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Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: MountainTracker on June 10, 2021, 02:46:56 PM


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Title: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on June 10, 2021, 02:46:56 PM
Well after many years of getting goose eggs I drew the chiwawa archery tag.  I’m pretty excited about this tag as I know what the potential is.

If anyone has any pointers I’m all ears.

Now I have to find time to scout, as I also drew an archery NV Antelope tag for August.

Good luck to all this season


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: jason stevens on June 11, 2021, 03:23:07 PM
That can be a great hunt if you get snow. Last couple of years it seems that the deer have vanished. But when the weather shows up oh boy. Good luck an I hope you get a big one
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on June 15, 2021, 10:23:59 AM
That can be a great hunt if you get snow. Last couple of years it seems that the deer have vanished. But when the weather shows up oh boy. Good luck an I hope you get a big one
Thanks I appreciate it. I’m pretty excited about this hunt. Unfortunately I’m going to be out of the area for about a month coming up, so I’m hoping to get over there in late July early aug to get a lay of the land.  I’m hoping with this tag being the first week of dec there will be some movement due to snow 😄


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on November 20, 2021, 07:05:41 PM
Bumping this back up to see if anyone has any Intel on snow conditions up there and if the deer are moving in yet?

Only about a week and a half to go.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: jrebel on November 20, 2021, 08:25:19 PM
Bumping this back up to see if anyone has any Intel on snow conditions up there and if the deer are moving in yet?

Only about a week and a half to go.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks


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Snow is definitely present and deer are 100% in the unit and moving through.  Should be a good hunt.  Bring chains for the rig and a chainsaw to cut trees out of the road.  Lots of wind this year. 
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on November 20, 2021, 08:56:36 PM
Bumping this back up to see if anyone has any Intel on snow conditions up there and if the deer are moving in yet?

Only about a week and a half to go.

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks


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Snow is definitely present and deer are 100% in the unit and moving through.  Should be a good hunt.  Bring chains for the rig and a chainsaw to cut trees out of the road.  Lots of wind this year.
Thanks for the update, I have one set of chains but probably should get another set.  I was thinking of bringing a quad but idk if will be useful if it snows a bunch. A sled would probably be better.  Good call on the chainsaw.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on November 30, 2021, 09:13:23 PM
Tomorrow it begins


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: actionshooter on November 30, 2021, 09:37:21 PM
Good luck!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: jstone on December 01, 2021, 02:49:28 PM
Hope it’s going well
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: TVHunts on December 01, 2021, 03:44:10 PM
Best of luck to you!

 That unit used to produce some monster bucks in late 70’s and early 80’s.  I’m sure they still migrate through. Let us know :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 01, 2021, 04:14:33 PM
73 degrees in wenatchee today   :dunno:  pray for a cold front to move in soon. Keep us posted on what you find. Good luck
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 01, 2021, 06:30:56 PM
Thanks everyone for the support.

The truck said it was 66 degrees when I got on the mountain and the wind was ripping. Wind didn’t let up for most of the day. There is absolutely zero snow. I was able to find deer and bucks but no shooters. One buck was tailing a doe. I also came across multiple lion tracks.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Pathfinder101 on December 02, 2021, 11:30:59 AM
Good luck!  Thanks for taking us along... :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 02, 2021, 11:38:24 AM
Yup thanks for keeping us posted. Crazy there is no snow up on top this time of year.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Ridgerunner on December 02, 2021, 12:48:55 PM
Wierd year weather wise for sure. This is the first year in history that Denver hasn't had measurable snow by December 1st. 
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Rainier10 on December 02, 2021, 02:49:18 PM
Good luck.  Lack of snow will make it a little more difficult to find deer but will also help with your stalks being quieter.

Sorry to hear about all of the cat tracks but that is the new normal.  Too many cats in this state.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 02, 2021, 09:00:26 PM
So how about some good, some bad, and more good

This morning the temperature was about 10 degrees cooler than the opener and by noon it had dropped another 5 degrees. Way less wind as well.

Even with the cooler weather the morning hunt was rough, only seeing a hand full of does and a spike.

Around noon I meet up with some HuntWA members who also have the tag. Good dudes who offered to help me if needed since im solo. It’s nice to have the ability to meet guys when out hunting.

When I went out for the afternoon/evening hunt, I hadn’t been at it more than 20 mins and I had already seen more deer then I did all morning.  All of the deer I did see were doe’s, no bucks. Still pretty early as I’m checking all the ridges and hips. I get to a fork, turn around and there is a doe and a buck 200 yards up the ridge just inside the tree line. The buck could careless and the doe was giving me the stair, like why is this guy standing in the middle of the road? 

My goal with this hunt is to try and harvest a good mule deer representation.  This buck appeared to have what I was looking for, 4x4, decent mass, just outside the ears. It didn’t take me long to decide to put the stalk on.

I make my way to the up hill part of the road so they can’t see me anymore. The doe starts to move away and up the ridge. As I get closer moving down the road, I can see just the tops of bucks horns. I start moving slowly up towards the last location and there’s no buck!  I figured he had followed the doe, so I continue in the last known direction.

I spot them moving through some trees about 100 yards away. I pickup my pace and close the distance quickly. The wind was in my favor but it was starting to get later and the wind was starting to swirl ever so slightly.  The buck turns around and stairs in my direction as does the doe.

We are locked in a game of don’t move for almost 30 mins. I’m pretty positive they can’t see me clearly bc I’m behind a tree I was using to block my movement.  To my surprise the doe starts walking towards me and gets to about 40 yards, I’m thinking yes this buck will follow.  I’m pretty sure she was just trying to check the wind bc she promptly jumped back. She did this two more times.

Finally the buck moves behind a rock cropping and the doe goes on top of it.  The buck joins her on top and now he’s locked into my location. He is however standing completely broadside and elevated slightly, with the only thing blocking a shot is the tree I’m behind.

I lean out slowly and get a range, dial my sight. I’m about to draw back and step out when the buck looks back at the doe and takes off.  They head back over the ridge down towards a road. I follow and get to the road not knowing which way they went, so I start slowly up the road. I look back and spot him standing below the road but a ridge away. They went right I went left.

I worked my way to the last known location but never see him again

Even though it didn’t workout, it was still pretty awesome, and now I know what caliber of deer the area holds.  By the end of the evening I’d seen 40 deer, so a much better show then in the morning.

More good news I hear snow is headed this way by Saturday . Also about 85ish% of the doe’s I’m seeing have a fawn in tow, so that should help the numbers.  Still seeing cougar tracks!

I can only hope it’s going to get better.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: elkrack on December 02, 2021, 09:35:59 PM
Sounds like a great start to your hunt!  :tup:

Stick a cougar while your at it🏹
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Rainier10 on December 02, 2021, 10:22:14 PM
Sounds like a great start to your hunt!  :tup:

Stick a cougar while your at it🏹
:yeah: sounds like a great afternoon.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 03, 2021, 07:10:19 AM
Congrats! At it that's great! A fun stalk for sure
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Gonehuntin01 on December 03, 2021, 07:24:53 AM
Good write up.  Keep after it, you'll get him.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 03, 2021, 06:53:56 PM
Today was a much better day, started at 34 degrees and never got warmer than 36, and there was zero wind.

As soon as there was enough light I started spotting deer, a few small bucks and a 3x3, but nothing like the deer from the night before.  I keep working my way into a bowl. I come to a draw that runs down most of the area I’m in, I look down see nothing, I look up and instantly see deer.  Also most as fast a big 4x4 runs into my FOV. He is ran all over the place. It takes me a split second to see he is as good or better than the buck from the night before.

These deer were above a road, above me. Let’s just say I have a lot of experience driving a quad real fast, and I like to go fast. Im able to get below them in short order, however, they have been moving up the entire time. 

I’ve been doing the stair stepper thing for months and well I should have been running on the stair stepper, bc everything here is steep I’m following but not really making any ground so in desperation I give out a deer grunt and he stops. This gives me some time to keep gaining. 

I cross over a draw to get to his side, when I look up the draw and see another buck as big as the 4x4.  He’s looking right at me, so I put the glass on him and can see he is slightly outside his ears and heavier then the 4x4.  He finally turns his head to reveal he’s a really big forky.

Im now standing between these two deer both to far for a shot. The forky turns and starts walking away. I decide to try and catchup with the 4x4 bc I’m on his side of the draw, however, I lose sight of him. I move slowly up the ridge and never see either of the bucks that morning again.

For fear of busting them out of the area I back out.  At this point I’m pretty gassed and sweaty, this is where I learned a lesson I already knew, bring at least one shirt to change into when it’s this cool.  I get to my quad and promptly take off some of my gear to dry out, but while that happens I’m getting pretty cold. Lesson learned won’t forget at least a dry shirt in my bag.

Later that afternoon I talk with another tag holder and find out his deer sightings have been low.  I tell him about the deer in the area and tell him I know we could glass up a 3x3 I had seen in the morning. Hes happy for the help and I’m happy to help.

We do spot the 3x3 as well as many other deer. The tag holder works his way over to the buck, and I told him I’d keep an eye on the buck and that I was looking for two specific deer He’s able to get over by the buck, but before he could get into range the buck dropped off the back side of the ridge.  That’s archery hunting.

In the meantime I’m glassing like a madman trying to locate the two bucks from the morning, but I’m coming up empty. I do spot a spike and a doe sparking like the big boys do, it was funny to watch.

While glassing around I get a text from the other guy saying he sees the deer I’m looking for. They were extremely low and out of my view.  There ended up being a few smaller bucks with them also.

We didn’t have enough daylight to make a good play.  We noted their location and put together a plan for the morning.  Hopefully one of us will get a chance at these guys.

Overall saw lots of deer and it seems like things are getting better everyday


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 03, 2021, 06:54:54 PM
Sounds like a great start to your hunt!  :tup:

Stick a cougar while your at it
If I can I will for sure.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Bowhunter3 on December 03, 2021, 07:05:06 PM
Dang this is sounding fun  :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Watimberghost on December 03, 2021, 08:02:58 PM
This is what late hunts are all about! Sounds like a blast! Can't wait to hear of your success :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MLBowhunting on December 03, 2021, 08:04:37 PM
Right on...  Get em!!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 03, 2021, 08:50:45 PM
 :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 03, 2021, 09:19:12 PM
 :yeah: heck yeah keep it up!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 07:43:47 AM
Snow!!!!

FOG!!!!

Zero visibility.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: jrebel on December 04, 2021, 12:55:32 PM
Snow!!!!

FOG!!!!

Zero visibility.


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It's clearing up this afternoon.  It should be epic tonight and tomorrow.  Great archery hunting conditions with fresh snow.   :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 04:34:57 PM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211205/b7046717d590115962e411efe7d23a8b.jpg)
 
Uh oh


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: cougkilr on December 04, 2021, 04:38:42 PM
  :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: TVHunts on December 04, 2021, 04:55:20 PM
Tic tok ..... :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: blindluck on December 04, 2021, 04:56:48 PM
Where he at ya git him
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MLBowhunting on December 04, 2021, 05:05:30 PM
Oh Snap!!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Limhangerslayer on December 04, 2021, 05:42:18 PM
Congrats, one’s bloody and one is missing a fletching??
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 05:42:19 PM
Driving home tonight so….you’ll have to wait until tomorrow for the season finale. Sorry to do that.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 05:43:18 PM
Congrats, one’s bloody and one is missing a fletching??
Yeah I only noticed that when I went to nock it. It quickly got thrown to the side picked it up after.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Rainier10 on December 04, 2021, 05:54:59 PM
Congrats man.

Looking forward to story and photos.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: elkrack on December 04, 2021, 07:38:55 PM
Awesome! Looking forward to the story and pic! :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 04, 2021, 07:40:17 PM
I can't wait to see how this turned out!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MLBowhunting on December 04, 2021, 08:58:14 PM
It was great to meet you and share what I knew about the unit...  Food wasn't half bad either..  Great Job my friend.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: idaho guy on December 04, 2021, 09:06:14 PM
 :tup:Picture!!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Rainier10 on December 04, 2021, 09:17:34 PM
There seems to be a theme today. :chuckle:

I’m sure you are exhausted.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 11:15:42 PM
Just kidding. I’ve been gone a lot this year due to work, so getting home tonight made sense, and since I made it home in record time here is the rest of the story.

On the drive in this morning it was snowing pretty heavily. I could also see that the clouds were pretty low.  I met up with the other tag holder from the day before, and we decided we wouldn’t be able to accomplish much until the weather broke. He headed to another part of the unit and I waited for the weather.

Around 9 the clouds start to rise revealing all the fresh snow. I quickly unload the quad and start heading up the mountain.  I’m excited to find that I am first up the mountain. Oddly I’m not seeing many tracks.

When I get to the top I’m not seeing much right away, so I decide to move a little lower in elevation. Shortly after moving I spot 6 doe’s bedded on a ridge, well those 6 turned into 14, but no bucks. I keep moving and all I’m glassing up is doe’s and spikes.

I moved to a different area where I had been seeing deer, but I’m still not seeing anything. I finally spot a doe and two fawns in a draw below me. I glass around and only see them.  As I start to hook around above them I see lots of tracks on the road, more tracks then a doe and two fawns would make.

I’ll warn you the ending isn’t exactly how I would have liked but the opening scene is good.

I turn around to have another look in case I missed something.  About the time I reach where I’m above the doe and fawns, a doe jumps onto the road from the low side. She sees me and turns away from me, then a buck jumps onto the road and makes chase. After that another doe and a smaller buck jump onto the road and head in the same direction.

I figure the bigger buck is making poor life decisions by not acknowledging me, so I start grabbing my gear.  Im not hurrying bc it will be easy to track them with the snow.  All of the deer headed up and into a thicker draw.  Im able to catch up bc they just started feeding.

I can see two deer to the left and one to the right. I can’t see who’s who, so I move up and spot the bigger buck. He looks at me but doesn’t react, more poor life decisions.

The buck is standing broadside but there’s brush in the way, so I move to get a better lane. I take a couple ranges and it’s a comfortable distance at 40 yards. I adjust my sight, draw back, and take my shot. I know I hit him but I can see it’s further back then is optimal. I really don’t what happened and am not going to try and make excuses for why it happened.

The buck starts to drop towards me, mean while I’m re nocking. The buck goes 30 yards past me and lays down. He then lays his head down and doesn’t move. I’m getting ready for a follow up but he’s showing no signs of life. I grunt at him a few times and get nothing.

I start to move towards him and at about 20 yards and his head shoots up and gets up and moves another 15 yards and lays down again. This time he doesn’t put down his head.  I move over and put another arrow in him. It’s all over in a matter of seconds.

Not really the ending I was looking for as I want things to be a bit more smooth. He’s not one of the big bucks I had seen but the entire situation was just to good to resist.

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211205/2b74ae447ccf4685bf87d2598afa0bc9.jpg)


(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211205/bcd53efad87b78e76f1b8d5d385c521b.jpg)

When the season started I was worried bc of the weather but it worked out to be a really good time. For this being my first mule deer hunt where I had a tag in my pocket, I imagine all mule deer hunts are like this .

I want to thank all those who provided Intel to me. I met a few other hunters who were super helpful, which is appreciated.

I’m also thankful for my wife, who supports me in my crazy hunting adventures and takes care of things while I’m away.

Thanks to everyone for following along and I hope you get that quality tag you are looking for.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 04, 2021, 11:17:04 PM
It was great to meet you and share what I knew about the unit...  Food wasn't half bad either..  Great Job my friend.
Great meeting you and your brother. The food was great!! It helps to have fresh meat everyday let me know if you ever need anything.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: pd on December 04, 2021, 11:45:14 PM
Nothing wrong with result. Congratulations!

Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: TVHunts on December 05, 2021, 05:23:13 AM
Congratulations!  Way to get it done  :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Igor on December 05, 2021, 06:24:11 AM
Congrats !!!  Beautiful buck.  And great write-up, as well......you made it very easy to read and follow along.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on December 05, 2021, 07:45:34 AM
Awesome hunt and great buck!! Congratz!
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Rainier10 on December 05, 2021, 07:46:10 AM
Great write up and photos. Thanks for taking us along in the journey
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Sutherland on December 05, 2021, 08:49:11 AM
Good write ups. Thanks for sharing. Good buck and sounds like you had a great time.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Mfowl on December 05, 2021, 08:59:38 AM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing!  :tup:
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: jstone on December 05, 2021, 09:14:22 AM
Great job on the hunt.! Thank you for the story.!
Congratulations
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: NOCK NOCK on December 05, 2021, 04:50:15 PM
Congrats!! 
Thats a fun late hunt up there.

Fairly positive my nephew and I put a stalk on that buck in the early season, just behind you in the pic on the upper hillside.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: MountainTracker on December 05, 2021, 09:56:56 PM
Congrats!! 
Thats a fun late hunt up there.

Fairly positive my nephew and I put a stalk on that buck in the early season, just behind you in the pic on the upper hillside.
That’s pretty cool. I bet it’s an entirely different hunt then.


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Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: X-Force on December 05, 2021, 11:32:15 PM
Congrats!

Awesome chasing deer in the snow.
Title: Re: Chiwawa Archery
Post by: Gonehuntin01 on December 08, 2021, 07:53:22 AM
Congrats.  Great job and glad you got to enjoy what those tags are all about.
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