Deer hunting areas

[RHugg]

I'm new to this forum but I found it as I was looking for information on where to go Deer hunting. I am new to the Washington area and would like to go deer hunting this fall. One person suggested the Okanogan area. I also am partially disabled in that I can't do long distance or rough terrain hiking. Any suggestions?

[bobcat]

Since you're in Vancouver I would suggest purchasing a Weyerhaeuser access permit for the St. Helens tree farm. The permit costs $160 and the deadline to purchase is July 31.

[RHugg]

That permit would be nice but I'm on a fixed income and just getting ready to go hunting is stretching my finances. Good thought though.

[Jonathan_S]

Fixed income kind of precludes driving to Okanagan.  That's more expensive than buying the Weyco permit.

Look for large swaths of national forest land.  There are deer in every section.  Go for hikes in August and find areas with deer sign.

As far as the partial disability, you'll just have to find an area that works for you.  Try to meet somebody local 

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Have you taken your hunter safety course?
If you take it locally, I am sure you would meet some people that could help.
Lots of deer opportunity in SW Washington.

[bobcat]

Jonathon beat me to it- Vancouver to Okanogan is about 400 miles. That's an expensive trip, unless you drive a Prius. And even then, you'd probably only get to go once. Being new to hunting, I'd think you'd want to gain a lot of experience. Hunting close to home would allow you to get out a lot. You would be able to scout prior to the season. Personally, I get a lot more enjoyment out of hunting when I'm able to scout and come up with a plan on how to hunt an area, rather than relying on luck.

If you're limited on how much you can walk, and you're on a limited budget, the St. Helens permit is just what you need. Other areas that are open to everybody will be crowded and to be successful will require you to out-walk many of the other hunters. It can be done, and you could just set up a ground blind and sit all day, and you could have success that way. But I really do think the $160 would be money well spent in your case.

[Jonathan_S]

(Parroting Bobcat)
Time in the woods in a new area is better than chasing a "grass is greener" vision in the Okanagan or anywhere for that matter.

Hundreds of people drive across the state because they heard an area is good.  Without quality experience, a quality area is worthless and you'd be better off developing your skills closer to home.

Best of luck!  What kind of activity are you able to do?  (as it relates to hunting)