Newbie needs some help. PLEASE HELP!

[jtrammell]

So I recently moved to Washington(military) and I am looking for a place to bear hunt in the Yelm area. I have tried looking online on where public land is and I haven't been able to come up with anything. I was looking to hunt this weekend with my girls in GMU 652 or 666. AAAANY help is greatly appreciated.

[turkeyfeather]

Welcome    to the forum and the great    state of Washington. What branch of the military are you in and when did you get here?

[jtrammell]

Welcome    to the forum and the great    state of Washington. What branch of the military are you in and when did you get here?

Army. Got here in December.

[jtrammell]

...please help....

[billythekidrock]

Things have changed drastically in the last few months with Weyerhaeuser going to a fee for access business model. You might look up the WA DNR website and look at their Public Lands Map. Or you may need to hunt the base or drive to the Capitol State Forest.

[dreamunelk]

Here is an online map for locating public lands in Washington.

http://publiclands.smartmine.com/#Map

Remember you can not hunt National Park, State Park, and most city lands.

[jtrammell]

Here is an online map for locating public lands in Washington.

http://publiclands.smartmine.com/#Map

Remember you can not hunt National Park, State Park, and most city lands.

Thanks brother! That actually helped a lot.

[dreamunelk]

No problem.  Happy to help out.

Next lesson.
Use county mapping web sites to determine ownership of area interested in.  For private forest lands.  Best often to just drive up an look at the gate or entrance.  Signed ok to access? Go for it.  No signs or no access indicated by sign stay out.

Thurston county
http://www.geodata.org/online.htm  click on "Online Maps" tab.

Pierce county
http://matterhorn3.co.pierce.wa.us/publicgis/

That ought to keep you busy.

Most importation get out and scout!  It is bears season so take you rifle for a walk.

[jason4429]

what about hunting on the base?

[jtrammell]

what about hunting on the base?

You can hunt on base. I'm registered to do so but they only open certain areas using certain weapons. All the areas open right not are only for bow.

[billythekidrock]

Why not hunt bear with a bow?

[jtrammell]

Why not hunt bear with a bow?

I don't have one Well, I have a crossbow but cant use that

[BOWHUNTER45]

I thought a crossbow was legal in the general season   I just looked but can not find anything on it !

[BOWHUNTER45]

It says crossbows can be used in firearm restriction areas ..So I would think it would be legal in general bear season .

[jtrammell]

It says crossbows can be used in firearm restriction areas ..So I would think it would be legal in general bear season .

According to the reg I believe I could use a crossbow because it says I can use any legal weapon. The problem is that base doesn't allow crossbows.

[turkeyfeather]

It says crossbows can be used in firearm restriction areas ..So I would think it would be legal in general bear season .

According to the reg I believe I could use a crossbow because it says I can use any legal weapon. The problem is that base doesn't allow crossbows.

You may want to look into that further. I don't think a crossbow falls into that category neccesarily.

[wadu1]

JBLM has some good bear and deer hunting, I see bear a lot by the Madigan Gate exit. I'm on base about 3 times a week taking my folks to appointments at Madigan. I would stop in at the recreation center on North Fort for more info also talk to Danny or Dave at the Skeet Range and they will also point you in the right direction. Thanks for your service; SGT A Brty 1/67th ADA Vulcan 9th Inft Div Ft. Lewis a lot of years back.