Rifle Hunting GMU 101

[Phipps14]

I have been on the west side chasing blacktail for the last 4 seasons and have had no luck harvesting a buck, this year I am going to GMU 101 sherman creek area to hunt whitetail and mule deer. Have been in the area scouting and found groups of deer in the summer months. Any advice for hunting the area in october. Will the deer move elevation during this time any strategies that will give me the advantage? any advice is greatly appreciated!

[mcrawfordaf]

If you haven't already have a listen to this Cutting the Distance podcast episode on hunting WA Mountain Whitetail - https://player.fm/series/cutting-the-distance-2715465/ep-21-mountain-whitetails-and-how-to-hunt-them-with-jon-gabrio

[huntnnw]

October is a rough month for whitetails, probably the toughest month to kill a good buck. Muleys are more visible and start rutting towards the end of the rifle season. The herds up there are a mere fraction of what they were 10 years ago.

[Phipps14]

I would say that I am going hunting for either whitetail or mule deer, in the earlier october season you would say there are more mule deer? either way just looking to put meat in the freezer

[boneaddict]

Everytime I went hunting for mule deer, I ended up shooting a big whitetail.  That was in the "glory" days.   Tough hunting.   Best of luck to you.   

[buckfvr]

Forget opening weekend (unless it snows), hunt last 5 days of mule through the end of whitetail season.  4500ft and up, both mules and whites can be found.  Less competition on week days.

[hunter399]

Forget opening weekend (unless it snows), hunt last 5 days of mule through the end of whitetail season.  4500ft and up, both mules and whites can be found.  Less competition on week days.

Alot of wisdom with this post.
I won't hunt mule deer opening weekend.
Lost cause.

[Rugsnfeathers]

October is a rough month for whitetails, probably the toughest month to kill a good buck. Muleys are more visible and start rutting towards the end of the rifle season. The herds up there are a mere fraction of what they were 10 years ago.

I agree!

I hunt there every year for the last 15 years.  The buck to doe ratio has really taken a dive the last 10 years or so where I hunt.  They're still out there but not as much.  I hunt between 4000 to 5000 ft.  One hour you see muleys, the next hour you see whitetails?  You really have to use your binos before shooting.  Bears are there to be taken too.  GMU 101 requires that you take the online bear ID test to hunt bears there. 

Good luck!

[Phipps14]

Thanks for all the great info! will let you know how it goes

[Bearomatic180gr]

Sherman pass area has been overrun by wolves for the last decade. Still haven’t recovered. If your trying to put meat in the freezer stick with what you know and keep trying for that black tail. If you want a change of scenery and enjoy the beautiful fall colors, 101 is a great choice. Very quiet up there as far as deer goes. Last mule deer I killed on public land was in 2016! And I was a 25 or 26 yr old bullet proof stud lol jk good luck. You could still get lucky man !


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[UptheCreek]

I've hunted up there there for 20 years now and had cameras running year round for 12 of them.  The deer population is WAY down from what it used to be.  Still a few around for sure but they are few and far between. Good luck!

[buckfvr]

Looking at a 14% success rate for modern firearms unit 101 last year, and taking into account the locals make up a good portion of that harvest, plan on a hard hunt and less than 10% success for the traveling gangs.   

[Phipps14]

up for a challenge and seeing new country! thanks for all of the advice and info!

[Brazz]

Do you have a specific area in 101 you concentrate on? I’ve hunted there for the last 35 years. Some years we didn’t fill our tag, but they are there. Always see plenty of deer. Definitely a lot less deer than 20 years ago. Opening weekend is usually a mad house but most folks are just driving the logging roads. Plenty of areas to get into that keeps you away from the hordes of road drivers. There are big bucks out there, you’ll have to work to get one. There being less deer to me is ok because it keeps a lot of hunters away so I’m not stepping on others or seeing hunter orange every two steps.

[Henrydog]

Spot on assessment Brazz.  I spend a lot of time hiking the unit in Summer as well as hunting off and on for the last 30 years and I agree.