New to hunting in SW Washington

[NSAECHIN]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum and also new to hunting in Washington state. I hunted in Oregon since I was 12 years old, currently reside in Vancouver, WA.

I plan to go deer hunting this year and based on my research on the maps and hunting units, Washougal would be my best bet for blacktail this season to get my feet wet before getting into learning more about elk hunting areas in WA.

Is this the best unit to hunt for somewhere near Vancouver? I don't want to have to drive many hours.

When I hunted in Oregon, I was used to hunting the Saddle Mountain, Wilson, Trask units which was about an hour drive from Portland near the coast. The nice thing about Oregon is there are tons of public land as well, not sure if this is the case in Washington?

Any recommended maps or other pointers are welcome.

I believe the only requirement was to complete the hunters education course...

Thanks!

[Fl0und3rz]

Welcome to WA, and to Hunt-Wa.  Pianoman is in your neck of the woods and likely has some tips about areas around Vancouver.

[h20hunter]

One good source for maps is:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dnr.wa.gov%2FBusinessPermits%2FTopics%2FMaps%2FPages%2Fpublic_lands_quadrangle_maps.aspx&ei=ksNcVZ_RMNjWoATC_oGABg&usg=AFQjCNGiQQLeK6W42q1cNbaeNhYTib_RNw&sig2=Cspo6657yDApsVUFviShQA&bvm=bv.93756505,d.cGU

[pianoman9701]

Welcome to town and to a great site. The Washougal unit is great for both deer and elk. A buddy of mine in Washougal gets a 6 or 7 pt. bull each year. I'm fairly sure his fridge hs fresh venison in it year round, although he swears he just knows how to keep it. If you like craft beers, PM me and we can meet at Northwest Liquid Gold in Orchards. Nice place run by a retired Army grunt and his wife. Military themed place with discounts for vets and active. Let me know.

[NSAECHIN]

pianoman9701 - I have sent you a PM. Looking forward to meeting you at Northwest Liquid Gold in Orchards sometime.



h20hunter-  Looks like they have a few different ones, which would be the best for hunting? I am assuming the public lands map?

Washington State Public Lands Quadrangle Maps , Washington State Major Public Lands Map, Washington State Forest Maps or DNR Recreation Guide ?

[pianoman9701]

get this. http://www.huntinggpsmaps.com/contact#.VV4DA_lViko

I got the 110.00 version which downloads to your desktop through free Garmin Basecamp software and then loads it into your handheld Garmin GPS.

[NSAECHIN]

Thanks! I will check that out for sure. I need to invest in one of those handhelds especially since I will be hunting in a new area.

Which handheld do you use?

[pianoman9701]

Thanks! I will check that out for sure. I need to invest in one of those handhelds especially since I will be hunting in a new area.

Which handheld do you use?

I have a Garmin Rino 655T. The 650 is equally as good without the camera, I think. There are cheaper Rinos available and a used one wouldn't be bad. These new ones are around $500. That's a lot for a young guy with a family.

[shadowless_nite]

Im a vancouver local as well! Welcome and i dont know if I overlooked it but what seasons were you hoping to hunt this year? Theres a lot of good areas near by, unfortunately it seems like anywhere you would be able to do some decent hunting is atleast 30min + from the center of vancouver. If you could get onto some private property in the battleground unit that would definitely keep you close to town, atleast for deer. Shoot me a pm sometime and maybe i can be a third  wheel over at nw liquid gold. I wouldnt mind catching up/ meeting new faces!

Btw, on a random note judging by your screen name, is your last name Saechin?

[ELKBURGER]

Welcome to Washington and to the site! I'm sure you will soon realize Wa's stats compared to Or's. Twice as many hunters, Half as many deer and elk. Still, Washington has some beautiful country, some great people, Pro football and baseball teams and a taller mountain Maybe we can have a Vancouver get together What do you think P-Man?

[Wolfdog2314]

Count me in too!

[NSAECHIN]

Im a vancouver local as well! Welcome and i dont know if I overlooked it but what seasons were you hoping to hunt this year? Theres a lot of good areas near by, unfortunately it seems like anywhere you would be able to do some decent hunting is atleast 30min + from the center of vancouver. If you could get onto some private property in the battleground unit that would definitely keep you close to town, atleast for deer. Shoot me a pm sometime and maybe i can be a third  wheel over at nw liquid gold. I wouldnt mind catching up/ meeting new faces!

Btw, on a random note judging by your screen name, is your last name Saechin?

I am just going to hunt the general season this year in Washougal GMU 568 I believe. Yes, Saechin is my last name. I will send you a PM. Thanks!

[NSAECHIN]

Count me in too!

Sent you a PM

[pianoman9701]

Welcome to Washington and to the site! I'm sure you will soon realize Wa's stats compared to Or's. Twice as many hunters, Half as many deer and elk. Still, Washington has some beautiful country, some great people, Pro football and baseball teams and a taller mountain Maybe we can have a Vancouver get together What do you think P-Man?

I'm for it. Sorry i didn't see your post sooner, Steve.

[ELKBURGER]

Those in favor of a get together can throw out some ideas....I'm most often open weekday evenings 5-8pm, always open to conversation, food and beer during those hours

[pianoman9701]

Those in favor of a get together can throw out some ideas....I'm most often open weekday evenings 5-8pm, always open to conversation, food and beer during those hours

Northwest Liquid Gold on 4th Plain - ex-military guy, craft beers and brats. My hours are about the same except that I go shooting on Wednesdays with Braxton.

[ELKBURGER]

So glad to hear you are still working with Braxton He must be coming along great with such a dedicated mentor!
Lets see if we can get some interest from some local members for that time frame, then we can set a day.

[pianoman9701]

He is doing great. Just changed the string and cable on his bow last week and will be sighting it in today.

[NSAECHIN]

Welcome to Washington and to the site! I'm sure you will soon realize Wa's stats compared to Or's. Twice as many hunters, Half as many deer and elk. Still, Washington has some beautiful country, some great people, Pro football and baseball teams and a taller mountain Maybe we can have a Vancouver get together What do you think P-Man?

Thanks, yeah I would be up for a little get together.

[NSAECHIN]

Those in favor of a get together can throw out some ideas....I'm most often open weekday evenings 5-8pm, always open to conversation, food and beer during those hours

Northwest Liquid Gold on 4th Plain - ex-military guy, craft beers and brats. My hours are about the same except that I go shooting on Wednesdays with Braxton.

Where do you go shooting John? I have been to the English pit twice since I moved here. Not sure if there was anywhere else to go that's local.

[pianoman9701]

Those in favor of a get together can throw out some ideas....I'm most often open weekday evenings 5-8pm, always open to conversation, food and beer during those hours

Northwest Liquid Gold on 4th Plain - ex-military guy, craft beers and brats. My hours are about the same except that I go shooting on Wednesdays with Braxton.

Where do you go shooting John? I have been to the English pit twice since I moved here. Not sure if there was anywhere else to go that's local.

Clark Rifles is open to the public on Sundays from 9-5. $20. The handgun range is closed to non-members but the facility is top notch.

[NSAECHIN]

Those in favor of a get together can throw out some ideas....I'm most often open weekday evenings 5-8pm, always open to conversation, food and beer during those hours

Northwest Liquid Gold on 4th Plain - ex-military guy, craft beers and brats. My hours are about the same except that I go shooting on Wednesdays with Braxton.

Where do you go shooting John? I have been to the English pit twice since I moved here. Not sure if there was anywhere else to go that's local.

Clark Rifles is open to the public on Sundays from 9-5. $20. The handgun range is closed to non-members but the facility is top notch.

I just checked their website. Looks like they are no longer taking people on their members wait list. They have a over five year wait list so sounds like they are definitely top notch! But its really nice to know that they are open to the public on Sundays and have rifle ranges up to 300 yards. Thanks for the info! 

[pianoman9701]

Yeah, go early because you have to qualify on the short range each time you bring a gun which hasn't been sighted in at the range before. Once you go to the 300 yd range, you have to be hitting paper or you have to go. They've had bogus safety complaints from neighbors trying to shut them down and they're not taking any chances.

[Blacklab]

Clarks is the only range I go to when I go. Very clean, professional and fun 

[Bc316]

Welcome to the h-w, I would be in for a get together

[xd2005]

I'm game. Although that will probably just prompt everyone else to cancel. 

[Joe13]

I have been meaning to get out to that bar for awhile now to meet yall.

Id be interested in meeting the local yokals round here =).

[pianoman9701]

Who's up for next Saturday? They open at noon.
Northwest Liquid Gold
11202 NE Fourth Plain
Vancouver, WA 98662

[Jim/WA]

Damn. I'd love to do this but I'm heading to the east coast mid-week. I keep an emergency growler in my truck for the random times I find myself on 4th plain.

[xd2005]

Darn, will be out with my old man fishing for Fathers Day. Was hoping to find someone wanting to help fill a cow tag this year. 

[ELKBURGER]

Darn, will be out with my old man fishing for Fathers Day. Was hoping to find someone wanting to help fill a cow tag this year. 

What did you draw XD?

[xd2005]

Washougal cow.

[pianoman9701]

Washougal cow.

Didn't I see a few of those on the beach at Capt. William Clark park. I didn't know you needed a tag, though.

We'll figure out another time. Someone else throw out a suggestion.

[xd2005]

Washougal cow.

Didn't I see a few of those on the beach at Capt. William Clark park. I didn't know you needed a tag, though.

We'll figure out another time. Someone else throw out a suggestion.

Burn! 

[pianoman9701]

So, who all will be there at NWLG this afternoon around 5?

[ELKBURGER]

I am stuck at work in Longview. Not sure when I'm getting out of here. Count me out sorry. I'm sure the beer and AC will both be cold!

[Saiidin]

Also in Vancouver, here. First timer, looking for someone that doesn't mind having a newbie tag along to learn the ropes. I'm smart enough to know that that "hunter ed" class barely scratched the surface, even if I don't know what I don't know.