Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Coltrain on September 06, 2019, 10:01:27 AM

Title: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: Coltrain on September 06, 2019, 10:01:27 AM: Hi Folks,
Just curious about the muley hunting in GMU 169. I've hunted it many times in the past but quit going due to the crappy deer numbers. The last good buck I took out of there was in 2014. I like to day hike or spike camp off of the Skyline road down into the wilderness.

Anyone have any advice? Not looking for details; just wondering if it's worth dropping off the ridge!

At the very least, a guy can usually see some awesome rutted out bulls down in the canyon...

Thanks.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: Woodchuck on September 06, 2019, 10:05:02 AM: Pickens is pretty slim up there, well in all the blues units anymore. There are still a few good ones that come out of there but numbers as a whole are in the toilet. :twocents:
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: D-Rock425 on September 06, 2019, 10:24:45 AM: I'll be in the blues all week calling elk for a permit holder. I'll let you know.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: CoryTDF on September 06, 2019, 10:30:46 AM: Quote from: Woodchuck on September 06, 2019, 10:05:02 AM
Pickens is pretty slim up there, well in all the blues units anymore. There are still a few good ones that come out of there but numbers as a whole are in the toilet. :twocents:

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

It is crazy around here anymore. Numbers seem to be down across the board. Still some good ones around but it seems like you have to work 10X as hard to find them. Once you do find them you have to contend with half of Washington state to be the first one to get a shot. Even archery season is plugged full of people these days.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: noffles on September 06, 2019, 11:33:45 AM: I kicked up a *censored*load of muleys on the Oregon side of the Blues in the spring on public land :dunno:
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: meatwhack on September 06, 2019, 06:22:04 PM: You’re doing better than 99% of the guys hunting the blues if you killed that buck there.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: jackelope on September 06, 2019, 09:29:15 PM: I’ll be down in late September for a few days of chasing mule deer in the Tucannon with my muzzleloader. Hoping to find one to shoot, but I know the deer #’s are down so not holding my breath.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: Coltrain on September 09, 2019, 11:42:28 AM: Thanks for the information. I guess we will give it a go, but mainly because I don't know of a better spot!
I did get that buck in 169, but like I said, that was my best one and that was five years ago!
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: MHWASH on September 10, 2019, 08:51:22 PM: I’m going to give it a try this year as well. Units 175 & 166. I’m aware the success is low, but I’m ready for something different.

What’s everyone’s strategy, hunt the open areas, or crawl down into the thick stuff? They only time I’ve seen muleys is during elk season when they’re rutting. Always on top next to a road, so I know they won’t be there during the season.
Title: Re: Blue Mountain Muleys
Post by: huntnnw on September 10, 2019, 10:00:48 PM: my muzzy elk hunt last year I was surprised at the amount of bucks i got on 1 cam I had up for elk. There was 9 different legal bucks.