Top 5

[grundy53]

A lot of the hunt choices are migratory, which you you really can't scout out until just prior to the hunts.

You can be scouting them right now.

If you look at my post yesterday, I mentioned I was at Entiat scouting and spotted some nice bucks. Long story short. I am a Medical Sales rep. I make my own schedule and cover all of Wa, Or, ID, and Alaska. I spend about 4000 miles per month on the road. I spend most of my time in Eastern Wa and North Idaho. Last night I drove over to Chelan and got a hotel to work at the hospital today. Last night I drove around at 1am looking at big bucks in the orchards and up a few forest roads. I got nervous being up on th snow line, by myself, at 1am. I ended up turning around and came back this afternoon to look around. A little disappointed that I did not see 1 deer in the hills. But I did not spend more then a few hours, knowing I will be back soon. Any suggestions would be nice....

If anyone wants to bash me for asking for suggestions on where to find deer....go ahead. I have no tag, as I filled my tag opening day in the unit I annually hunt. I am just trying to learn some new areas, with the idea that I MAY SOMEDAY get drawn for a special permit. Thanks in advance!

I doubt anyone will bash you. Nice work. 

[bobcat]

They square the points, so with 17 points you have 289 chances in the drawing.

[Wacenturion]

A lot of the hunt choices are migratory, which you you really can't scout out until just prior to the hunts.

You can be scouting them right now.

Probably the best piece of advice on this thread.

[Skyvalhunter]

Yea if you can get to some of those areas!!!

[bobcat]

I don't scout units that I may never draw. Unless I plan on hunting the general season there, then I might. I don't have time or money to scout every possible unit I may draw in my lifetime. The time to do that is after you draw. Besides that, why would I go scouting for deer right now when my elk season is open?

[RifleRidge]

Where's my popcorn, this thread has all the good elements in it.

  

[wilsongideon]

I think the top 5 question is pretty vague because of all variables involved. Deer #s change seasonally with, Winter kill, Predators, spring rains, and hunter numbers from previous season. Then factor in available land to hunt in the unit to spread out the permit hunters, whitetail hunters, etc. Late season general archery tags. Some areas as mentioned have been hit hard by predators and snow in the last 2-3 years and overall deer numbers are down but that doesnt mean good bucks arent running around. It just means instead of 60-100 deer per day its 30-60 deer per day your still only going to kill one deer. All and all I like people putting in for units they dont know well, gives the decent bucks a chance to make it through into being a monster. go back and look at the special permits results the last couple years and there is always a few 2 or 3 points killed with a draw tag. I am sure some are great bucks, but some are also killed by people who either dont know the units potential or have never hunted mule deer before and kill the first big frame they see, some people put in and draw and they arent trophy hunting either they just want the quality of fewer hunters and more deer.

[lemondog]

Entiat, Chiwawa, Mission, Swakane and Slide Ridge.......Each unit you can have a fun hunt with a kid or get off the road and have a chanch at a masher if you are lucky enough to draw the tag. However, it is hardly ever "easy" to kill a 180+ buck anywhere you go......Except if you draw the one "nonresident Henrys Mountian tag!

[Skyvalhunter]

Whew glad you left off some of the better ones IMO

[grundy53]

Whew glad you left off some of the better ones IMO

[bobcat]

All the quality permits are good hunts. I'm not sure there is a "top 5."

But the top 5 worst is easy: the blacktail deer permits in region 6.