Pair of Young Legs Seeks Hunting Mentor

[acnewman55]

I've lived in Washington all my life but never hunted anything but waterfowl.

I've decided that needs to change, as I've always been interested in mule deer and elk hunting but never done anything about it - there's just too much to learn and too much $$ to invest and I never knew where to start.  I'm 25 now and I can afford the gear, but not a guide service and besides, I'd prefer to learn to hunt public land.

I don't have friends or family that hunt big game, so I really haven't had an easy boot in the door, like many of you might have.

I spend lots of time outdoors, I love hiking and climbing mountains, and I volunteer with Search and Rescue.  Well I was on a trek through the GP Wilderness last September to climb Glacier Peak, and passed several hunters on the way in, moving very slowly with heavy packs.  It struck me that perhaps the best way to learn to hunt would be to trade my services as a porter for instruction.

I can't shoot straight, or calculate range, or identify likely deer habitat, or field-dress an animal. 

What I can do is climb mountains, bushwack, setup camp, cook great back-country meals, navigate, perform wilderness first aid, glass hillsides, brew coffee and carry a heavy pack.  I figure there's got to be a few hunters out there with sore knees that could use a little help packing in and packing out, at with the less glorious chores of hunting.

I just want to tag along, help when I can, learn as much as possible, and enjoy some time spent in the woods.

I'm wondering if this is something that anyone would consider, or if the burden of leading an inexperienced tag-along would be more trouble than it's worth?

I'm sure I'm not the first to come up with this idea - am I being foolish to think an experienced hunter would value my company and help?

Feedback would be appreciated!

The hunting that I'm interested in?  Central Cascades hunts for mule deer and elk.  Spot and stalk hunting that requires long hikes in from roads and trailheads - I like to be deep in the wilderness and that's where I'd prefer to hunt as well I think.   Glacier Peak wilderness and the ranges near Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee, Trinity, etc.  (I have a cabin near Lake Wenatchee)

[carver52]

I'd suggest hanging around here and monitoring as many posts as you can on your chosen game and methods.  But why just tag along?  Why would you just want to trade sweat equity for no return?  Heck, learn to shoot, buy a modest bino. and start using it on your hikes.  You'll learn much faster if you actually become one of the hunters, even if an opp. gets muffed.

[vandeman17]

Great first post! Welcome to the site and you will learn a lot on here!  I live in Wenatchee and would be happy to help you out. What weapon are you interested in starting out with?

[Woodchuck]

  That's a great first post right there. Welcome to the site. Ask lots of questions, you will get some smart alec's (like me) but you will get some good info to.
Clue #1 There are no elk in the blues. 

[DeerThug]

I have had some attrition to the elk camp...  what wepon choice do you prefer? 

[CMG]

acenewman -  nice first post, sounds like you are willing to learn with the right attitude 
  Your'e cabin is actually in a nice central area for mulies, I'm sure you will find someone on here willing to take you up on your offer soon. Heck maybe a couple of miles from your backyard. Sounds like you have hiked around that area, keep an eye out when hiking into some of these, and write down where and when you see anything, patterns will arise 
  I don't hunt that area anymore but have in the past, and hiked throughout that country. If you are interested in hunting around your cabin let me know and I can atleast steer you in the right direction.
 

[acnewman55]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I've definitely got a lot of research to do on my own - on that note if anyone can recommend resources on hunting mule deer, specifically books, I would appreciate advice.  Specifically resources tailored to Washington State deer hunting.  I own a number of books on white tail hunting but I just can't get fired up about sitting in a blind, which is why spot and stalk hunting for mule deer and elk appeals to me.  I enjoy duck hunting out of a blind but for bigger game I'd prefer to be on the move, as there's just so much to see up in the mountains.

Weapon of choice?

Bow hunting has always intrigued me but the degree of difficulty seems so much higher, I think I'll start out hunting with a modern firearm and see where that takes me.  I don't own a deer rifle but I'm in the market for an entry level bolt action.  Considering something in the range of the Remington 700 series or a Savage Arms 116.  My cabin sits on 25 acres so I have plenty of room to shoot, and I purchased a magnum gong target and will build up a berm for target shooting.

[vandeman17]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I've definitely got a lot of research to do on my own - on that note if anyone can recommend resources on hunting mule deer, specifically books, I would appreciate advice.  Specifically resources tailored to Washington State deer hunting.  I own a number of books on white tail hunting but I just can't get fired up about sitting in a blind, which is why spot and stalk hunting for mule deer and elk appeals to me.  I enjoy duck hunting out of a blind but for bigger game I'd prefer to be on the move, as there's just so much to see up in the mountains.

Weapon of choice?

Bow hunting has always intrigued me but the degree of difficulty seems so much higher, I think I'll start out hunting with a modern firearm and see where that takes me.  I don't own a deer rifle but I'm in the market for an entry level bolt action.  Considering something in the range of the Remington 700 series or a Savage Arms 116.  My cabin sits on 25 acres so I have plenty of room to shoot, and I purchased a magnum gong target and will build up a berm for target shooting.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Get good and comfortable shooting whatever weapon you choose and that will be a great spot to start. As for reading, it isn't Washington State specific but I would recommend checking out the Eastman books. They write tons of informative books on tips and tactics for hunting many different big game species.

Like others have said, feel free to ask as many questions on here as you want. It is a great place to learn and like I said earlier, I would be happy to try and help you out. This is a perfect time to start so that you can get out and scout all summer and be ready for the season! 

[fillthefreezer]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

I've definitely got a lot of research to do on my own - on that note if anyone can recommend resources on hunting mule deer, specifically books, I would appreciate advice.  Specifically resources tailored to Washington State deer hunting.  I own a number of books on white tail hunting but I just can't get fired up about sitting in a blind, which is why spot and stalk hunting for mule deer and elk appeals to me.  I enjoy duck hunting out of a blind but for bigger game I'd prefer to be on the move, as there's just so much to see up in the mountains.

Weapon of choice?

Bow hunting has always intrigued me but the degree of difficulty seems so much higher, I think I'll start out hunting with a modern firearm and see where that takes me.  I don't own a deer rifle but I'm in the market for an entry level bolt action.  Considering something in the range of the Remington 700 series or a Savage Arms 116.  My cabin sits on 25 acres so I have plenty of room to shoot, and I purchased a magnum gong target and will build up a berm for target shooting.

check out the books by david long and mike eastman and cam hanes book is a fun read and a good motivator

[WaltAlpine]

I bet you'll make friends fast with a post like that. Willing to work for nothing in return except being educated...land with a cabin...hungry for knowledge.
Scour this site. It is full of great people and advice. You'll be grilling Muley in no time.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

 This post should be stickied and referred to as the model of what a first post should look like.

[lokidog]

As mentioned, good way to introduce yourself.  One idea would be to try turkey hunting.  You already have a shotgun and there are turkeys in the same areas where you'll find deer.  You might be able to find someone to hunt with this spring even with the season closing in on us quickly.

Good luck out there.

[jstone]

some great archery hunting not far from Lake Wenatchee. I grew up in Wenatchee to, we also had a cabin up the Chiwawa river when I was a kid. Love that area.