Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Huckleberry on October 18, 2010, 02:12:09 PM
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Forgive my ignorance as I am fairly new to this mule deer hunting stuff. I've spent most of my time going after big blackies on the west side but have decided to spend the first half of the season looking for a decent 4x4 or better on the eastside. Daylight of opening day found me up the chewuch (sp) road towards 8 mile (I think) of winthrop. I hiked into that steep rocky stuff that burned over several years ago. Once I got on the south facing slopes where a little more food was available I started finding does, spikes and 2 points. About 31 of them that I got a good look at and another dozen or so that I spooked and couldn't id. I was quite a ways back, enough so that I never saw another hunter or even heard a shot after I left the truck. So, my question: where are the bucks? Was I in the right area or do I need to go higher? I reached the top of the "hills" I went into. I plan on revisiting the eastside later in the week. Is it worth my time going to the same/similar location or should I move away from all these small bucks and does?
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Maybe you didn't get high enough early enough? Just a guess. The bucks are probably NOT in the same area as the does and immature bucks. By the time you got to the "top" any good bucks that were there may have already been bedded and in that case could be like finding a needle in a haystack.
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Your in a very good area. If you spend more time I bet you will get your 4pt.
It should be a ton better twoards the end of the season.
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High is in the eyes of the beholder. The last 4 four points I saw together were standing in the Chewuch river where it intersects with the Methow in downtown winthrop. You were in a good area and the fact you didn't see anyone is a good thing, but also a bad thing. That meant you had to do all the work, and you were in their yard playing their game. Sometimes its nice having some other folks around to chase them into you. The 8 or so you heard could hae easily been the big one. Remember also that big bucks hold and don't often bust lose. They let you walk by. If you were in deer, you were in good.
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Pressure is important up there no doubt about it. I ve had to throw things at bucks to get them to stand up so I could shoot. lazy SOb's
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Well perhaps if he posts a more precise location, we can get some hunt-wa members up there to help with the "lack or pressure" problem. :dunno: I'd volunteer my services but I have a muzzleloader tag this year.
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I know the burn he's talking about its on my list...
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Thanks guys. I just didn't know if the bucks would be hanging out in the same areas as the doe's or not. If there is a good chance of finding me one in there I'll do the leg work again later this week. If I don't find what I'm after.......well halloween is a usually a pretty decent day back home : )
