Eastern Washington Deer

[BaseballStud20]

Hey everyone...I just moved to Spokane to attend college at Gonzaga (Go Bulldogs) and am not familiar with this area at all. I bowhunt for almost everything but especially deer and elk and was wondering if something would mind pointing me in a helpful direction. I dont have much time to travel long distances away from Spokane with school and homework...just somewhere I can go on the weekends. I would greatly appreciate if anyone would give me some advice. Thanks a million.

[hard hunter]

My advise is to try up above deer park.  Cant remember the name of the road but there is a lot of forest area, just be sure that you know the boundaries.  I mistook one by 20 feet and had to go see a judge to straiten it out.  For the most part, at least with rifles if your willing to shoot any deer the private landowners will let you hunt if you ask nice.

Good luck and shoot strait.

[D-man]

Hey, I am a student at Whitworth, and the last three years have been extremely frustrating for me to find a place to hunt.  I am a rifle hunter and prefer hunting public land, but i have finally gotten permission from two farmers to hunt their land with either a shotgun or a bow. I would be willing to take you out there during your archery season... PM me if you are interested.

[10Key]

Keep at it, there are plenty of areas near to Spokane that hold a sh_tload of deer and BIG deer at that. The places I have been are north of town. The first time I ever hunted north of Spokane was an afternoon late season bow hunt several years ago to an area a buddy told me about. I hadn't even got out of my car yet and I scoped a huge 5 point walking through a field.

My advice is to spread the word that you are a hunter seeking places to hunt to as many "locals" as you can, you are bound to run across someone that has info for you...Also, don't be afraid to pick up some maps and use GoHunt to find state ground within a reasonable driving distance.

[Ridgerunner]

When I was there for school int eh late 90's I was able to get my hands on a spokane county map which showed the state land, that was great for identifying places, then I drove and checked them out.  I took a 4x2 whitetail off a ranch right off the spokane river up by tum tum, I checked with the farmer and he gave me permission to hunt, one morning when I was there this guy was feeding in an alfalfa field till a 150 grain bullet took him through the heart.  There are places, you just got to get out and find them but get a good map and it will be easier.

[BaseballStud20]

Yeah a lot of people keep telling me there is a ton of private land and that I should just ask around. I was mainly planning on going after mule deer but im not picky. So basically most of the mule deer are down south from Spokane, and most of the whitetail are north of Spokane? Is that pretty much right?

[Sagedawg]

There are mulies north of here. Lots of WT as well, knock on some doors and youll find a spot. Scoop Mt just west of Deer Park is a decent spot might look into that.

  Sage

[Coasthunterjay]

Deer park area ..........

[Ridgerunner]

head west out towards cheney there is state land out there and the fishtrap area which is public.

[hambone]

west of watts lake and high some nice muleys high white tail low some really big whitetail

[BaseballStud20]

Alright, thanks a lot. So most of the whitetail will be contained in the lowland farm areas while the mule deer are at higher elevations?

[TeacherMan]

out toward Davenport there are lots of nice muledeer and a few whitetail LOTS...

[blacktailmadman]

This is my first year mule deer hunting.  I have a nice blacktail on my wall and I think it is time to try my luck with the mountain mule deer.  I am a true bow hunter.  hunting is my passion i am just looking for some advice on where and when i might find an alright mule deer.

[shootanfish]

Get me basketball tickets I'll get you a deer LOL!

[Redmist]

I'm assuming your playing baseball for the Zags.  Daughter just graduated from Gonzaga, and now still a dog at University of Washington Dental School.  Good choice in School.  Congratulations on your choice.  Zags looked at my son for ball, but went back to Virginia to a D1.  The world gets smaller now.  Your AD's brother hunts our ranch 120 miles to the east.  If I recall properly, one of my conversations with the AD's brother in the duck blind was that the AD's inlaws have a pretty good big game ranch just north of Spokane?  I don't know anything about the ranch, or if they let outsiders hunt, but I think if I were you I would go talk to the AD to see if you might get taken a little bit further under his wing for starters.  Do not name drop where you got your information, or anything about this post.  You make the sale yourself, and sell yourself into the deal as time progresses.  Just rumers you heard in the dugout, and would like to learn more about big game hunting in Washington since you like it, and heard he is a notible authority.  You can do this.  Feel free to PM, and GO ZAGS!!!! 

[mossback91]

Im in the same boat here in spokane just moved trying to find places!

[WAcoueshunter]

I'm assuming your playing baseball for the Zags.  Daughter just graduated from Gonzaga, and now still a dog at University of Washington Dental School.  Good choice in School.  Congratulations on your choice.  Zags looked at my son for ball, but went back to Virginia to a D1.  The world gets smaller now.  Your AD's brother hunts our ranch 120 miles to the east.  If I recall properly, one of my conversations with the AD's brother in the duck blind was that the AD's inlaws have a pretty good big game ranch just north of Spokane?  I don't know anything about the ranch, or if they let outsiders hunt, but I think if I were you I would go talk to the AD to see if you might get taken a little bit further under his wing for starters.  Do not name drop where you got your information, or anything about this post.  You make the sale yourself, and sell yourself into the deal as time progresses.  Just rumers you heard in the dugout, and would like to learn more about big game hunting in Washington since you like it, and heard he is a notible authority.  You can do this.  Feel free to PM, and GO ZAGS!!!! 

That's a kickass post...love it.  Just wish I was a GU ballplayer!!!

[Redmist]

A message I try to stress about contacting land owners is that a person should not try to make it obvious that one is trying to connect through an known common interest.  We (all of us), land owners or otherwise want to like a person for who they are eventually.  Are they a person who we want as a lasting associate?  Some people can be bought with gifts, but I believe that having grown up in a rural farm setting, there is a high degree of mistrust given justly and unjustly to strangers.  One rule of seeking out hunting ground is to do it months in advance of the season.  I think this is maybe the most disarming method.  The tip I gave to the Zag is just an immediate source to look into for advice.  Every rural driveway presents just as much opportunity for each of us.  It's like an attractive person verses an ordinary person seeking a mate.  It's about learning to accept rejection and not letting it distract you from your goal.  A pretty person with looks and money to offer catches more unseasoned results, but the ordinary guy can get a lasting relationship with the lookers X.  Personally, I prefer a consistant slowly baked home cooked meal over fast food.  This can take years at times, but like sex, the lustual attraction to run your body over a certain piece of ground will last a lifetime.  Eventually you'll screw their deer.   

[high country]

Im in the same boat here in spokane just moved trying to find places!

I drive back to your home turf every year to hunt deer. there is a bunch of folk in spokane with strong ties to okanogan co. I don't mind pointing you in the right direction if you need some help. but seriously as far as deer and upland go, it will be tough to find any spots that compare.....but there area few areas....

[swanny]

I too am in the same boat. Trying to find a place in 133 or 136.

I have a possible lead that I can check into, but unfortunately wont be able to get over there until the day before the season starts. Should I not even ask since it is SO close to the season?

[shorthair-on-point]

Doesn't hurt to ask but the odds will be better farther away from the season.

[kbyers]

Go NW out of Chewhela.  Check out the dirt roads off of Addy-Gifford and Cedonia-Addy roads.  Lots of muleys up there

[boneaddict]

Lots of private property too.

[mossback91]

Im in the same boat here in spokane just moved trying to find places!

I drive back to your home turf every year to hunt deer. there is a bunch of folk in spokane with strong ties to okanogan co. I don't mind pointing you in the right direction if you need some help. but seriously as far as deer and upland go, it will be tough to find any spots that compare.....but there area few areas....

I would appreciate any pointers. thank you

[jbaker509]

ive lived here all my life and can show you some good place's to get on some white tail if needed. pm me and ill point you in the right direction