Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Kumacub on October 15, 2024, 12:34:11 PM

Title: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Kumacub on October 15, 2024, 12:34:11 PM: I made a previous post but now I feel like I am going back and forth on what I should do this upcoming 3 day weekend I have for hunting with my girlfriend.

We were in Naneum and Mission last year and this year. Last year we saw 2 bucks and lots of does. This year, not a single deer. Nor did any other hunter that we bumped into see any deer. I assumed that they just aren't around yet due to the hot weather. I then began thinking of going up north to an area I have never been. Either near Tonasket or Winthrop but weather forecast seems to be the same there.

For the more experienced hunters here; What would you do in my shoes? Hit the same area again and hope to get lucky? Try a new area and bank on learning it for next year? We have been reading a lot of books and hiked out to get away from everybody. Even saw 20+ elk with a few branch bulls that came within 200 yards of us. We just didn't find any deer and that is a bit demoralizing after starting each day before sunrise and ending after sunset.

Anyways, I appreciate everyone here and how much advice they have given me over the past year. Just trying not to go crazy here after not seeing anything with hopes of filling either my girlfriend's or my first tag.
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Griiz on October 15, 2024, 12:43:17 PM: I would try and scout during the summer and find an area that holds deer and more importantly bucks, as unless we get a lot of snow, they will probably be around during modern deer. If you are hiking into the high country, some of the mature bucks change patterns and drop into timber once antlers harden. I would also try and find an area that has deer and very little elk around, as I think you will have higher deer densities. If I was putting that much time in and not seeing deer, I would move areas. If you can afford it, invest in some trail cameras as they will help you know what is around. Study maps, satellite imagery and then put boots on ground to see if the deer are there. I prefer to hunt mule deer in steep, cliffy mountain terrain as the bucks like it and I get very few predator pictures in that habitat. Once you find an area that holds deer, I would choose a good location to binoc and ambush them from and spend most of your time sitting and waiting for the bucks to mess up and show themselves. Good Luck
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: follow maggie on October 15, 2024, 12:57:58 PM: If it’s hot I’d look for water in the shade.
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 15, 2024, 01:00:56 PM: Lots of hunters in Winthrop area. Get out into this weather upcoming and look for sign
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Kumacub on October 15, 2024, 01:04:28 PM: Quote from: Skyvalhunter on October 15, 2024, 01:00:56 PM
Lots of hunters in Winthrop area. Get out into this weather upcoming and look for sign

Are you saying to avoid Winthrop and keep on going where I was?

I saw other posts where people are saying there is a cold front coming in but all weather reports still have weather near 59 degrees in Liberty, Tonasket, and Winthrop.
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Griiz on October 15, 2024, 01:07:41 PM: I use mountainweather.com, it will give you weather and wind for different elevations.
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: Taco280AI on October 15, 2024, 01:33:58 PM: Find a big mountain you don't want to hike, then go hike up it. If you see other people around, keep going higher.
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: 85yota on October 15, 2024, 05:21:37 PM: Also, as questionable as it sounds to say, I've learned not to trust anything another hunter says. I've experienced many exceptions, but that's my starting point
Title: Re: New Hunter need mule deer advice
Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 15, 2024, 06:45:40 PM: Not sure what part of the 2 units you were in, guessing the general area by your post...... that is not the best area for deer, (although there are deer most everywhere) more suited to elk.
Winthrop area will be very busy, as well as Entiat.
I would look for areas down low (state/FS/public land) near private. Just make sure you know where you are at, and not on private ground.