Newish guy looking for advice

[Ogre]

All,

It has been a long while since my last post.  I have been lurking in the shadows like a creepy guy with a 70's mustache.  With everything I have seen and read on this forum.  My father and I have decided we are going to try GMU 111 this modern firearm season.  We have never hunted this far east.  Neither of us have been able to get out and hunt in nearly 8 years.  Needless to say, we are a little rusty in our knowledge of the lands.

Being as we have never hunted this area before, are there any pointers that you all would be willing to provide me as far as terrain, tactics or anything else.  Is this even a quality area for deer?  I guess I am really looking for confirmation that this is a good area to hunt without having much knowledge of the area.  Your thoughts, advice and any general information is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Ogre

[Eli346]

 Have you been over there before? Why that particular area? I usually go to the game reports at the WDFW.gov site to see harvest stats in new areas and check any special rules and regs pertaining to that area. Weather reports are helpful for pass driving. I use Google Earth a lot for scouting terrain; checking the lay of the land, elevations, draws, funnels, water, and even flora. You might also do a search on this site for the area to see if there are any posts that may help you.

[bobcat]

I haven't hunted there for years, but I can tell you that's just as good a choice as about anywhere else you could go in this state. Plenty of public land, fair amount of deer, didn't burn up this year. Think of this year's hunt as a scouting trip and if you get lucky, great. If not, you'll know the unit that much better for next year.

[Ogre]

Have you been over there before? Why that particular area?

I have only ever been out in that general area 1 time and that was over last summer.  Never never went into that GMU though.  We selected this GMU because of the stats from wdfw and my dad had some very specific requests since he is older and has a really bad ankle.  I personally like this area because there are some clear cuts w/ about 4-5 years of growth all over as well as many sights for water. 

Like I said in my OP, we haven't been able to get out hunting in many years due to our conflicting schedules.  I am hoping that we will have success this year as I have yet to bag my first deer.  That being said, I now have a job that I am able to get time off for Hunting  so I am sure that it will come withing the next few years if not this season.