Mission Unit

[bearhunter99]

I have the late Mission muzzy mule deer permit.   From what I saw it looks like the rifle guys had it a little tough.   Was hoping the weather would get them moving but it seems it might have been too little too late?  Been out but still haven’t seen anything that makes me miss a beat for this tag.  Anyone have any pointers?   I live in the unit but the usual places that I know aren’t turning up much.  Thanks. 


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[mountainman]

Watched a nice buck behind the 100 yard berm at the rifle club up #2 while shooting bows last week. They are around👍

[NOCK NOCK]

That sucks!  IIRC where you live, The quantity/quality has been dropping for quite a few years now. Used to take lots of photos in the general area, has been 4-5 years since Ive turned up anything good there.

Have ya tried more north, shy of Ltown.

[bearhunter99]

Yeah.  There’s a few running around this area but all have weak forks.   Been mostly focusing on areas I can get to with the side by side from the house.   Rear end went out on my truck a couple weeks ago fricking ideal timing. 


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[Boss .300 winmag]

Yeah.  There’s a few running around this area but all have weak forks.   Been mostly focusing on areas I can get to with the side by side from the house.   Rear end went out on my truck a couple weeks ago fricking ideal timing. 


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Day after I got my blacktail noticed my power steering pump was going out. I got lucky it didn’t fail up on the mountain.🤣

[jrebel]

Something about quality tags and rigs breaking down.  Third to the last day of my quality hunt (years ago) my water pump went out on my jeep.  Ended up with a nice 28" wide buck the day it happened, so I guess I got lucky. 

Good Luck finding a buck. 

[bearhunter99]

Something about quality tags and rigs breaking down.  Third to the last day of my quality hunt (years ago) my water pump went out on my jeep.  Ended up with a nice 28" wide buck the day it happened, so I guess I got lucky. 

Good Luck finding a buck.

Definitely!   Last year my wife drew the Malaga cow tag and the first day of the season we lost the timing chain in the side by side…

Tough going today.  Snow was wet and sloppy. Traded the side by side for the snowmobile.  Fog was tough. A few loner bucks but none were chasing does.  Tomorrow is supposed to be clear so here’s hoping. 


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[jeffro]

It was an easy, automatic hunt
One bomb, dead
Roads can be unforgiving
Chain required

[Ridgerunner]

Hows the hunt going?

[bearhunter99]

Slow.  Deer numbers are really down from what I’ve seen in the past.  Been talking to two of the other tag holders.  They are not seeing anything of note either - even on private.   Been seeing a few bucks,mostly loners but there were a couple of bucks chasing a doe this morning.   Fog doesn’t help. 

Wet sloppy snow.  Can’t really get anywhere without tracks or a snow machine. 


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[Skyvalhunter]

I know a father and son that had the tag a few years ago.bthey hunted near Blewitt pass and Ingalls cr but that year I believe there was less snow.

[bearhunter99]

With the snow they seem to be timbered up where the snow isn’t as deep.   Makes it harder to sit and spot like usual.  They aren’t getting out in the open sage as much.   


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[bearhunter99]

Fog sucks!  Most of the fresh sign is right at the elevation of the band of fog...  Above the fog there isn't much, or any, fresh sign - below the fog there are quite a few does and smaller bucks.  There were a few bucks chasing a doe a couple of days ago but other than that there isn't much rut activity at all.  Just have to see what tomorrow holds although the fog forecast doesn't look too much better.... 

[Skyvalhunter]

A shame they here isn't as many of the larger like there used to be. My buddy has hunted the late archery Swakane for years and tells me that hey just aren't there anymore. These late so called "quality" buck tags just are no longer that unless you lower your definition of quality. I spent a lot of time in the western end of that unit and those "big boys" are no longer there in any kind of numbers. A shame.

[bearhunter99]

They are still out there just a lot fewer and farther between but that is probably a direct correlation to the reduced numbers.   This time of year I used to see 50-100 deer in a long day out in the field this time of year - now a great day is about 20.  It is still a great hunt - being out there without much competition but it is definitely not the pick and choose it used to be.   

I think the genetics have declined as well.   I’ve seen a few nice bucks that were big 3x3 and 3x4.   A couple decent heavy 4x4 that just don’t fork deep. 

Ah well.  Back to the fog to try and turn something up!


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