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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: akashasdaddy on October 09, 2011, 06:23:47 PM


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Title: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 09, 2011, 06:23:47 PM
I am trying to decide where to begin my hunting. This is my first year in the bush and I am not sure where to start. I am from Grays Harbor and know the donkey creek area real well but I feel I have found a decent spot on Rock Candy Mt also. I live closer to RCM now since I moved to be closer to school. Where would the more seasoned hunters be come opening weekend if you were in my shoes?
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: heavy hauler on October 09, 2011, 06:27:29 PM
i prefer donkey creek, but i say go with what you know. :twocents:   get ready for  the orange wave sat morning
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: dreamunelk on October 09, 2011, 06:37:00 PM
RCM has a higher deer population.  Donkey creek is good too but, look at current habitat conditions.  Just depends on how you want to hunt and what experience you are after.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 09, 2011, 06:48:37 PM
I know Donkey Creek far better than RCM. I am also not looking for a bruiser I just want meat in the freezer no trophies. As far as the hunt I want I am not sure. Unfortunately I am hunting alone so more than likely I'm gonna hike in a good bit then just sit and wait. I don't know but this seems to be the best method for me. I am a total newbe to hunting, and too sure of what to do. I am trying to learn on the fly. I know everyone wants this but I just want to be successful. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: wrongway on October 09, 2011, 07:56:10 PM
we have killed lots of deer out of RCM, if you have a place you can sit you are good, we get our deer from what we call steep and deep. the steep sided clear cuts that are deep. the road hunters will not go into them to much work. Good luck
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: PolarBear on October 09, 2011, 08:28:13 PM
Donkey Creek!  I was up there yesterday.  Plenty of critters.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: hawksfan75 on October 09, 2011, 10:05:07 PM
Was just looking over the area around Donkey Creek on Google Earth/Go Hunt. It looks like great land. If one is considering it, where would one camp in that area? Are there central spots where people congregate or is it pretty dispersed around there?
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: sirmissalot on October 10, 2011, 09:44:17 AM
Both places will be full of hunters. I'd say there are more deer in Donkey creek. Reprod holds far more deer than mature timber, and the state for whatever reason likes to let their timber grow.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: mrgoodwrench on October 10, 2011, 07:26:37 PM
Remember that anything east of 101, north of the Donkey Creek road, and south of Newberry Creek road that is private timberland(clearcuts) is leased....no public access.  Same with the 3600/3601 road system on the south side of the Donkey Creek road.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: Alan K on October 10, 2011, 07:46:44 PM
My favorite time to hunt Rock Candy is during early archery, before the rifle hunters and rest of the heavy traffic hits it.  There are some dandy bucks in there, though they're pretty smart like all other bucks in places that are open to the public year around.  As for rifle seasons up there, I'm usually at my one planned spot for the first and last 20-30 minutes of light glassing the reprod.  Other than that I'm in the timber, which is AWESOME to hunt on a rainy day.  Overall I wouldn't say that it is any better or any worse than your average deer hunting here on the west side.

Never hunted around Donkey Creek, so I can't comment there.  By the sounds of it it's a toss up.  :dunno:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: Humptulips on October 10, 2011, 07:55:48 PM
Yea Donkey Cr is pretty much a sea of dog hair any more so don't go there.  :bdid: No deer anyway! :dunno: :sry:
Just move along folks, Nothing to see here. I think the roads going to be closed anyway. :hello:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 10, 2011, 08:29:49 PM
Sounds to me like Humptulips is trying to keep a good area to himself :chuckle: I will eventually hunt both areas though. My issue is opening weekend I know the woods are going to be full everywhere but I'd like to be where there are less than other places. I know the Donkey Creek area better, it is a longer drive, but I think familiar is better than convenience.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: Humptulips on October 10, 2011, 08:34:52 PM
I tried to warn you. Don't come crying to me when you get lost in all that dog hair! :tung:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 10, 2011, 08:42:39 PM
I don't know what you mean by dog hair, like I said I am a newbie to the hunting thing but I do hike and fish a lot and Donkey Creek is where I was married. It looks about the same as always except they are logging right off the Donkey Creek road and you can see the highway. Which pisses me off but it is nice to see people working so I will get over a few trees being gone. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: Humptulips on October 10, 2011, 08:54:22 PM
Good my reverse psycology worked or did it? You will never know. :chuckle: :tung:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 10, 2011, 10:51:56 PM
Well like I said I am going to hunt both areas. RCM is close so I can hunt it after my classes and I will hunt DC on days I dont have class. Thanks to having early classes where I get out at noon(which is a late start) I get to hunt every day of the season. Plus I have read on here and heard a lot from friends and family that hunt that last light is almost always the best time to be in the woods. So you aren't gettin rid of me that easy :sry:
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: Humptulips on October 10, 2011, 11:10:21 PM
Only thing left to say is good luck. :)
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 10, 2011, 11:22:10 PM
Thanks I think I am going to need it where ever I hunt. I am new to hunting and doing so alone. My hunting buddy who was supposed to show me the ropes backed out due to personal issues.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: elkaholic_74 on October 11, 2011, 09:35:39 AM
You wont see me in either place, good luck!!!!
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: elkaholic_74 on October 13, 2011, 09:53:15 AM
Not sure where exactly you are but from the sounds of it Id say you are between Monte and Elma? Have you tried looking at the Wynoochee or Satsop areas? those are 2 of the best deer units on the west side (see harvest reports) lots of access and gated roads. It can get crowded on the weekends but if you get away from the roads there is some exellent hunting.
Title: Re: Rock candy mt vs Donkey Creek
Post by: akashasdaddy on October 13, 2011, 02:06:12 PM
I grew up in Aberdeen, just recently moved to Olympia for school. I am working on my masters in teaching. I haven't looked into that area. I honestly wouldn't have looked into RCM if I had not move up here. I am also a first time hunter who unfortunately is hunting alone, ( My hunting partner that was supposed to show me the ropes backed out at the last minute for personal reasons) and with out a truck (my hunting partner has the truck) I am stuck trying to fill my tag with no experience and a little Nissan Altima. I know I am probably going to be eating tag soup instead of back strap steaks but I have no chance to make a harvest if I don't get my butt in the woods. I'd love a partner that was willing to show a newbie the ropes but I know that is probably not going to happen so I will do what I can and hope to get extremely lucky, I think. It is a good thing I am not looking for a trophy in anyway just meat in the freezer for my daughter and I.
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