Would Love Advice - Deer in SW

[Pinfold]

I know a lot of you spend a lot of time scouting, and I intend to do that for next year.  This year is my first time hunting (at 46), and to be honest it was a late summer decision, so I've not put in the legwork that I could have, had I decided to try this sooner.  I did take the safety course, and know my way around firearms well, have orange jacket, huntrack GPS, and 20 hours or so watching youtube videos on skinning, butchering, etc.

So, with that said, was hoping someone could give me some good, clear advice on places to go.  I am located in Vancouver, and was thinking somewhere near Washougal, or if needed, in or around Gifford Pinchot?  Or if you know somewhere better, great, would love to hear it.

I promise, for the next year I'll be doing a lot of my own scouting, not trying to take the lazy way out, just very new to the game.  PM or e-mail me with any info that would help, and it will be appreciated.  Road #'s, anything I can use to map my way in using Google Earth, GPS, etc., is greatly appreciated.   Thanks for taking the time to read (and hopefully respond) - being as specific as possible will really help a newbie out!

Thanks,
Glenn
jesrael@hotmail.com

[Huntbear]

Weyerhauser Christmas Tree Farm up above Yacolt. 

They control the gates with the Yacolt Sportsman Club.   Get in there, and on a side road somewhere with a 3-8 year old clear cuts, and watch and watch and glass....  Then, get into some brushy draws, and sneak hunt as slow as possible, watching through every opening for an ear flicker or a horn moving, etc..  you will find them, but it will take a LOT OF WORK on your part.  Without doing any scouting, not sure you have much of a chance with blacktails, but you have to start somewhere, even if it is a lowly spike or forky.

[Clancy]

and how slow you move, can never be emphasized enough. slower then a crawl my friend.

[pianoman9701]

  3 slow steps, stop - look - listen. Good luck!

[Pinfold]

Thanks, I appreciate any advice!  I'll look on Google and see if I can find the Christmas Tree Farm.  I did check their website and called their number, it's open to foot traffic only, but that's ok if I have to walk in.

The exciting news is, wife just decided she was going to be my hunting buddy!  She's always said "no way" to it, but tonight decided it would be a great way for us to build some new memories together, so she's coming.

Keep the advice coming, I do appreciate any direction (or locations) and I promise that for the next 12 months, I will do a lot of the footwork (scouting) - I don't like to ask for help, just super new to the whole thing this year.

Glenn

[Pinfold]

Been trying to find the exact location, or point of entry, to the St. Helens tree farm, and google is failing me.  Anyone have any directions they could share?

[fishinnut30]

Drive to Yacolt and turn right the road will lead you to the gate. Good luck

[shorthair15]

you better check before you go in there to make sure its open so you dont get your self a ticket! or a meeting with the county sherrif be careful in the pumpkin patch.

[xd2005]

Pinfold - any luck? I may be heading out this weekend (likely Saturday) and looking for someone to partner with. I know a few areas.

Brian

[ELKBURGER]

The tree farm your thinking of is the yacolt burn. It is only open to foot traffic now but hopefully will return to vehicular traffic by saturday. Lots of miles within the burn, lots of deer, but by far...lots of road hunters   Bring your busch light.

[xd2005]

The tree farm your thinking of is the yacolt burn. It is only open to foot traffic now but hopefully will return to vehicular traffic by saturday. Lots of miles within the burn, lots of deer, but by far...lots of road hunters   Bring your busch light.

Although the Yacolt Burn is comprised of more than the Weyerhaeuser property, as there is also quite a bit of DNR land up there.

[xd2005]

Anyone wanting to get out there tomorrow? I have a few areas I'd like to hit and wouldn't mind the company.