Last season in WA, help please

[mobile_6]

Hi all,

I've been stationed in WA (Fort Lewis) for roughly 10 years and a move is closely approaching.  I have hunted the Capitol Forest and JBLM areas for 3 years now, only to find a total of 6 doe (seen) to show for it  .  As the title says, I need your help!  This is my last season in WA and I would really like to tag a buck before I leave.  I have read up on numerous locations on the net, just wanted to get ya'll opinion.  Where should I go?  With the season coming to a close, distance is not a factor.  Really looking to team up with a few locals and put some WA meat on the table for the family.  Thank ya'll in advance for your help, cheers.

-Mobile

[justinfordice]

I've been stationed here at Fort Lewis off and on for 12 years and retired out here. This is the first year that I have noticed they did not open the central impact area on post. I've talked to a few people that said the garrison commander doesn't like hunting. Pretty sad because that sometimes is the only place that JBLM soldiers are familiar with.  I too have gone out to Capitol Forest and one other area and have only seen a couple head of deer. If you have some luck in finding a location send me a PM and I will gladly go with you, drive, pay for gas.  I am a legal and ethical hunter with all of the proper tags and licenses.


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[mobile_6]

Justin,

I hear ya bud.  Between JBLM's limited hunting and Capitol Forest's pumpkin patch, I'm starting to lose hope.  Being from the south, I am use to a bit more activity game wise.  Either way, it's been fun hunting big WA game.  Just want to tag one.  I will let you know what comes up.  Best case, we'll both be able to tag one.  Also, thank you for your service bud.  Cheers.

-Mobile

[bobcat]

Blacktails are tough. I think at this point the best thing to do is to stick to the areas you already know. Go back where you've seen those does and continue hunting those areas. There's really nowhere else you can go that's going to improve your odds. If you just want to try somewhere different you could buy a Weyerhaeuser access permit for the St Helens area.

[billythekidrock]

I agree. Hit the areas you know. Get there early and stay late. Glass hard, watch the wind and take your time walking the edges of timber and reprod.

[mobile_6]

Bill and Bob,

I completely agree.  Over the past few years I have stuck to the areas that show sign and have sat still for more days than I want to admit, but I am loosing hope.  At this point, I am leaning towards a better location.

-Mobile

[bobcat]

Maybe consider trying the late whitetail season.

[Eodbeast]

Hey guys! In the same boat. I have a buddy who has been driving to the Wenatchee area. In 3 hours alone he saw 20 deer (3 bucks not legal) but its better than the stories here in our area. I would love to head out with some guys tomorrow that are willing to stalk a lot of land.

[elindst]

How much longer until this commander moves on to another post?

This is two years in a row with ridiculous dates - Saturday and Sunday only, just 2 areas open at a time. Squeezing 50+ people into 2 areas with only weekends is like asking for an accident to occur.

[huntingbaldguy]

Sent you a pm, mobile_6.

[mobile_6]

Thanks everyone for the help.  You guys rock!  The plan is to head out Friday and hopefully come back with something 30 or 31 OCT.  I'll keep ya'll updated, cheers.

-Mobile

[Stuwee31]

If you need help in capital forest next year, PM me. I took a 4x4 with eye guards out of there this year and the last 2 years I got spikes.

[WapitiTalk1]

Wow, how in the heck have u been stationed here 4 years?