New to spokane valley, have some ?'s

[Jmv232]

Hey everyone I just moved here a month ago and figured I would be close to some good land to hunt. I have been doing some searching around regarding mica peak and Mt. Spokane areas but I have found mixed feelings. I have a muzzleloader deer tag and an elk tag witch I'm trying to fill either one. I have also heard about hunting the Colville national Forrest and heard it houses good deer and some elk. I have a few game cameras I would like to set up but need some good direction on a place to zero in on. I do not have a problem with hiking into a good spot to Hunt if it means it will keep me away from other hunters. That's kind of the reason I was looking more into the national forest and heading towards the northern areas. Any input will be greatly appreciated. Also I was thinking of getting the permit and looking into the New England empire land and trying my luck there if it is worth it. Do I still need to purchase a discovery permit to drive in the forest ? And what are everyone's thoughts on these places ? Thanks.

[huntnnw]

Best bet is to pick an area and start scouting. Put some feed out or salt with your cams. Nobody on here is going to give any hints to where elk are in this area its very tight lipped. All the areas you mentioned hold deer and some places have elk more than the others.

[firefighter4607]

I don't know the area, but I see this is your first post. Welcome to the site. I hope you will have luck with members that live or hunt the area. Lots of good folk that are willing to help out.

Also try the search feature to research some of the areas you mentioned.

[Jmv232]

Thanks, I've been doing a lot of research on this site before I posted that is how I came to the conclusion of these areas. A gut feeling tells me Colville is the area I want to spend time scouting. You guys know if a discover pass is needed for that area ? Or some sort of permit ? Elk would be nice to tag this year but I know it will require a lot more work and more time. What would be the best area to scout for a legal deer ?

[huntnnw]

NO permit needed..unless on refuge land. Deer are everywhere in these units. Ill tell you right now with a muzzy deer tag Id be hunting unit 113 for that late season

[bobcat]

Most of the land you're talking about is National Forest, so no Discover  pass is needed there. But there are scattered sections of DNR land and if you end up on one of those you do need a Discover pass.

[CAMPMEAT]

Mica Peak is where I would look for everything you mentioned...........

[Selkirk]

Unit 113 has a great whitetail hunting in Nov and Dec.  Not much pressure, where I go, and the bucks are big.  I used to do the late muzzleloader hunt but now do the Nov modern firearm season.  I have seen bull elk but they are scattered so you will have to do some leg work.  I prefer the southern half of the unit as this area did not have the high winterkill that occurred a few winters ago.  We camp out of a wall tent with wood stove.  It get's cold so you will need to plan accordingly.  The higher elevations have mule deer and some of the bucks are incredible but the late season is a whitetail only hunt.  You just need to spend some time in the woods and find your own hot spot. Find an area with lots of does and the bucks will show up in November. I've killed two nice bucks right next to a main road.  Most folks won't get out of their vehicles in the late season.  I'm rambling - good luck.

[724wd]

mica peak is also closed to motorized access, so you'll be walking a fair ways uphill before you get to inland empire property.  but there are deer, elk, moose, and turkey up there. 

[Jmv232]

From the sounds of it looks like 113 is worth scouting. I don't have a map with me at work but I believe that's all colville national forest if I'm not mistaken. Ill have to get out there and check it out an spend a few days scouting it before I drop some cams in the area. I don't have a problem hiking into an area so I will keep mica peak in mind. But as far as I know an inland empire permit is a must in that area. Does 113 have any good fishing spots also ? That way I can spend even more time in the area .

[washingtonmuley]

JMV,
There is no need to drive all the way to colville as there are plenty of really good deer very close to you. Starting knocking on doors. Good luck

[washingtonmuley]

You might want to introduce yourself on this forum with info such as hunting experience,age,career/college,and etc. This might help you get better replies.

[Skillet]

I grew up in the Spokane valley - hunted Mica a bit, but found much more success either in the north country.  Don't know where you're from, but if whitetails turn your crank you landed in a great area for it that not a lot of the rest of the country knows about.

[Jmv232]

My name is joe and I am 24 years old and have lived in spokane valley for a month now. I grew up in tri cities wa and have lived there the majority of my life. I have lived in Wyoming while I was going to school there. I graduated from CBC a month and a half ago from their machining program and now work in post falls as a machinist. I have hunted around the tri cities are mostly. Last year I hunted the colfax area with no luck as I went the last day of late muzzle load with out spending more time in the area. This year I want to make sure that it is the other way around by spending more time scouting. I don't know many people in the area so it gives me something fun to do. I am planning on getting a hold of a few gmu maps after work and start making mental notes as to what the terrain looks like to try and narrow down an area. Am I missing an area around me besides mica peak and mt spokane ?

[dscubame]

All the elk in this state are in the Blues.  I would head on down to the Dayton area and poke around.  Not much up north of Spokane, head south for sure.