I drew a Hunter Ed Incentive tag (UPDATED WITH PICTURES)

[Elkstuffer]

Well I was fortunate enough to draw a Region 5 Any Buck tag thru the Hunter Education Incentive Program for instructors. I can hunt any of the Region 5 units, all general and permit seasons with all 3 weapons. I'm pretty sure I want to focus my efforts on the Wind River unit. I normally hunt archery deer so this will be like an OIL rifle deer hunt for me  The Nov hunt is only 6 days this year so I won't have much time. Any info would be appreciated. I'm going to go over a couple times this summer and do some exploring so some starting points would be very helpful. I'd also like to see some pictures of bucks that have come out of there if anyone has any. Thanks!

[cem3434]

Congrats on the draw. I wish I could help you out, but I don't know that unit at all.

[stew pidasso]

Don't know about the units either, sorry. How do I become a hunters Ed instructer?

[cem3434]

Don't know about the units either, sorry. How do I become a hunters Ed instructer?

Look at WDFW's website.  I was considering it myself because it seems like it would be fun to educate the kids and ensuring the future of the sport. The tags would be a cool bonus, but not necessary.

[X-Force]

Congrats on the draw. Thank you for the work you do.

[danderson]

  Congratulations Ric, I drew my first Hunter Ed tag this year also, any deer in any 400 GMU except 485 and 490, it only took 12 years of teaching but that's not why we do it, I just finished up my second class of the year yesterday getting these young hunters trained up is very rewarding, its a extra tag so I'm gonna  hold out for a old mossy buck,  Good luck to ya.

[Elkstuffer]

Thanks Dave, Yeah this is my 2nd tag in 4 yrs. Drew the Region 3 Elk tag in 2012 and took a 325 bull.
Very rewarding. Especially when past students send you pics of there first kills.

[coachcw]

Hey get to work no time to scout  congrats buddy your well deserving   ! If you née a good taxi for a Blackie  I'm sure Charlie  can take care of it for you....

[HUNTaHOLIC5]

No info, but congrats and good luck!

[Chesapeake]

Not sure why you would pic wind river over west Klickitat? You should hunt west Klickitat and stay pretty well along the Eastern border along the Klickitat River.
Wind River is a cool unit, some nice bucks, but it isn't west Klickitat.
If your set on Wind River then bear creek, mouse creek, and Panther creek on the west side are all good starting points. On the east side there are some nice bucks up on the Monte Cristo Range. They drop down toward Oaklahoma campground when the snow flies. Either Lusk creek or the second culvert road up past the campground will get you in the area. Or take the 050 off the 66 by the lava bed.

Wind River has heavy mass compact chocolate horned bucks. The big one is Klickitat, smaller 2 Wind River. You might get a buck like the bigger one out of the wind, I've seen them, but you'd be doing very good if you got one the size of the smaller 2.


If you can find one get yourself the wind River ranger district map, the one with pale kind of orange print. It shows all the old roads and road beds.

[coachcw]

that's some good info ! you made my mind up 

[Elkstuffer]

Great info Chesapeake. Thanks a ton. Now I have a bigger decision to make

[carlyoungs]

Thread jack. Does anyone know when the regular incentive tags are drawn?

[Chesapeake]

Thread jack. Does anyone know when the regular incentive tags are drawn?

Ever year I get teased with "report your hunts by this date and we'll put you in a special draw". I haven't even heard of anyone ever drawing one of those tags.
I know folks who drew moose, sheep, goat, ect... but never an "incentive" tag. I don't even know where a guy could check if he was actually in the "incentive draw".


Hijack over.

[tracksoup]

My wife drew an incentive tag (eastern elk) in 2003. WDFW called to let her know she drew. She was the 2nd name drawn and if I remember right she was able to chose between one of 5 deer permits, 2 western elk or 2 eastern elk permits. It was a good day!