Son's first hunting trip - Where to hunt around Republic?

[Chaser]

This is my first posting and looking for some help. I know I haven't paid my dues to this forum yet but you have to start some time. My son passed his hunter safety and has been to the range a few times already and is eager to get out there and not just be hiking with his dad and grandpa. We typically hunt Entiat but decided to head over to Republic to take advantage of the youth whitetail hunting opportunities in unit 101 to hopefully increase my sons chance of getting his first deer. I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to have an opportunity on a whitetail as well. I've been to Republic and Lake Curlew but never hunted deer in this area. Im hoping you guys can help give me some general areas to scout for deer and hopefully get to pull the trigger on one.

[MtnMuley]

Get a DNR and Forest Service map and pick a spot that's public that looks like whitetail country. Anything lower elevation.  Your son should have no problem filling his tag, assuming a doe will be on his list. I wish him success.

[10thmountainarcher]

A lot of 101 is effected by the fire. Make sure you pay attention to the closures.

[Chaser]

A doe is on his list. That's the main reason why we're headed to 101. I made some calls about the fires and we're good there. I will pick up a DNR and Forest Service map. Can't wait to get out there!

[Birdguy]

Get a DNR and Forest Service map and pick a spot that's public that looks like whitetail country. Anything lower elevation.  Your son should have no problem filling his tag, assuming a doe will be on his list. I wish him success.

  Those maps are priceless in that country. Great advice and good luck to all of you on your hunt!

[j_wellock]

There's a forest service road it's just on the west side of curlew lake the road is called trout creek it basically runs a giant ridge lots of whitetails and some good mule deer up there as well when I was youth my dad always took me over there I don't know it that we'll we hunt more towards chesaw which is the 204 unit so no youth hunt there but I haven't been on that trout creek road in a long time but do some research on it that might pay off good for you guys and good luck!

[CAMPMEAT]

Everything west of highway 21 wasn't burned in the fire. There's lots of big country in there. Empire Lake area, Bodie Mtn.


Some ranchers will let a youth kill a whitetail, they love fresh seafood, hint, hint.

[Chaser]

Thanks for the  tips and hints everyone. Getting everything ready as I type. Not knowing where to park a trailer up I called up Fishermans Cove...nice people. Keep the help coming any help is greatly appreciated.

[2labs]

If I rember right, you can stay and hunt around ferry lake. South a little of Republic.

[CAMPMEAT]

What unit can you hunt ? Ferry Lake is the 204 unit if that makes a difference. Beal Park is free w/o hookups. About 15 miles east of Curlew.
Stotts RV Park across from Curlew.

[Chaser]

Where hunting unit 101. My son is able to take advantage of shooting any Whitetail in that unit. There are a few other units that have the same youth opportunity but would need to check on 204. four days before we hit the road can't wait!

[Tracker0721]

Whitetails and mulies don't follow the laws of nature around here. Republic is full of mulies, get up in the hills and it's full of whitetail. Find prime Mulie habitat and watch the whitetail come in with the mulies. Best place for whitetails is around the river in my opinion. Tons of fields and usually kind farmers to young polite kids. You wanna hike for your deer? Go up to empire lakes and start walking all the nasty drainages- they're there. Stickpin fire burned a bunch of awesome habitat and forest service closed a lot of access in. Voulcan is also a good spot with mulies and whitetails both all the way to the 8-9 mile marker. I just moved over to Kettle Falls or I'd gladly take you out to see your son get his deer.

[Chaser]

Whatever rules they follow always seem to be different than what I think every year. 

[Chaser]

Thanks to all for the tips in helping make my son's first hunting trip with his own rifle a memorable one. He was the only one out of our group to take a deer. We didn't see any shooter Muley bucks, except by headlights, and any whitetail Dow my son saw were on the hoof and moving fast. A land owner was nice enough to give permission for my son to hunt their land. On the last day and last couple hours of light he spotted a couple whitetail dows about 250 yards out. We got as close as we could until they made us and started walking away. My dad whispered to my son the range finder says 205. He set up as I was looking through the binos but no shot, between the excitement and holding his breathe too long he could hold still. He set up again, adjusted for the distance and brought the cross hairs down as instructed and squeezed one round off...and he had his first deer!

Campmeat - thanks for everything and it was a pleasure to meet you and share he experience with you in the end.

[CAMPMEAT]

Thanks Chaser. It was my pleasure to point you in the right direction..