Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Rob Allen on December 10, 2014, 10:38:40 PM

Title: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Rob Allen on December 10, 2014, 10:38:40 PM: My wife's Grandfather is 80 and loves hunting and has never gotten a mule deer. He really wants to get one while he can still hunt. This will be my first year hunting and my wife and I have decided to dedicate this year to give him the opportunity to fulfill his dream. We won't be doing any special permits or anything like that just 10 days of modern rifle. Now I have been scouring the web trying to find any info I can. I research an area then come on here and put the name of the area in the search box and every area says the same thing.. Too many people, west siders please stay home, no more deer here, go away.

Here are my parameters

1. public land
2. spots where Grandpa can be not to far from the truck

Right now i am leaning towards 250,224, and 215 all due to the fact that they have nearby state parks with cabin rentals.. Grandpa gets cold easy...

I know all of this is a tall order and hunters are certainly tight lipped ( as i am as an angler)
I am not expecting massive success but hoping for a little.. if anyone wants to PM me and suggestions or advise I'd sure appreciate it... I don't expect people to say much in an open forum but i have to ask...

thanks
Rob
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: huntnphool on December 11, 2014, 09:26:22 AM: Quote from: Rob Allen on December 10, 2014, 10:38:40 PM
We won't be doing any special permits or anything like that just 10 days of modern rifle.

Be careful, currently the season is only 9 days, good luck.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: h20hunter on December 11, 2014, 09:31:07 AM: Not sure if Bearpaw offers DIY maps for this type of hunt but....if he does...I think he could help steer you to some areas and provide maps that you could have some road hunting luck or at least some roaded areas that will offer flat walk in type spot and stalk hunting. Good luck and don't forget to take your camera.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: csaaphill on December 11, 2014, 11:46:57 PM: Quote from: h20hunter on December 11, 2014, 09:31:07 AM
Not sure if Bearpaw offers DIY maps for this type of hunt but....if he does...I think he could help steer you to some areas and provide maps that you could have some road hunting luck or at least some roaded areas that will offer flat walk in type spot and stalk hunting. Good luck and don't forget to take your camera.
:yeah:
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Fowlweather25 on December 12, 2014, 12:48:16 AM: Get ahold of YJ guide service on here. Very affordable non guided hunts on over 4000 acres of private ground. Great guy with a stand up operation. Pretty nice motel with awesome food less than 10 minutes from there. Unit 133
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Birdguy on December 14, 2014, 07:12:03 PM: If it really is all about grandpa (very cool in my opinion, special oppertunity) this is likley a once in a lifetime hunt, for him and you since your first hunting season :tup:, I say get a hold of YJ or Tanglewood or one of the other guides on here and see what they can hook you and your party up with and do it. Spend a little money, you will learn something and likely make some amazing memories for you, grandpa, and the Mrs. Book it early, have them send you the pics off the cams, go visit and see where you will be hunting, invest in good camera and have a blast :twocents:.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on December 14, 2014, 07:49:00 PM: How bout a Montana trip. You would love it.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Rob Allen on December 14, 2014, 08:35:01 PM: My wife and I go fly fishing in Montana for a week every July. it's only because there is no work there that we aren't Montana residents.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Rob Allen on December 14, 2014, 08:39:20 PM: I really appreciate everyone's advice. Finances however dictate that a guided hunt is quite out of the question..

It sounds to me like everyplace is crowded we just need to pick the scenery we like and hope for the best.

so.. stay close to home and deal with high hunter density but have the option to spend a fair amount of time scouting or do we travel away from population centers and hope for the best? I have about 11 months to ponder that.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: RB on December 14, 2014, 08:47:35 PM: Don't rule out special permits there are lots of options for the over 65 crowd some of it over the counter too. :twocents:
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on December 14, 2014, 08:52:45 PM: An eastern Montana adventure would work well. Worth the money if time of years is not on your side with age. You can do it unguided and would b worth it
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on December 14, 2014, 08:55:16 PM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,15021.msg170939.html#msg170939 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,15021.msg170939.html#msg170939)
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: RightPlace-RightTime on December 14, 2014, 09:02:42 PM: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63281.msg786890.html#msg786890 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63281.msg786890.html#msg786890)
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: jae on December 14, 2014, 09:24:39 PM: My wife's Grandfather is 86 and I have been hunting with him for about 15 years for Elk during modern rifle (I hunt archery). He has harvested two cows in the last five years and this year He finally drew a Quality Bull tag and harvested His first Bull. He shot the first one that presented a shot and was very pleased with it.
To be perfectly honest I do not think the killing of a Elk is near as important as driving around and the camaraderie. I think the opportunity to hang out in the woods in search of animals and just seeing animals is a quality hunt when You are 80.
There have been dozens of opportunities over the years that a younger man could have capitalized on that just were not that important to My wife's Grandfather.
If You do take Him hunting, have fun keep Him comfortable, well fed and happy. If He needs a nap it is his schedule if this hunt is for him. If the hunt is for you also both of You could end up a little frustrated. When You are 80 You call your own shots.
Just my opinion from my experience. Everyone is different.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Rob Allen on December 14, 2014, 09:38:25 PM: Quote from: jae on December 14, 2014, 09:24:39 PM
My wife's Grandfather is 86 and I have been hunting with him for about 15 years for Elk during modern rifle (I hunt archery). He has harvested two cows in the last five years and this year He finally drew a Quality Bull tag and harvested His first Bull. He shot the first one that presented a shot and was very pleased with it.
To be perfectly honest I do not think the killing of a Elk is near as important as driving around and the camaraderie. I think the opportunity to hang out in the woods in search of animals and just seeing animals is a quality hunt when You are 80.
There have been dozens of opportunities over the years that a younger man could have capitalized on that just were not that important to My wife's Grandfather.
If You do take Him hunting, have fun keep Him comfortable, well fed and happy. If He needs a nap it is his schedule if this hunt is for him. If the hunt is for you also both of You could end up a little frustrated. When You are 80 You call your own shots.
Just my opinion from my experience. Everyone is different.

I'll have elk and late buck for myself.... He will want to sit and watch a clearcut or clearing. I am more interested in hiking around if we go out for the whole season there'll be plenty of time for both.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: Skillet on December 14, 2014, 09:56:52 PM: Edited for tone-

If you really want to make it happen for him, a guided hunt isn't all that expensive considering the timeframe you're looking at. What you're asking for in terms of an easy hunt for mule deer has an extremely low chance of success.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: floatinghat on December 15, 2014, 06:53:41 AM: Rob,

Take him down the Klick, or some other river to the east. There are plenty of deer, he won't have to work hard. You just need to do some HW to determine what's public vs private.

Or has been said, take him to MT and hunt vs trout fish.
Title: Re: Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?
Post by: The Weazle on December 15, 2014, 08:11:27 AM: I dont know if you can, but try talking to a guide now, getting a price locked in for him to shoot a deer and you to shoot a camera, and put a little money away every month from now till hunting season. I think the cost of a guided hunt in this scenario would be the way to go, and its probably not much more than what you are going to spend on an 8 or 9 night trip with a cabin. Public land mule deer hunting in an area you arent familiar with, and can't scout much will leave you very frustrated. Good Luck!