Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: TXDoug on November 08, 2022, 06:11:53 PM

Title: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 08, 2022, 06:11:53 PM: Well, after putting myself in for the entiat rifle rut tag for over a decade (unsuccessfully), my 17 year old daughter drew it with just 3 points. I'm not sure what the odds of that are, but they can't be all that great, and I wouldn't blame anyone for being jealous! We haven't been able to devote as much time to the scouting or hunt as I wanted. The fact that I'm writing this from an airport lounge in Minneapolis is kind of a microcosm of my work life right now. But nevertheless, we're heading over there Nov 11-14, and then then 19-20 if she doesn't harvest one this coming weekend. I am completely stoked for the opportunity to make some memories with my oldest before she heads off to college and continues to form her own lens through which to view the world. I'm also stoked to hunt the entiat considering it's about as good as it gets for mule deer in WA, but I'm trying to keep the perspective that that's secondary to the overall experience with the kiddo.

We got some exceptional intel from an avid member of this forum who's a good friend of a good friend (thank you!), so we have a solid game plan. The snow situation appears to be just about ideal, so if we can avoid sliding off the road and don't get fogged in, I feel pretty confident that we'll have a good hunt. We really have no set criteria for what size buck she wants to shoot. I'm probably going to be the one who wants her to pass on the small 4 and keep hunting because, well, that's what I and so many of you love to do! I've really appreciated reading through the threads on this site while deciding what hunts to apply for and especially in preparation for this hunt. So, I figured it was time to share our experiences the other way now that we have an interesting hunt to talk about! I'll post back here with as many updates as I can during/after the hunt. We'll be in a maroon silverado with a canopy. Feel free to say hi if you're in the area because you're one of the other lucky suckers who drew this tag!
Doug
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: High Climber on November 08, 2022, 06:19:39 PM: Nice draw for your daughter :tup:
Good luck out there!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Igor on November 08, 2022, 06:19:48 PM: Best of luck to you and your daughter. Have fun out there, and be careful. Entiat is one of the primo units to see lots of deer.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 08, 2022, 06:20:42 PM: Wow good luck! Need any honey holes let me know. Go low!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 08, 2022, 06:42:13 PM: If you need some honey let me know
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: jrebel on November 08, 2022, 06:50:42 PM: You guys will do very great. Hopefully some members shoot you a PM with great intel.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: HntnFsh on November 08, 2022, 06:56:12 PM: Best of luck! Be safe! Savor the moment! Hope she smokes a masher!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: elkoholic1 on November 09, 2022, 07:11:24 AM: :tup:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: elkrack on November 09, 2022, 07:12:00 AM: Tagging along :tup:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: 3nails on November 09, 2022, 07:28:18 AM: This will be a great experience for you both! Congrats. I'd encourage you to let it be all about her and not put your expectations into the hunt. Have a great time!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: C-Money on November 09, 2022, 07:34:08 AM: Good luck! Should be an excellent time. Looking forward to the story.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Gentrys on November 09, 2022, 09:53:31 AM: wow, only 3 points. That's awesome!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: mburrows on November 09, 2022, 10:26:51 AM: enjoy every minute of it and cover as much ground as you can with the vehicle and glass!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Gonehuntin01 on November 09, 2022, 04:02:09 PM: Congrats to your daughter on the draw. Take your time, glass, glass and glass. Be patient, and enjoy the hunt. Great tag. I had the archery tag a couple years ago.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 10, 2022, 08:25:34 PM: We're all packed up and heading out in the AM! Should get a solid half-day of hunting in tomorrow. We super appreciate all the encouragement, offers of help and general positivity! This forum is full of great people and the sense of community is fabulous when these threads don't degrade into negativity. We'll aspire to update here tomorrow.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 10, 2022, 08:28:17 PM: Quote from: 3nails on November 09, 2022, 07:28:18 AM
This will be a great experience for you both! Congrats. I'd encourage you to let it be all about her and not put your expectations into the hunt. Have a great time!

:yeah:
I am going to try as hard as I can to do exactly that!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: millerwheeler on November 10, 2022, 08:44:15 PM: Quote from: TXDoug on November 10, 2022, 08:25:34 PM
We're all packed up and heading out in the AM! Should get a solid half-day of hunting in tomorrow. We super appreciate all the encouragement, offers of help and general positivity! This forum is full of great people and the sense of community is fabulous when these threads don't degrade into negativity. We'll aspire to update here tomorrow.

Best of luck have a hell of an adventure with your daughter!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: huntnfmly on November 11, 2022, 05:24:45 AM: Quote from: millerwheeler on November 10, 2022, 08:44:15 PM
Quote from: TXDoug on November 10, 2022, 08:25:34 PM
We're all packed up and heading out in the AM! Should get a solid half-day of hunting in tomorrow. We super appreciate all the encouragement, offers of help and general positivity! This forum is full of great people and the sense of community is fabulous when these threads don't degrade into negativity. We'll aspire to update here tomorrow.

Best of luck have a hell of an adventure with your daughter!

Enjoy the heck out of this hunt
My youngest daughter got her first deer in entiat and her and her sister are the best hunting partners I have
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 11, 2022, 09:18:07 AM: 10 hour days looking for that Masher aren't so fun for youngins - get "Her" trophy which mite be that wide forkie ! Good Luck !
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: scottfrick on November 11, 2022, 12:28:14 PM: Good luck to your daughter! Kill a big one!!!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 03:18:37 PM: Unit has some wide forkers in it....
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: bobcat on November 11, 2022, 04:51:28 PM: Quote from: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 03:18:37 PM
Unit has some wide forkers in it....

I'd definitely take that one.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: teanawayslayer on November 11, 2022, 05:03:04 PM: :tup:
Quote from: bobcat on November 11, 2022, 04:51:28 PM
Quote from: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 03:18:37 PM
Unit has some wide forkers in it....

I'd definitely take that one.
in a heart beat!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: klickman on November 11, 2022, 06:08:51 PM: Quote from: teanawayslayer on November 11, 2022, 05:03:04 PM
:tup:
Quote from: bobcat on November 11, 2022, 04:51:28 PM
Quote from: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 03:18:37 PM
Unit has some wide forkers in it....

I'd definitely take that one.
in a heart beat!

Yes I bet theres a few archery hunters who would lay the smack down on that buck
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 08:15:30 PM: That was a buck in 2015 bit sure some similar ones around. Another 2015 big main frame two that is on the wall... good luck to the young lady, magical time to spend some time in the mountains!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 11, 2022, 09:28:05 PM: Well, day 1 didn't disappoint! After what must have been a tiring drive over from Pullman (see pic), we got into the area a little after noon. After ratchet-strap-rigging a brand new snow chain with missing pieces :( , we headed up to the highest area in our "zone" since the visibility was clear up high. We saw piles of does everywhere we glassed, and found 5 smallish bucks total. 4/5 were either bedded or apathetic to the ladies. Only saw one exhibiting typical rut behavior. Had a great time, which is easy to do when you're steadily seeing animals while glassing. We're going to try down lower tomorrow with some primo honey holes on the list from our Wenatchee buddy and some fellows on this forum that value hunting with kids and are generous with the intel (thanks!).
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Ridgerunner on November 11, 2022, 10:13:41 PM: Keep in mind even though its the rut, the big boys are not completely stupid generally. They may not be with the big doe herds during the daylight but will be close by.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: highside74 on November 11, 2022, 10:27:05 PM: This is gonna be good. Let's goooo!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: boneaddict on November 12, 2022, 06:14:11 AM: Rut is going into the 7th inning stretch. A little early, but activity fired hard and fast before all this weather hit. It will appear slow for a bit then There will be another peak near thanksgiving. Bucks are tired. 80 percent I am seeing are bedded.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 12, 2022, 08:19:26 AM: When its best is when there is nothing up high they have all moved down. So sounds like its early.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: boneaddict on November 12, 2022, 05:42:12 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on November 12, 2022, 06:14:11 AM
Rut is going into the 7th inning stretch. A little early, but activity fired hard and fast before all this weather hit. It will appear slow for a bit then There will be another peak near thanksgiving. Bucks are tired. 80 percent I am seeing are bedded.

Literally 5 minutes after I posted this I had a huge 7x9 running a doe like a whitetail. I stand corrected. I think they all got into grandpas jar of blue pills. They were all fired up today.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 14, 2022, 08:37:01 PM: Well, day two had its downs and ups. We tried to get into a spot down lower that I'm sure had a dozen accessible 150" plus bucks. But we got our asses kicked by the road, so we'll never know :'( I made a pretty serious mistake in coming over with two snow chains instead of four. Not only did we not make it into the preferred spot, we very nearly had to come-along the back end of the truck away from the cliff edge in a couple of places. Not at all pleasant for me or Aubree. So we tried another spot up mud creek and made it up to the ridge we wanted, but couldn't drive the ridge road to glass and move like we wanted to. We had a fabulous hike down the ridge road in beautiful sunny weather, glassing deer the whole time, but the only two bucks were spikes. We had a good laugh at the thought of shooting a spike with the Entiat tag to see how the trophy hunting world would react.

After coming to our senses regarding taking a spike, we tried to get up to another spot, and again got our butts handed to us. This was even sketchier than the first spot that we couldn't make it up. We were exposed a couple of times and were quite relieved to get down the mountain. I had read on this forum that 4 chains are a must, but I just spaced it. To be honest, I had never used chains before and didn't even check to see how many were in the pack we bought at Les Schwab. I know - dumb mistake. And for anyone else reading this thread with thoughts of heading up there this time of year TAKE 4 CHAINS! These dudes know what they're talking about. So in the midst of all this, our Wenatchee buddy came with about the most generous offer ever. He was going to bring his side by side (with 4 chains) for us to use on Sunday to get into the honey holes.

So, we had a morning plan and about 1.5 hours of daylight still to burn that evening. We headed back up to the one spot we knew we could get to. On the way up, we spotted a pretty nice buck. It wasn't what many on this forum would consider a shooter, and I was of the same mind when we saw it. But this was Aubree's hunt and she wasn't messing around. I was glassing the deer and talking about it when I realized the kid was already out of the truck setting up sticks and loading the rifle. I got out and helped her finish setting up while the buck walked to the top of the ridge. I thought it was gone (with mixed emotions), but then it stopped, literally one step from being gone. Aubree says "Dad, I think I want to shoot him." I reply "are you sure this is the buck you want?" "Yep it is," safety goes click rifle goes BOOM, deer falls over! Which led to lots of joy and a little bit of work to get him quartered and packed out.

I'm trying to post some pictures, but the attachment function is fighting me. Regardless of if I persevere with that, this was a really fabulous experience for us. That Entiat area is special and I'm already dying to go back. We were in deer the whole time and we had a blast hunting together, even if we did have a little bit of stress over traction. My lone goal in coming into this was to have a great experience with the kiddo and make some memories, and we definitely accomplished that goal! Thanks to all on this forum that offered advice and/or well-wishes.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: bigelk1030 on November 14, 2022, 08:45:16 PM: Congrats to you and your daughter. Special times together is what makes it great.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Griiz on November 14, 2022, 08:45:57 PM: Congratulations
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: highside74 on November 14, 2022, 08:51:51 PM: The picture is to big most likely. Use your phone to take a screen shot and post the screen shot.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: TXDoug on November 14, 2022, 09:11:20 PM: Quote from: highside74 on November 14, 2022, 08:51:51 PM
The picture is to big most likely. Use your phone to take a screen shot and post the screen shot.
Thanks! File size was the problem. Added a couple of pics to the post earlier.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: highside74 on November 14, 2022, 09:13:42 PM: Way to go you 2. Great story and buck.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Birdguy on November 14, 2022, 09:19:48 PM: Fantastic!!! That is a beautiful buck and some amazing memories and stories! The double throat patch is super cool! The weather is no joke! Very glad you were able to keep it on the road and allow her to take an awesome deer! Thank you for taking us along!

Again, congrats to your daughter!!! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Mulie87 on November 14, 2022, 09:20:31 PM: Awesome story. She looks so happy. Congrats on the special memories uou gwo made together, she will never forget it.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: high_hunter on November 14, 2022, 09:21:58 PM: Great story, experience gained, and times spent together. Definitely looks like a good shooter buck! Great work young lady on being decisive and getting the job done.

-HH
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: highside74 on November 14, 2022, 09:26:33 PM: The pucker factor is maxed out on some of those roads when there is snow.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Quackwhacker on November 14, 2022, 09:34:02 PM: Congratulations! Great memories indeed. Doesn't matter if it's a 200 inch buck or a spike. She will remember it forever. Can't wait to see the mount.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: jrebel on November 14, 2022, 09:38:10 PM: Congrats you two…. That is a great buck!!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: full choke on November 14, 2022, 09:39:13 PM: Congratulations! :tup:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: kramman on November 14, 2022, 09:41:42 PM: Solid animal. Congrats to the young lady.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: X-Force on November 14, 2022, 09:44:52 PM: Congrats. Good looking buck. Beautiful country
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 14, 2022, 10:41:08 PM: Excellent! Those memories! will last a lifetime.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: HikerHunter on November 14, 2022, 10:45:24 PM: Great buck, thanks for sharing!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: boneaddict on November 15, 2022, 04:30:00 AM: Congratulations! To both both of you. What a fun adventure. I’m glad you made it safe and she was able to connect on a fine buck.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on November 15, 2022, 05:13:23 AM: Holy eyegaurds! Awesome adventure. Congrats on a beauty buck and some great photos. Well done.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: huntnfmly on November 15, 2022, 06:15:59 AM: Awesome such a great time out with your daughter
Congrats to you both nice deer
Hope you took it to coopers so they could put a pic in their deer book👍
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Ridgerunner on November 15, 2022, 06:25:53 AM: Great memories and a good job of letting her find the critter she got excited about shooting. No regrets on a hunt like that.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 15, 2022, 06:35:17 AM: Great buck. Good thing is she didn't have to just walk off the road and shoot it. A buck like that where you spend time hunting and getting it out lets you know it was well earned and the memories will last longer.
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: trophyhunt on November 15, 2022, 06:40:57 AM: Solid buck, even more solid memories! Congrats to you guys!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on November 15, 2022, 06:45:17 AM: Quote from: bobcat on November 11, 2022, 04:51:28 PM
Quote from: crabcreekhunter on November 11, 2022, 03:18:37 PM
Unit has some wide forkers in it....

I'd definitely take that one.

Boom hunt over, I love those massive forkies.😉
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: redi on November 15, 2022, 06:59:26 AM: Awesome buck snd story. I love to see youth success
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Magnum_Willys on November 15, 2022, 07:11:34 AM: Thats a Dandy Buck! Good for her!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: C-Money on November 15, 2022, 07:27:54 AM: I can surly see why she wanted to shoot that buck...he's a dandy!! Congrats to you guys!!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: BIGDOG253 on November 15, 2022, 08:27:22 AM: Congratulations to both of you! Great buck :tup:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: powderbounder on November 15, 2022, 10:05:32 AM: Congratulations to your daughter for connecting with the buck that she wanted to take. You too have to be the happiest dad ever to be there with her. So glad you two had a great time. Lots of memories for sure. Thanks for letting us tag along. Great job!
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: elkoholic1 on November 15, 2022, 02:43:54 PM: great buck congrats!!!!! :tup:
Title: Re: Daughter drew entiat tag
Post by: Shawn Ryan on November 15, 2022, 06:29:44 PM: Quote from: Ridgerunner on November 15, 2022, 06:25:53 AM
Great memories and a good job of letting her find the critter she got excited about shooting. No regrets on a hunt like that.
:yeah:
Good dad for how you played out the hunt. Congrats to your daughter for a single-shot kill on a nice buck and on her decision making.