Methow valley

[getreal711]

used to hunt the gold creek area around carlton for many years. Not sure how the wolves have destroyed the muleys. Used to be many big bucks during gen modern season. Family used to own the place and had all the honey holes all mapped out.

[huntnphool]

Used to be many big bucks during gen modern season.

Hasn't been like that since they started ending the season on the third weekend of the month, its not because of the wolves.

[rosscrazyelk]

A friend and I used to go up Libby creek road.  Then off a side road and got as high as we could go. 
Never had any luck though

[SCRUBS]

I hunted around Loup Loup for one week about 10yrs ago.We saw a ton of deer just no legal bucks. I`m sure a lot has changed since then.

I`ve also been told several times that there is a lot of deer south of the Sun Mountain Lodge.  Keep in mind, this is not first hand experience, just throwing it out there.

[wsmnut]

A friend and I used to go up Libby creek road.  Then off a side road and got as high as we could go. 
Never had any luck though

Did exactly that last November with a special permit holder.  Snow, cold, perfect.
A few deer tracks.  Plenty of wolf tracks.
     Looked around way up and down off the Gold Creek Rd and the Foggy Dew Creek Rd as well.  Very few tracks.  And those merged with wolf tracks.
     Disappointing.

Wsmnut

[Skyvalhunter]

I get out once in awhile......

Kind of an understatement. Spent many a day hunting there. Deer pop is down and don't believe the WDFW biologist.

[rickomatic]

Ditto on not believing the WDFW biologist. I've hunted there (Blue Buck) since the early 70's, and saw the fewest deer ever last year. Spoke with the local WDFW manager and he was towing the pro wolf line and talking about ridiculous buck to doe counts.
You can count on lots of pressure there this year since that monster 9x10 was taken off Tripod last year. Interestingly enough I ran into a friend of the hunter that shot that deer and who helped him get it out today.

[CavemantheHunter]

I've hunted there for over ten years and agree that the deer population is down, and wolf and hunter populations are up. Have gotten bucks the last four years there, but it is definitely a harder hunt. Been all over Beaver Creek, Thompson Ridge, Benson Creek, Yockey Creek, Texas Creek, Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Black Canyon, French Creek, Boulder Creek, Loup Loup, Finley Canyon, you name it. It definitely is God's Country and I love hunting there.

[Gunsmoke]

I thought they killed off that wolf pack, or am I mistaken?

[Hunting Cowboy]

Used to be many big bucks during gen modern season.

Hasn't been like that since they started ending the season on the third weekend of the month, its not because of the wolves.

 

[boneaddict]

I've hunted there for over ten years and agree that the deer population is down, and wolf and hunter populations are up. Have gotten bucks the last four years there, but it is definitely a harder hunt. Been all over Beaver Creek, Thompson Ridge, Benson Creek, Yockey Creek, Texas Creek, Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Black Canyon, French Creek, Boulder Creek, Loup Loup, Finley Canyon, you name it. It definitely is God's Country and I love hunting there.

That's funny, just looked at your list and I have killed a buck in everyone of those places except Black Canyon.   I have not hunted there yet.   

Wolves are still out and about.  Moving lots following the food.   I saw a lot of recruitment this year. (twins and even a triplet) 

NOT happy with increased permit numbers.  Guys really hammer the bigs in core areas every year, year after year. I think its changing things a bit.   I think it best to think outside of the box.  That's where I will be with the camera this fall.   

[huntnphool]

I've hunted there for over ten years and agree that the deer population is down, and wolf and hunter populations are up. Have gotten bucks the last four years there, but it is definitely a harder hunt. Been all over Beaver Creek, Thompson Ridge, Benson Creek, Yockey Creek, Texas Creek, Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Black Canyon, French Creek, Boulder Creek, Loup Loup, Finley Canyon, you name it. It definitely is God's Country and I love hunting there.

NOT happy with increased permit numbers.  Guys really hammer the bigs in core areas every year, year after year. I think its changing things a bit.

+1

[CavemantheHunter]

I've hunted there for over ten years and agree that the deer population is down, and wolf and hunter populations are up. Have gotten bucks the last four years there, but it is definitely a harder hunt. Been all over Beaver Creek, Thompson Ridge, Benson Creek, Yockey Creek, Texas Creek, Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Black Canyon, French Creek, Boulder Creek, Loup Loup, Finley Canyon, you name it. It definitely is God's Country and I love hunting there.

That's funny, just looked at your list and I have killed a buck in everyone of those places except Black Canyon.   I have not hunted there yet.   

Wolves are still out and about.  Moving lots following the food.   I saw a lot of recruitment this year. (twins and even a triplet) 

NOT happy with increased permit numbers.  Guys really hammer the bigs in core areas every year, year after year. I think its changing things a bit.   I think it best to think outside of the box.  That's where I will be with the camera this fall.   

You have me beat. I have only killed bucks in a little over half of those areas. In my opinion, the population is definitely not what it used to be. There are still good bucks there just takes a lot harder hunting to find them.

[Buckmark]

Or wait until the 2nd week .......it clears out pretty quick.

You would be all alone given the season is only 9 days  the 12th-20th   

[huntnphool]

Or wait until the 2nd week .......it clears out pretty quick.

You would be all alone given the season is only 9 days  the 12th-20th