Longview area

[Sethwerf]

Hey all! I have lived here for almost two year, fishing is great but I'm looking to get back into hunting, compound bow and modern rifle. Any suggestions on where to go around here. I'm not a trophy hunter, I just like the hunt, the outdoors, and most of all the meat! I moved out here from Montana and haven't hunted for a few years due to moving and prior to that being in the military and deployed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

[Lucky1]

Welcome to the NW. You are close to lots of timber company land in the Coweeman, Winston, and Ryderwood hunting units. Check the hunting regs closely to make sure you are complying with the convoluted laws they have in this state. I've been here 14 years and still haven't really figured out how to consistantly kill elk and blacktail deer. There are some good hunters on the forum that can probably help you out with that. Good luck!

[Sethwerf]

Thanks! Will do! I have been reading on the area quite a bit. It's pretty intense compared to what I'm use to. I'm sure with time I'll get it figured out. Beautiful land over here, I can't seem to get out into it enough. Looking forward to this years hunt.

[4fletch]

if you are looking for meat and horns hunt with a bow , its more back to nature , don t have to worry about getting shot with a hunk of lead (I had a close call back in the late 70's) have  harvested many elk with a bow . Join a local archery club and WSB  (wa state bowhunters)  thankyou for your service good luck

[Sethwerf]

Horns are not so much of a big deal, I've claimed my fair share. Bow for myself for sure. I'm still working on talking the lady into archery though ha! We will see where that goes with some time. What archery groups are there around Longview?

[4fletch]

I googled and found Lewis Clark Bowmen Kelso area , Mike at 360 636 3027  WSB has directors for all areas of the state , one of these guys would probably be helpful to help you out . 15 yrs ago I hunted above Deep River 5 miles ( north )   in or so lots of elk back then not sure how it is now did manage to harvest a couple out of there had quite a few opportunities wome of it is pretty steep other areas pretty mild

[pianoman9701]

The areas to the west of you in the Willapa Hills unit, Bear River unit, Williams Creek, and Ryderwood hold a lot of deer and elk. If you have an archery tag, you have a good chance of tagging out but there's a lot of traffic - almost all tree farms. East of you is Coweeman, Winston, Mossyrock, Battleground, and Washougal. Most is tree farms, but there is some state land and some National Forest land.

[Sethwerf]

Tree farms.....great for crowd hunting haha. Thank you all so much, it is much appreciated. Some days I wish I were back home where I know the land yet the excitement of new land to learn comes back to mind and I have to resist using my sick and personal days. Come on bow season

[Bullkllr]

Tree farms have generally better habitat because they are getting logged. Nat'l forest no so much. Huge stands of reprod and regrown timber may have animals but usually not as many as a mix of timber/cuts/reprod.

[donnyp96]

If you'll be hunting archery I would definitely invest in a good bicycle. If it's not state land it'll be locked up in the early season, that along with plenty of pre season scouting will increase your success ratio. Coweeman unit has some pretty good areas that unit is also 3 point min. or anterless early season