Washington mule deer

[Jslingsby]

First year Hunting mules in Washington, I'm looking to hunt the wanatchees, probably GMU 335. I have a few places picked out that I am going to head out into in the next few weeks. Anyone have any pointers for these areas on what these deer do?

 

[HellsCanyon]

Wa muleys are very tough to hunt and most guys that know anything about them are pretty closed mouthed. But they are still mule deer and behave as such. I've yet to have luck in tagging a big one here in WA as I'm focusing more on other states but we have some good ones around no doubt.


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[ianpadron]

First year Hunting mules in Washington, I'm looking to hunt the wanatchees, probably GMU 335. I have a few places picked out that I am going to head out into in the next few weeks. Anyone have any pointers for these areas on what these deer do?

GMU 335 is the Teanaway range, not the Wenatchees, but both are good places to look.

Both get hit HARD and I mean HARD. There will be a handful of camps on every turn out throughout both GMUs.

If you're backpacking in, then that's a whole different story, there are hundreds of basins back in there that are just waiting to be explored.

I spend A LOT of time in unit 335.

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[Lukex24]

Unless you live in WA, can scout all summer, or have someone that's in the "know", I wouldn't put WA mule deer on the "destination" map. Most of the good mule deer areas are all private land. Granted, the teanaway isn't all private, but like ianpadron said, you'll probably want to hit the back country to avoid the crowds and actually find any good animals.

 

[ianpadron]

Unless you live in WA, can scout all summer, or have someone that's in the "know", I wouldn't put WA mule deer on the "destination" map. Most of the good mule deer areas are all private land. Granted, the teanaway isn't all private, but like ianpadron said, you'll probably want to hit the back country to avoid the crowds and actually find any good animals.

Yup.

There are some pigs up there but it takes me most of my summer to find them. Then you have to try and kill one...Going in blind in WA is tough.

If you want to hit the ground hunting and see shooters every day there are better options, Idaho, Montana, etc.

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[jimmy33]

Best WA Mulie

to date


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[ianpadron]

Best WA Mulie

to date


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SHHHHHHH!

Jimmy is kidding that's actually an Idaho buck

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[Clarktar]

Best WA Mulie

to date


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Yep, no doubt from Idaho. Come on Jimmy....

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[jimmy33]

What makes you guys think it's an Idaho deer?


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[jimmy33]

?


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[jimmy33]

The above is an as he lay Washington buck


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[wncbrewer]

Check out the eastmans elevated podcast with Ryan Lampers. He's a Washington guy that kills giant bucks consistently. Pretty sure he's going balls deep in the backcountry though.


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[Cant hit em]

^x2

Yup Ryan is one of the most badass dudes you'll meet. I've learned more from him than just about anyone in terms of how to hunt in WA.

His main approach is that if you seek rugged, steep, nasty terrain, you WILL find solitude and you WILL find mature bucks.

Something you'll notice about WA, as evidenced by Jimmy's pic, is that bucks in the Cascades have the biggest bodies of any Mule Deer I've seen. 300 pounders are a lot more common than you'd think.

If my buddy wasn't so damn secretive I'd post a photo of a special draw late tag he notched on a buck a few years back that was just a hair under 400 pounds, I kid you not.

When he showed me the pic I thought it was photoshopped, but they are out there!


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You cant spout off bout a 400lber and not show us what a tease


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[ianpadron]

You cant spout off bout a 400lber and not show us what a tease


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I know...dick move, maybe I'll see if he's lightened up about these forums yet.

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[HellsCanyon]

^x2

Yup Ryan is one of the most badass dudes you'll meet. I've learned more from him than just about anyone in terms of how to hunt in WA.

His main approach is that if you seek rugged, steep, nasty terrain, you WILL find solitude and you WILL find mature bucks.

Something you'll notice about WA, as evidenced by Jimmy's pic, is that bucks in the Cascades have the biggest bodies of any Mule Deer I've seen. 300 pounders are a lot more common than you'd think.

If my buddy wasn't so damn secretive I'd post a photo of a special draw late tag he notched on a buck a few years back that was just a hair under 400 pounds, I kid you not.

When he showed me the pic I thought it was photoshopped, but they are out there!


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I've been hunting Idaho, CO, and WA pretty consistently for 4-5 years and haven't noticed any bigger bodies anywhere.... here's a Colorado buck we killed last year that had a tank of a body:

And an Idaho buck of mine from a few years back....

I think mature muley bucks just have big bodies no matter what western state they are in. Sure would love to see a pic of that 400 pounder!!

Mike


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[Duckgitr]

First deer in Washington I killed was a Muley. That week I got 4x3 and my wife 2x3 and buddy 4x3. My buck View attachment 52422 Buddy's buckView attachment 52423 Wifes' buck in the middle View attachment 52428

 

[Grundy53]

Washington can be a good place to find nice bucks if you get it dialed in. However I don't think I would waste my time and money if I lived out of state.

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[Bwilliams1286]

Best WA Mulie

to date


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Beautiful buck!

 

[Bwilliams1286]

I've been hunting Idaho, CO, and WA pretty consistently for 4-5 years and haven't noticed any bigger bodies anywhere.... here's a Colorado buck we killed last year that had a tank of a body:

And an Idaho buck of mine from a few years back....

I think mature muley bucks just have big bodies no matter what western state they are in. Sure would love to see a pic of that 400 pounder!!

Mike


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Those are tanks!!! Nice work.

 

[Wrench]

My wife's first buck. I've done pretty well myself. Wa has decent deer, but expect unreasonable pressure.