Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 09:53:44 AM
Please help me make a tough decision.
Late archery buck tag starts tomorrow, Ritzville Unit 284.
Or hunt my local stomping grounds that I have confirmed whitetail bucks and some elk in the area. Archery as well.
2 days off of work.
Snowing hard locally, 6-8” down so roads are crap.
Ritzville showing way less snow.
What would you do?
Post by: MountainWalk on November 30, 2022, 09:54:15 AM
Post by: mburrows on November 30, 2022, 10:21:14 AM
Kind of sounds like a bird in hand vs bird the bush scenario?
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 10:37:59 AM
Do you have access around ritzville that’s holding deer? Tough call.
Kind of sounds like a bird in hand vs bird the bush scenario?
No private access around Ritzville was gonna hit public. Figured deer would be in sage near crops. Haven’t had time to scout.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 10:44:48 AM
Closer
Kinda what I was thinking too. Bird in hand scenario like MBurrows said too.
Plus the local stuff closes earlier so if I don’t tag out I can always try to Hail Mary a buck in the Ritzville area.
Post by: greenhead_killer on November 30, 2022, 10:48:55 AM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 10:57:03 AM
Easy call. Hunt local. Especially with this cold weather and no private access in ritzville
Thanks for the help yeah I was leaning that way just wondering what other folks would do in this scenario.
Post by: LDennis24 on November 30, 2022, 12:03:25 PM
Post by: bustedoldman on November 30, 2022, 12:23:46 PM
Do you have access around ritzville that’s holding deer? Tough call.
Kind of sounds like a bird in hand vs bird the bush scenario?
No private access around Ritzville was gonna hit public. Figured deer would be in sage near crops. Haven’t had time to scout.
Alot of the Ritzville public ground is holding deer(bucks) right now..........I was just out popping yotes this weekend and was within bow range of several decent 4pt mulies, theres a couple whitetails roaming around as well. Go with your gut..........
Post by: huntnfmly on November 30, 2022, 12:37:15 PM
Hunt close to home. I live North of the Escure Ranch and I'll keep an eye out for any bucks or deer activity that looks promising for ya! I'll shoot you any info I have via PM. Good luck!
This is one of the reasons I like this site people helping out others
Good on you👍
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 01:18:37 PM
Hunt close to home. I live North of the Escure Ranch and I'll keep an eye out for any bucks or deer activity that looks promising for ya! I'll shoot you any info I have via PM. Good luck!
Thanks man that tag is good till December 18th so I have time.
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on November 30, 2022, 01:38:44 PM
Do you have access around ritzville that’s holding deer? Tough call.
Kind of sounds like a bird in hand vs bird the bush scenario?
[/quote
No private access around Ritzville was gonna hit public. Figured deer would be in sage near crops. Haven’t had time to scout.
Alot of the Ritzville public ground is holding deer(bucks) right now..........I was just out popping yotes this weekend and was within bow range of several decent 4pt mulies, theres a couple whitetails roaming around as well. Go with your gut..........
Thanks Busted I kinda figured that’d be the case since rifle is way over and rut is on.
My gut is typically solid but today it’s being indecisive!
I sure do appreciate everyone chipping in with advice. This forum is awesome! Thanks, I’ll keep y’all posted if I have any luck!
Post by: bustedoldman on November 30, 2022, 01:50:42 PM
Do you have access around ritzville that’s holding deer? Tough call.
Kind of sounds like a bird in hand vs bird the bush scenario?
[/quote
No private access around Ritzville was gonna hit public. Figured deer would be in sage near crops. Haven’t had time to scout.
Alot of the Ritzville public ground is holding deer(bucks) right now..........I was just out popping yotes this weekend and was within bow range of several decent 4pt mulies, theres a couple whitetails roaming around as well. Go with your gut..........
Thanks Busted I kinda figured that’d be the case since rifle is way over and rut is on.
My gut is typically solid but today it’s being indecisive!
I sure do appreciate everyone chipping in with advice. This forum is awesome! Thanks, I’ll keep y’all posted if I have any luck!
Good Luck....If you go Ritz feel free to PM me.
Post by: GWP on December 01, 2022, 06:10:56 AM
So, worst case, you get skunked either place you would go, which would make you feel worse?
Or, would going further add to the 'adventure'?
I once drove 2.5 Hrs to get to an area, after getting up very early, and had my firing pin break within 15 min of getting there. While I was pretty pissed, 'things happen'.
Good luck either way!
Post by: HUNTIN4SIX on December 01, 2022, 07:13:23 AM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on December 01, 2022, 08:13:33 PM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on December 10, 2022, 10:36:59 AM
Holy smokes! Some of you told me I’d see a ton of deer. You were right. I didn’t count but estimated I saw over 150 deer in one day. My tag is any buck so the pictured buck was the target giant 2 point but man they’re like elk now all herded up tough to get up close. Round two next week after this crap weather blows out. More later….
Post by: 6haase6 on December 16, 2022, 02:26:50 PM
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on December 17, 2022, 01:33:06 PM
I had a fun late archery season. Got into whitetail bucks and elk in my local area. Tough going with the snow.
Then hit areas south of Ritz for an archery special buck tag.I found that some of you were right about this tag. I saw a TON of deer! Not too many masher bucks but several that many of you would be proud to have on the wall.
Any way my third trip out I started figuring things out. With minimal cover, this was gonna have to be a belly crawler stalk on a bedded buck. I see two does on a low ridge, one kinda spots me so I duck out of sight. A few minutes later she’s feeding but still looking. So I start glassing her vicinity as she’s looking down ridge intently. Bedded buck. Several points and nice width. Looking away from me, sweet it’s go time! Back pack off, I hand and knee crawl toward what is the only real cover around, small sage bushes, maybe knee high. Range him, range bushes, quick math I’ll be to 40 perfect! As I pathetically crawling trying to not sound like a bull in a China shop, he lazily gets up and stretches! Darn this could be a do over. He’s not spooked just wandering around feeding. I keep going. I get to 80, need another 20 to do something. Oh yeah, doe bleat in pocket, make some noise. He non chalantly sort of heads back my direction. Once he’s within range I put the finder on him, 65, takes another step and looks away. Draw back, brain to autopilot, bubble, pin, release. Fletching buried and stopped! Looked kinda back but then we are our worst critics.
After looking in the wrong spot for blood, finally worked up hill to the point of impact and some blood, then more and more. I knew there wouldn’t be a ton because the arrow didn’t fully pass through. I found him at the end of a 100 yard jaunt piled up with an arrow poking out. Turns out it was a heart shot and took out some lung tissue as the whole front end was a clotted mess.
Learned a lot on this one, got some great advice from some of you, practiced longer shots all summer and into fall, and got on some great private land. Thanks everyone!
Post by: Mfowl on December 17, 2022, 01:38:56 PM
Post by: MADMAX on December 17, 2022, 01:43:26 PM
Well done
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on December 17, 2022, 01:44:03 PM
Just got good word. Congrats man!!!!!
Thanks for reaching out to a stranger. If you ever hunt near Spokane give me a shout I got some tips.
Post by: boneaddict on December 17, 2022, 01:46:10 PM
Post by: highside74 on December 17, 2022, 02:14:49 PM
Post by: Smokepole on December 17, 2022, 02:15:36 PM
Post by: bustedoldman on December 17, 2022, 02:34:52 PM
Post by: 6haase6 on December 17, 2022, 03:00:18 PM
Just got good word. Congrats man!!!!!
Thanks for reaching out to a stranger. If you ever hunt near Spokane give me a shout I got some tips.
No problem. Just glad to see a successful harvest. That time of year in that country with a bow can be very tough!
Post by: Rutnbuxnbulls on December 17, 2022, 03:11:19 PM
Just got good word. Congrats man!!!!!
Thanks for reaching out to a stranger. If you ever hunt near Spokane give me a shout I got some tips.
No problem. Just glad to see a successful harvest. That time of year in that country with a bow can be very tough!
Ain’t that the truth. Got busted a lot more than I know. Every time I’d turn around giant ears and head staring a hole through me. The deer were so tightly grouped it was a challenge and discouraging at times but I relegate hunts kinda like a sports match where I’m always outmatched. But sometimes I win the game. Anyway thanks guys. Now on to bird hunting my dogs need to get out!
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 19, 2022, 07:39:50 PM
Post by: elkboy on December 19, 2022, 07:46:23 PM
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 19, 2022, 10:02:45 PM
Post by: mburrows on December 20, 2022, 06:27:01 AM
Post by: hunter399 on December 20, 2022, 07:07:04 AM
Congrats 👏