:
HUH ...All gates in this county are locked ...at all times :bash: :bash: :bash: But if he works hard enough he may get to see one of those monster bucks :tup:
:yeah: X2 on the locked gates, are you close to that area?
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: lonedave on June 23, 2013, 08:36:41 PM: PM sent.
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: X-Force on June 23, 2013, 09:01:11 PM: I think rodney is talking about the hwy 20 gates.

The problem with his tag is the migration. But you could catch abench buck in the high country.

Good luck I hope you find a monster
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 24, 2013, 12:50:53 PM: Based on some feedback I've gotten: it's gonna be hard, it's gonna be snowy...and I'm stoked!
Thanks again for all of the feedback - keep it coming!
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 26, 2013, 03:54:45 PM: I realize that 20 is usually close by the end of November due to avalanche danger, but has anyone been out on the trails in November? How much snow is usually on the trails at that time? I will be out there scouting this summer, but obviously, things will change by November....anyone have some insight?
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: head hunter on June 28, 2013, 06:33:17 AM: check out finney Cumberland, and the stuff of the south Skagit hwy. had a buddy who drew that tag two years ago and he new the area very well, but that didn't help him is killing a good buck its a hard time of the year seems like that time of the year up around where I hunt the rut is done.
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on June 28, 2013, 11:59:23 AM: Thanks head hunter. I will check it out. The other feedback that I've gotten was similar. I think I'll be going after resident blackies or any bench mule bucks that are braving the weather a little later than most.
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: X-Force on June 28, 2013, 12:04:00 PM: Quote from: head hunter on June 28, 2013, 06:33:17 AM
check out finney Cumberland, and the stuff of the south Skagit hwy. had a buddy who drew that tag two years ago and he new the area very well, but that didn't help him is killing a good buck its a hard time of the year seems like that time of the year up around where I hunt the rut is done.

That stuff is 437 not 426
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: head hunter on June 28, 2013, 06:14:36 PM: whoops yup wrong hunt, my bad! Does sierra pacific give out keys for that hunt?
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: cvandervort on August 24, 2013, 07:14:27 AM: I got a bunch of help from a few guys on here (they know who they are)....thanks!

I got back from my first scouting trip into 426. We did just under 27 miles. After coming out of the unit, I am in bit of a pickle: I saw 0 sign (to be expected) and 0 game trails up into the high country. I did see one section of wetlands that looked enticing (some of you probably know what I'm talking about), but the rest of the terrain was deep and dark...

Does anyone want to weigh in (PM or post)? I'm pretty sure that there are other areas that are more accessible in the unit...but 30 miles, solo, on a hunch, may also be in order. Help me out
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: steen on August 24, 2013, 07:26:33 PM: Usually they don't close Hwy 20 till after Thanksgiving so you should be good. Last year was a rare closing two days before thanksgiving. I was on a late whitetail hunt in Winthrope and came home the day before it closed.
Title: Re: Skagit Quality - first time drawing!
Post by: wilsongideon on August 24, 2013, 10:02:55 PM: I am a chicken but 20 miles into the wilderness in november would make me pretty nervous. Its also takes alot more time to move when there is snow on the ground and most years there is snow at 5000 ft. the end of october sometimes lower. deer should definitly be moving though, some of those trails might just be the easiest way out of the mtns for them.