New Hunter

[WackyD]

Hello Everybody,
I am new to hunting this year. I have a hunting partner but he is new to the area. I live in Thurston County and was trying to hunt for deer in Vail but it looks like Weyerhaeuser owns all of the land that would be any good to hunt there. They are sold out of their access passes and I didn't really want to pay that much anyways. Was wondering if anyone knows of a good area I should head to try out.

[highmuley]

They are where you find them. Your best bet is to break out some maps near you. Your gonna have trouble finding an area real close but there are some areas not too far away. Try JBLM or Scott turner road above eatonville. Maps will be the best place to start. Good luck

[pianoman9701]

Which hunting method? How far would you travel? Someone on here who knows your area should be able to point you to some public land areas to hunt. Best of luck.

[WackyD]

I'm thinking travel wise something that I can make an easy day trip out of. Between school and work I don't have a lot of time like I want to. I usually get a day off in between the two before I'm back at it. That's why I was thinking Vail since it's a 30 min drive from where I live. What are the rules about hunting on post?

[pianoman9701]

http://www.jblmmwr.com/outdoor_rec.html

Hunting is down at the bottom. It starts with the words Gun Registration. Comforting, eh? Good luck. You could also get some National forest maps for your area.

[ATM green head machine]

Welcome to the best group of people on this earth. 

[Smoke]

Capital forest... right there in Thurston county... or head up towards Wynoochie Dam..  both should be pretty close... little farther away... State/National forests around Mt. Rainer, or south of Randle...

[stkflker]

 
Capital forest is a good starting point try waddel crk , rock candy mt  or porrter crk lots of gates to walk behind and creek bottoms to walk 

[fishnfur]

Third in line to agree with the Capitol Forest idea.  Perhaps go to the coast - the Copalis unit has good harvest numbers and DNR land to hunt on.  Rent a room in town and have a good time.

[WackyD]

Thank you everyone for your help. I will start mapping these areas out.

[Soady]

Capital Forest through the Rock Candy Mtn. gate via highway 8. During early muzzy season I was up there for 5 days with a total sighting of 21 deer two of them being bucks one spike and one 3x3. Plenty of deer just get out of the vehicle and pound the ground. No deer were harmed as they gave me the slip however two grouse and a bunch of Chanterlle mushrooms were taken.