collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Last minute decision  (Read 2392 times)

Offline ThurstonCokid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 757
  • Location: Olympia
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Last minute decision
« on: August 23, 2019, 12:44:35 PM »
Okay, i know some guys may or may not like these kind of questions but I’m going to go for it. A buddy and I are planning to hunt mule deer for the archery opener. I went to wenatchee valley and played baseball and hunted Eniat and Swakane. I know those areas pretty well. Was able to take a buck out of there last year and also help a buddy take one as well. My Interest of finding new area is taking over. I am extremely interested in going a bit farther north. I am scanning over harvest reports and seeing things such as 204 numbers look very good, and a few others. Any advice is much appreciated. I am wondering if i should venture to find more area farther north. Or stick to what i know and maybe be in not as good of an area. I understand not everyone will appreciate this post but i will exchange info for info. I’ve been very successful in this state and love to chat with new hunters young and old. Anyhow feel free to message me or anything. I appreciate it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline Buckmark

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+16)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 5445
  • Location: GPS is searching
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2019, 01:11:16 PM »
Gotta remember if looking at 204 harvest that it is also Whitetail country open to any whitetail Deer.
Sept 1-27 is any Whitetail
Nov 21- Dec 15 is any Whitetail
Sept 1-27 Mulie bucks (3pt+, i know you know that)
Sept 16-27 Mulie does are legal

I know alot of Whitetails are taken, not that Mulies are not also, i wish they would post what is taken in each unit that has mutliple species
To hunt and butcher an animal is to recognize that meat is not some abstract form of protein that springs into existence tightly wrapped in cellophane and styrofoam.

Offline ThurstonCokid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 757
  • Location: Olympia
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2019, 01:13:22 PM »
Gotta remember if looking at 204 harvest that it is also Whitetail country open to any whitetail Deer.
Sept 1-27 is any Whitetail
Nov 21- Dec 15 is any Whitetail
Sept 1-27 Mulie bucks (3pt+, i know you know that)
Sept 16-27 Mulie does are legal

I know alot of Whitetails are taken, not that Mulies are not also, i wish they would post what is taken in each unit that has mutliple species
True true. I was taking that into consideration. I’d assume tons of white tails are taken in that unit boosting the numbers.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline OutHouse

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 3301
  • Location: Cowiche WA
  • Department of Foliage, Lifetime Member
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2019, 03:01:21 PM »
Mule deer in north central WA (I'm thinking Okanogan County) is abysmal. I am starting to lean toward what others have said on here that the Methow should be closed for mule deer until they rebound. Not trying to discourage you but the numbers really are bad. Even five years ago I would see many mules on every scouting trip now its several or even just a few. Whitetail seem to be flourishing however. Have taken three in the last five years out of Okanogan county but no mules.

Offline Twispriver

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 2894
  • Location: Granite Falls and Twisp
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2019, 03:26:07 PM »
It's a long archery season and prospecting new territory is never a bad idea. If you take a look and don't like what you see plan another weekend and go back to your old haunts. My brother lives near Tonasket and gets a deer every year so there are still some to be found if you look in the right places. :twocents:
No Epstein client list? Ya Right 😆

I beg to dream and differ from the hollow lies

If religion never existed on earth would Iran and Israel still be shooting at each other?

Offline ThurstonCokid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 757
  • Location: Olympia
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2019, 03:45:31 PM »
It's a long archery season and prospecting new territory is never a bad idea. If you take a look and don't like what you see plan another weekend and go back to your old haunts. My brother lives near Tonasket and gets a deer every year so there are still some to be found if you look in the right places. :twocents:
Very true. I had been around the area when i was probably around 12 but not in the last 10 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline OutHouse

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2015
  • Posts: 3301
  • Location: Cowiche WA
  • Department of Foliage, Lifetime Member
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2019, 03:57:57 PM »
It's a long archery season and prospecting new territory is never a bad idea. If you take a look and don't like what you see plan another weekend and go back to your old haunts. My brother lives near Tonasket and gets a deer every year so there are still some to be found if you look in the right places. :twocents:
Very true. I had been around the area when i was probably around 12 but not in the last 10 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And full disclosure I have never hunted over by Tonasket. Maybe everything is fine over there. I know 218 and 231 are hurting for sure. There are still deer just drastically diminished opportunity. It makes for some tough choices. Some of the best tasting deer I've ever had are Methow Valley Mule does. My brother has taken a few that were impressively large and oh so good on the table. It would be hard to pass up an opportunity for that harvest in archery season.

Offline Buckmark

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+16)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2008
  • Posts: 5445
  • Location: GPS is searching
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2019, 04:29:12 PM »
It's a long archery season and prospecting new territory is never a bad idea. If you take a look and don't like what you see plan another weekend and go back to your old haunts. My brother lives near Tonasket and gets a deer every year so there are still some to be found if you look in the right places. :twocents:
Very true. I had been around the area when i was probably around 12 but not in the last 10 years.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And full disclosure I have never hunted over by Tonasket. Maybe everything is fine over there. I know 218 and 231 are hurting for sure. There are still deer just drastically diminished opportunity. It makes for some tough choices. Some of the best tasting deer I've ever had are Methow Valley Mule does. My brother has taken a few that were impressively large and oh so good on the table. It would be hard to pass up an opportunity for that harvest in archery season.
I hunt the 204 east of Tonasket and the Mulie numbers are way way down, and the Whitetails seem to be doing just fine or atleast alot better
If you look at the harvest numbers for rifle season over there you will see a steady decline in that harvest every year (you could go back further before they changed the website  :bash:) and during rifle season Mulies made up the majority of the harvest and for the most part buck only, so the archery % being so much better has to be because of the any deer whitetail harvest. I know guys who live over there may have a different view but mine is from hunting that area for over 30 years and having a place over there that i spend a fair amount of time at and have seen the change in just watching the deer year after year in my meadow.
To hunt and butcher an animal is to recognize that meat is not some abstract form of protein that springs into existence tightly wrapped in cellophane and styrofoam.

Offline ThurstonCokid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 757
  • Location: Olympia
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2019, 07:03:57 PM »
Thanks guys. May email department and ask about mule deer vs white tail #’s taken. If i do I’ll make sure to post. I have some decent mule deer spots but i guess im just looking for greener grasss.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Offline NOCK NOCK

  • Timberdog Slabs
  • Business Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Old Salt
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jan 2013
  • Posts: 6687
  • Location: E. Wenatchee
  • Timberdog Live Edge Slabs
    • https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432
    • Timberdogslabs.com
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2019, 08:47:50 PM »
FWIW, The Entire central wa mulie herd is in nearly as bad of shape as the Methow herd.
Live edge Slab woods, Log Furniture, Beds, Dressers, Tables, Chairs, Custom signs, Décor, Cedar fencing w/artwork cutting. Supplies
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063502962432

Offline ThurstonCokid

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+5)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 757
  • Location: Olympia
  • Groups: NRA, RMEF
Re: Last minute decision
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2019, 09:57:56 AM »
FWIW, The Entire central wa mulie herd is in nearly as bad of shape as the Methow herd.
I havent hunted muleys for a long time.. but based on the history Of certain units and my experience as of lately i would have to agree.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Looking for Solid 22 LR input by Rat44
[Today at 12:26:36 AM]


Lynx kittens confirmed in the Kettle Range by dwils233
[Today at 12:04:14 AM]


Archery elk gear, 2025. by spin05
[Today at 12:03:42 AM]


How To Get Your $0.00 Tax Stamp - Black Hammer Arms by dreadi
[Yesterday at 11:33:25 PM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Rainier10
[Yesterday at 10:19:01 PM]


Seeking recommendations on a new scope by Klickitatsteelie
[Yesterday at 09:23:56 PM]


2025 Canning by Twispriver
[Yesterday at 09:15:12 PM]


2025 Montana alternate list by Edminsterquality
[Yesterday at 08:47:06 PM]


WSTA 2025 Summer Rendezvous Agenda by Trapper John
[Yesterday at 08:00:27 PM]


First attempt at polish sausages by Stein
[Yesterday at 07:58:22 PM]


Fullsized Truck Opinion: HiMiNew vs LoMiOlder by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 07:57:22 PM]


Sockeye Numbers by Southpole
[Yesterday at 07:44:30 PM]


Best all around muzzy (updated) by jjhunter
[Yesterday at 07:44:26 PM]


38% increase in fishing and hunting licenses by Sitka_Blacktail
[Yesterday at 07:02:41 PM]


50 inch SXS and Tracks? by 92xj
[Yesterday at 05:34:03 PM]


3 days for Kings by MADMAX
[Yesterday at 05:06:49 PM]


Full moon and last week of September by pd
[Yesterday at 04:51:23 PM]


Hunting bears in the thick stuff by ghosthunter
[Yesterday at 04:33:46 PM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by Ridgerunner
[Yesterday at 11:56:01 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal