Confused on the hunting regs...

[mjustice79]

I am moving to Washington around the Dec/Jan time frame. I was reading the regulations up there and I am kinda confused. If I get an archery tag, how I understand it to be is that I can only hunt during the archery season in September and that's it. I grew up hunting in Tennessee and Georgia where the seasons go from mid-September to mid-January. Am I interpreting this correctly? Thanks in advance!!

[deaner]

there are also late archery seasons

[Widgeondeke]

welcome to WA. On average you only get 9 days to hunt deer in the Evergreen State.     

[deaner]

welcome to WA. On average you only get 9 days to hunt deer in the Evergreen State.     

youre crazy.  unit i hunt in... archery deer is sept 1-27th, then nov 25 - dec15th..  so archery total is 48 days, much better than 9
                                             muzzle loader deer is sep 28th - oct 6th  so muzzle total is 9 days, right on there
                                             modern is oct 12-25th and nov 9-19th so 25 days total for modern.

i really dont think 9 days is average, its just what the muzzle loaders get.  they do get shafted.

[h2ofowlr]

welcome to WA. On average you only get 9 days to hunt deer in the Evergreen State.     

youre crazy.  unit i hunt in... archery deer is sept 1-27th, then nov 25 - dec15th..  so archery total is 48 days, much better than 9
                                             muzzle loader deer is sep 28th - oct 6th  so muzzle total is 9 days, right on there
                                             modern is oct 12-25th and nov 9-19th so 25 days total for modern.

i really dont think 9 days is average, its just what the muzzle loaders get.  they do get shafted.

The muzzy guys also get a late season depending on where you hunt.  I think it goes Nov. 28 - Dec.15

[mjustice79]

I appreciate the assistance. Never hunted elk, only whitetail. I am looking forward to getting up there and getting after it! what do yall recommend: spot and stalk, tree stand or getting a guide my first season?

[RB]

I appreciate the assistance. Never hunted elk, only whitetail. I am looking forward to getting up there and getting after it! what do yall recommend: spot and stalk, tree stand or getting a guide my first season?

Whitetail are only on the Eastern portion of Washington if that is what you are used to hunting I would presume similar tactics from Georgia and Tennessee would work here. Get maps and look for National forest that will be open to public hunting. If you really don't have the time to scout and can afford it hiring a guide would be a good option as well. Bearpaw on here would be a good place to start if you are looking for a Washington guide 

Best of luck and Welcome

[mjustice79]

good deal! thanks RB!

[Jburke]

A lot also will depend on the part of the state you are considering hunting.  Hunting elk in the NE corner is different than hunting on the coast.   
What part of the state are you planning to move to?

[mjustice79]

I will be moving around Olympia and hunting on the western side of the state.

[billythekidrock]

Their is decent elk & bear hunting within an hour of Olympia and you will find blacktail deer everywhere... maybe even in your backyard in Oly.

[Screaminreelz]

Oly area or wetside as some call it on here MF runs Oct 12-31 and late season Nov 14-17. Get out and away from the city in nearly any direction and you'll have some form of opportunity.

[bullcanyon]

Um..... He is asking about elk not deer. 

You can hunt both the early and late season with an archery tag.

[snowpack]

He can also buy the muzzleloader tag and hunt with his archery equipment, or if lucky draw a multi elk permit and hunt all three seasons (east and westside)with bow and arrow.

[jackmaster]

yeah depending on what your lookn for buck wise, blacktail bucks can be seriously discouraging, they dont act anything like a witetail and man oh man, if you havent been in serious brush before then you are in for quite a TREAT  and if you have never seen a elk in the wild then your also in for one helluva treat, and moose and sheep and goats and blacktails and more blacktails and did i mention blacktails? oh and some muleys and some whitetails and cougars and bears. well i can just tell ya, you will dig it alot more than the south  welcome to WASHINGTON, you got on a real good site, so your headed in the right direction, its alot better than shootn blind i can tell ya that 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

If its not to late maybe pick a different state to live in? Montana,Idaho, Canada? 

[Steef]

Is "BearPaw" a board member's name who does guided hunts?  I'd be interested if so as this will be my first year hunting in WA (Deer for sure, but I'd like to find someone to go Elk hunting with also).

Thanks,

S

[jackmaster]

Is "BearPaw" a board member's name who does guided hunts?  I'd be interested if so as this will be my first year hunting in WA (Deer for sure, but I'd like to find someone to go Elk hunting with also).

Thanks,

S

I believe he owns this site as well. Busy man for sure and from what I have seen an heard he is a damn good guide and a good man

[mjustice79]

I have been looking at some GMUs around the area too. I haven't hunted much public land as I have either hunted my own or leased it. but I am looking forward to the challenge! I wouldn't mind getting on a bear either! blacktail is on the list as well. I cant wait until my hunting partner, my 6 yo, gets to see an elk up close for the first time! I figure it will take a spell to get used to it all. but, not too many people can say that they have hunted the nw where im from. glad I found this site, yall have been a great help! thanks again!!

Hardship and misery are my companions. I am at my best when conditions are at their worst! H of the MANCHU creed.

[jackmaster]

I have been looking at some GMUs around the area too. I haven't hunted much public land as I have either hunted my own or leased it. but I am looking forward to the challenge! I wouldn't mind getting on a bear either! blacktail is on the list as well. I cant wait until my hunting partner, my 6 yo, gets to see an elk up close for the first time! I figure it will take a spell to get used to it all. but, not too many people can say that they have hunted the nw where im from. glad I found this site, yall have been a great help! thanks again!!

Hardship and misery are my companions. I am at my best when conditions are at their worst! H of the MANCHU creed.

i see your manchu creed there? when were you in? were you at ft ord or lewis? i was BRAVO 2/9 AT LEWIS AND 4/17 BUFFALOS AT FT ORD

[mjustice79]

Jackmaster, I am currently a Platoon Sergeant in 2-9 IN, Camp Casey Korea.

[jackmaster]

Jackmaster, I am currently a Platoon Sergeant in 2-9 IN, Camp Casey Korea.

how long have you been in? were you part of the 9th when we were at lewis?

[pianoman9701]

Confused at WA hunting regs? Bwahahahaha! Sorry soldier. The operations manual for the M-1 tank is less complicated.

[scout/sniper]

Jackmaster, I am currently a Platoon Sergeant in 2-9 IN, Camp Casey Korea.

I was in a Marine detachment there, good times. 

[nwwanderer]

Thanks for your service.  More and varied opportunities is the norm here.  We have it all.  Rain forests and deserts.  Two kinds of elks, several deer species, three of the four turkey types, protected grizzlies and abundant black bears, multiple predators now including wolves, non native and native upland birds, the pacific flyway for ducks and geese, special permit moose, all of the salmon species, huge lakes, rivers and tiny streams.  The rules are thick.  No hounds, oh, the state issues 'special permits' for hounds with 'problem' predators.  No leg hold traps.  No bear baiting but feed those deer and elk under your tree stand if you like.  Designate your weapon rules, except if ...... You get the idea. 
Good luck, welcome home.