Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Thenewguy on November 13, 2009, 07:00:37 PM

Title: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Thenewguy on November 13, 2009, 07:00:37 PM: Anyone live up there?

I am thinking about going up there, need to scout for my deer tag. Any suggestions about getting around up there in this stuff?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: sandythebowtotenmama on November 13, 2009, 08:59:15 PM: I'm heading to the Entiat Unit Sunday for some almost last minute scouting, I hear chains are a good idea in both units. The rds. in the Entiat unit are scary enough, snow ekkk!
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: WArookie on November 13, 2009, 09:02:50 PM: Some of the Swakane roads are crummy even without snow. Deep ruts, HUGE mud puddles, rocks like basketballs, etc.....

Be careful, and take chains if you plan on going very high. If stuff gets nasty it can be a BIG headache to find a place to turn around.

Just a tip ;), but I have heard recently about some very nice bucks killed in the lower elevations.

Brett
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Lowedog on November 13, 2009, 09:09:34 PM: All the deer are dead, roads suck, I wouldn't bother!
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: SeaWalker on November 13, 2009, 09:10:18 PM: There's several inches of snow in much of the unit, depending on the elevation. Lower elevations are clear but muddy. This weekend a lot of the mud should be frozen most of the day.
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: yelp on November 13, 2009, 09:12:00 PM: Quote from: Lowedog on November 13, 2009, 09:09:34 PM
All the deer are dead, roads suck, I wouldn't bother!
:chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: jstone on November 14, 2009, 10:26:54 PM: snow up high went over Eagle creek to the Entiat not bad.
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: flyguide on November 15, 2009, 08:20:47 AM: This last blast put a lot of compact ice on the roads so I would have a contigency plan if you don't like 4 chains and sidehilling on the steep stuff to get up high. A disposable jeep is a good idea.
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Thenewguy on November 15, 2009, 08:46:57 AM: thanks guys, i just got back yesterday. I got up mud creek without issue but not enough snow to bring them down yet
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: bobcat on November 15, 2009, 08:50:42 AM: You mean the Mud Creek in the Entiat GMU? Or is there another Mud Creek in the Swakane?
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: jrebel on November 15, 2009, 12:03:20 PM: The roads are very drivable w/o chains. With that being said it can change in a moments notice. Also, if the roads are drivalbe the migratory deer have not yet moved in.
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Thenewguy on November 15, 2009, 06:46:06 PM: Entiat, sorry. Nahahum road was fine as well
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: eastside boy on November 15, 2009, 08:33:23 PM: Quote from: jrebel on November 15, 2009, 12:03:20 PM
The roads are very drivable w/o chains. With that being said it can change in a moments notice. Also, if the roads are drivalbe the migratory deer have not yet moved in.

:yeah: He's right......the big boys are not there yet, at least not many of them. ;)
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: jrebel on November 15, 2009, 09:00:30 PM: :yeah: As always there are a few nice deer there now. I saw one yesterday. He was only a three, but he was a big three and if I see him again, he will be a wall hanger.
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Armadillo on November 16, 2009, 07:31:58 AM: just do the majority of driving in the morning before the roads turn to goop :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Thenewguy on November 20, 2009, 07:50:10 PM: anyone been up there this week? going there this weekend?
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: WArookie on November 20, 2009, 10:11:48 PM: I have heard that some roads have snow and ice on them, and the lower roads are clear. That's fine for now, but let about 200 trucks drive over all the snow this weekend, and Monday will be like a slip and slide. I'm packing my chains for sure!!! I hope the buck only season keeps some of the dudes out of there, but I doubt it will.

Brett
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: remington300mag on November 20, 2009, 10:53:54 PM: My dad and I are honestly thinking about running up and watching all the hunters trying to make it down or even up through the Derby mud....always a good show right there!!! LOL I bet we could actually sell tickets!! You locals or people that have been there know what I am talking about! LMAO Good luck to any and all newbies trying it out! LOL
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: jrebel on November 21, 2009, 12:39:41 PM: :bash: :bash:I knew better than to go on opening day. I am home and it is only noon. I stop counting at 30 trucks and I am sure there were closer to 100 on the roads that I used to get out. So much for the 3pt min keeping people away.....I wish WDFW would pull their heads out of the butts and stop closing units. When they do all the yayhoooos pile into one unit. I have never been this pissed off after a day of hunting. >:( >:(
Title: Re: Road conditions In Swakane
Post by: Armadillo on November 21, 2009, 01:25:10 PM: Quote from: remington300mag on November 20, 2009, 10:53:54 PM
My dad and I are honestly thinking about running up and watching all the hunters trying to make it down or even up through the Derby mud....always a good show right there!!! LOL I bet we could actually sell tickets!! You locals or people that have been there know what I am talking about! LMAO Good luck to any and all newbies trying it out! LOL

its not that bad