Need to fill my tag; GMU 454

[Balladeer]

Good morning,

I am a new to the area and live in Snoqualmie. I bought a deer tag to hunt with a co-worker out on Vashon but didn't have any luck. Now I'm up in Snoqualmie with an tag that I'm looking to fill someplace a little more convenient. I keep hearing about all the damage reports and over population of deer in GMU 454 and was wondering if anyone knew of somebody that would like a deer harvested off their land.

I know there is quite a bit of public land over around Tiger Mtn, but work and small kids don't allow for much time to scout/hunt. So every hunting trip always turns into a scouting trip. I am even hesitant to post this msg because I feel it makes me sound lazy. Bottom line is I'd like some deer in the freezer and if there is someone whose herd needs thinning, I'm willing to help.

Thanks and Merry Christmas,
Balladeer

[Dmanmastertracker]

 Your best bet would be to try another unit, it's been a very down year in 454, I have not heard of one deer being harvested there this year and I know many folks who hunt it. I'm not sure why, hair slip perhaps, or maybe higher winter kill last year. There are many other units open until the 31st, generally south of you.

[chad s.]

try the skookomchuck unit.lots of deer in the vail tree farm

[Balladeer]

Thanks. I'll look into Skookumchuck.

[gasman]

Thanks. I'll look into Skookumchuck.

If you are going to head to the vail tree farm PM me and i can let you know of a few places.
It is a bit of a drive from Snoqualmie thou.

i do see a lot of hunters walking in to areas behind gates along Hwy 18 just south of I-90. There is a clearcut on the east side of hwy 18 behind a gate and an area on the westside that goes back along the Raging River.

[Dmanmastertracker]

Thanks. I'll look into Skookumchuck.

If you are going to head to the vail tree farm PM me and i can let you know of a few places.
It is a bit of a drive from Snoqualmie thou.

i do see a lot of hunters walking in to areas behind gates along Hwy 18 just south of I-90. There is a clearcut on the east side of hwy 18 behind a gate and an area on the westside that goes back along the Raging River.

Believe the Snoqualmie GMU is already closed N. of Raging.

[Balladeer]

Snoqualmie is indeed closed. I was looking at some of the walk-ins along 18 but due to time constraints was wondering if there was anything else.

What is the Vail Tree Farm?

[Balladeer]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'll check it out and keep you posted.

[gasman]

The Vail Tree Farm is propery owned by Weyerhouser just east of yelm. the whole tree farm is gated and the gates are only open on weekends during Riffle deer season. it is been known for a high number of deer killed on it every year, it is one of the most productive areas west of the crest trail.
there is amany areas that can be accesed by wlking behind closed gates. The gates are closed all year, so only hunters (mostly) use the areas.

[Jeremy S]

Hey Gasman,

I've always hunted the eastside and in 15 years had no luck. I live on the westside and was thinking about spending some time trying out Vail this year during modern firearm. If you could give me some ideas of where to go that would be awesome. Thanks.