Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Northwestsamurai on November 09, 2019, 12:34:28 AM

Title: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Northwestsamurai on November 09, 2019, 12:34:28 AM: Found this area on OnX and did some scouting today. Pretty large clear cut. All the red waypoints are sign (tracks, scat, game trails). The red triangle area is where I’m thinking about setting up as it’s the highest elevation (about 100ft above everything else) and gives me the only vantage point. I would get there before light and just glass down towards the area where there’s sign. Is that what you would do? Should I keep my eyes out on the edges? Am I missing anything?

Hunting blacktails, modern rifle, western Washington. First year hunting and learning a lot as I go. Thanks for your help!
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Deerdad44 on November 09, 2019, 06:44:21 AM: Remember to consider the wind. Wouldn't hurt to have a couple of options based on wind direction.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: treefarmer on November 09, 2019, 07:05:23 AM: Looks like a good plan. I like to glass a while at daylight then walk the roads and see if anything pops up. FYI with those coordinates above the scale bar anyone who looks at this can find your spot
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Jimmer on November 09, 2019, 07:27:58 AM: Quote from: treefarmer on November 09, 2019, 07:05:23 AM
Looks like a good plan. I like to glass a while at daylight then walk the roads and see if anything pops up. FYI with those coordinates above the scale bar anyone who looks at this can find your spot
You just opened the flood gates on the west side. The clock is ticking! :)
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: PolarBear on November 09, 2019, 07:46:58 AM: Upper right hand corner in the timber
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Dan-o on November 09, 2019, 08:45:10 AM: Welcome to the site.

Honestly, I would remove that pic unless you want a bunch of friends to join you up there.

Good luck.... Looks like a beautiful spot.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: ThurstonCokid on November 09, 2019, 08:51:37 AM: I think your plan is perfect. Hunting blacktail rifle i usually try to get vantage point over anything else. Even over wind. With that being said ideal wind could also help.. edges of timber are the first spots I’d glass. Then I’d work around the cut from there. Good luck! Hope it works for ya

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Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: ThurstonCokid on November 09, 2019, 08:53:46 AM: And since gps coordinates are on your picture i would remove photo erase numbers, then repost

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Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: ghosthunter on November 09, 2019, 08:53:57 AM: I would set up on that treed point 2 Nd or 3rd X back .
I am guessing some deer enter the thick there while others continue on-towards your spot.

You don’t have to see a long ways. Sit quiet and let them come in close. :twocents:
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: huntnfmly on November 09, 2019, 08:58:20 AM: That looks like a good spot for after the thermals change to up hill.
Going in there in the morning is going to send your scent right to where the deer are coming from.
And another vote for editing that pic the coordinates will have other people joining you
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Blacktail Sniper on November 09, 2019, 09:04:00 AM: Might be too late, but on a positive note, may have a good size group for setting up a drive... :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Odell on November 09, 2019, 09:24:25 AM: that area gets a ton of pressure and most of the deer go nocturnal during the season. Get there super early and watch the wind, try to catch one headed out of the cut at first light. Good luck
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on November 09, 2019, 09:27:13 AM: Quote from: ghosthunter on November 09, 2019, 08:53:57 AM
I would set up on that treed point 2 Nd or 3rd X back .
I am guessing some deer enter the thick there while others continue on-towards your spot.

You don’t have to see a long ways. Sit quiet and let them come in close. :twocents:

Exactly. Looks like you can see more of the cut from that little point of timber. The triangle seems to be a lot more limited in what you can see.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: CP on November 09, 2019, 10:25:07 AM: Depending on the wind and access routes, I'd setup down the tree line a bit (tip of the arrow). That spot is approachable without getting into the area with sign and from there you can view the entire cut. You can approach through, and setup in, the thin strip of timber. That should give you plenty of concealment.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: jeffro on November 09, 2019, 10:29:04 AM: This place is no secret, for sure.
Gets hammered all season.
He who has the most patience will win.
I’d almost want to go in the night before, be as scent free as possible.
Get up way before light, check winds, and set up accordingly.
With as much of a vantage point as possible.
Then wait for the mob scene to show up to push them around.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: Northwestsamurai on November 09, 2019, 11:47:12 AM: Thanks y’all and thanks for looking out. I removed the picture. If you saw...shhh ;)
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: smithkl42 on November 09, 2019, 05:05:53 PM: Quote from: Northwestsamurai on November 09, 2019, 11:47:12 AM
Thanks y’all and thanks for looking out. I removed the picture. If you saw...shhh ;)

I actually hunted that spot last year, and didn't see a ton of sign in that clearcut. As I recall, I saw more a mile or so further to the south. Didn't see any actual deer, however.
Title: Re: Where you would setup on this map?
Post by: fishnfur on November 09, 2019, 10:16:24 PM: That strip of timber might serve as a good funnel for bucks cruising between bigger timbered areas. Setting up just inside the timber where CP suggested may allow you to monitor both timber and cut at the same time - you might hear some movement in the timber behind you as you glass the cut.

Elevation is a huge advantage in hunting deer, but remember that deer typically also go uphill to bed, so as others suggested, a descending thermal in the early morning may give away your location before they ever get to you as they head uphill to bed. Regardless, if I didn't see anything in the cut by noon (at the latest), I'd move into the timber, find a trail and still hunt, something like 50 yards inside the edge of the cut - probably above the area where you saw the most sign.

Good luck!