Snohomish Blacktail hunting

[Marko53]

What's going on fellas? I'm new to Washington hunting, and recently moved out to Lake Stevens. I have been looking for spots out here 1-1.5 hours away, from Darrington to the islands. Any info would be greatly appreciated about where to go, not looking for honey spots, just general direction. I hunt with a rifle, so take that into consideration as well. I'm also looking to hook up with a hunting buddy in the next month or so for that season. Thanks guys and good luck to all you archery bubbas out there!

[Widgeondeke]

Welcome to the site.

If hunting with a rifle, the islands are out of the question. They have the firearms restrictions. Bow, crossbow, muzzleloader, handgun or shotgun only.

Blacktail love the thick stuff and are difficult to pattern. Try locating clearcuts to start scouting

Good luck.

[7mmfan]

What is your past hunting experience? Where did you come from? Have you don't much blacktail hunting in the past?

There is a lot of ground for you to hunt in Snohomish County, pretty much have to be East of Hwy9 to use a rifle, and even then you need to know if there are firearm restrictions in the area. You will pretty much have to get out and walk behind closed gates unless you buy a Weyerhauser permit for their lands. My general rule of thumb is if you want to kill a deer, hunt lower in active timber harvest areas. You won't be alone most likely, and big ones are harder to come by. If you want a chance at a big one and don't mind eating your tag, hunt higher in the sub alpine and big timber. You will be alone, won't see many deer most likely, but a shot at a big ones is real.

Recently I've been behind gates in 5 different areas in Skagit and Snohomish county and found deer in all of them. Just have to be willing to put your boots on and go.

[Marko53]

I came from the Boise area and have hunted mule mostly for all my life.  So I haven't done any Blacktail whatsoever. What do you mean you've been behind gates? Out in Idaho, you go and get a tag and head up to the hills or mountains and just go for it. I've done a little research and if it's possible I'm going to try and go out this weekend if the pregnant wife lets me. She is 8 months right now and we are still moving into the house so it might be a bit of chance this weekend. I'm totally ok with putting the time and boots on the ground. I have seen deer in Arlington this past weekend so I know they are out there and I know I need to head east of Hwy 9. Just don't understand the gates... Thanks again guys!

[7mmfan]

Outside of Boise, you have a ton of National Forest land with plenty of road access. Here in the Puget Sound area, National Forest Land is there, but its very poor hunting for the most part. The better hunting is found on DNR and private timber company lands. Almost all of those lands are gated, meaning you cannot drive on the roads. Most of the time you will have to park right off the pavement at the gate that blocks the logging road and hoof it in to where you hunt. The only companies in Puget Sound that allows you to drive in are Weyerhauser and Hancock, but you have to buy their permits to get a key to the gate.

[gavinboone]

Behind locked gates is definitely the way to go. If your not after a monster, stay low and walk roads that are not accessible to vehicles. If the road is good enough, a MTN bike is a great way to get in a few miles before putting boots on the ground. I archery hunt in early season and stick mostly to the thick stuff, but extremely fresh or currently being logged units seems have quite a bit of movement. Seems to me like it has something to with being curious of the activity. I have quite few friends that log and get there deer from the landing just about every year. I really like clear cuts that are about 3 years old as well.

I grew up in the Darrington area and could share some specifics if you need more info shoot me a PM.