Getting Discouraged

[Rustang662k]

Hello All,
I'm a new hunter.  This is my third year.  While I've had decent success with Turkeys and pheasant, deer hunting seems impossible to me.  I live in Bothell and I have taken several approaches.

My first year I tried a couple of local forests, walking and sitting on clearcuts.

The next year I tried a trip to Colville as I reasoned they have abundant wildlife.  I realized that it is so far away, that scouting is not realistic.

Last year I scouted the area North East of Leavenworth.  I thought I found a decent area but come opening weekend so did 500 other people. 

The closest place to me is Markworth Forest (behind Duvall).  I have hunted there extensively without getting a deer.  This year I bicycled in 4.5 miles to a nice clearcut.  I went four times scouting with game cameras.  I got some nice bobcat pictures but no deer.  I was able to find some poop and tracks.  So this year I went and sat on those clearcuts all weekend.  Not even a doe in sight.

Am I doing this wrong?  I have read a lot and done thorough map reconnaissance as well as scouting and still no deer!  As I am sure most people do, when I am met with failure, I re-evaluate all of my decisions.  I see three choices moving forward:

1)  Buy a Weyerhauser pass for $250 to be able to access the logged areas in North Snohomish and Skagit counties.  Western Washington seems problematic because of the dense underbrush.
2)  Try to find a good hunting area in Okanogan County.
3)  Hire a guide service.

I would much prefer option one or two.  I get that everyone wants a utopia where the game is plentiful and there are few other hunters.  I know that that doesn't exist and it is a challenge even for the best.  But is it really this hard?  I am curious to hear your collective input.  Thank you in advance. 

[colersu22]

You could also check out the Snoqualmie tree farm owned by Campbell global if you want to pay for access.  It is still in 460 like stossel creek and to the main gate is only about 30 min from Duvall.

[SemperFidelis97]

If buying a weyerhauser permit close to home is going to open up some more opportunities for you it would be worth looking at.  Even some of us that are successful regularly have years that will make you scratch your head sometimes doing everything right just doesn't pay off.  I personally just got back from spending five days in the backcountry of central idaho in areas miles from the nearest road.  We did not see a single hunter, but also did not see a single deer either.  This is an area that would have been a slam dunk even a year ago, but with last years snows coupled with massive pressure from wolves the region has taken a nose dive.  Stay at it I promise if you put in the time to improve year over year it will start to pay off, and the more time you spend learning your particular area will also assist you in becoming successful on a regular basis.

[andr3wxmma]

Keep searching. Eventually you'll find a spot to yourself that holds bucks during the season and you can keep heading back to it. I haven't been to the good side yet but I've heard IEP lands over there are worth the price to hunt. Once you have your first close encounter with a nice buck in the wild you'll be hooked for life. As for finding deer first figure out what the preferred feed is for those deer at that time of the year, then look for a spot that holds an abundance of it, and has multiple areas nearby that will serve as a bedding area (steep bank or thick brush) with multiple escape routes. Deer especially bucks don't like being out in the open doing anything(except at night). You'll find most trails on a spur or the bushier path up a valley. My experience with whitetails back on the east coast was they always lived at least 2 ridges above high traffic roads or trails; going higher almost always lead to me finding more sign but Vermont mountains aren't close to the beasts they have out here. Make sure you are above all else monitoring where your scent is going. If you're in a tree stand it helps a lot because it gets it above the deer or just keep it in your face any time possible. In a crowded area get there super early and sit up high on a spur and let the other hunters spook the deer up to you. Also take your time when you're coming to a spot where you can see a lot of new terrain stop and glass at the edge for a bit before heading into it. Hiring a guide once will help you speed up the process of getting experience; if you pick a good one and pick their brain the whole hunt.


[edit] saw colville and thought you were east side  if you're hunting do the opposite of everything i said because i cant kill them to save my life.

[Tiger1358]

Were the signs new that you saw in the clearcuts?

[highside74]

Blacktail in October are tough deer to hunt. Save your strength and sanity for the last weekend and it can be awesome.

[Cervid]

I know how you feel. I'm in my late 20s and have been hunting most of my life. Two deer. I've shot two freaking deer in all that time. Zero bear, zero elk. I couldn't even guess how many miles I've hiked and days I've spent in the woods. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

[Rustang662k]

Were the signs new that you saw in the clearcuts?

Yes they were.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JimmyHoffa]

I know how you feel. I'm in my late 20s and have been hunting most of my life. Two deer. I've shot two freaking deer in all that time. Zero bear, zero elk. I couldn't even guess how many miles I've hiked and days I've spent in the woods. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

might need just a small tweak to one or two things--maybe timing or placement

[Tiger1358]

Were the signs new that you saw in the clearcuts?

Yes they were.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't give up, you're in the right place. Go to your spot early morning when it's dark, glass the clearcuts till around 11am or so, if nothing, just slowly walk the trails and roads. Sometimes you'll find them in thick timber while still hunting in midday. Later in the day, a couple hours before it gets dark, go back to your clearcuts and keep glassing. Rut season is very close, stick to your spot and they'll eventually show up. No need to buy any permits or anything, we're lucky to have a lotta public land to hunt.

[JakeLand]

Don't get discouraged especially with blacktail!
You'll see them all before the season then the go nocturnal
Then the magic time which is the last couple days of October!!!!!
Be there way before it's light and stay until it's dark always be behind the binoculars
And scan the uphill side of the timber next to cuts
Trust me when you do connect it's all worth it

[Cervid]

I know how you feel. I'm in my late 20s and have been hunting most of my life. Two deer. I've shot two freaking deer in all that time. Zero bear, zero elk. I couldn't even guess how many miles I've hiked and days I've spent in the woods. Starting to wonder if it's even worth it anymore.

might need just a small tweak to one or two things--maybe timing or placement

I know it's where I hunt. The Methow Valley blows. Opening day I had 9 other hunters on the same hillside as me. Tried to go deep in the mountains today, but no one is seeing deer with antlers, not even the local rancher I talked to. Problem is too many hunters and not enough public land that has deer on it. Or areas that do have deer people don't want to tell you where. I've made up my mind though, even after my family has been hunting this valley for generations and we have a place here, I will not be hunting it for modern firearm anymore. Maybe not even hunting here for deer period. Unless I somehow got access to private land near the river so I can shoot whitetails.

[Crunchy]

Early season for deer is tough.  I hunt it but mainly as scouting for does.  Come back during late, find the does, and you will see bucks.  Deer have to eat, and clearcuts are your best bet.  You are in Bothell?  So there should be decent hunting off I90 like Stampede Pass, and Denny Creek area if you can access those areas.  Denny Creek being a good bear spot, you have to know where to go, and its a little late for bears this year.

[wooltie]

I was in Marckworth all weekend. Saw deer poop and fresh tracks, and found a bear’s toilet, but didn’t see any animals.

I usually see does just about every time out in Marckworth.

There’s animals there. I think they just move around and you have to be in the right place at the right time unless you find a spot where they hang out a lot.

[Rob Allen]

This is my 3rd year as well still without anything in the freezer.  I am 47 and I have to say yes it is extremely difficult  probably the hardest thing I have ever done. but it's only frustrating if you let it be. you gotta  just enjoy being out there.. today I took a nap while hunting after putting an expert stock on an animal making all kinds of noise crunching through the brush  i knew it was too big  for a deer but hoped i might get to see an elk or a bear.. NOPE  just a cow   there's 20 minutes i'll never get back

if you don't find being out there reward enough maybe hunting isn't for you?  I only say this because i am struggling too, i almost didn't but tags  this year..