Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: bonehead addict on October 02, 2011, 06:17:33 PM

Title: Swakane Roads
Post by: bonehead addict on October 02, 2011, 06:17:33 PM: Just a quick question. I have a modern Swakane deer tag. Not going over until the second week of November since I have a cow elk tag to try and fill the first few days of the month.

If the snows come in(hopefully) what are the best/worst roads into the area. I know from past and recent scouting that most of the roads are nasty anyway, but when the snows hit some look like suicide. My guess is Mills canyon doesnt get much sun, nor does Swakane canyon. So they probably stay snowy,icy. I would assume Ollala and Derby get some sun, but maybe turn to mud.? The truck can handle anything, but just looking for input from some locals. Thanx.
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: Biggerhammer on October 02, 2011, 06:22:55 PM: There hasn't been enough snow in those areas to effect modern deer season since I can remember and that's my back yard.
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: bonehead addict on October 02, 2011, 06:31:26 PM: Quote from: Biggerhammer on October 02, 2011, 06:22:55 PM
There hasn't been enough snow in those areas to effect modern deer season since I can remember and that's my back yard.

Not worried about the general modern season, I have a late season modern quality tag. Just curious about mid november is all.
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: Armadillo on October 02, 2011, 06:48:11 PM: when your scouting just take note about which roads are dirt and which roads have coarse gravel. That will give you an idea of how nasty that particular road will get. The bare dirt roads turn to pudding and will require you to chain up all four whereas the roads with more gravel will be more driveable. If it snows, then you chain up wherever you go anyway... oh yeah when its frozen in the morning all of the roads will be driveable but once the afternoon hits and the mud unthaws, just be sure you parked somewhere you can realistically drive back out of.
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: bear on October 02, 2011, 06:50:12 PM: He's probably talking about mid november. I've had this tag twice and have very little snow both times. It really only gets really good if they get a lot of snow, a lot!
Bear
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: Biggerhammer on October 02, 2011, 06:51:02 PM: Oh, I missed that.. Every 3-5 years we get a heavy earlier snow but most often than not there will just be skiffs of snow hear and there. A couple inches or so, the real snow doesn't really come down untill mid December up there. The snow that actualy stays, you should be good to go unless we have some crazy weather. The top of Mills on the Entiat side and Swakane Canyon are probably your best bet for what your looking for :). The big boys are in there every fall around that time. Do allot of glassing find the one you want. Swakane is some seep stuff down lower, allot of those big boys hang on the big slopes between the upper birch mountain road above and in the timber line to the Swakane road.

Some times it's best to work them from above come off the top( Birch mountain road) and down the Swakane side. If you get one in that big country . You can go down with him into the Swakane. If you choose to do this, its best to have two trucks. Leave one in Swakane then take the other to the top of Birch and hunt down to the rig you left. If your coming over by yourself, well one rig and you need help packing or a pick up or drop off PM me I'm only 30 min or so out. Would be glad to help, that is one HOT ROD MULIE TAG YOU HAVE!
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: Fbanks on October 02, 2011, 10:23:35 PM: Bighammer is right On. I live in Wenatchee and watch these deer all winter. awesome tag
Title: Re: Swakane Roads
Post by: Arteman on October 02, 2011, 11:04:11 PM: Quote from: Biggerhammer on October 02, 2011, 06:51:02 PM
If your coming over by yourself, well one rig and you need help packing or a pick up or drop off PM me I'm only 30 min or so out. Would be glad to help, that is one HOT ROD MULIE TAG YOU HAVE!
Now see, this is what HW is all about. What a good guy right there!