Tired of WA tag soup

[RadSav]

Somebody put together a book of RadSav's comments. I want the first copy  so entertaining to read.

Not sure if that is a compliment or I should be insulted

I would take it as a compliment!  Many on here could have their posts compiled for a study by psychologists 

I'M NOT CRAZY, MY MOTHER HAD ME TESTED

[buckfvr]

A lot of it is timing..........if you have to plan vacation or some other such, then you are starting out as a victim of your schedule,  unless you understand timing.

Its always about the right place at the right time................theres always a right place at the wrong time, but a wrong place will only be wrong.

I get the multi-season so I can be in search of muy grande from sept til dec if necessary.  That is huge...........but so is knowing when crunch time is..........

[RadSav]

A lot of it is timing..........if you have to plan vacation or some other such, then you are starting out as a victim of your schedule,  unless you understand timing.

Its always about the right place at the right time................theres always a right place at the wrong time, but a wrong place will only be wrong.

I get the multi-season so I can be in search of muy grande from sept til dec if necessary.  That is huge...........but so is knowing when crunch time is..........

Right on 

[blackveltbowhunter]

For deer, I agree with the majority of the comments here  Alot of good advice from both the "pro" out of state, as well as advice to polish your technique here.

 For elk hands down out of state is better IMO. If you archery hunt it doesnt even compare.

[GurrCentral]

Maybe it is your tactics?  Just saying.

Exactly.......but you will have much more luck out of state...

[xXLojackXx]

You're kind of sounding like a quitter    in the past, the years that I didn't fill my tags made me hunt harder and be more determined the next year. IMO if you can tag animals animals in this crowded state, you can be successful hunting anywhere in the US. Don't give up, just focus your efforts and get it done.

[Bean Counter]

If there were a vote for the 10 best threads in the history of Hunting-Washington.com, this one would get one of my votes. The thoughts bloated by RadSav and the other pros (not me) are far, far more valuable than a post stating "Trophy buck at these coordinates on public land, go get 'em!" Some of you who are frustrated with tag soup need to read and reread portions of this thread over and over again.

I have little to add other than my experience. I've been hunting for less than a decade and am primarily self taught. I would agree with the others that if you can't make it happen in your own home state, that going out in search of greener pastures is going to be an expensive lesson. The best lesson if you have money to burn is to hire a guide, particularly early in your hunting career, and pick their brain non stop as RadSav's steelhead story goes. I would consider BearPaw Outfitters as they are the host of this site and prices are very reasonable indeed.

I am venturing out into other states, primarily in "point building mode" right now. This means a few years spending hundreds per state per year to buy points in hopes of some day drawing a quality tag. This is more about getting access to hunt quality animals and do it more frequently than every 5, 10, or 15 years in my home state. If I wanted I could kill a cow elk and a little dink buck every year, but that doesn't suit my purpose anymore. This is the natural progression for many ambitious hunters.

[Mr Mykiss]

To be honest with you, deer are really simple to kill in this state.

The only hunters that I know in this state that eat tag soup are the guys who pass on multiple bucks and intentionally don't hunt the cupcake areas where trophy potential is almost nonexistent.
Do not go with an outfitter in E WA on private ground, unless you want to learn how to hunt deer for thousands of dollars on private ground every year. In the stead find yourself some chunks of public ground or FFTH and hike your butt off. It's ok if you can't see deer from your truck...just get out and walk.

[RB]

Alright I understand technique has alot to do with hunting, but having hunted for 30 years in Washington and being able to hunt in Idaho (once) and Alaska several times Washington sucks.

By this statement I mean in shear numbers of game animals. Yes if a person has areas they know like the back of their hand and know game movements they can be successful every year. I know this because I had such a spot years ago, but that is gone now.

Walking through the woods in Idaho and Alaska was pure enjoyment the numbers of all animals was spectacular! Grouse, Turkeys, Deer, Elk, Moose, Coyotes, Mink, Marten, the list goes. Here in Western Washington where I learned to hunt I have spent days in the brush and not even seen a tweety bird!

So I would vote yes to go out of state not necessarily to just get a Deer, but to witness how much more game and cool critters a person can find in areas that are far away from major development. It is a numbers game other Western states have far more animals than Washington, so if a person spends more time with more game they are bound to finally connect. Thats my 

[Mr Mykiss]

There's nothing more frustrating than hunting the wetside jungle!!! I started off my hunting career doing that crap for 5 years with a bow: 3 blacktail and several screwed up opportunities on elk.
Then I moved to eastern WA:
I was all like...
What??!!!! No trees?? Deer everywhere?? You can see more than 8' in front of you?!?! Easy peasy...

[barracuda163]

Hurry!!! Run for the phone !! Get your out of state tags quick!!   Get your road hunting, romeo wearing butt to another state please... Its called hunting, not killing. What's wrong with taking a rifle for a hike and coming home empty handed? Be grateful to be outdoors and able to say you hunted.  Find a method that allows yourself to be alone and away from the crowds.  I love not seeing any other hunters wherever I go.

[Olympics777]

I only read about half the comments on this post, sorry if I'm repeating anyone. The guy who started this thread mentioned how he had hunted unit 621. Really, the deer in areas like that are not hard to hunt, you just sit there and spot them from one hill side to the other, and then sneak up and shoot em( above treeline). Just get a little farther away than most people go, do a little scouting, and get some good glass. If you still don't kill anything, then maybe you should take up golf.