Good areas in SW.

[Al Bundy]

So where are good deer areas in SW? I'm thinking of the area from Vancouver to Mt St Helens over to Mt Adams and back down to the Columbia. I was looking at Gifford Pinchot forest since it's public land, but I imagine it gets crowded. I don't know for sure though.

I don't want anyones secret spot of course, just some good advice on GMUs down here.

[bucklucky]

Sounds like a good start, now start hoofing it and let me know what you find 

[Sneaky]

     

[Al Bundy]

Sounds like a good start, now start hoofing it and let me know what you find 

I've gotta wait for it to dry out a little first. I don't mind getting dirty myself, but my car has a tough time on muddy forest roads.

I've hiked around G.P a bunch, but I never really looked for deer signs. I've been using Google Earth to scope out areas for now. Got a few topos of some areas since they give a little better detail on ground features. 

[Al Bundy]

Much of the gifford pinchot has been ravaged by poaching of both deer and elk, but mostly near the roads. However, if you pack in away from the people in some of the deep timber you will find some big bucks. A hancock permit wouldn't hurt...

That's what I was afraid of. I don't mind getting away from the roads though. Hell, I'd prefer too. It seems more sporting that way.

What's a hancock permit?

[ELKBURGER]

If you're loking for a trophy blacktail, you've got a tough row to hoe in sw. Private property is a better bet for un pressured bucks. For an average buck there are lots of opportunities in the washougal, souixon, and coweeman. Lots of public land to roam. Find road systems that are locked out to vehicles and put on some miles on the bike or boots. I'm sure theres some good bucks in harder to get to spots that cant be glassed from roads.

[Sneaky]

hancock forest management is buying up a ton of the good blacktail ground I used to hunt from graham to mt.ranier. I can't see paying the 365 bucks or whatever it is for a permit but it gets you access to some prime blacktail ground. + if you burn firewood there's 5 truckloads included you cut and good bear hunting.

My advice: do whatever you can to get away from the crowds, because that's what the bucks are going to do until the rut, hunt the edges of dark timber where they can move easily and feel safer than in a clearcut. Its definitely not going to be easy.

My girlfriend and her mom tagged out in some tall dark stuff on a couple of spikey poos that were running together this year way up high in south ranier. the big buck finally jumped after the second one fell. It always seems to happen that way :p

[Al Bundy]

If you're loking for a trophy blacktail, you've got a tough row to hoe in sw. Private property is a better bet for un pressured bucks. For an average buck there are lots of opportunities in the washougal, souixon, and coweeman. Lots of public land to roam. Find road systems that are locked out to vehicles and put on some miles on the bike or boots. I'm sure theres some good bucks in harder to get to spots that cant be glassed from roads.

I'm not specifically trying for a trophy. If it happens, it happens. My main objective is some quality time with my son. Also, I want to get out in the woods and get some venison. I've read about hte Washougal and Coweeman units, I've also heard the Battle Ground unit is decent, but it's only shotgun or something like that. I hadn't heard about the Souixon unit, I'll look into that. Thanks for the pointers.

hancock forest management is buying up a ton of the good blacktail ground I used to hunt from graham to mt.ranier. I can't see paying the 365 bucks or whatever it is for a permit but it gets you access to some prime blacktail ground. + if you burn firewood there's 5 truckloads included you cut and good bear hunting.

My advice: do whatever you can to get away from the crowds, because that's what the bucks are going to do until the rut, hunt the edges of dark timber where they can move easily and feel safer than in a clearcut. Its definitely not going to be easy.

My girlfriend and her mom tagged out in some tall dark stuff on a couple of spikey poos that were running together this year way up high in south ranier. the big buck finally jumped after the second one fell. It always seems to happen that way :p

Yeah I looked up Hancock after it was first mentioned here. I can understand them protecting their property, but that permit is a little rich for my blood right now. It sucks that WDFW seems more concerned about keeping the tree farmers happy rather than the sportsmen.

Luckily I have a few weeks vacation saved at work so I was planning on going out during the weekdays. That should help with crowds a little. Hell, maybe I'll go with a muzzleloader. It seems to be the least popular choice for hunting. As far as easy is concerned, I don't want it to be too easy. I want to feel like I earned what I get. Ya gotta sweat for that feeling.

[trailtreker]

what are you using by the way. There has been a lot of land being bought up for subdivisions up towards siouxon, yale, toutle which has taken a few of my good spots away but there are other good areas out that way im in Vancouver if you ever want company on day out driving and scouting

[Al Bundy]

what are you using by the way. There has been a lot of land being bought up for subdivisions up towards siouxon, yale, toutle which has taken a few of my good spots away but there are other good areas out that way im in Vancouver if you ever want company on day out driving and scouting

My dad is going to send me my grandpas old rifle. From his description it sounds like it's a Remington Model 14 in .35 Remington caliber. Not a long range gun, but that just adds to the fun.

I looked up Siouxon and if I'm in the right place it's just north of the Trapper Creek Wilderness which was one place I was looking at scouting. I'll take you up on the offer once I can get some free time.

[ELKBURGER]

Trapper creek is a beautiful place to hike and hunt. Alot of elk and bears. There used to be better hunting when there were fresher clearcuts. Its been a long time since they logged in that area. I hunted there for 5 yrs in a row and the area just got brushier and thicker. I did shoot a couple of deer during the early archery seasons back in the late 90's. Ive been rifle hunting for deer since 00'. With the area getting thicker, it is crucial to glass from higher elevations down into the brush. Bare mt., timbered peak, and calamity ridge are also good spots but close to the main road. Few people park the truck and climb the hills though.