Post by: DaveMonti on November 08, 2014, 10:13:22 AM
I first want to say that I'm looking for some general advice. I am not going to ask for your secret spot or the details of how you hunt!!
I am from Pennsylvania and have been in the state of Washington for 7 years. I was brought up hunting whitetails in the state with the most hunters in the NE of the US. I've hunted for over 30 years in PA with a firearm and bow.
I have hunted here in WA in the late archery season in the Okanogan area chasing after mule deer. There were whitetails in the area in the river bottoms, but we did not concentrate on them.
I realize there aren't many hunters in WA that target whitetails relative to Mule deer and blacktails, but I have a deep love for hunting whitetail and with the late rifle season in several units in NE Washington, I've decided to head over there late next week to do some hunting, flying solo.
I understand that the whitetails prefer the lower areas near agriculture and river bottoms. There doesn't appear to be much access to these areas as the larger river bottoms are all private. I'm happy to still hunt, which I've done a lot of in the hardwoods of PA, and I understand the patterns of whitetail regarding feeding and bedding areas.
I do have some spots that I'd like to try and am wondering about the likelihood of finding deer up small drainages in National Forest that are tributaries to larger rivers and streams. I've heard that whitetails can be found at higher elevation, but that it's mostly mule deer country. Being that I probably won't have access to the valleys that are private, I'm wondering if I should stay below a certain elevation when still hunting or stand hunting the smaller drainages, or skip the smaller drainages altogether and try something else. A lot of the area is heavily wooded with evergreens, which will be different hunting for me relative to the hardwoods of PA.
I am also wondering if most of the NF roads are open in GMUs 105, 108, 111, and 113.
I appreciate all input and I hope everyone has had or will have a great year hunting!
Dave
Post by: jasnt on November 08, 2014, 11:47:09 AM
Post by: Goose123 on November 08, 2014, 01:30:51 PM
Post by: buckfvr on November 08, 2014, 01:37:53 PM
Post by: DaveMonti on November 08, 2014, 05:33:21 PM
Thanks for your replies! Goose, best of luck to you, maybe I'll see you out in the woods.
Looks like the hunt may be a lot of walking if a lot of the NF roads are closed. If anyone has hunted the late season for whitetails (I don't think Mule Deer is open in these units), are there a lot of hunters?
Dave
Post by: jasnt on November 08, 2014, 06:22:15 PM
Post by: Maverick on November 09, 2014, 07:37:28 PM
Post by: jasnt on November 09, 2014, 07:49:00 PM
Post by: Maverick on November 10, 2014, 10:05:54 AM
Post by: jasnt on November 10, 2014, 04:26:14 PM
Post by: huntnnw on November 11, 2014, 12:14:54 AM
Post by: LeviD1 on November 11, 2014, 12:42:45 AM
Not alot target whitetails with a bow :yike: of all the hunters I know thats all they do :chuckle: or you havent been in 101 this week
I'm getting excited for bow season! I am getting quite a few new bucks decent to big starting to show up and show up during daylight!
Post by: huntnnw on November 11, 2014, 01:25:49 AM
Post by: Maverick on November 11, 2014, 03:53:56 PM
Maverick your in box is full
Should be good now!
Post by: DaveMonti on November 11, 2014, 07:51:27 PM
Post by: KFhunter on November 11, 2014, 10:13:44 PM
It can get crazy near the roads, deeper you go the less orange you'll see
100 yards usually suffices :chuckle:
Post by: DaveMonti on November 13, 2014, 04:39:46 PM