Son and Daughter First deer hunt-Updated w Pics

[brianb231]

Well guys,

I am in a bit of an awkward situation. Been bowhunting Elk for the past 25 years. I know the east side very well as far as Elk in the Naches, Nile and Bumping. BUT my kids just finished hunter safety this past spring and we are going to go on their first deer hunt with rifles for now. My son drew a doe permit in the Skookumchuck so that one I have figured out but my daughter did not draw anything as a youth so we are general deer season hunting and I am looking for recommendations for decent deer areas that may give her a chance at any legal deer. If it were elk it would be a no brainer for me, but during the rifle season during the general season for deer areas I am kind of at a loss.

ANy suggestions? No Honey holes. We are not going to be hardcore jumping off canyon rims or anything like that. She is 15 and this is her first hunt so it will be an interesting experience I am sure.

Thanks in advance.

Brianb231

[jackmaster]

i am in the same spot as you are, my daughter is 15 as well. i have a hancock pass, did you happen to buy one? vail would be a great spot but that isnt open for her, if you dont mind traveling there are places that youth can hunt whitetails if i remeber right and can shoot any deer. otherwise i will pm you a couple spots 

[vandeman17]

pm sent

[brianb231]

I just recently found out that the Vail tree farm is opening for the youths that drew the Skook permits and you do not have to have one of their access permits on the 4th and 5th so that is where I am going for my son that weekend, but as far as general season for my daughter I am kind of at a loss. Generally speaking. I mean I know there are deer everywhere even where we elk hunt on the east side but not the population or terrain that I would consider as good deer hunting. I just want her to have a chance at getting her first deer no matter what it is. White tail is fine too.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[jackmaster]

I just recently found out that the Vail tree farm is opening for the youths that drew the Skook permits and you do not have to have one of their access permits on the 4th and 5th so that is where I am going for my son that weekend, but as far as general season for my daughter I am kind of at a loss. Generally speaking. I mean I know there are deer everywhere even where we elk hunt on the east side but not the population or terrain that I would consider as good deer hunting. I just want her to have a chance at getting her first deer no matter what it is. White tail is fine too.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

pm sent, i will probably run into up in vail, my buddys son drew the any deer youth tag, my son drew that tag when he was 11, man it was such a fun hunt, good luck to you and your son and daughter.what kind of rig do you drive?

[brianb231]

I make those custom headache racks with the hunting scenes in the back, but my rig is the WHite Ford f150 crew cab with the stainless rack in the back that says "Northwest Metal Art.com with the fish and the bull elk on it. How about you?

[jackmaster]

I make those custom headache racks with the hunting scenes in the back, but my rig is the WHite Ford f150 crew cab with the stainless rack in the back that says "Northwest Metal Art.com with the fish and the bull elk on it. How about you?

we will be in my silver 08 tundra, i have a sticker on the back window that says " SAVE ONE BOMB FOR THE ANTI WAR PROTESTERS"

[brianb231]

I will look out for you. Here is what is currently on the back of my White lifted Ford.



I have never been to that vail area. Actually never hunted the west side but I hear there are a lot of deer up there and it will be a good opportunity for the boy.

[jason stevens]

Go east for the kids any white deer in a few units that's where we are headed.

[arees]

I am taking my son out East of Republic again this year.  It is his second year hunting but he spent last year throwing up every morning of the hunt.  We never saw anything in the times he was able to hunt.  We wound up cutting it short and heading home, much to his disappointment.  Hopefully we will have better luck this year.

[brianb231]

I have heard a lot about republic as well. Just never been over there. Thinking about Entiat but I know that is a muley area and a 3 point restriction, which I would prefer any buck just for here to get the opportunity.

[klickman]

Kettle falls, Republic, Colville.  If its any deer most farmers will giver her the OK if she asks.

KLICKMAN

[arees]

It is not the area I usually hunt, but I am hoping that the any deer youth option will give my son a better chance.  We will be looking at some new areas this year.  We learned some areas last year but he was not up for anything in the morning.  We could do some hiking in the afternoon though.

I will be spending the week before trying to fill a Taneum cow tag.

[mallardaddict]

Several of the northeast and southeast units allow youth to harvest a whitetail doe on their buck tag. We hunt around the blue mtns and there are whitetail does in the fields in groups of 10-50 nightly. Also most of the farmers have no issue letting a kid shoot one. If you decide to go southeast let me know and I'll give ya some ideas. If you decide to hunt where we are I'll take a ride with you and show you some particular fields.

[jackmaster]

BRIANB231, thats pretty cool art work you do  maybe i could get you to make me one with a big middle finger and then obama after it    well i can say i definatly wont miss that when i am up in vail thats for sure 

[Old Man Yager]

Hope we make it to Vail. My kid has been having a few problems at school....... if he keeps his work up this next week, he gets to hunt. Dude, I don't ever remember us being this lazy??

[deltaops]

Hope we make it to Vail. My kid has been having a few problems at school....... if he keeps his work up this next week, he gets to hunt. Dude, I don't ever remember us being this lazy??

Same thing I told my son, if he doesn't keep up with his school work then no hunting. So far he has been great at it. He also plays other sports and he knows that if he can't keep his grades up, no more sports as well. My 7 year old is a whole different story. UGGGG

[Pugetsound]

...... if he keeps his work up this next week, he gets to hunt. Dude, I don't ever remember us being this lazy??

I don't remember being that lazy either but am pretty positive it has something to do with selective memory loss.

[jackmaster]

Hope we make it to Vail. My kid has been having a few problems at school....... if he keeps his work up this next week, he gets to hunt. Dude, I don't ever remember us being this lazy??

dude I know. My dad would have beat me senseless if I was a lazy kid. You can't get away with that stuff now days. Well I sure hope Trent gets it together. He could be missing a really great time. It was the funniest hunt I have been on with dakota

[brianb231]

And just for clarification. The vail tree farm is part of the skookumchuck unit correct? Wanted to triple check before I head out there on the 5th.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Yes.  Pass required I believe not sure on when the pass is for but I know they started that this year.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Sorry I just read the post above about youth.  Yes your right about the unit.

[brianb231]

One last question. As for as entry into Vail with the Youth hunters, My brother and two close friends want to ride along in my rig to watch my son get his first deer hopefully. Is there a limit to the amount of people you can bring in with you???

Just a thought.

Thanks

[jackmaster]

its completly ok brianb231, my best friend my cousin and my nephew all came along when my son had his tag, make sure you have a shotgun in the truck, you will get plenty of shots at grouse as well. its a fun hunt, there are plenty of places to get out and walk, the only problem is they dont gate any of the roads so you can have rigs drive right by you to. timber huntn up there isnt neccessary either.

[Old Man Yager]

My kid asked his mom last night if she wanted to go, soo I might have an extra too. I got my fingers crossed she might find something else to do.

[jackmaster]

My kid asked his mom last night if she wanted to go, soo I might have an extra too. I got my fingers crossed she might find something else to do.

oh man that would be cool if mama went with you maybe you would have a new huntn partner, then you can get away with buying hutnn stuff more often  maybe trent wants his mama there to see him whack his first critter or to keep you from thumpn him upside the head when he misses a boone and crocket buck  do to the OH SHEET FACTOR   

[brianb231]

Well, we had an amazing day on Sat with my son in the Vail Tree Farm. We only saw about 12 does the entire day. He has had his scope on a doe twice. The firs,t we were waiting for him to pull the trigger but she moved on him. I was proud that he held up and just didn't go ahead and shoot. The second opportunity the deer was at about 220 yards but I fealt that was a little too far for him to shoot even though he was on her so I called him off. Then in the afternoon we had a nice doe at 60 yards and he got it done. I was so excited and so proud of him. My wife and brother were with us as well and it was a special moment for all. My son even reached up and thanked my Dad, who I know was looking down very proud of his grandson as was I.  It may have only been a doe, but it may as well have been a 420 class Bull Elk for all I was concerned. Love this kid. My daughter is up next weekend but hers will be a harder task in the nile area with everyone else.

[MLBowhunting]

Doesn't get much better than that 

[Turner89]

Awesome That's exciting stuff.

[washelkhunter]

How cool is that! 

[carpsniperg2]

Good stuff

[Bulldozer77]

As a father that spends a lot of hours and days doing the same thing I know how you feel. congrats to the hunter and to you as well dad! it doesn't get any better than that. Way to go guys!!!

[ShaneTyTrey]

Very cool.  Thanks for sharing.

[Bigluke1981]

That is awesome congrats!!!

[arees]

Congratulations and well done.

[jackmaster]

congrats to the youngster, thats even better that papa and mama got to go along with him, it doesnt get much better than that 

[C-Money]

Congrats to the young hunter!!!

[Thefisherman83]

Very cool, congratulations to the young hunter.   

[Timberstalker]

Beyond awesome.  Great story and great kid.

[brianb231]

Thanks everyone,

IT was a very rewarding experience we will never forget. Now I am just under more pressure to get my daughter in front of something she can shoot. There is a plan in the works thanks to great people on this forum.

Hopefully another first time update will follow after next weekend.

Thanks again!

[wence5]

Congrats to your young hunter, and good job dad! 

[scottr]

Man is dusty in here or what? 

Well, we had an amazing day on Sat with my son in the Vail Tree Farm. We only saw about 12 does the entire day. He has had his scope on a doe twice. The firs,t we were waiting for him to pull the trigger but she moved on him. I was proud that he held up and just didn't go ahead and shoot. The second opportunity the deer was at about 220 yards but I fealt that was a little too far for him to shoot even though he was on her so I called him off. Then in the afternoon we had a nice doe at 60 yards and he got it done. I was so excited and so proud of him. My wife and brother were with us as well and it was a special moment for all. My son even reached up and thanked my Dad, who I know was looking down very proud of his grandson as was I.  It may have only been a doe, but it may as well have been a 420 class Bull Elk for all I was concerned. Love this kid. My daughter is up next weekend but hers will be a harder task in the nile area with everyone else.

[Frankchurchbandit]

  Nice work!!

[Pathfinder101]

That's awesome!

[Old Man Yager]

My son shot his first buck in there on Sunday afternoon. I will get a pic and story on here later.