WA Deer Slayers Wanted

ridgerunner

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Let's see some pics and hear some stories guys.......looks like the weather was decent for hunting this weekend.
 
Well, here goes........I decided to hunt an area that I had never hunted before, based solely on a single sighting of a very good buck that my son and I had on our way home from an unsuccessful muzzleloader elk hunt. This is also my son's first year hunting, and I told him that he could have first shot. We showed up opening morning and proceeded to still hunt and glass into the area where we had seen the big buck, a dink buck, and a doe. We found the doe, no buck! Now what? I call my buddy who's hunting a few miles from us, and go to pick him up in the truck. While driving to get him, I eyeball a beautiful draw with many side fingers, that is choked full of sage, that is just screaming "hunt me". We decide that yes, we'd better walk this draw. We hunt about three miles of this draw, when I notice another guy (first hunter I'd seen all day)about 1000 yds. above us, hunting down the draw. I tell my son that we are going to set up, and see if this guy might push something down the draw to us. My buddy is set up directly across the draw from us, about 400 yds away. After about 5 minutes, I catch movement out of the corner of my eye, and turn to see a very large deer trotting through a plowed field about 75 yds. behind my buddy. I holler to him that there is a deer right behind him, and as I yell, the buck turns and bails back into the draw and the cover of the sage. My buddy takes one shot misses, and now the buck is running straight towards us. I tell my son to get ready, because here comes big buck. I've got the buck dead center in my scope with cross-hairs on his chest. At about 50 yds. out, the buck turns to my right and out of my son's shooting lane. I told him "well, that's it, gotta go". I jumped up and ran to where I could see the buck, and tried to shoot him in the back of the neck, and end up hitting him in the left ham. He then dropped into the bottom of the draw into the thick sage and bedded down. I quietly worked my way down and found him bedded under a sage and finished him. He is a beautiful buck, and I am planning on getting him mounted. Just scored him tonight at 169 5/8. Am now working on getting my son a buck. Saw a nice three point today, but did not get the shot. Sorry so long!
Scott/couesbitten
P.S. Will try to get some pictures posted in a few days.
 
Another thing I forgot to mention. I also have a third season tag for Colorado, Nov. 5-11. Shooting this buck takes some of the pressure off to shoot a good buck, but does raise the bar on what will qualify as a shooter buck. I can't wait!!
Scott/couesbitten
 
Cous, what gmu were you hunting. Sounds like dandy buck, lets see pics.

My bro in law shot a 3pt in Omak, my cousins husband got one up around winthrop, my buddies son shot a 3pt here in yakima last night, my season starts this friday coming up, cant wait, got the whole week off. Oh ya, my neighbors party got a 2x3 here in yakima also.
 
Right on Cous....can't wait to see the pics.

No pics for me....went up towards the Entiat. Most guys I've ever seen out hunting on any day in any place in my life. Absolute JOKE! The only deer I saw were two little 3pts right at day break opening morning. Got as close as 150yds.....but just didn't want to shoot either one of em'. Just put two animals in the freezer last week, last thing I need is a small 3pt. Pulled out the video camera instead and watched em' as the mozzied off....probably to be shot by an orange vest. Will head back out Thurs....NOT THERE!
 
i took a little freaky two by four yesterday morning, he was a straight two on one side, and on the other he had the normal two point, but at the base he had two eyegaurds 2-4" long coming straight out of the base of the antler.
 
The tag is notched, and the meat is cut up and in the freezer. Other than that there won't be any pictures. Its one of the smallest bucks I have ever shot. It took me awhile to muster up the courage to pull the trigger. I had a fever, and a divorce pending at home with about 1 hour to hunt. 2 hours total for the season, so I dumped him to make it 23 years straight for getting my deer. No pictures taken for this three point. There were fewer hunters inthe valley than I have ever seen. I don't know if its because of gas prices or because everyone is waiting for the last week.
 
Bone, did you get him up in twisp. Im heading up friday and will be there till thursday. did you smack him opening day or sunday. Thats good there wasnt many people around, hopefully a few big boys will come out of hiding.
 
Yes, I nabbed him up in Twisp. I wasn't even going to go back up to hunt because of issues here at home, but decided to try it for the day. The deer are sure down low this year. I saw one bigger buck but he was too far away at the time and I was hoping he would jaunt my direction. He was down by the road, with hunters driving by, totally insane. Then I was on my way home about Gold Creek and there were three rigs parked at an access point to some state land. I saw this deer walking along the wide open hill, and holy moly antlers. He was a big three, right above the hiway at 5 in the evening. Crazy. Then last night, a big buck shredded my Dads six inch willow tree in his yard. He had been having buck problems shredding his bushes, and I told him I was surprised that they hadn't gotten that tree yet. I think I jinxed him. One of the main reasons they are low I think is that it was so dry up there this summer. They have all been down eating out of peoples yards etc where everything is nice and green. Fewer wolves too I bet. Good luck and shoot me an e-mail if you bag something. I might be in elk camp.
 
kirkl, don't take this wrong, but if I tell you what unit I was hunting in then next year there could possibly be 10 guys in that same draw. Let's just say that when it comes to hunting, I try to do as much homework as possible to find myself a place where I can hunt without pressure from mobs of orange clad hunters. Haven't hunted the Blue mountains in about 12 years because of that. It just disgusts me to see all those people in "the wild". If you look in some unlikely spots, you'll be suprised at the deer you'll find. Good luck to everyone else on there hunts. Scott/couesbitten

P.S. Just got back this afternoon from helping a buddy I work with get a decent 3x4, about 18" wide. He was pleased. Yesterday while hunting, I found an older shed with 7 points. I think I may have figured out where the big guys are hiding out. Is not an easy place to hunt, very flat and miles of sage, but alot of big deer sign today. Going back Friday with my son, hope to get him his first deer. In two days hunting this area, we saw ZERO other hunters. And yes, it is all public ground.
 
Boneaddict - I feel your pain man, the buck I shot this year was small, I didn't ever plan on shooting another buck that small again. It happens though, good luck on the homefront, I would encourage you to stick out the marriage, especially if you have kids, although it may be painful in the short-term long term it will be worth it, there is hope, Luke 1:37.
 
You should see the deer I shot back in '99, on the hillside north of highway 20. I don't think the third point on the one side is quite large enough to call him a 3x3. Spread all of 10 inches or so. Had to really study that sucker to make it legal. My second deer ever, so that was fine. No shame in it then, and none now, if time doesn't permit otherwise. We'd look at you strange if you'd been there 5 days though...

-Jerry
 
I took my 11 year old son to the Winthrop / Twisp area and I noticed the same thing as Bone. There were deer everywhere, they just happen to be down in the farmers fields or on private property. We saw a few small bucks and some does but couldn't find a legal buck. I also noticed about 1/2 the camps as normal.
My son had an anterless permit but we weren't too excited to fill it right away. The last evening of the hunt he decided he would take a doe but as luck would have it, we couldn't find a doe that night.
I am really trying to get my son his first deer this year but now our options look like Western Washington for deer as I have a late Chiwawa tag and can't take any more time off until that hunt. Does anyone have any suggestions on areas to look for a little buck blacktail? He would be thrilled with even a spike.
Thanks.
 
Just returned from Chesaw. No tags notched, but what the heck, it is a great story. I had my 13yo nephew on his first "official" hunt with the fellas. We kept it light for him, but he was motivated to take a hike with me on Saturday afternoon. I was planning on heading to one of my favorite hills to stand for the evening and he stomped along. We set-up in an area where I knew that we had a good chance of seeing a deer or two and sure enough, we were sitting for less than 10 minutes when two whitetail does passed below us at 100 yards. Good sign for us. He was very excited about seeing deer, and I told him that I had seen a very nice 3-pt Mulie in the area in the morning so hopefully we would get lucky. About 4pm, I left him sitting and decided to make a quick hunt around the knob we had been sitting on. Had not gone forty yards around the hill, when I jumped a good number of deer in thick brush. Walked back to my nephew and told him to be ready, as they behaved like whitetails and could make a lap around the hill. Sure enough, ten minutes later, three nice whitey bucks made their way under us at about 100 yards. I set him up to shoot as they were walking behind brush. What I failed to tell him at the time is he needed to hold down a bit on the deer as we were shooting at a better than fair downhill angle. Anyway, they were slow at presenting a good shot for him, but eventually, they began to move into a good shooting lane. When the first buck appeared, a nice four point, he just was not ready for the shot. I did my best to keep him calm, which was very challenging, as I was very excited for him. Any way, the second appeared, he took his time, and made the first shot, which was high and completely missed the buck. The first two deer ran off, including the shooter, and he was certain he made the hit. I knew he did not, but told him that we would wait a bit before researching the area for blood. I was convinced that he missed, and told him about angles and downhill shooting. After an hour, we got up and began to walk downhill in the direction the deer had left. Well, much to my surprise, we jumped a nice buck out of his bed in thick cover. As there should have been two, I began to doubt my thoughts of a miss. I returned to the area of the hit and found a very small amount of blood, and pink tissue. I figured a lung hit and called for my nephew to join me on the blood trail. We followed the trail, only to lose it again in the same area as the buck we jumped. I asked him to stay put and too keep his eye downhill. I walked too the top of the thicket, and sure enough, the wounded buck jumped from the brush, ran right past my nephew to the bottom of the draw and expired there. What a great day and I thanked him and his father for the great memories. I want too thank all of you for allowing me to share a great moment. This is the third "first" buck I have had the pleasure of enjoying with family members and I would trade all of my bucks to relive those moments again and again.
 
missinMT,
Great story. I can't wait for my son to get his first buck. I think I am more excited about that than any buck I have ever got. This last weekend he had a couple of close calls and my heart was pumping fast and my knees were shaking more than if I would have been hunting myself.
Did you get any pictures?
 
Ridgerunner,
Doesn't look like there was too much success first weekend or throughout the week so far. Weather hasn't hit real hard yet either. Hopefully this weekend things change.
yoda.
 
wamuledeer,
Expecting them from the brother-in-law. Hope to post later. It was a great hunt. I will be back in the hills for myself Friday, back for a football game on Saturday, then hit it again on Sunday. I will be plumb tuckered come Monday at work. It's all good.
 
Couesbitten, I don't think he was even talking to you so next time spare us the lecture, we all know the drill.
 
Canoe,
If you refer back to post #4, I think you will find that he was talking to me, since he addressed me directly.
Scott/couesbitten
 
I think it may be a tough year, from the looks of it there hasn't been too much snow if any. Saw a couple nice bucks coming home from work and have gotten 1 pic of a couple decent 4 points that were taken but thats it.
 
I managed to get a 25" 3 pt on opening weekend.It looks like it might have siome whitetail in him (Lincoln county). It wasn't the biggest I saw, but it was the only buck that offered an oppurtunity.Not much of a story on this one. My son and I are heading out this evening for the last week of the Idaho season. Will post some details and pics when we get back. Good luck, Steve

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Nice buck! The wife and I got twin 3points in Douglas County...nothing special (19-20"), but I wanted to get it over with. We're going to Montana in a couple of weeks, and I've got lots of chores to do before then.
 
Thanks Snit, saw your pics on S.net Couple a nice lookin bucks. Good luck in MT. Say hey to Brown for me. Steve
 
Just got back from Eastern Washington after 7 days of tuff mule deer hunting. We hunted big timber, walk-ins, and some private fields. I went to help my buddy and his dad for their rifle hunt and take advantage of my previous scouting knowledge from the archery season. My buddy shot a small 3pt opening morning which makes for his 3rd buck in 4yrs however his dad got nothing. Normally I also hunt rifle with them but this year want to go back to archery for both deer and elk. I got tell ya I'm sure glad I hunt archery I can't stand the crowds and all of the pressure during the rifle season which is the main reason I went back to archery. As an example a place where I hunted for 4 days during the archery season not seeing one archery hunter during the gun season opening morning there was 25 trucks in the parking lot, needless to say we went another direction. Nothing against rifle hunters just too many guys for me. Anyways after we got deep enough in the timber my buddy shots a small 3pt. Took us a good 3 hours to get it out. Small rack but big body deer. Had a local butcher bone out the deer, made some sausage and in the freezer it went. The butchers name was Gene 75yrs old and this is his last year, but he sure makes some great German sausage and Summer sausage. I feel lucky because my buddy and I split the deer so even if I do not get one during my late Loomis hunt I still have some to get me though until next archery season. Conconully was where we hunted.
 
Yesterday my wife killed her first buck, on her very first day out ever. Just the way you want to get them started. Was a little steep and nasty where she got him, but she was a trooper the whole time and earned this buck. 20", 3X4, 144 gross, 280 rem., Nimrod pack, and yes C.C. Filson pants. NC Washington, public land.

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Holy Chit!! That's steep! Congrats to your wife on a real nice deer. Also, that looks like some beautiful country.
Scott/couesbitten
 
Oops, I didn't think it posted the first time. Oh well, a deer like that for a first buck earns congratulations that are worth repeating. Scott/couesbitten
 
Looks alot like the Swakane Cyn??

Michael~All Gods creatures welcome... right next to the mashed potatoes and gravy.
 
Very nice! Congrats to you (for taking and teaching) and to her!!! Looks like a big bodied deer...starting to swell a little???
 
I have been hunting N. Central for the past few years. Opening weekend of the last two years has been poor, but the second weekend!!!!

Below are the last two years efforts.

First is 2004. This is a 27 in 4x4 taken at 160yds.
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Second is 2005. This is a 22 in. 3x3 with 1.5 in. eyeguards. Taken at 330 yds. The rear tines (G4?) are 13.5 in. long each.
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Been a good couple of years, and my wall is loking better all the time!
 
Those are nice looking bucks. Did you just get the second one this last weekend? I shot a buck a few years ago almost identical to that one. I love big 3 points. Were you in the Winthrop / Twisp area?
 
Yeah, shot the last one over the last weekend. Friday actually. I have been hunting near Leavenworth. I love my wide boy, but the big three is impressive in a whole new way. The 13.5" tines and gnarly bases give a lot of character. Taxidermist and Butcher agree it is a big boy, estimated to be about 250-280 live weight. Felt more like a gross ton dragging him out. Country I got both in is very similar to above. Only one word to describe it. S-T-E-E-P!!
 

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