Post by: ljsommer on December 10, 2018, 10:47:15 AM
1.) I like a workout
2.) I like the idea of getting away from other hunters
3.) I may be a terrible hunter but I do enjoy just getting into cool territory
I see that as of 2018, 638 is archery-any buck from 11/21 - 12/15.
So I looked at harvest numbers:
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/harvest/2017/reports/deer_gmu_all.php
Archery: 24 hunters with 0 deer harvested?
Modern: 90 hunters with 7 deer harvested?
What gives in this GMU? Surely it's not that barren? is it just really brutal terrain?
Post by: bobcat on December 10, 2018, 11:08:03 AM
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on December 10, 2018, 11:30:45 AM
Post by: TheGreenHunter on December 10, 2018, 01:19:52 PM
https://www.greendiamond.com/recreation/washington-lands/forms/GDR%20Public%20Access%20Lands%209-11-18.pdf
They have more extensive lands in GMU 636 in addition to the NFS land. From the regs, it looks like 636 is open to the end of the year for archery any-deer. I was thinking of heading there to take a look since the only thing i've been able to locate in the last 2 weeks are does in a buck only unit.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on December 10, 2018, 01:50:50 PM
It never was a great unit for deer, but was exceptional for elk if you were willing to work for them. There were some whopper blacktails in there, just not a big population. You usually ran into them during elk season.
Post by: Mallardmasher on December 10, 2018, 02:07:38 PM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on December 10, 2018, 02:17:20 PM
Bobcat is spot on, with no to little logging, it is a barren food source, people may not like clear cuts, but they cause regeneration of food sources for critters just as wildfires do. We stop mother natures attemp to regenerate and on NFS we are stopping both forms, no new undergrowth or young trees.
I agree to a point. But, all that you point out was true back in the 60s, 70s, and 80s when success rates in this unit were higher. I think that the more limited access and blowdown helped push it over the edge.
Post by: fishnfur on December 10, 2018, 04:59:45 PM
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 02, 2019, 05:50:29 PM
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Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on January 02, 2019, 07:06:37 PM
Post by: dreamunelk on January 02, 2019, 07:21:34 PM
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 02, 2019, 08:16:00 PM
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Post by: fishnfur on January 02, 2019, 11:56:20 PM
start_radio=1&list=RDQMpZmtwGWcoOA
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on January 03, 2019, 12:13:15 AM
On one hand I get why that would make the area less desirable for hunters, but on the other, it also screens out alot of competition. 24 guys braved that place with bows this year.....that's less than a platoon.... and there's alot of land up there.
I would bet most of them were Master Hunters hunting down in the flats between the River and the start of the hills. And none of them scored.
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 03, 2019, 05:28:17 AM
You are probably right. If you consider the options that area presents to a hunter, those flats are really attractive. The bottom land would let ample amounts of food to grow and the shooting would be much clearer. However, since they are limited in size, the available food would be consumed early in the season and force the deer higher. Which would explain the low numbers of deer actually killed. No one wants to hike up to hunt.On one hand I get why that would make the area less desirable for hunters, but on the other, it also screens out alot of competition. 24 guys braved that place with bows this year.....that's less than a platoon.... and there's alot of land up there.
I would bet most of them were Master Hunters hunting down in the flats between the River and the start of the hills. And none of them scored.
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Post by: ljsommer on January 03, 2019, 06:12:15 AM
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 03, 2019, 06:58:35 AM
This video seems like it was meant for this thread on 638. - Scouting tactics for a new area.That's some awesome advice
start_radio=1&list=RDQMpZmtwGWcoOA
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Post by: Grant4068 on January 03, 2019, 12:53:22 PM
Post by: fishnfur on January 03, 2019, 11:59:55 PM
Post by: spin05 on January 04, 2019, 01:00:30 AM
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 04, 2019, 06:29:50 AM
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Post by: ljsommer on January 04, 2019, 10:45:57 AM
I've kind of given up on actually killing any animals in WA and am instead focusing on just getting into some really cool terrain in pursuit of (the idea of) them.
This looks pretty cool to me.
Post by: fishnfur on January 04, 2019, 01:40:25 PM
My gut tells me you're just in the wrong spots or not recognizing what you're seeing as deer sign. 454 should have plenty of deer and fresh sign. For example, if I was archery hunting there, I'd try this spot on DNR lands delineated by the light blue line. My gut tells me there's quite a few deer coming down from above (in the evenings) to feed in that old cut. The place probably has a ton of vehicle traffic during modern firearm, but it might be very worthwhile to scout this spot, or a spot with similar characteristics, this winter through mid-summer for the early archery season. Perhaps you've already been there. If so, it may be worth another look.
Post by: ljsommer on January 04, 2019, 01:52:04 PM
I sent a PM with a more specific area that I've spent my time.
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 05, 2019, 09:02:30 AM
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Post by: dreamunelk on January 05, 2019, 09:39:45 AM
Any of you guys that have hunted this area before, have you been to Elk or Bunch Lake?
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Been there. They are in the park so can not hunt there. Not really a fishing destination if you are curious about that. Still a cool area.
Post by: brandon.b.sanders on January 05, 2019, 10:13:45 AM
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Post by: dreamunelk on January 05, 2019, 10:55:52 AM
Post by: fishnfur on January 05, 2019, 10:02:31 PM
Just get off the road and you will not see many people. For the most part only the main lines are open. There are several large bottoms along the hump. Your are hunting Black-tailed deer in the brush. Covering ground is not recommended. Get into a likely spot and hunt slower than slow.
:yeah: