Beginner deer central washington

[pryorhunters1969]

Hey there folks,
I am new to deer hunting. I have hunted turkey in NE WASHINGTON as well as grouse/pheasant  in the past and I just got a new rifle to take on deer. It's a ruger American 7mm08. Need help on what area I should start first and any tips would be great. Trying to get prepared for my first hunt in 2017. Doing all research I can. Thanks for all of your your guys' help!

[boneaddict]

Tough time to start hunting.   I'd normally recommend the methow as a great place to get hooked on hunting, but the herd is in obismal shape.   The Entiat might be a better look.   It won't be long before it's wasted as well. That's for mule deer.  Whitetail in most of the places you probably turkey hunted.

[jennabug]

  I'm trying to get geared up for my first deer hunt in 2017 too.  I've basically been torturing myself with indecision on where and how to start. I'm probably going to be spending some time this weekend on the WDFW site looking at the harvest statistics, GMU maps, and cross referencing that with the GoHunt maps for access.  That should give me a starting point for some scouting trips.  It's not clear to me how much whitetails move around throughout the year, so I'm not sure how helpful scouting for animals will be.

[DaveMonti]

Jenna, whitetails shouldn't move much, unless they need water or food.  They are not migratory in nature like Mule Deer and elk, which move to higher elevations in summer and lower elevations when deep snows hit. 

Typically, you'll find that whitetails like thick, brushy creek bottoms.  In general, whitetails like to be in thick stuff and use stealth and scent as their survival mechanisms, whereas mule deer are more comfortable using their vision and being in open spaces. 

Of course, these are generalizations and I'm sure many will chime in with examples the exact opposite!   

[boneaddict]

There are some examples of that but for general purposes that is good info.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I would pick an area that is close to home, so you can scout it and spend time there in the off season helping out your odds for a successful hunt. 

[jennabug]

Thanks guys! Especially thanks to Dave for tips on whitetails.

pryorhunters1969, are you going to be hunting in eastern or central WA? Do you know which species you'll go for?

[buckcanyonlodge]

In my area the whitetail do migrate from the higher peaks to lower elevations as the snow gets deeper. There is one instance where a radio collared whitetail doe migrated from the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife area to the high country 20+ miles away where she summered with her fawn. Then in Nov. the day before a huge snowstorm hit , the doe migrated the 20+ miles as the crow flies down to the Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Area (in 24 hours) where she spent the winter. Amazing animals. I do have a resident population during the year but new deer start showing up  after the snow hits. Bottom line is if you scout now for whitetail , they might not be there when  Oct. rolls around. Just my experience from living with them year-round. Like Bone said , where you hunted turkeys should be good places to scout next summer / fall. Good luck.

[pryorhunters1969]

Thanks guys for all the helpful information! It is greatly appreciated! 

[pryorhunters1969]

Jennabug, we'll probably head out towards eastern wa. I'd like mule or white tail. We will probably try colville, as we did for turkey. We may be better off. Or even waaaay south east. We have family in couer de lane ld, so may even try close out that way on the border.