Post by: tbrady on December 30, 2019, 11:59:43 AM
I'm up to 15 points now for quality buck and hoping that 2020 might be the year finally. I have hunted Entiat almost exclusively and have had some luck but things have definitely been trending down in the last several years. Before the last couple of years Entiat would be choice #1 but I'm starting to think about putting down Desert as #1.
I've never set foot in that unit though whereas I know Entiat really well from one end to the other... I've looked at the unit in Google earth and it looks to be about 2/3rds private land. Is private land access necessary for having a good chance at a booner?
Any input greatly appreciated.
thanks
tim
Post by: dvolmer on December 30, 2019, 12:02:29 PM
Post by: jstone on December 30, 2019, 12:09:27 PM
Entiat unit is just as bad I am sure. You will get a deer but quality buck?
You will have fun though
Post by: boneaddict on December 30, 2019, 12:12:03 PM
Post by: bobcat on December 30, 2019, 12:18:04 PM
Post by: tbrady on December 30, 2019, 12:28:54 PM
Two completely different hunts. What do you want to get out of the hunt?
That's a really good question that I should give some serious thought to. The simple answer is I want to get a deer with a 30"+ rack. I don't consider myself a "trophy" hunter but I have passed on several muleys over the years because they were small. The last time I took one was around 10 years ago and it had a 25" spread. I don't need to shoot anything to have fun, I just love being out there. I grew up in VA/NC where it was not uncommon to take 15+ deer a year because we were so overrun with them and farmers had hundreds of tags to use. Plus, once that thing is on the ground the fun is OVER. :) So I guess Bone, I want an opportunity at a once in a lifetime buck. Even if I choose to not pull the trigger on anything I will have fun just being out there.
Post by: vandeman17 on December 30, 2019, 12:33:59 PM
Two completely different hunts. What do you want to get out of the hunt?
That's a really good question that I should give some serious thought to. The simple answer is I want to get a deer with a 30"+ rack. I don't consider myself a "trophy" hunter but I have passed on several muleys over the years because they were small. The last time I took one was around 10 years ago and it had a 25" spread. I don't need to shoot anything to have fun, I just love being out there. I grew up in VA/NC where it was not uncommon to take 15+ deer a year because we were so overrun with them and farmers had hundreds of tags to use. Plus, once that thing is on the ground the fun is OVER. :) So I guess Bone, I want an opportunity at a once in a lifetime buck. Even if I choose to not pull the trigger on anything I will have fun just being out there.
A 30+ inch mule deer is quite the lofty goal, no matter what tag you have in your pocket. As others have said, I would go with the unit I know better and then hope that the weather lines up and you have luck on your side. Bucks that size aren't easy to find but they are around
Post by: Odell on December 30, 2019, 12:35:50 PM
Two completely different hunts. What do you want to get out of the hunt?
That's a really good question that I should give some serious thought to. The simple answer is I want to get a deer with a 30"+ rack. I don't consider myself a "trophy" hunter but I have passed on several muleys over the years because they were small. The last time I took one was around 10 years ago and it had a 25" spread. I don't need to shoot anything to have fun, I just love being out there. I grew up in VA/NC where it was not uncommon to take 15+ deer a year because we were so overrun with them and farmers had hundreds of tags to use. Plus, once that thing is on the ground the fun is OVER. :) So I guess Bone, I want an opportunity at a once in a lifetime buck. Even if I choose to not pull the trigger on anything I will have fun just being out there.
I would look for that opportunity out of state and then keep applying for Entiat as your #1 and desert as a#2. It could easily be 20 years before you draw either tag
Post by: boneaddict on December 30, 2019, 12:36:17 PM
If you want a camping experience, wall tent etc Entiat would be your choice over the desert. The Desert is close enough to my home I've never thought of camping out there, but not sure what your choices are besides a state park.
Entiat you are hunting migratory deer, whereas the desert you are hunting local desert dwelling swamp rats.
Private property isnt much of a problem for either unit really, though the desert has a bunch, but there is still alot of land out there. There is the option for Ag hunting out there.
How well do you get around. Desert is flat, but reality is the sand and dunes and putting in due diligence hiking out there.....where as Entiat could be a roadhunt if you wanted it too.
Post by: Henrydog on December 30, 2019, 12:38:26 PM
Many on here think the unit has not been producing like it has in the past. I think you can say that about any Mulie hunt in Eastern Wa. I used to bird hunt the Desert area (I Have never had the tag) but I have seen some dandy's.
That black sand and looks fairly flat from the truck will give you a heck of a work out.
Post by: boneaddict on December 30, 2019, 12:45:01 PM
I hate to bring up a non PC term these days, but an old timer once told me.... :chuckle:
-a secret to success in hunting is to learn an area extremely well, hunting it at least three years and that would make your success ten fold.
Anecdotally I can be on either side of the fence on that one. It is something I think about. I might attribute my success contrary to that because of my understanding of deer and how they might react in the geography they are in, but following his success over the years, he has certainly evidenced his claim.
my biggest argument to that is that its fun to hunt in different bioms. It might not get you that 30 incher, but you might get more enjoyment out of the hunt, which is why I asked the question. If you are after hunting migratory mule deer with majestic vistas..... or you want to play tag with one in a Russian olive patch with the roar of I-90 in the background and guys shooting ducks.
Post by: tbrady on December 30, 2019, 01:52:58 PM
The only time hunting gets "not fun" for me is if the fog comes in and I can only see about 50 yards, then I start to go nuts. :)
Post by: boneaddict on December 30, 2019, 01:59:25 PM
Post by: jstone on December 30, 2019, 02:15:23 PM
Post by: jjhunter on December 30, 2019, 02:17:48 PM
I hate to bring up a non PC term these days, but an old timer once told me.... :chuckle:
-a secret to success in hunting is to learn an area extremely well, hunting it at least three years and that would make your success ten fold.
Anecdotally I can be on either side of the fence on that one. It is something I think about. I might attribute my success contrary to that because of my understanding of deer and how they might react in the geography they are in, but following his success over the years, he has certainly evidenced his claim.
my biggest argument to that is that its fun to hunt in different bioms. It might not get you that 30 incher, but you might get more enjoyment out of the hunt, which is why I asked the question. If you are after hunting migratory mule deer with majestic vistas..... or you want to play tag with one in a Russian olive patch with the roar of I-90 in the background and guys shooting ducks.
An intersting thing that I find is that while I may struggle at first in a new area, I typically have my best hunts (find biggest deer) the first time that I hunt a new area. What I attribute this to is that:
1) I am excited to hunt new terrain (hunting hard/ultra focused)
2) I glass and hunt everything because I am not making assumptions based upon past experience (this s a good area/this is a bad area - spending too much time looking where I have seen a big deer before, etc).
3) I cover way more country (I am not locked in on my "good spots")
Anyway, this is just something I've come to realize over the past 10 years hunting across the West.
Kind of interesting...
Post by: jstone on December 30, 2019, 03:02:57 PM
Never thought of that.
Post by: OutHouse on December 30, 2019, 05:10:35 PM
Post by: tbrady on December 30, 2019, 07:12:47 PM
Post by: teanawayslayer on December 30, 2019, 07:27:43 PM
Post by: idahohuntr on December 30, 2019, 07:34:10 PM
Stay with Entiat. Regardless of the herd it's a dream hunt from the pictures I've seen. Never spent much time in the unit myself but the pics do it justice.Good advice. I drew 3 mule deer tags last year and my wife had an Entiat tag. Her tag was hands down more fun than any of mine. Lots of deer, no people, beautiful country...tough to beat these days! Size of bucks, I personally did not see any buck over 165.
Post by: tbrady on December 31, 2019, 10:58:07 AM
Are you set on both units? I mean your going from one extreme to the next as bone has stated. Why would you not be interested in the chiwawa or the swakane? They both border entiat and you would be hunting the same deer for the most part. Both those units give out a decent amount of permits and way less applicants. So pretty much you would have the same experience in either of those units. Personally I’ve never put in for the entiat. Hunted it with a buddy who had a raffle tag a few years ago. He harvested his buck the 3rd week of December. It was not a 30” buck either. Fine buck for this state none the less. I was not impressed with the amount of quality deer in the unit even that late into December. Good luck on the draw!
Not set on both units but at this point I would rather hold out for Entiat since I'm familiar with it.
Post by: walleye1 on December 31, 2019, 12:40:47 PM
Post by: huntnnw on December 31, 2019, 10:14:13 PM
Like mentioned your points really dont mean much in those draws unless you apply for units with far less applicants you could draw next year or 10 years from now.
I have never understood the 30" muley guys want. i would shoot a heavy 180" 24" buck all day long over some wire horned 30" buck just because hes wide.
Post by: Magnum_Willys on December 31, 2019, 10:39:11 PM
Class more realistic. Did see a 3 point pushing 27”.
Post by: huntnphool on January 01, 2020, 02:18:30 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on January 01, 2020, 07:30:26 AM
As long as you are not concerned with score, 30” is doable! You are very likely to find a 30” two point. :tup:I think I saw that one! :tup:
Post by: MerriamMagician on January 02, 2020, 08:21:59 AM
Post by: Hot Lunch on January 03, 2020, 07:55:30 AM
Post by: Rb1 on January 03, 2020, 08:30:56 AM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Ace on January 15, 2020, 04:45:37 PM
Post by: full choke on January 15, 2020, 05:04:54 PM
I hunted the desert last year. 18 points. Hunted the 1st rifle season. They just started to rut. Get away from the A and C roads. Hunt close to the private fields. No hunters. Seen some real good bucks. Including this one. 29 1/2” wide. Close enough to 30 for me. You get drawn and I’d be happy to give you all the info I have
Great buck! :tup:
Congratulations!
Post by: hoffmas56 on January 24, 2020, 12:05:14 PM