Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Wyoming08 on September 15, 2009, 02:26:21 PM

Title: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: Wyoming08 on September 15, 2009, 02:26:21 PM: Can anyone tell me anything about this area. It's about 6 miles West of Harrington southwest of Spokane. This hunting unit is in GMU 136 Harrington. It looks like there is about 13000 acres of BLM land just south of it called the Twin Lakes Rec Area.
I'm wondering if this area has Whitetail or Mulies, or both. I have a late season Whitetail Tag :o
Thanks again for any imput,
Casey
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on September 15, 2009, 02:37:38 PM: I've never seen any white-tail there, but that doesn't mean there aren't any.
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: 509er on September 15, 2009, 08:21:48 PM: I have a picture of a doe and fawn whitetail from a couple of years ago from there. Other than that I have not seen any other whitetails.
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: cougkilr on September 15, 2009, 08:43:42 PM: I was fighting that big forest fire there last summer and only saw Mulies, did see some good bucks though
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: bowhunterforever on September 15, 2009, 10:27:10 PM: I hunt out there all the time and this year there isn't very many muley bucks out there,Just some doe's. As for the whitetails i have only very few of them over the years and have never seen a whitetail buck out there.Good luck
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: swanny on September 16, 2009, 05:41:14 AM: Make sure to wear your snake boots!
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: GrainfedMuley on September 16, 2009, 05:54:01 AM: I used to hunt Swanson lake all the time. But it has been years since I have been out there. I know the area like the back of my hand. My Dad went to school with the guy that owns the land just east of Swanson lake. In the mid 90's I pulled a 116 inch three point, that was 23 inches wide, out of there and have seen other real nice deer. Shot my fair share of rock chucks out there also. I do know that if your are going to hunt it you have to get out super early. The area gets ALOT of pressure that first weekend. So get out and get set and let every body else move things around. The entire area is fairly flat with little draws and coulees to hide in. Some cover and lots of watering holes. I have seen Badgers and lots of yotes out there. But I have NEVER seen a whitetail of either sex. If you have never been out there you should go do a little scouting to get a lay of the land. It is BLM land and there is 12,500 acres out there. If you go in from the northeast on highway 2 at the Telford grange it will be on a gravel road. About four to five miles, after a 90 degree left and a 90 degree right, look for a one lane jeep type trail on your right that technically is a county road. I can't remember the name of the road. It's "old man" something. Anyway this road goes all the way accross to the other side of the BLM land to the actual Swanson lake school house. In the middle of the land on the same road there is a "T" and you can go south towards Coffee Pot lake. There is alot of land for bambi to hide in out there but there is a trumendous amount of pressure. The guy east of there has his land posted. You will see BLM signs on the fences and that means you can hunt that land on the other side of the fence. If you want more insight just let me know. I have hiked almost every square inch out there!
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: GrainfedMuley on September 16, 2009, 06:03:28 AM: As for the snake thing.....In all the years that I have been out there, even in the middle of July...hiking all over the rocks and through the brush I have NEVER seen a snake. But that is not to say that they are not out there. I know they are out ther but I have never seen one..... :dunno:
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: 509er on September 16, 2009, 02:24:59 PM: I have gotten quite a few rattlers out there, especially near the lakes and creeks.
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: FISHBOY on September 16, 2009, 03:31:31 PM: A lot of pressure is an understatement, that place looks like a damn pumpkin patch opening weekend, no matter how early you get out there. Some buddies and I went there 3 yrs ago and had done some scouting and had a few spots to set up. We got there around and set up around 4 am and when first light hit their was orange everywhere and bullets flying everywhere.
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: Archery King on September 16, 2009, 07:37:38 PM: My dad owns a 17,000 ranch bordering the area you are talking about. Sorry to say the area is 98 % mule deer blue tongue/black tongue has killed most all white tail. The key to that tag is stick close to the winter wheat and dont be afraid to talk to farmers half of them hate the deer in thier fields. Good luck anf questions just ask :)
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: Wyoming08 on September 16, 2009, 07:51:04 PM: Thanks everyone for the info, maybe that area is a little to far west for Whitetail..
Title: Re: SWANSON LAKE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNIT ???
Post by: GrainfedMuley on September 17, 2009, 08:31:37 AM: Archeryking....is your Dad Everet Cole? My Dad went to school with him in Davenport.