Post by: Schmalzfam on June 22, 2025, 06:11:02 PM
Anybody else draw this tag?
It's helpful to have others to reach out to in case anyone gets in a bind.
Post by: Wingin it on June 22, 2025, 07:26:49 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 22, 2025, 07:48:31 PM
The deer numbers certainly are not what they used to be and nobody can argue that. However, there are still some stud bucks in the unit. Dedicate as much time as you can to the hunt and be patient. Hope for weather too. If you do get some weather and grind at it you should be able to turn up something good. I’m envious, I’ve spent many years hunting that area and hope to have that tag again before I’m done. Good luck!
Thank you!
You'll get the tag. Best wishes, that you get drawn next year.
Post by: MADMAX on June 22, 2025, 08:46:52 PM
Good luck
Kill a toad 👍
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 22, 2025, 09:46:55 PM
Great fun tag
Good luck
Kill a toad 👍
Thank you!! I hope to get a toad, something with character.
Post by: Tschaefer72 on June 23, 2025, 12:41:25 AM
Give it your best and enjoy it!
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 23, 2025, 05:25:20 AM
Congrats on the tag. Stunning beautiful country. I had the tag a few years ago. It was blue skies and sunshine the whole season. Still a ton of fun and one of my favorite hunts.
Give it your best and enjoy it!
Thank you! So much country to cover there. Hunting during the late season is fun. I'm excited.
Post by: huntnphool on June 23, 2025, 11:24:06 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 24, 2025, 05:36:10 AM
Congrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!
Thank you☺️
Post by: blindluck on June 28, 2025, 05:47:09 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 28, 2025, 06:44:57 PM
Congrats, there are some real hammers there, good luck
I hope to find one! Thank you 😊
Post by: Kingofthemountain83 on June 28, 2025, 06:51:09 PM
Post by: MADMAX on June 28, 2025, 07:08:53 PM
He hunted hard and passed plenty of good bucks trying to find him again on public land
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 29, 2025, 06:29:48 AM
Congrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 29, 2025, 07:51:40 AM
This one was the biggest we saw when my buddy had it
He hunted hard and passed plenty of good bucks trying to find him again on public land
Thanks for sharing the picture.What year was it? What area did you guys stick to?
It will be a fun hunt!
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 29, 2025, 08:00:08 AM
Congrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Thank you!! I am super excited. I love being in the woods during the late season.
I believe a guy got a big one, during the regular season a couple years back. The one that was pictured on a jeep?
Post by: teanawayslayer on June 29, 2025, 08:36:21 AM
I think that buck came out of the general area but not ChewuchCongrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Thank you!! I am super excited. I love being in the woods during the late season.
I believe a guy got a big one, during the regular season a couple years back. The one that was pictured on a jeep?
Post by: elkaholic123 on June 29, 2025, 08:39:45 AM
Pearrygin I believe!I think that buck came out of the general area but not ChewuchCongrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Thank you!! I am super excited. I love being in the woods during the late season.
I believe a guy got a big one, during the regular season a couple years back. The one that was pictured on a jeep?
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 30, 2025, 07:29:02 AM
Pearrygin I believe!I think that buck came out of the general area but not ChewuchCongrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Thank you!! I am super excited. I love being in the woods during the late season.
I believe a guy got a big one, during the regular season a couple years back. The one that was pictured on a jeep?
So not the big buck you were speaking of. Yes, you're right. This one was on the opposite side of the road that separates the 2 GMU's.
Post by: MADMAX on June 30, 2025, 07:53:38 AM
This one was the biggest we saw when my buddy had it
He hunted hard and passed plenty of good bucks trying to find him again on public land
Thanks for sharing the picture.What year was it? What area did you guys stick to?
It will be a fun hunt!
We were there 2021
He wanted a big specific buck posted earlier
Saw the most bucks on Rendevous
Met about 4 or 5 tag holders showed them bucks we weren’t interested in.
Never fired a round and ate the tag
I had it myself I think 2013 or 2014, I shot a decent 4x4 on day 11 and a bear same day, really fun time to be up there
Use your optics, know your legal public boundaries especially Rendevous area
Find the does.
Post by: Ridgerunner on June 30, 2025, 10:55:35 AM
Reality is most guys don't shoot high scoring deer on these WA Quality hunts, there are better states to do that in for sure. These hunts can still be amazing and memorable even if you don't shoot the biggest one on the mountain. I know the one I had over 20 years ago was, even though the buck only scored in the 140's.
Post by: 2MANY on June 30, 2025, 12:33:15 PM
That being said these Skagit folks kill some big deer over there.
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 30, 2025, 10:06:33 PM
I was hoping to avoid the Rendezvous area, well mainly the Gunn Road. I know a lot are taken there. There are some great areas around there, but yes property boundaries are huge there.
That's a beautiful bear, too.
I'm excited!
I was really hoping someone else held this tag too! Not yet, on here so far.
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 30, 2025, 10:16:24 PM
Here's my opinion on these late tags. Throw score out the window, go in and plan on hunting hard, enjoy hunting muleys in the rut with minimal competition and when you find a buck you like kill it so you have a tangible reminder of the great time that you had on this tag that probably took decades to draw.
Reality is most guys don't shoot high scoring deer on these WA Quality hunts, there are better states to do that in for sure. These hunts can still be amazing and memorable even if you don't shoot the biggest one on the mountain. I know the one I had over 20 years ago was, even though the buck only scored in the 140's.
Very well said!
I will not pass on one that I feel is right or worked my rear off to get to. If I have.a plan or feeling about a certain area, hike in and it all comes together, for me that is a huge accomplishment. I love a great story to go with every animal.
We will be over during the general season, so my boyfriend can hunt . Reading your post helps take a bit of pressure off myself, when I can put it in that perspective. I appreciate that.
It will be a fun season for sure. Thank you again!
Post by: Schmalzfam on June 30, 2025, 10:17:55 PM
Exactly.
That being said these Skagit folks kill some big deer over there.
Yes!! yes, they have.
Post by: huntnphool on June 30, 2025, 10:24:54 PM
I think that buck came out of the general area but not ChewuchCongrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Thank you!! I am super excited. I love being in the woods during the late season.
I believe a guy got a big one, during the regular season a couple years back. The one that was pictured on a jeep?
Correct
Post by: huntnphool on June 30, 2025, 10:27:22 PM
Congrats on the tag, the unit is still a top prospect for a quality buck!didnt someone shoot a 200+ buck in there a couple years back?
Correct
Post by: mountainman on July 02, 2025, 08:48:35 AM
Post by: doubledroptinedreamer on August 14, 2025, 10:47:41 AM
Post by: High Climber on August 14, 2025, 11:01:15 AM
Rendevous last year, Gunn road. They are thereGot any more angles of that buck?!
Post by: Sakko300wsm on August 14, 2025, 12:01:00 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
Just don’t pray for too much snow - I had the tag in 22 and got almost 3’ of snow in about 24hrs , pretty much destroyed the hunt at that point
Post by: HikerHunter on August 14, 2025, 02:59:52 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on August 16, 2025, 09:01:54 AM
Post by: link on August 16, 2025, 03:37:40 PM
Yea, that made it rough. I couldn't get to where I had been hunting and had to drop down to hunt little less familiar areas. The deer were down there too, I just couldn't find a big one. Nothing for me.My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
Just don’t pray for too much snow - I had the tag in 22 and got almost 3’ of snow in about 24hrs , pretty much destroyed the hunt at that point
Post by: Schmalzfam on August 17, 2025, 01:36:10 PM
Seeing the posts and hearing other people's previous tag situations has been a great insight. I'm excited!
Praying for, just enough snow. 😁
I was hoping someone else on here drew the same tag, but no reply on that yet.
This Saturday we hiked in to check out some unfamiliar areas.
--if only cougar was open!!
Keep sharing the stories and insight, I appreciate it bunches!!!😊
Post by: huntnphool on August 19, 2025, 12:44:51 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
Just don’t pray for too much snow - I had the tag in 22 and got almost 3’ of snow in about 24hrs , pretty much destroyed the hunt at that point
That was a once in 50+ year event, I’d not count on seeing another early November snow event like that anytime soon. I had a tag that year too, talked to several guys that gave up and went home.
Post by: Mtnwalker on August 19, 2025, 01:27:29 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
Just don’t pray for too much snow - I had the tag in 22 and got almost 3’ of snow in about 24hrs , pretty much destroyed the hunt at that point
That was a once in 50+ year event, I’d not count on seeing another early November snow event like that anytime soon. I had a tag that year too, talked to several guys that gave up and went home.
:yeah: That snow made getting around tough for a few days and it moved some deer down but by no means was it a hunt killer, couldn't believe guys were calling it. 4 or 5 days later we were back up hunting close to 5000' again and still seeing deer. Killed my buck on a south facing slope around 4500' a week after the storm and it was ankle deep
Post by: bigmacc on August 21, 2025, 03:33:19 PM
Post by: HntnFsh on August 21, 2025, 04:10:20 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on August 21, 2025, 09:37:22 PM
What a great memory to have. It can turn so fast. I am so excited!
Post by: bigmacc on August 23, 2025, 04:01:42 PM
Thanks for sharing your story, those are the best!!Thank you. I believe it was the first couple days in November or the last couple days of October :dunno, general season at that time. Remember, that was 50 plus years ago also👍 It’s definitely changed, when the migration does hit nowadays those big groups/herds have been deminished to a trickle unfortunately. Yet there are still a few big fellas in there.
What a great memory to have. It can turn so fast. I am so excited!
Good luck to you and keep us posted👍 Also, make sure you have a cougar tag in your pocket, there’s plenty.
Post by: Schmalzfam on August 23, 2025, 11:40:53 PM
Thanks for sharing your story, those are the best!!Thank you. I believe it was the first couple days in November or the last couple days of October :dunno, general season at that time. Remember, that was 50 plus years ago also👍 It’s definitely changed, when the migration does hit nowadays those big groups/herds have been deminished to a trickle unfortunately. Yet there are still a few big fellas in there.
What a great memory to have. It can turn so fast. I am so excited!
Good luck to you and keep us posted👍 Also, make sure you have a cougar tag in your pocket, there’s plenty.
I will definitely keep you posted! We have been scouting a lot this season. Well, more just hiking for glassing spots, seeing what roads are open vs closed, what roads are no longer passable due to washouts and getting reacquainted with the area. It's been a few years. Last weekend when we were there 2 cougars came up the draw. They were screaming back and forth. Of course it's not open, so we had to just watch them pass on through.
That was mid-day, too. I will make sure to carry all my available tags (bear and cougar)!
The numbers are less. I would've loved to have seen the area in the good ole days. Were the moose as plentiful then, as they are now? We have seen a lot in that area. That is pretty cool!
Thanks for the good luck wishes!! 😊
Post by: eskimo on August 29, 2025, 11:03:26 AM
Post by: boneaddict on August 29, 2025, 11:38:46 AM
Post by: bigmacc on August 29, 2025, 03:26:35 PM
No, the moose is a fairly new thing. I mean they have been there and an occasional elk, but there has definitely been a surge of numbersThis👆
Post by: Schmalzfam on August 30, 2025, 09:33:01 PM
Your PM inbox is full .Call me Bob (360)303-9516Hello Bob,
I cleaned up my inbox. I had no idea it was full. Sorry about that.
Post by: no.cen.wa on September 01, 2025, 08:55:14 AM
Sadly with the the Department.of Wildlife favorites, wolves, cougars and anything that can screw up deer hunting has changed it all.
I would caution you that weather can really change fast. We camped at 5600 feet and were run out a few times with snow, 2 feet of snow can change everything. as I said we were in the northern end of Chewuck.
One thing that surprised us was the amount of moose we saw in the first 10 years up there. They were everywhere. That changed over time and see very few now. Mostly none.
Good luck on your hunt, best time to be there for sure!
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 01, 2025, 07:48:50 PM
Good for you on your Chewuck tag. Our group has hunted that area since 2007, mostly the northern portion. We moved form Perrygin to Chewuck after the Tripod fire. It was a great move, many times tagging out for our group. Just like you said though, not as good as it used to be. But, should be a great late tag area. We hunted mostly from Thirty mile area to Corral Butte, Longswamp, Hikey Hump, and a few times to Windy Peak. Of course many more areas up there.
Sadly with the the Department.of Wildlife favorites, wolves, cougars and anything that can screw up deer hunting has changed it all.
I would caution you that weather can really change fast. We camped at 5600 feet and were run out a few times with snow, 2 feet of snow can change everything. as I said we were in the northern end of Chewuck.
One thing that surprised us was the amount of moose we saw in the first 10 years up there. They were everywhere. That changed over time and see very few now. Mostly none.
Good luck on your hunt, best time to be there for sure!
Thank you! I love that area. It is a place the weather does turn quick. I had the queer creek area in mind. I haven't been to that exact location, but near there up wild horse creek. I have a feeling though, that those places will be hard to reach in November. The deer in that location aren't as plentiful, in our experience. The ones you do find are usually nice bucks though. The country there is beautiful!
I am hoping to put my hands on a map with the four migration routes, for the Chewuch. If anyone has one, I would appreciate it.
I'm very surprised nobody else on here has spoke up about drawing too.
I agree about the wolves and cougar numbers. I haven't seen a wolf yet there, but I have seen sign. I saw a lot of sign in an area we were in a few weeks back. It's not a good feeling.
I am excited to have the opportunity and I know regardless of the outcome, I will have an amazing time.
Thank you again.
Post by: no.cen.wa on September 01, 2025, 08:42:15 PM
I went up Queer Creek last year,(east side) trying to get where I shot the 300 pounder. I couldn't get there. all the trees that where left after the Tri Pod fire where on the ground. It was impossible to get though it. I don't know how you could get a deer out. I was walking on downed trees 3-4 deep and 3-4 feet off the ground.
Hope you can find a way in there. The late hunt may be the ticket! Good luck!
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 01, 2025, 08:57:13 PM
Ok yes, Queer Creek! We took some real big bucks out of there a few years back. My Brother-in-law got one, on the west side of Queer Creek, 35 inches wide that scored 206, best part was it was all down hill to the road, he got his truck, came back down the road, backed up to the bank where I pulled it down into the back of the truck and we got outa there before anyone saw it.(my son got a 30" one up behind Coral Butte the year before and people saw us bring up out of a hell hole to the truck. for the rest of the season it looked like a Seattle freeway with all the rigs and hunters in that area. I got one on the east side of Queer Creek toward Hicky Hump. It had huge thick horns, but only 4x3,,, with some stickers, 25". it weighed in at just over 300 lbs,
I went up Queer Creek last year,(east side) trying to get where I shot the 300 pounder. I couldn't get there. all the trees that where left after the Tri Pod fire where on the ground. It was impossible to get though it. I don't know how you could get a deer out. I was walking on downed trees 3-4 deep and 3-4 feet off the ground.
Hope you can find a way in there. The late hunt may be the ticket! Good luck!
Sounds like you guys have had some good seasons up there. Those deer were hogs. Fallen trees make things very hard for sure. That has happened to us a lot! We have found it to be very beneficial to use our backpacks and quarter deer up. Stinks, because you can't hang it whole or get every scrap, like if you were to process it at home/camp.
Even, backcountry camping with our packs on can be a challenge with the downed trees. I will admit, I have found myself in the turtle position a couple times. Help, I've fallen moments. 😁
But, makes for some good stories, just like you have. Have a great season. Maybe, we will see you up there!
Post by: doubledroptinedreamer on September 03, 2025, 12:27:30 PM
Good for you on your Chewuck tag. Our group has hunted that area since 2007, mostly the northern portion. We moved form Perrygin to Chewuck after the Tripod fire. It was a great move, many times tagging out for our group. Just like you said though, not as good as it used to be. But, should be a great late tag area. We hunted mostly from Thirty mile area to Corral Butte, Longswamp, Hikey Hump, and a few times to Windy Peak. Of course many more areas up there.
Sadly with the the Department.of Wildlife favorites, wolves, cougars and anything that can screw up deer hunting has changed it all.
I would caution you that weather can really change fast. We camped at 5600 feet and were run out a few times with snow, 2 feet of snow can change everything. as I said we were in the northern end of Chewuck.
One thing that surprised us was the amount of moose we saw in the first 10 years up there. They were everywhere. That changed over time and see very few now. Mostly none.
Good luck on your hunt, best time to be there for sure!
Thank you! I love that area. It is a place the weather does turn quick. I had the queer creek area in mind. I haven't been to that exact location, but near there up wild horse creek. I have a feeling though, that those places will be hard to reach in November. The deer in that location aren't as plentiful, in our experience. The ones you do find are usually nice bucks though. The country there is beautiful!
I am hoping to put my hands on a map with the four migration routes, for the Chewuch. If anyone has one, I would appreciate it.
I'm very surprised nobody else on here has spoke up about drawing too.
I agree about the wolves and cougar numbers. I haven't seen a wolf yet there, but I have seen sign. I saw a lot of sign in an area we were in a few weeks back. It's not a good feeling.
I am excited to have the opportunity and I know regardless of the outcome, I will have an amazing time.
Thank you again.
I guess you didn't see my response from August 14th, but I did say that my dad and I also drew the 2025 Chewuch Quality Tag.
Sounds like you're getting lots of good scouting in.
Post by: OutHouse on September 03, 2025, 12:37:40 PM
Ok yes, Queer Creek! We took some real big bucks out of there a few years back. My Brother-in-law got one, on the west side of Queer Creek, 35 inches wide that scored 206, best part was it was all down hill to the road, he got his truck, came back down the road, backed up to the bank where I pulled it down into the back of the truck and we got outa there before anyone saw it.(my son got a 30" one up behind Coral Butte the year before and people saw us bring up out of a hell hole to the truck. for the rest of the season it looked like a Seattle freeway with all the rigs and hunters in that area. I got one on the east side of Queer Creek toward Hicky Hump. It had huge thick horns, but only 4x3,,, with some stickers, 25". it weighed in at just over 300 lbs,
I went up Queer Creek last year,(east side) trying to get where I shot the 300 pounder. I couldn't get there. all the trees that where left after the Tri Pod fire where on the ground. It was impossible to get though it. I don't know how you could get a deer out. I was walking on downed trees 3-4 deep and 3-4 feet off the ground.
Hope you can find a way in there. The late hunt may be the ticket! Good luck!
Post pics of these bucks to get Shmalzfam and the rest of us excited!!!
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 03, 2025, 06:18:14 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
I see it now. 😂 Sorry about that. I'm not sure how I missed it. Sounds like you have spent a lot of time there. I'm glad some other knowledgeable people will be there! 😁 I'm excited. We have been over just checking out roads etc. Things will be different come late October - the end of the tag. Best of luck to you. I hope we run into you and you're dragging out a nice buck! Are you staying the entire time?
Post by: bigmacc on September 03, 2025, 06:53:42 PM
Or at least be vague . If you have a………hole or “an area” keep it close.
Post by: doubledroptinedreamer on September 03, 2025, 08:16:41 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
I see it now. 😂 Sorry about that. I'm not sure how I missed it. Sounds like you have spent a lot of time there. I'm glad some other knowledgeable people will be there! 😁 I'm excited. We have been over just checking out roads etc. Things will be different come late October - the end of the tag. Best of luck to you. I hope we run into you and you're dragging out a nice buck! Are you staying the entire time?
No worries! Due to other hunts that we have planned in November, we are only hunting the first 10 days of the tag. I’d love to hunt the last half but oh well. I think we should be able to tag out in that amount of time.
I haven’t got to spend much time in the northern part of the Unit since we had been hunting whitetail when we were there before. We saw a lot of fresh wolf sign up Eight Mile last year.
Post by: 2MANY on September 03, 2025, 10:36:00 PM
………… carefully folks. PMs are not a bad thing. Just saying.
Or at least be vague . If you have a………hole or “an area” keep it close.
Times have changed.
Unbelievable.
Post by: no.cen.wa on September 04, 2025, 10:28:56 PM
we tried everything up there.
I hope the late tag will be good, but even our hikes up to Windy Peak have netted nothing in the last 6-8 years and we see hardly a deer up there.
So, we are packing up and heading back down to the methow. We are some of the last that have hunted there since 2007 to bail out.
I hope it changes
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 05, 2025, 06:08:57 PM
One thing I can say for sure, I won't be going up to the areas I talked about. Maybe a late hunt will be good but regular season absolutely not. Besides all the crap on the ground, the reprod is 8 to 20 feet high and you can't see much. when the tripod fire was moving, the forest service started back burns 200 yards or so on the north side of the road. the fire never got there. it turned another way. Besides that the deer harvest is dismal at best.
we tried everything up there.
I hope the late tag will be good, but even our hikes up to Windy Peak have netted nothing in the last 6-8 years and we see hardly a deer up there.
So, we are packing up and heading back down to the methow. We are some of the last that have hunted there since 2007 to bail out.
I hope it changes
We have found some clear paths here and there. If we can't get through that stuff, odds are the deer can't either or they have a pretty beaten down trail you can follow. Obstacles will obviously make them change their path a bit.
I have heard mixed reviews on the type of winter we will have. The Chewuch is a big unit. There will be deer somewhere. Maybe not the caliber or numbers there once was, but there will be deer!
I'm sorry to see you leave the area it sound like you love so much.
Have.a memorable season with a deer(I hope) and some more stories.
Post by: wilywin on September 06, 2025, 07:36:49 PM
Post by: O. Nerka on September 06, 2025, 08:43:51 PM
Watch the weather and get out of your truck! Drew that tag in 2019! Got a pretty nice 6x4 on Nov14th in about a foot of snow! Key word is " get out of your truck " Good luck!And be ready to function in bad weather and snow. A buddy has a late tag in 2022 and was hunting in 2+ feet of snow. We hiked his buck out to the road and another tag holder drove past and stopped to chat. They were in soaking wet blue jeans and were limited to hunting within 1/4 mile of the truck while postholing around.
Post by: boneaddict on September 07, 2025, 06:43:22 AM
Post by: Mtnwalker on September 07, 2025, 11:52:51 AM
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 07, 2025, 02:36:10 PM
………… carefully folks. PMs are not a bad thing. Just saying.
Or at least be vague . If you have a………hole or “an area” keep it close.
Times have changed.
Unbelievable.
I'm not worried about the spots I've mentioned. The area has so many hunters anymore during the general season, nothing is secret there. I run into people no matter where we go. My little specific/special places, I hold on tightly to.
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 07, 2025, 02:40:23 PM
Watch the weather and get out of your truck! Drew that tag in 2019! Got a pretty nice 6x4 on Nov14th in about a foot of snow! Key word is " get out of your truck " Good luck!
Sounds like you got a nice one! Congratulations.
I plan on getting out of my truck for sure. Thank you, I'm pretty excited.
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 07, 2025, 02:48:24 PM
Watch the weather and get out of your truck! Drew that tag in 2019! Got a pretty nice 6x4 on Nov14th in about a foot of snow! Key word is " get out of your truck " Good luck!And be ready to function in bad weather and snow. A buddy has a late tag in 2022 and was hunting in 2+ feet of snow. We hiked his buck out to the road and another tag holder drove past and stopped to chat. They were in soaking wet blue jeans and were limited to hunting within 1/4 mile of the truck while postholing around.
We typically hunt late archery, in the snow. I have everything heated you can think of, as well as waterproof clothes. Nothing worse than being cold and wet. 2022 was an epic year. I was hiking in thigh deep snow, wind just blowing and it was cold. My boyfriend's deer ended up 600 yards down in a creek bottom and we packed it out from there in 30" of snow. But, that was an amazing year all around.
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 07, 2025, 02:54:03 PM
The Chewuch is a big unit. This is key. I swung through last year on a photo trip and found 8 tag holders within about a square mile of each other off of one very popular old road. Granted, its a good spot as I was there too with little skin in the game, but I was shocked.
There are a lot of deer that hang around those very popular roads. I will have the entire time to hunt, explore, and hopefully find my perfect enough buck. I will be on my own some days in the beginning. That will be the most difficult to explore too far out, just playing it safe. There is a lot of ground to cover.
Post by: Dan-o on September 07, 2025, 06:46:11 PM
Post by: jason stevens on September 07, 2025, 06:53:38 PM
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 08, 2025, 04:26:45 AM
You've got a great attitude and predict you're going to have a really fun hunt! :tup:
Thank you Dan-O!! I plan on making the most of it. I can't wait to see how that country is, that time of year. It will be fun to see. I know even with the change in deer numbers over the years, there are still enough to choose from. I love your support. 😁
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 08, 2025, 04:30:45 AM
You are an open minded hunter an I hope for some reason you end up with the new state record. Happy hunting!!!
Jason Stevens, Thank you so much. I will definitely be hunting like that is what I'm after. 😁 I am beyond excited and I can't wait to see what the mountains hold for me. I know I will be putting in the work and no matter the caliber, it will be special.
Thank you again and I hope you're right. ☺️
Post by: Schmalzfam on September 08, 2025, 06:22:24 AM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
I see it now. 😂 Sorry about that. I'm not sure how I missed it. Sounds like you have spent a lot of time there. I'm glad some other knowledgeable people will be there! 😁 I'm excited. We have been over just checking out roads etc. Things will be different come late October - the end of the tag. Best of luck to you. I hope we run into you and you're dragging out a nice buck! Are you staying the entire time?
No worries! Due to other hunts that we have planned in November, we are only hunting the first 10 days of the tag. I’d love to hunt the last half but oh well. I think we should be able to tag out in that amount of time.
I haven’t got to spend much time in the northern part of the Unit since we had been hunting whitetail when we were there before. We saw a lot of fresh wolf sign up Eight Mile last year.
You must have some other great hunts planned. Congratulations! You will find a shooter in that time. I have came across some sign in that area as well, but we never came across one and we didn't hear any. I was surprised we didn't hear them. We camped in the backcountry, so I was kind of expecting it. Best of luck to you and maybe we will see you over there!
Post by: doubledroptinedreamer on September 09, 2025, 12:35:33 PM
My dad and I were also lucky enough to draw the Chewuch quality tag this year! My fiancé had the buck tag last year, and my dad and I had the buck tag in 2016, so we are familiar with the area. We saw a few nice muley bucks last year and weren't really looking very hard. Snow seems to help push the deer down.
I see it now. 😂 Sorry about that. I'm not sure how I missed it. Sounds like you have spent a lot of time there. I'm glad some other knowledgeable people will be there! 😁 I'm excited. We have been over just checking out roads etc. Things will be different come late October - the end of the tag. Best of luck to you. I hope we run into you and you're dragging out a nice buck! Are you staying the entire time?
No worries! Due to other hunts that we have planned in November, we are only hunting the first 10 days of the tag. I’d love to hunt the last half but oh well. I think we should be able to tag out in that amount of time.
I haven’t got to spend much time in the northern part of the Unit since we had been hunting whitetail when we were there before. We saw a lot of fresh wolf sign up Eight Mile last year.
You must have some other great hunts planned. Congratulations! You will find a shooter in that time. I have came across some sign in that area as well, but we never came across one and we didn't hear any. I was surprised we didn't hear them. We camped in the backcountry, so I was kind of expecting it. Best of luck to you and maybe we will see you over there!
Good luck to you as well! I hope you get a big one!