I've been taking one of my boys hunting for a few years now. He's the only one of my 3 biological boys who likes to hunt (I have 8 kids total - 5 adopted from foster care). I really want to keep that alive for him. Last year was his first time hunting with his own tag after passing hunter's ed. Got a couple grouse and he was pretty excited about that.
After 30 years focused on fishing, I got into hunting a just few years ago myself, so obviously lots left to learn.
We have been hitting north central WA for mule deer, but the last few seasons have been dead up there for us - since the fires and warm modern openers. So I've been looking into other options, even though I really love it there and have been working it hard for several years and know it better than anywhere else.
I now have the opportunity to hunt private land in the 121 Huckleberry unit. My friend has land there, combined family \ friend land in a mix of forest and field that comes to about 200 acres. Has a couple small creeks. Off Orin Rice road.
My friend (or his family members who own the adjacent land) isn't a hunter and only recently started spending time up there, but says they have lots of turkey on the land. They've also seen moose (rare) and a decent amount of whitetail deer. No mule deer that he has seen. Some signs of bear and cougar. No sign or grouse.
I'm pretty excited, but won't be able to get up there to scout ahead of time this year. My summer scouting was in the Okanogan with the family before I knew about this opportunity.
Anyway, I'm rambling on, so getting to the point. My boy is now a freshman in HS and on the football team. I think I'll be able to pull him away Thursday night, scout a bit Friday, and let him do the any deer youth hunt on Saturday and Sunday - but got to get him back to school and football by Tuesday or I'll get into trouble!! If he tags out, I'll see if I can get into a buck as well. Then turkey.
I would love some tips for hunting the private land in that area. Strategies for whitetail in that area during that time of year (modern opener). Next year we may switch to archery as we both love shooting the bow.
My fear is that we pull a rookie move and spook all the deer off the property on day 1 and we'll be done. Really want to avoid that of course. I plan to scout on Friday by walking normal trafficked (people) areas around the farm land and roads in the woods, looking for well used game trails and other sign. Find good vantage points for hiding and glassing the edges. Doing my best to determine their movements - morning, mid-day, evening. Opening morning we'll get setup well before first light in a pre-determined spot and hunker down with what we think is the best vantage point downwind of the active trails.
So here is my ask:
1) general tips to help make this a success for him? This will be our first time in whitetail country.
2) Backup plans for the area if we scare off all the game? Anyone have land that they would let a youth harvest a deer on? May have my dad, a Viet Nam vet who has never shot a deer, hunting with us as well if I he's up for it. Public land options?
Thanks!!!