RE: WA. - Colockum observations 10/02
 

Okay, I think I know where you're talkin about.

Where am I from? Hmm. Here's the chronology:
Spokane till 2, Pateros through 4, Issaquah to 35, Carnation to 40 :)

So I spose I'm from Carnation.
We've hunted mulies in Twisp every year since I was 10. This year we were drawn for doe permits in Mission B so that's why we've spent to much time scouting there and why I don't know what I'm doin there [8D]

How bout you?

RE: WA. - Colockum observations 10/02
 

Good info there! Thanks much. And, I'll take it off the backstrap for ya :)

Comes complete with a beer.

RE: WA. - Colockum observations 10/02
 

Looks as if I'll be knocking on that day, but will try some fishing tomorrow.

RE: WA. - Colockum observations 10/02
 

Snohomish/Monroe area most of my life.... been here in the Granite Falls/Arlington area for the last 10 years. I was curious because I thought you might be a Wenatchee area local to put in for that SP. There have been times long ago when we failed on a doe tag in the mission area too!! Good luck and go get 'em be cause it can be done.......or get Ya a nice buck!

RE: WA. - Colockum observations 10/02
 

ManiDK,
Sounds like you are close in your quest for a mule deer, but you are looking in all the wrong places.

If you are looking around Jumpoff you are on one of the most travelled roads in the Colockum. This area gets an insane amount of traffic all year. I've seen everything from hatchbacks to Cadillacs up there, not to mention all the motorcycle and 4 wheeler traffic.

The first thing you need to do is get away from the roads. Second thing you need to do is be at a good vantage point at daybreak and glass for deer. They really aren't that hard to find, if you are in a high traffic area they will be less visible.

The area you mentioned down by the game managers house is a wintering range. There isn't even any snow up top so there really is no need for the deer to move down low yet. Without any weather to move the deer around they are still rather spread around. The Mission Creek area you mentioned is chock full of Deer, however, you will need to go UP to get them, unless you can find an orchardist to let you hunt his place.

I live at the bottom of #2 Canyon and have deer in my front yard throughout the winter. There are a few bucks that hang out around the last few houses towards the top of Jumpoff. In the mornings and evenings you can see them feeding in the clearcuts under the power lines.

I know it may seem like there aren't any critters here, but you have to look at areas on a map with food, cover, water and minimal road traffic. If I had a doe tag, I would go up into the Mission Creek area, I filled one there opening day of the permit season a few years back.

As far as Elk go, they can be anyplace. You have to hunt them, not just good looking territory. I got lucky this year, and after 9 years of applying was drawn for an ANY BULL tag for the rifle season in the Quilomene. I shot a nice 6 point bull on the third day of the season this year. I saw deer in the breaks off the Brewton most every day I was up in camp.

Hope you did good on your hunt!