Methow Valley Snow check.... Methow late deer tag check!

[Bearhunter]

The Methow Valley mountains have been getting pounded with snow the last 24hrs and looking to continue!  Little late for the general rifle tag holders unfortunately but hopefully it will play a part in success for us late Muzzleloader tag holders!  Good luck everyone 5 more days...

[throttlejocky20]

Lets not get to crazy some of us cant start hunting until December 1st!!

[Ridgeratt]

Photo from Winthrop this morning.

[blacktailer]

Sister lives on top of Studhorse and sent me this this morning 

[Bearhunter]

Heck ya thanks for the pics fellas!  It’s gonna be fun!  Supposed to warm up and ran a little but this should push the good one down!

[actionshooter]

You should be in good shape.... this is my place   

[boneaddict]

I wasn’t seeing much when I was up there, the migration was very sporadic and mostly doe.  This however is a game changer.  Pick of the litter type stuff if they are still in existence. Lucky bugger!

[HereDuckyDucky]

We had 12" Tuesday night / yesterday morning. The heavy stuff! I am about 10 miles up the river from Pateros. Lots of deer moving.

RW

[Bearhunter]

Man Doug I feel extremely lucky and can’t wait….  Leaving in the morning staying at the bottom of gold creek have a couple snow machines so we should be able to get around…  10 tags shouldn’t be much competition we’ll see what we turn up!

[boneaddict]

Make sure one of you has a puddy tag and check quotas.  There are a lot of cats in there for good reason.  I am really excited to see what you turn up.   

[hunter399]

Good luck out there.👍

[Ridgeratt]

Make sure you check your regs. I have heard that the wdfw lands close to access on 12/15 like they did last year.

[actionshooter]

Make sure you check your regs. I have heard that the wdfw lands close to access on 12/15 like they did last year.

Which lands? I hadn't heard this...

[Ridgeratt]

I got a text from a friend who lives over there and gave me the heads up.

[Ridgeratt]

He's looking for the list, But he is saying that he is seeing a lot of posted areas stating the closure.

[Ridgeratt]

Here you go.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/methow-wildlife-area-units-close-temporarily-protect-wintering-mule-deer-0

[boneaddict]

They are clearly marked by hundreds and I mean hundreds of signs.  In fact sometimes it used to be a challenge to know where wdfw lands were. Not now

This won’t effect this hunt at all

[actionshooter]

Here you go.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/newsroom/news-release/methow-wildlife-area-units-close-temporarily-protect-wintering-mule-deer-0

Thanks!   

[Parkern]

Update on your hunt @Bearhunter ?

[SkookumHntr]

Any luck?

[Bearhunter]

I didn’t harvest a deer this season. The Methow units are in desperate need of change, whether through season closures or significant reconstruction—I’ll leave it at that. There was 1–3 feet of snow from the valley up to 4,000 feet, which brought most of the deer down along with the wolves. The best buck I saw was on day one, about 1,400 yards away, and I estimated him at around 160".

I hunted hard all week, covering ground from high elevations down near the highway. I saw about 30 small 3-points and 4-points, but nothing truly remarkable. Even before the last day, we regrouped and decided to go back after the buck from the first day, as he was the best we’d seen. We found him in the morning, not 50 yards from where we’d last seen him. It took three hours to reach him through three feet of snow. When I finally got within 300 yards for a closer look, I realized I had underestimated him—he was much better than I initially thought, likely scoring 175–180". He had tall, deep forks and was an incredible buck.

Unfortunately, with only one opportunity all week, things didn’t pan out. He walked over the ridge and disappeared. There were plenty of smaller bucks I could have harvested, even on the way out, but these tags are special in my opinion. The goal is to hunt every day in pursuit of something exceptional, even if it means going home empty-handed—and that’s exactly what I did.

While I didn’t bring home a buck, I did harvest a beautiful bobcat, which will be mounted as a memento of the hunt. The experience gave me everything I’d hoped for, except for pulling the trigger on a deer.

[MADMAX]

Sounds like about 3 years ago when my buddies kid had Chewuch
Good on you 👍

[FWilliams]

were you in the silver ford truck?

[mountainman]

Had a buddy took a decent buck, but said it was slim compared to years past

[Bearhunter]

White newer ford.  Can you share a photo of your buddies buck?

[HereDuckyDucky]

Absolutely dumping snow today in the Lower Methow, if anyone is wondering .

RW

[actionshooter]

Absolutely dumping snow today in the Lower Methow, if anyone is wondering .

RW

Ya, got my daily picture of the cabin and a good dump...

[FWilliams]

White newer ford.  Can you share a photo of your buddies buck?

ok, saw one down on the highway with a guy glassing out of the sunroof

[mountainman]

White newer ford.  Can you share a photo of your buddies buck?

I will look for it. Was a heavy with a broken G4 on the passenger side. Up Rendevous
Not sure what kind of truck he drives..

[MtnMuley]

If that's the case, I had several buddies take bucks up there this year.

[Bearhunter]

@MtnMuley Im sure you did, we just didnt find but one deer in my eyes worthy of punching a 14year old tag on.  Know doubt there are some pigs still running around they just eluded me!

[MtnMuley]

Sorry, that reply wasn't aimed at you. It was in reference to mountainman having a buddy kill a buck in the rendezvous. Obviously not the same season, unit, or weapon you hunted. Shoulda quoted it.

[Bearhunter]

After I responded I thought maybe thats what you meant.  The Renedvous buck was a stud and probably possibly the last big buck of that class Bob may take!  Happy for him! 

[OutHouse]

You did the tag justice, Bearhunter.  Well written reflections on the hunt as well.