Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: FreeSkier85 on October 15, 2024, 11:33:28 AM

Title: Thoughts on how to play the upcoming storm
Post by: FreeSkier85 on October 15, 2024, 11:33:28 AM: Hey Everyone, thought I would get a little input for this upcoming weekend as we will finally get a little weather here in central Washington. I live at Lake Wenatchee and have been hunting locally the last couple days without success. Been on some good game trails but seems the critters are buried deep in the thick timber and haven't been able to get on them (trail cams have been drying up too). I saw bucks this summer in the area but its been a ghost town the last month or so.

My thoughts are that maybe I should move up in elevation this weekend with the precipitation coming in. Hoping to get up into some snow thinking that the animals will be moving more in those conditions and I will also be able to spot them easier if there ends up being a couple inches of snow. One option is to drive up to Stevens Pass, could go up to Maverick Peak and hike into the surrounding area if the snow does materialize this far east. I did spend 5 days in the Glacier Peak Wilderness for the hike buck but only saw does unfortunately.

Anyways, hunting local just has been a bust so far and has been my go to since I can hunt most mornings and evenings (work and childcare obligations prevent full day hunts during the week).

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Thoughts on how to play the upcoming storm
Post by: JakeLand on October 15, 2024, 12:10:02 PM: I know I’ll be up at snow line hunting soon as it shows up and the day before as it starts up , Blacktail really get on the move
Title: Re: Thoughts on how to play the upcoming storm
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 15, 2024, 12:52:43 PM: Not so sure about the Stevens Pass idea. I cross it and hike it quite a bit, and typically don't see that many deer there. One indication is the low number of deer hit along the highway way there as they migrate to and from their summer grounds. Plus lots of people have been in the area hiking to look at the colors. This up coming front should help move and locate them. You are right in the deer area , Chiwawa, little Wenatchee, etc where you can reach high deery elevations. The past warm weather and moon lit nights had them hunkered down is what I witnessed.
Title: Re: Thoughts on how to play the upcoming storm
Post by: FreeSkier85 on October 16, 2024, 06:43:56 AM: Appreciate the input guys. Definitely helps me categorize my options and how to best finish up this last week of the season. It's easy to get caught up in the what ifs and the "grass is greener" mindset.

When I head back out this afternoon locally, hopefully this recent rain will show fresh sign and tracks more distinctly that previously. I did see a new buck and a bear showed up last night on my cameras locally, so as you guys mentioned the change in weather does get them moving. Gonna give it a few more days to see what materializes and also see how the storm shapes up. The forecast has been all over the board on snow totals in the Little Wenatchee which is where I was anticipating potentially climbing up to the snowline.