Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 20, 2018, 04:11:30 PM
Now that the re-introductions are out of the way, I'm going to brag a little. Due to the fact that I am quitting my job :tup:, I have the incredible opportunity this year to bowhunt literally every single day of the month of September. For the first week I'll be chasing deer on the east side, then heading to the coast for elk, and back to the east side again if I haven't filled my tag. Based on the amount of time I have available to hunt, my focus will be on big mature mule deer only. I've spent a substantial amount of time reading through the 2017 Hunting Prospects and searching through the records on Northwest Big Game Inc. and have narrowed down my focus to Chelan, Okanogan, and Douglas counties as those seems to offer the best mule deer numbers and opportunities for mature bucks. However, the only mule deer hunting I have done on the east side of the state was in GMU 290 years ago when my father and I drew archery tags, and GMU 278 last year. I saw some absolute pigs last year during the late hunt but unfortunately couldn't close the distance. I would go back there again but I know a lot of the east side deer are migratory and I'm assuming I'll have to get up much higher if I want to increase my odds. I've looked through the forum quite a bit for info on those counties and most of what I've read is a little discouraging. A lot of guys are talking about how the deer in Chelan and Okanogan aren't doing so well because of previous years burns so I'm starting to question whether or not I'm focusing on the right areas. :dunno:
Here's my question. For those of you that have hunted the east side for mule deer, if you were in my situation and were looking for a big mature buck, what counties and GMU's would you focus on during September? FYI, I love backcountry hunting because it's so challenging and even more rewarding. If there's some GMU's with a lot of remote country, low deer and hunter densities, and monster bucks, I'm in! :tup:
Thanks guys!
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 20, 2018, 04:35:29 PM
Post by: fishnfur on July 20, 2018, 09:19:16 PM
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 20, 2018, 10:40:28 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 21, 2018, 07:02:03 AM
Post by: Mudman on July 21, 2018, 07:54:10 AM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 21, 2018, 07:57:46 AM
Shh! :chuckle: I have seen 1 very large Mulie and 2 large Whitetail in 101. Limited time hunting and of course didn't shoot either. Don't go without a Bear tag.
That's all I'm saying after living in the 101 for nearly 17 years...
Post by: fishnfur on July 21, 2018, 09:45:50 AM
Thanks fishnfur! My girlfriend and I are moving to Australia in October so I figured I’d quit a little early and really dedicate the early season to hunting some studs. I can’t wait to quit and be in the woods every day!
How cool to move to Australia! Hopefully near some beach with killer waves. (Jealous!)
Post by: Jimmy33 on July 21, 2018, 10:04:27 AM
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Post by: elkchaser54 on July 21, 2018, 09:08:16 PM
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 22, 2018, 05:25:03 PM
elkchaser54, sounds good man. Let me know how elk season goes and good luck!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on July 22, 2018, 05:39:22 PM
I agree...101
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:yeah:
Monsters up there.👍
Post by: Doublelunger on July 23, 2018, 01:27:49 PM
Post by: X-Force on July 23, 2018, 02:00:54 PM
Congrats on this opertunity.
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 23, 2018, 02:43:48 PM
Post by: 2MANY on July 23, 2018, 03:12:08 PM
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 23, 2018, 03:21:11 PM
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 23, 2018, 04:11:58 PM
Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 23, 2018, 04:44:02 PM
2Many, do you mean Salmo Mountain? Little Snowy Top appears to be in Idaho. That looks like some pretty steep country!
Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.
The bio's name is Dana, unless he retired. He's worthless. I showed him wolf tracks about 10-12 years ago and blew me off. Well guess what..............the rest is history.
I think mostly, you have to be in the right place at the right time and be patient and stay in one spot once you see them.
Post by: bearpaw on July 23, 2018, 05:08:38 PM
2Many, do you mean Salmo Mountain? Little Snowy Top appears to be in Idaho. That looks like some pretty steep country!
Campmeat, I did some more digging into 101. Game and fish mag ran an article in 2010 stating that more than 50% of the mulies in that unit were 4 points or better. The biologist in Colville even mentioned seeing some monsters in there each year. I might try and track him down and see if he can provide a little more info.
The bio's name is Dana, unless he retired. He's worthless. I showed him wolf tracks about 10-12 years ago and blew me off. Well guess what..............the rest is history.
I think mostly, you have to be in the right place at the right time and be patient and stay in one spot once you see them.
I know Dana and respect him, he's quite knowledgeable, it could have been the directive from above to deny any wolf sign, I think that used to be the norm. I reported a wolf incident before wolves were out of the bag and got a phone call from the Region 1 director chewing me out and saying it was only coyotes, I wouldn't hold that against Dana, he is a good guy and I think just trying to get to retirement without upsetting the boat.
Bwilliams1286, I think Dana is retired now.
Post by: olsy on July 23, 2018, 07:19:21 PM
Hey guys, I know it says this is my first post but I used to be active on this forum for many years when I was going to college in Longview and Spokane. I couldn't remember my damn username and no longer have my college email so I created a new account. I doubt many of you will remember this, but I was at the DIY trail camera building workshop that took place many years ago. In fact, surprisingly, I still have all of the parts from that original workshop. My name is Brandon, nice to meet you all...again! :hello:
Hey Brandon, I was at that workshop as well. I am really not sure why I remember this, but your old handle was BaseballStud20 :tup:
--Travis
Post by: Bwilliams1286 on July 24, 2018, 12:31:28 PM
Post by: Calvin Rayborn on July 30, 2018, 11:59:44 AM
Post by: huntnnw on July 30, 2018, 11:04:05 PM
Post by: Pomdale on August 28, 2018, 09:54:14 PM
Post by: Troutnut on October 08, 2018, 02:27:22 PM
I just can't stand seeing their stupid tails flop around back and forth when they run so I've never been interested in hunting them.
Congratulations on writing the funniest sentence I've ever seen on a hunting forum. Of all the reasons not to hunt a species!
Post by: Mudman on October 08, 2018, 06:44:27 PM