Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: 300wsm on November 04, 2008, 11:28:53 AM
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This is the first time I have a late buck tag. (Swakane) The mountains finally got some snow last night so my question is: How long does it take the migratory deer to get on the move? Does it take a couple days for the Swakane to start filling up with these deer or should I expect to start seeing more deer right away. My bro-in-law headed over this morning but I can't get there until Friday :bash: because of this whole JOB thing that gets in the way of my hunting.
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You should hit it just about right. I had a Chiwawa tag a few years back which is right next to the Swakane and I think the second week is usually better. A good tip I was told was to stay in about 6-12" of snow if you can and that is your bench chance of seeing the migratory bucks.
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Well the snow is definitely the major factor in those late hunts. The does usually go down earlier and the bucks follow, but of coarse there is resident deer there. There is usually a couple different times that the does come into their cycle depending if they were bread on the first cycle. At times you will see the little forkies, 3 or 4 points running the does early in the hunt. Then the more snow(give or take 12+") up high those big boys come down and take charge. Those deer can put some miles on on a given day, so not there one day then bam they show up. On that late tag, snow depending(unless a big buck comes down) it is good to wait until the last week of the season before you decide to shoot. But there are times when the big boys come down early. If I only had a week to take off I would take the last week of your permit, not to say I wouldn't hunt the early part. The deer should be moving down in the Swakane. Best to get a nice one before the archers get their crack at that unit after your tag is done. This is just my :twocents: and on any given year it can be different but with the rain out look and snow in the mtns they will move in. So you can afford to be picky(if you have the time to hunt) and look for a buck that's horns go past the outside of its ears at least. But just one hunters opinion. Good luck and keep us informed on your hunt.
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Sky has it right, last week would be my target.
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Thanks for the input, Sky, you nailed it. Last weekend we saw a decent 3 point and also a 2 point that were sniffin dows, so the rut is starting. I wish I could be there the last week of the hunt but before I drew the tag we planned a trip to Cabo leaving on the 14th :bash: :bdid:. What were the odd of me getting draw anyway :dunno:. We I did get drawn and now I'm in a pinch to get something decent. I'll be going over this weekend with hopes of nailing something with a decent rack, if I don't see anything worth shooting then I'll do a one day meat hunt before I leave. Thanks for the info/advise.
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Not the same unit you are talking about but two years ago I watched a buck feed in belly-deep snow and he didn't look like he was in trouble. I spotted a couple other deer lower but still in deep snow. A pack of coyotes could have ruined his day though, if they could have stayed on top.
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Swakane and top of burch has snow now.
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Don't pull the trigger too soon! There's some STUDS in there and they will be down... you shouldn't have any trouble shooting a decent 3 or 4 point on the last day or two of the season so TAKE UR TIME and ENJOY the hunt!
Michael
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I'll do a one day meat hunt before I leave.
My :twocents:. If you find yourself in this position whack a doe and not a young buck!!! Again, just my :twocents:.
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That's what I was thinking, a young good eating doe. But with this weather, I'm thinking I would settle for a 24" 4 point, unless grizzlygibbs wants to give the info on the 30" buck he saw, it's probably old and will die this winter anyway. :drool: My brother-in-law saw a few little bucks tonight but nothing decent. I'll keep you posted.
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sky's got it.
