A wild Noob has appeared!

[Saiidin]

Hello.

So. I did the Hunter's Ed class last year. Was all set to go hunting for the first time with a coworker, but his kids got sick at the last second, and he has changed jobs and moved away in the time since, so that's not gonna happen this year. I bought a muzzle loader for that and everything. More fun to shoot at the range, anyway, so I don't regret that. More options!

I figure, a first timer'd have to be kinda dumb to go wandering around the woods alone with no real hands-on experience in wilderness navigation or game cleaning, etc. So I'd rather tag along with someone else the first time or two.

Nobody else I know hunts. The hunters in my family are passed or way out of state.  I've been keeping an eye out all summer, but haven't met anyone new who hunts, either.

So now hunting season is almost here, and I'm looking for someone willing to let a suburb-slicker (hey, I can't stand downtown, that has to count for something, right?) tag along before I go pony up for my first license and do something stupid alone.


I'd like to stick to deer for now. I've seen how big elk get—that can't be fun to haul out! I'd also prefer to stick to SW Washington. I live in the Vancouver area, and I'd like to learn the local stuff before I go exploring the rest of the state. Plenty of years ahead for that!

Barring that, any advice on good places in Clark County for a first timer that are a little tougher to get lost in would be much appreciated. I have a few GMU maps sitting here on my computer desktop for Washougal, Battle Ground, and even Toutle, and I've driven a lot of the outlying forest-ey roads for work (if you've had problems with satellite tv in the last few years, I might be the guy that finally fixed it!) but most of where I've been is rather residential.


I also have one question. I know it is illegal to shoot from, across, or along a road. How far off the road does one have to go to no longer be "along" the road? 100 feet? 500? If I'm going to go out alone and stupid, I'd at least like to stick to legal.

[jennyfell55]

You seem to have your head on your shoulders, and didn't fall into the trap of "I don't want to scout, tell me where to go". People here are usually pretty good about giving general locations, especially when you're just looking for somewhere that's easier to not get lost in. Bravo for not asking for honey holes and being prepared to do some footwork on your own!  Unfortunately, I can't really be of any help, as I've never hunted that area. Best of luck to you though!!

[Coastie_Compton]

Washougal river road i think it was.  Head up to the land a ways up the road i saw plenty of deer and an elk herd there last year.

[Bill W]

the "road" is defined as the maintained area alongside the road.  If you are past the fence or mowed portion you should be good to go.

[lokidog]

"I also have one question. I know it is illegal to shoot from, across, or along a road. How far off the road does one have to go to no longer be "along" the road? 100 feet? 500?"

There have been a lot of discussions regarding what is the "edge" of a road, I couldn't easily find any though.  It is definitely less than 100'.  I figure if I am off of the maintained part of the road, I am off of the road, but legal definitions may differ. I seem to recall part of the law included the term negligently shooting as well.

Good luck.

[Special T]

If your gona hunt deer read Byod Iversons "Blacktail trophy tactics 2". Consider your first year a scouting year with a gun. There is some public land out by the prison. Just dont get too close Lol! Get out and explore!

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[Saiidin]

I've actually been up past the prison a couple times for work this summer. I seem to recall the whole road being lined with "No Hunting" signs every 20 feet or so...but I didn't go up any of the side roads pointing away from it.

[Special T]

Might have changed since i hunted it.. but look up the land ownership on the assesors web page to find huntable land.

[TechSupportHunter]

PM sent

[Saiidin]

I'll find a place. The suggestions are appreciated!


I'd like to reiterate my main motivation for posting here, though: I'd really like to not go out alone my first time.

Aside from a 2nd person being a good safety precaution, having someone around who has actually field dressed something like a deer before would make that part a lot less likely to go horribly wrong. I strongly suspect that the 2D line drawings of what to do in the hunters ed class don't exactly do the reality justice.

[Eli346]

 I won't be around for deer as I have other commitments or I'd help out in a heartbeat. Hopefully somebody on this site down in your area will take you under their wing. As far as taking care of the animal after it's down there's a ton of stuff on Youtube that you can look up. It can be rather intimidating the first time but back when I learned we didn't have Youtube to look at or it would have been much easier. You can also do some searches on this site for specific info on certain areas you may be interested in using keywords in the search. Welcome to the site and I hope you can pointed in the right direction. Keep us posted on your efforts. Take care and safe hunting.

[Saiidin]

Not having much luck finding someone who'll let me tag along and learn.


Guess it's trial and error time.


+1 modern season tag. Will I win the wilderness lotto? Probably not. Ah well.

[Boss .300 winmag]

The best advice anyone can give you on the hunting regulations is read them one time thru careful, and then do it again. I read them every year front to back as things do change every year. Plus the LEO's don't always know what they are talking about when you encounter them, so if you know the the regulations you can at least talk about them with knowledge. 

Hope you can find a hunter partner. 

[Mark251]

The best advice anyone can give you on the hunting regulations is read them one time thru careful, and then do it again. I read them every year front to back as things do change every year. Plus the LEO's don't always know what they are talking about when you encounter them, so if you know the the regulations you can at least talk about them with knowledge. 

 

[Becky]

Welcome to the forum Saiidin, I know we have a lot of knowledgeable members you can learn a lot from! Hope you stick around.



A wild noob appeared!

Smossy's Girl used confusion!

It was super effective!