Relatively new to the Oympia area...

[razzanof]

So I got here late this summer and while I was able to hunt a few times on JBLM, my season ended with several sightings of two deer and one coyote.  That said, I'd love to plug into alternative areas other than JBLM. (It seems that post is reluctant to open areas up to rifle hunters.)  I'm aware that the Capitol Forest has opportunities, but are there other areas available, free or pay?  Thanks! 

[bobcat]

Most areas you have to buy an access permit now. The cheapest option nearby is Weyerhaeuser's Aberdeen tree farm. It's $75 for a full year of access. Then there's Green Diamond up near Shelton. I don't know much about that permit but I think it's around $300. That's about it for areas near Olympia, other than Capitol Forest.

[Wake1]

Look outside of Elma near Minot Peak. $75.00 Weyerhauser(sp) permit. Have taken many animals out of there. I just moved to AZ so have at it.

[fishnfur]

I wouldn't pay for access until you know of a really good area.  Check out the public lands tab in the upper right corner of the map on WDFW:  http://apps.wdfw.wa.gov/gohunt/#getStarted

The Olympic GMU on the East side of the Olympics and west of Hood Canal has a lot of public land that you can hunt.  Harvest numbers are pretty good from that unit too.  You've got all winter, spring and summer to scout.

Good luck.