Post by: scoutdog346 on May 29, 2016, 04:58:15 PM
Post by: huntnphool on May 29, 2016, 05:04:42 PM
Post by: muleracks on May 29, 2016, 11:41:22 PM
Hunt the western end of GMU 247 if we have a mild season and farther east; like Mud Creek area if we get heavy snow up valley. Great permit so have fun.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on May 29, 2016, 11:53:26 PM
The migration of the mature bucks depends, to some extent, on higher elevation snow depth. You can always count on them arriving in early November.This. Mature bucks are with the does by 2nd week of November.
Hunt the western end of GMU 247 if we have a mild season and farther east; like Mud Creek area if we get heavy snow up valley. Great permit so have fun.
Post by: scoutdog346 on May 30, 2016, 02:05:51 PM
Post by: huntnphool on May 30, 2016, 03:06:39 PM
The biologists on that area and a paper wdfw put out said the gps data said they do t start coming down until early December?
Well if you had no intention of listening to the replies then why even pose the questions?
FWIW, if Doublelung takes the time to give specifics on a area, I'd take it as gospel! :twocents: ;)
Post by: scoutdog346 on May 30, 2016, 03:13:24 PM
It sure seems like the deer I see in November are bigger than resident bucks.
Post by: crabcreekhunter on May 30, 2016, 05:46:30 PM
Post by: UBA on May 30, 2016, 07:08:56 PM
Post by: scoutdog346 on May 31, 2016, 07:27:09 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on May 31, 2016, 07:46:56 AM
The biologists on that area and a paper wdfw put out said the gps data said they do t start coming down until early December?I confess I've not seen that data but it makes sense. The migratory does with fawns make most of the migration (30 miles average, roughly) before heavy snowfall in the high country, either the last week of October or earlier if snow comes and sticks. This journey, barring early snow, puts them on transition ranges, which are just a short distance (<5 miles) from the core winter range. These are typically either burned over areas >2,500' elevation, or forested areas with heavy ceanothus ("buckbrush") or other highly nutritious shrubs understory. They then stay on the transitional ranges until snow accumulation puts them on the core wintering areas, typically December.
Migratory buck behavior is a bit different. Young and subdominant bucks start seeking out the does as soon as the rut urge hits them, typically late October-early November. True dominant bucks stay on their summer ranges until heavy snow pushes them out, 12-15" or more - or the actual onset of breeding. They are in the same vicinity as the does by the second week of November, but behaviorally they are much less visible than the younger, smaller zombies - unless there is an imminent breeding opportunity. Peak breeding is typically 1st-3rd week of November, but breeding will occur as late as the second week of December.
The above is partly based on my experience working with rocky mountain mule deer in Wyoming, deer research specific to Chelan County, trying to keep up with mule deer research as it is published, and a fair bit of time the last 26 years spent observing mule deer behavior in the field.
Post by: fishnfur on May 31, 2016, 08:43:42 AM
Post by: muleracks on June 01, 2016, 03:59:19 PM
We spend a lot of time at the high elevation (Wilderness) during the later weeks of September. When it snows a little or we even get a cold rain, the does, fawns and young bucks move down quickly. The mature bucks don't move and will hang around at 6000 feet in 1 foot of snow for some time. By late October and early November they do begin to round up their harem and that is often down valley; Shady Pass, Tyee Mtn. or even farther down valley especially if we get heavy snow at 3000 feet.
Every year is different but by November there will be mature bucks with does in the Entiat GMU 247, 245, 246 and 250. Special Permits are special.
Pack in General Season drop camps are also fun if you don't get a late season MF permit.
Post by: jackelope on June 01, 2016, 08:19:31 PM
The biologists on that area and a paper wdfw put out said the gps data said they do t start coming down until early December?I confess I've not seen that data but it makes sense. The migratory does with fawns make most of the migration (30 miles average, roughly) before heavy snowfall in the high country, either the last week of October or earlier if snow comes and sticks. This journey, barring early snow, puts them on transition ranges, which are just a short distance (<5 miles) from the core winter range. These are typically either burned over areas >2,500' elevation, or forested areas with heavy ceanothus ("buckbrush") or other highly nutritious shrubs understory. They then stay on the transitional ranges until snow accumulation puts them on the core wintering areas, typically December.
Migratory buck behavior is a bit different. Young and subdominant bucks start seeking out the does as soon as the rut urge hits them, typically late October-early November. True dominant bucks stay on their summer ranges until heavy snow pushes them out, 12-15" or more - or the actual onset of breeding. They are in the same vicinity as the does by the second week of November, but behaviorally they are much less visible than the younger, smaller zombies - unless there is an imminent breeding opportunity. Peak breeding is typically 1st-3rd week of November, but breeding will occur as late as the second week of December.
The above is partly based on my experience working with rocky mountain mule deer in Wyoming, deer research specific to Chelan County, trying to keep up with mule deer research as it is published, and a fair bit of time the last 26 years spent observing mule deer behavior in the field.
All of this should be copied and saved somewhere by anyone ever interested in hunting these permit hunts. This is really great information. Thanks for sharing, Doublelung.