Swakane WA info needed

[landcruiserwilly]

Hi, I've been lurking in the shadows here for about a week. This is really a great forum! Anyway, do any of you WA guys have any info for GMU250 Swakane? I've hunted birds there before (mostly near the roads) but I'm interested in hunting muleys this fall. Any specifics on areas to concentrate on would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

willy

 

[Muleyslyr]

Good unit, some great bucks in there. BUT, if you plan on hunting rifle, general season, you better pray for weather. Especially snow, which is usually unlikely. Chances are very slim up there when it's still 65 and sunny. And, I don't know about bird hunting, but get away from the roads. You won't find many deer period that time of year hanging around.

Good Luck,

 

[deerhuntr4885]

I need to know what season/weapon you are planning to hunt. Good deer in there late in the year but usually very dry and hot during general season. There are still a few good resident deer in there every year. A lot of other hunters! mostly road hunting. Get up high and work the ridges.

Mike Henne

 

[landcruiserwilly]

We're thinking modern during the general season, but maybe we should rethink that. Also, a couple of friends were thinking of the late archery season, as well. Is that area a big migration zone? I talked to a sheep hunter up there last year, and he said that a group of really nice bucks spoiled his stalk on a shooter...that's what kind of peaked my interest in the area. Thanks for the info.


willy

 

[Bullcanyon]

Lots of nice deer killed there in the late archery season. I missed a real nice buck in there last year. The entiat unit holds nice bucks as well but its a draw only unit starting this year. If you rifle hunt I would look into the early wilderness hunts. Less people and you can get into some real nice bucks. A buddy killed a 185" buck in one of the wilderness units on opening day last year.

Good luck

 

[landcruiserwilly]

This may sound like a complete newbie question, but what do you mean wilderness hunt? I know there is a high buck season in the cascades in mid-september, but my eastern WA experience is pretty limited.

Thanks again!
willy

 

[shep]

LAST EDITED ON Jul-07-04 AT 05:08PM (MST)[p]The "wilderness hunt" is the high buck hunt. People refer to it as that because the areas that are open for the early high buck hunt are wilderness areas. Alpine lakes, Glacier peak, Pasayten wilderness. As well as some other remote areas. I've hunted that hunt several times, each time I've seen more bears than I have bucks. Last year I saw about a 26" super heavy buck right before the end of the road where I parked, then walked 7 miles into the wilderness area only to see one bear, and zero deer. Pretty discouraging. Man, I need some horses.