Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 11:36:15 AM

Title: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 11:36:15 AM: Hi there. I don't post on here often but I'm kind of in a bind. I have 10 points and I'm looking to do a mule deer hunt this year. I'm not asking for anyone's honey hole. But would like some input on which unit I should apply for. I was thinking chiwawa 245, slide ridge 246, entiat 247. I would greatly appreciate anyone's input. Thanks
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 17, 2014, 11:38:09 AM: what weapon? How much can you scout? What are your expectations?
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 11:52:06 AM: Modern. Scouting will be hard due to distance from the area but if drawn would make time. My expectations are to get something around 150-180 and would be happy with anything bigger of course.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: Skyvalhunter on January 17, 2014, 11:53:50 AM: Go for Entiat there is lots of guys on here that will help you out should you draw
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: vandeman17 on January 17, 2014, 11:57:43 AM: Entiat is a decent choice but no slam dunk. If you search the numerous threads on here you will see what I mean. There are big bucks in there for sure but it takes a lot of work, lots of scouting, the right weather and maybe even lady luck to shoot a 150"+ buck. I have 10 points myself and will probably put in for Entiat but that is because I live close and can be to the hunting spots in 45 minutes.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: DBLDWN on January 17, 2014, 12:18:36 PM: Wasting your points on the entiat if you draw, the unit is on a down hill slide. Hard to find that 5 year old plus deer anymore, same story in the chiwawa.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 01:46:26 PM: Well if I draw any of these units ill def put some miles on my boots. I'm still young. So say I draw entiat or chiwawa is there anybody that would give me some general areas to scout. And like I've said before I'm not looking to squeeze in your honey hole I'm just looking for general areas. It's big country and any good advice will save hours and miles of wasted time. Thanks again guys.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: huntnphool on January 17, 2014, 01:49:14 PM: Any of those units would give you a quality hunt.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: jrebel on January 17, 2014, 02:44:24 PM: Quote from: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 01:46:26 PM
Well if I draw any of these units ill def put some miles on my boots. I'm still young. So say I draw entiat or chiwawa is there anybody that would give me some general areas to scout. And like I've said before I'm not looking to squeeze in your honey hole I'm just looking for general areas. It's big country and any good advice will save hours and miles of wasted time. Thanks again guys.

Most are not going to give general area to scout or hunt until you draw and they don't. If they draw too it is not likely you will get advise from those individuals. A 150" buck is very doable in all units mentioned, while at the same time they are not a dime a dozen. A 180" buck is gonna be hard to do. Every year there are couple that push the 180" but all things considered it is not likely. Hard work, a lot of luck and some weather will go a long way.

First and foremost....good luck on the draw. 10 pts is definitely not a guaranteed draw....

jrebel
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: cowboydrifter on January 17, 2014, 03:46:38 PM: Every season is alittle different, trying to harvest a trophy is always a challenge, for myself i never set goals or expectations enyoying the hunt is what counts if its meant tobe it will happen. Scouting will be the key in any area goodluck on getting drawn thats the first challenge, late hunts are always exciting. Of course i have 3 points and very well could be drawn again before you,one guy in our camp had 17 or 18 before he was drawn for elk . Being drawn is the hardest . GOOD LUCK
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: Rainier10 on January 17, 2014, 04:16:47 PM: Quote from: jrebel on January 17, 2014, 02:44:24 PM
Quote from: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 01:46:26 PM
Well if I draw any of these units ill def put some miles on my boots. I'm still young. So say I draw entiat or chiwawa is there anybody that would give me some general areas to scout. And like I've said before I'm not looking to squeeze in your honey hole I'm just looking for general areas. It's big country and any good advice will save hours and miles of wasted time. Thanks again guys.

Most are not going to give general area to scout or hunt until you draw and they don't. If they draw too it is not likely you will get advise from those individuals. A 150" buck is very doable in all units mentioned, while at the same time they are not a dime a dozen. A 180" buck is gonna be hard to do. Every year there are couple that push the 180" but all things considered it is not likely. Hard work, a lot of luck and some weather will go a long way.

First and foremost....good luck on the draw. 10 pts is definitely not a guaranteed draw....

jrebel
:yeah:
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 04:32:43 PM: Well thanks again guys. Hopefully I draw. I'm already itching for next season. Good luck to all of you too on your draws this year
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: ICEMAN on January 17, 2014, 07:13:59 PM: Quote from: elk fever on January 17, 2014, 01:46:26 PM
Well if I draw any of these units ill def put some miles on my boots. I'm still young. So say I draw entiat or chiwawa is there anybody that would give me some general areas to scout. And like I've said before I'm not looking to squeeze in your honey hole I'm just looking for general areas. It's big country and any good advice will save hours and miles of wasted time. Thanks again guys.

Hours and miles of wasted time?

This is how some of us have found the areas to hunt.

You need to get over in these areas and burn some gas and boot leather.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: jason stevens on January 17, 2014, 07:40:55 PM: 245 without question lots of great bucks if you know where to go. Also late riffle for 340 again if youknow where to go. If you draw either of the two send me a pm.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: trophyhunt on January 17, 2014, 08:09:01 PM: Good luck in the draw! I bet a lot of people have 10 points but you never know, my wife also has ten. I have 9 and will be putting in for ???? Not sure yet. Prob perrigan and entiat 2 nd.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: DBLDWN on January 17, 2014, 08:46:15 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on January 17, 2014, 01:49:14 PM
Any of those units would give you a quality hunt.
Quality hunt, your exactly right. quality deer, not so much anymore. There are a few great bucks around still but few and far between!
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: The scout on January 17, 2014, 09:00:21 PM: scouting what? most 150-180 bucks are migratory so I guess you could learn the country a little, but you don't no the elevation you will be at that particular year .if you are applying for a hunt the best thing to do would be go over during the rut and find the migratory patterns the previous years before you draw. good luck with the tag. i have 12 point and don't plan to draw, i'm not applying for the hunts mentioned but don't think it would matter wdfw has me on a do not draw list
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: pd on January 17, 2014, 09:06:05 PM: Quote from: The scout on January 17, 2014, 09:00:21 PM
scouting what? most 150-180 bucks are migratory so I guess you could learn the country a little, but you don't no the elevation you will be at that particular year .if you are applying for a hunt the best thing to do would be go over during the rut and find the migratory patterns the previous years before you draw. good luck with the tag. i have 12 point and don't plan to draw, i'm not applying for the hunts mentioned but don't think it would matter wdfw has me on a do not draw list

Scout, that is simply not true. WDFW does not have you on a "Do Not Draw" list.

NSA has you on their "Do Not Draw" list. I seem to be on it, too.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: cougfan79 on January 17, 2014, 09:19:20 PM: All good units, I would just pick 1st 2nd 3rd and if you draw get out as often as possible and learn areas. There will be animals, but it won't be easy. I would plan on being in the woods at least once a month if you draw. If you draw pm me on what area and if I can help I will. I go in that area once a month May-Sept and you could tag along if you wanted.

Aaron
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: The scout on January 17, 2014, 09:30:14 PM: huh I guess I can keep sending e-mails to wdfw about the stupid decisions they make then. :tup:
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: Biggerhammer on January 18, 2014, 04:09:09 PM: If you draw one of the three your thinking about PM me. I'll help you out, as will guys I know. Permits for quality hunts don't come every year. I have no problem taking a guy into one of my hotspots if he has a quality tag. It's not like he's going to be stomping through it every year with the same tag in hand and it's not like I hunt the same spots every year. Allot of factors play into where I go, one thing that will never change when it comes to big game hunting is change itself. Sometimes years can be predictable and then the big curve ball. I have no problem spending hours on a spotting scope and making tracks for a guy that really wants it and his heart is in it. But it's work and more often than not it's tough and a guy has to be able to carry his own or just stay at home. I'll help someone out but I'm not a guide service or designated pack mule. I'll be part of it but the weights on you, it's all what you make it.
Title: Re: Good mule deer hunt
Post by: mountainman on January 18, 2014, 05:46:20 PM: Slide rideg has bee producing the majority of whoppers last couple year. It would be my first choice. Lots of competition in the entiat for the few good buck