New to WA

[PSUhunt]

Hey all, I just moved here from the east coast...and as u can imagine the hunting is totally different...but I'm excited to get out there. Was wondering if u guys can give me  Advice on the closest area to check out near Tacoma. Looking for some big space get out and do some hunting..don't at all mind hiking or biking a lot....that's the kind of space I'm looking for...and I hate crowded areas too. Well thanks a lot and so far have learned a lot from this site so thanks for that too!

[h20hunter]

Welcome....a bike can sure get you to some less traveled areas. I'd spend a little time on the Gohunt part of wa.gov as well as Google earth. General bear season will be here before you know it and will be a great chance to begin learning some local area for deer and maybe some yotes. Read the regs and read them again then keep them handy. A lot to figure out regarding permits and applications.

[HighlandLofts]

PSU
 Where are you from? I'm a transplant also. I won't go into detail on here, but we can talk privately if you'd like.  Do you like to shoot handguns?

[Eli346]

 Welcome to the site. You can get a lot of good answers to specific questions on this forum as a lot of us don't have anything else to do but tell others how it's done. Actually, there's a bunch of info on here if you really get into searching around on the site and asking questions as they arise. I'd spend the next few months on Google Earth doing some scouting also. It's a good tool. Knowing the regulations is a must. The 2014 regs won't be out for 5-6 months so just read the 2013's. They run in 3 year cycles so there won't be too many changes in the new ones. Good luck.

[10thmountainarcher]

I'm just north of you in Federal Way. Just moved over Friday from Spokane. Maybe we can learn the area together.  Never hunted black tails or rosies but I've got mulies and rocky mountain elk under my belt.

[Curly]

Lets see..........wide open spaces near Tacoma....   I'd head down Mountain Hwy (SR 7) out toward Alder Lake and Elbe.  There is a bunch of USFS land between Alder Lake and Riffe Lake.  And there is also USFS land E of Alder Lk toward Mt Rainier.   

[PSUhunt]

Hey thanks a lot all of you...Yeah I think I'm going towards the rainier area and so some walking. To answer a few other posts...I'm originally from the East coast but haven't had the opportunity to do some good hunting for around 2 yrs and completely new to the west coast/wilderness area type of hunting...but I'm excited. Thanks for all the help though I will defiantly look intro the areas and the crazy hunting laws out here which are defiantly the most confusing I have ever had to deal with...

[NOCK NOCK]

Hey thanks a lot all of you...Yeah I think I'm going towards the rainier area and so some walking. To answer a few other posts...I'm originally from the East coast but haven't had the opportunity to do some good hunting for around 2 yrs and completely new to the west coast/wilderness area type of hunting...but I'm excited. Thanks for all the help though I will defiantly look intro the areas and the crazy hunting laws out here which are defiantly the most confusing I have ever had to deal with...

Welcome to Washington

[huntnphool]

Hey thanks a lot all of you...Yeah I think I'm going towards the rainier area and so some walking. To answer a few other posts...I'm originally from the East coast but haven't had the opportunity to do some good hunting for around 2 yrs and completely new to the west coast/wilderness area type of hunting...but I'm excited. Thanks for all the help though I will defiantly look intro the areas and the crazy hunting laws out here which are defiantly the most confusing I have ever had to deal with...

As you can see the weather plays a big role in hunting around here. Make sure you invest in quality clothing.

[Peregrine]

Thanks for all the help though I will defiantly look intro the areas and the crazy hunting laws out here which are defiantly the most confusing I have ever had to deal with...

Amen

[C-Money]

PSUhunt....as in Penn State University? If so, there are a few of us on here with Pennsylvania ties, and you are not alone! Welcome!

[PSUhunt]

Haha nice to see PA ties this far out!

[SeeThru1987]

another Pennsylvainain!! yea its a little different depending on where you used to hunt back in PA, but Washington is much better, not really much small game, but still beats driving 3 hours north for some nice deer