New to Washington hunting...looking for a partner/mentor..willing to do the work

[Steef]

So my family and I are reconnecting with our love of nature/hunting/fishing.  My kids are still a little young, but I'd like to really get into hunting and not just "show up on opening day looking for an easy deer."  I was thinking now would be a good time to start scouting, outfitting, researching, etc.  While I haven't hunted much recently (outside of our hog/turkey hunting in Texas) I did grow up in Montana with a hunting family and after high school I was active duty U.S. Army back in the mid-90's.  Not growing up in Washington though, I'm still trying to get caught up on all of the rules/laws/places to go etc.  I'm doing my "homework" researching this site (what a great resource!), reading the WA regs, checking out maps, etc. but don't really feel confident just to hop out of the car on my own and start shooting at things, ya know?  Any help, mentoring, partnering, etc. would be much appreciated. 

I'm interested in modern firearms hunting for Deer/Elk especially, but interested in bear, cougar, coyote, etc.  I have a Ruger 3006 and still building my outfitter list and collecting additional firearms for various hunts.  Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated and I promise to pay it back and forward.

Thanks,

S

[rtspring]

I love to help people.  I dang sure don't know it all but as I get older, I enjoy helping others more than I do hunting myself. 

If your interested in scouting the eastside, little naches gmu 346. I can teach you a whole heck of alot. 

I will be scouting pretty much every weekend from now till hunting season. 

Rtspring

[Mongo Hunter]

So my family and I are reconnecting with our love of nature/hunting/fishing.  My kids are still a little young, but I'd like to really get into hunting and not just "show up on opening day looking for an easy deer."  I was thinking now would be a good time to start scouting, outfitting, researching, etc.  While I haven't hunted much recently (outside of our hog/turkey hunting in Texas) I did grow up in Montana with a hunting family and after high school I was active duty U.S. Army back in the mid-90's.  Not growing up in Washington though, I'm still trying to get caught up on all of the rules/laws/places to go etc.  I'm doing my "homework" researching this site (what a great resource!), reading the WA regs, checking out maps, etc. but don't really feel confident just to hop out of the car on my own and start shooting at things, ya know?  Any help, mentoring, partnering, etc. would be much appreciated. 

I'm interested in modern firearms hunting for Deer/Elk especially, but interested in bear, cougar, coyote, etc.  I have a Ruger 3006 and still building my outfitter list and collecting additional firearms for various hunts.  Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated and I promise to pay it back and forward.

Thanks,

S

According to your profile you live in battleground? if so that's not a bad unit it just tends to be a little crowded. also its a Shotgun/Bow/Muzzy unit only last time I checked. Washington will be different hunting that in Montana or Texas, no real long shots and its thick as hell in some places. I'm trying to put a hunting group together being I'm hunting here this year and I live not too far from battleground. if all go to plan I could always use another hunting partner. ill let you know if it all pans out how I would like.

[Tradbowhunter]

If you're interested in scouting the west side, I've got a pretty decent elk spot down in the Gifford Pinchot. I mostly hunt archery seasons, but I've got a 30-06 I'd be down to go out with this year. Scene lots of nice bears as well in the area. Shoot me a PM if this interests you.

[Steef]

According to your profile you live in battleground? if so that's not a bad unit it just tends to be a little crowded. also its a Shotgun/Bow/Muzzy unit only last time I checked. Washington will be different hunting that in Montana or Texas, no real long shots and its thick as hell in some places. I'm trying to put a hunting group together being I'm hunting here this year and I live not too far from battleground. if all go to plan I could always use another hunting partner. ill let you know if it all pans out how I would like.
[/quote]

Yup, in Battle Ground, looks like you're in Woodland?  (about a 15-20 min drive from my house).  I'd appreciate being kept in mind for this.  I figure I'll have to drive a ways outside of the area if for no other reason than to get away from the city, but I'm willing to go where's reasonable.

S

[NWBREW]

 but I'm willing to go where's reasonable.
 

Well, that puts my advise out. 

[Song Dog]

I live in Battle Ground.  I hunt both the east and west side of the State.  If you want to go up on Mt. Adams or Mt. St Helens I can show you some of the areas I hunt and fish.  I have been very lucky hunting in the Trout Lake area.  Depending on what tags I draw I hunt Muzzle loader, Bow and Modern Rifle.  This year I drew Multi- season for deer and elk.  I also have taught Hunters education for the past twenty years for both Washington and Oregon.  Currently I still teach hunters education in Clark county.  Send me a pm if you want to meet up.  I spend a lot of time out scouting, picking mushrooms and looking for shed horns. 

[madmack76]

good luck on your first season in wa hope it goes good for you its not like any where else in the world to hunt.

[Steef]

So far, this site has been awesome, with great advice, helpful people and good info.  Thanks.

S