Scouting...

[Pappy]

This being my first year hunting deer, I'm a little lost trying to pick an area to scout and subsequently hunt. I was thinking about heading to Vail tree farm, but I was wondering how crowded does that place get? I like seeing everybody at the range, not so much in the field. Also, the website says it's gated, but I'm wondering where those gates are set at. I don't see any gates in the satellite imagery from Google Earth on the access points at Big Hanaford Road, so I'm wondering if gates start showing up further into their property, or if it's just now showing on the satellite view. Thanks for any info...

[h20hunter]

I've never hunted Vail but from the threads I've read and followed I think this sums it up:

1) Get there way early
2) Hike in and sit
3) Wait for the masses to start blasting away and pushing deer every which way
4) Shoot one before somebody shoots you
5) Tag it before someone else does and then threatens to shoot you over it
6) Get the hell out of there intact

Does that sum it up?

[notellumcreek]

I've never hunted Vail but from the threads I've read and followed I think this sums it up:

1) Get there way early
2) Hike in and sit
3) Wait for the masses to start blasting away and pushing deer every which way
4) Shoot one before somebody shoots you
5) Tag it before someone else does and then threatens to shoot you over it
6) Get the hell out of there intact

Does that sum it up?

 

Although it wasn't AS bad as all listed above when I went my first time... but still the most crowded place I have seen while hunting before.

[Pappy]

I've never hunted Vail but from the threads I've read and followed I think this sums it up:

1) Get there way early
2) Hike in and sit
3) Wait for the masses to start blasting away and pushing deer every which way
4) Shoot one before somebody shoots you
5) Tag it before someone else does and then threatens to shoot you over it
6) Get the hell out of there intact

Does that sum it up?

LOL not quite the experience I'm looking for. hmm...

[h20hunter]

I did a quick search and was going to cut and paste but so much to choose from. If you search "vail" you will get a ton of hits.....you can acually browse the results and skip reading the entire threads. Give it a try and see if that helps.

[snowpack]

I think one of the main draws to Vail is that they allow vehicle access all over their tree farm.  You can get limited vehicle access to the tree farms around kitsap/hood canal/olympic penninsula and get foot access to most except for maybe Pysht.

[Pappy]

I think one of the main draws to Vail is that they allow vehicle access all over their tree farm.  You can get limited vehicle access to the tree farms around kitsap/hood canal/olympic penninsula and get foot access to most except for maybe Pysht.

Yeah, I'm torn. There's plenty of deer in the units close to home on the Oly peninsula, but not much elk. I don't expect to take an elk my first year out, but I'd like to get familiar with areas that they're in so that I can increase my odds in the future.

[Pappy]

Can anyone point me to some resource that maps the timber company lands that are available for hunting? The GoHunt system doesn't distinguish between timber land and everyday farm or private land.

[dhead007]

Pappy,

I don't know anything about Vail, but last year's Pope/ORM map is here:
http://www.orm.com/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=a6edCocF3Lw%3d&tabid=95

Maps of Green Diamond land are available for purchase at their office, 215 N. 3rd, Shelton; 8-12, 1-4; M-F.

Port Blakely does not make their maps available to the public.

[Stick em]

I wouldn't go as far as Vail when your in great country. Check out the Buckhorn wilderness. It has a great High Buck hunt and holds all kinds of animals. There is a lot of public land and less hunters than hikers. What are you hunting with?

[et1702]

Vail is CRAZY crowded and its only open during general rifle season.  Lots and lots of roads and road hunters shooting at anything that moves.  Archery, muzzleloader and late rifle are walk in only.

ET

[Bullkllr]

From my perspective, Vail is not as bad as what many make it out to be.

It is a huge area. All of those rigs funneled through 1 or sometimes 2 gates creates congestion. Then, if you're near a mainline, you will see rigs all day. Most roads are of course driven by multiple rigs in a day. But that's mostly because almost nobody gets out of their friggin trucks.

There are places that have nowhere near as much pressure as others, but you'd have to get there early. And you'd have to know where you want to be. Scouting when you can't drive in before the season is tough.

[Pappy]

Thanks fro the additional suggestions! And dhead007 - I didn't realize that area was open to hunt! I'll keep some of these places in mind for alternative quick spots as they are pretty close to me. But my main concentration is going to be in an area where I can take a poke at an elk too. But like I said, the Green Mtn and Pope map are nice for close quick spots.

Stick em - I'll be hunting with archery tackle. My 10yo son will be using a shotgun with slugs.

[zackmioli]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

[Pappy]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

[bobcat]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

No hoof rot in Minot Peak that I've heard of.

[zackmioli]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

No hoof rot in Minot Peak that I've heard of.

down in the valley near elma ive heard there is some but up in the hills i havent seen any. anywhere in western wa gets crowded during modern seasons, just gotta find areas to get away from the roads.

[BowForElk]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

I wouldn't mark it off your list. If your hunting archery you'll likely not see very many people but the gates are closed and your either hiking or biking. I hunt vail and the whole skookumchuck area every year (for archery) and I generally don't see people. I do however see their rigs parked behind mine when I go to leave.

As for elk. There ARE elk in vail/skookumchuck It might not be a ridiculously huge herd but they are in there just gotta scout em out and figure where they are. Also the place is loaded with deer.

I personally have never stepped foot in vail during modern. Although I hear the stories and I think thats why the place gets such a bad rap but the archery season is nothing like modern.

[Pappy]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

No hoof rot in Minot Peak that I've heard of.

down in the valley near elma ive heard there is some but up in the hills i havent seen any.

my mistake, thanks for clarifying.

[Pappy]

if you want to hope to get an elk to then Vail is not the place for you. very minimal elk in that tree farm. check out the Minot Peak area down near elma, deer, elk and bear. Kitsap pen is full of critters as well.

Yeah Vail is off my list at this point anyways. I might check out Minot Peak area, but I hear that gets pretty crowded, and with the hoof rot to boot... I might look for deer on Kitsap, but there's no elk here

I wouldn't mark it off your list. If your hunting archery you'll likely not see very many people but the gates are closed and your either hiking or biking. I hunt vail and the whole skookumchuck area every year (for archery) and I generally don't see people. I do however see their rigs parked behind mine when I go to leave.

As for elk. There ARE elk in vail/skookumchuck It might not be a ridiculously huge herd but they are in there just gotta scout em out and figure where they are. Also the place is loaded with deer.

I personally have never stepped foot in vail during modern. Although I hear the stories and I think thats why the place gets such a bad rap but the archery season is nothing like modern.

thanks for the extra info - i'll consider visiting there after all.