Post by: Wendego716 on August 30, 2021, 01:40:28 PM
I've been looking at hunting the east slopes of the Cascades for the general season, maybe Wenatchee-Winthrop areas (Units 242, 245, and 247 caught my eye). My biggest concern is what the road conditions are like in there, especially because I'll be driving a Honda Fit (not by choice, believe me). Are the roads fairly passable, or are they high clearance 4x4 only? For examples, I've looked at areas around Tyee Ridge Rd, Potato Creek Rd, Grade Creek Rd. And I don't have the gear to backpack in, so I'm unfortunately limited to what I can day hike into. I know it's going to be a rodeo as far as the crowds go, so I'm planning on avoiding the weekends - hopefully that will help a little?
My next biggest concern is will there actually be any deer in those areas? They're not all migratory, so there has to be some resident deer in the lower areas right? Or should I be looking further east? I did some work out in Swanson Lakes years ago, and saw plenty of deer that summer, so that could be an option?
I've got a million more questions, but I don't mind figuring those out on my own. Also, I know it's way late to start making plans, but it's been a busy summer (I'll sum it up in one word: toddler).
Post by: phildobaggins on August 30, 2021, 01:51:14 PM
Post by: sjhgraysage on August 31, 2021, 12:40:43 PM
Post by: Wendego716 on September 01, 2021, 07:45:33 PM
Post by: Lady Grouse hunter on September 02, 2021, 09:55:14 PM
Post by: kenjo on September 14, 2021, 11:46:05 AM
Post by: heavyhorned on September 15, 2021, 08:14:45 AM
Post by: phildobaggins on September 15, 2021, 08:34:56 AM
E-scout some draws that look tasty, come over and drive some roads in the day light, and do some glassing with a sandwich and some jerky. You can make an awesome day out of scouting, maybe run into some other hunters who've had success and are over excited to tell you exactly where they shot their deer and where the other bucks that were with him went ;)
Which season are you going to be hunting?
Post by: Wendego716 on September 17, 2021, 08:22:36 PM
i would be looking at upgrading to a higher clearance rig or start doing some scouting/driving to see what those areas are really like.
might need to find a spot to drive to, camp, and do a lot of walking.
Earlier this summer I thought of picking up a used truck just for hunting, but then I saw what trucks are going for now and said the hell with that. No way I'm paying 20K for a 10 year old truck. Oof. My hope is to drive in as far as I can, camp, and hike out from there. I intended on scouting last weekend, then this weekend, but life keeps getting in the way. Hopefully next weekend!
Post by: Wendego716 on September 17, 2021, 08:50:15 PM
You'll be fine in the Honda, but you'll probably need to go slow and get creative in a few areas :tup: Mid-late season in those areas can be a bit unpredictable, but there are tons of deer.
E-scout some draws that look tasty, come over and drive some roads in the day light, and do some glassing with a sandwich and some jerky. You can make an awesome day out of scouting, maybe run into some other hunters who've had success and are over excited to tell you exactly where they shot their deer and where the other bucks that were with him went ;)
Which season are you going to be hunting?
I'll be hunting modern firearm. Gonna go M-F and avoid the weekend, hopefully it'll be less of a zoo that way? I'm hoping to spend a few weekends beforehand scouting. Bring the dog and the shotgun on a few and maybe find some birds, bring the rifle on the others and maybe find a bear. At the least, it's awesome country to wander around in.
Post by: heavyhorned on September 20, 2021, 12:22:06 PM
Post by: Griiz on September 20, 2021, 12:31:40 PM