Help for a new hunter (Whatcom County)

[ni2828]

Hi all,
I've been a long time reader of this site as well as plenty of others. I've gone out for deer for a couple years now (this last one was the first on the west side) and I've never gotten anything. I know it's mostly because of being new an inexperienced, but it gets frustrating to go out every day during the season, see lots of track and some scat, yet not see a single deer. I spent last year on Sumas mt. and tried hiking in off the roads, but still no luck. I also spent a fair amount of time scouting there and had the same results...some sign, no deer. I'm not asking for anyone's secret spots, but does anyone have any pointers for this particular area?
Thank you

[Dave B]

sounds like you are doing it right.  get out of the truck and walk slow, real slow.  black tail are the hardest to hunt, thats why the are called the ghost of the pacific.  get away from the road or behind closed gates glass clear cuts and dont leave until close.  the bucks wont come out until dark maybe just before, atleast until they are starting the rut then its game on. you can try some other mountains too.  look on google maps and youll find lots of good areas to hunt.