Moving to the Bellingham area

[Dtray332]

Just wanted to tell everyone hello and introduce myself. My name is Dave and I am moving up to the Bellingham area in a few months from sunny Tampa Florida. I have been down here for 9 years and so hunting has not been good. I'm looking to hunt Deer and Elk this year. I will have plenty of time on my hands, so I plan to scout throughout the year while hiking. Anyone familiar with GMU 418? Read up on it and looks like it holds some pretty decent elk and black tails. Would also like to find a hunting buddy or two. I can hunt Archery, Muzzle Loader or Modern. I'm not afraid to hike in and not afraid to do overnighters in the woods.  Thanks in advance, Dave

[h2ofowlr]

GMU 418 is a draw only unit for elk.  I have 17 points and still have not drawn it.  You get 1 point for every year you apply for it.  As far as deer, it is mainly private.  You can access it from a few areas or purchase a Weyerhaeuser permit that get's you into some of the areas for $250 and that goes on sale in May.  It's some thick country.

[Dtray332]

Thanks for the info. Looks like cracking the code to hunt is Washington is going to be as challenging as the hunt itself.

[h20hunter]

It can be. Bear is over the counter and a long season. Get a rag, lace up the boots,  and get out there..

[JimmyHoffa]

Thanks for the info. Looks like cracking the code to hunt is Washington is going to be as challenging as the hunt itself.

Just ask away on here, can really speed up the process.  The sooner you get residency here, the easier and cheaper it can be. 

[Dtray332]

Where can you go to find out which GMUs are OTC and which ones are draw?

[Buckewe]

I would suggest picking up a copy of the regs and read through it. You will learn a lot about where you can and can not hunt. I'm up in whatcom county and I could show you a couple areas to get started in.

[Dtray332]

Thanks Buckewe. Sorry it took so long to reply. My wife and I spent the Super Bowl weekend down in Key West. Funny thing how once you get down there, cell phones, computers and watches all quit working. lol. I will actually be heading up to Bellingham this Sunday to start exploring areas. If all works out, my wife and I should move in 2 to 3 months.

[ghosthunter]

Little more info maybe.
Age?
Other interests?

[Dtray332]

I'm 51 years old, retired from the military back in 2006. Still hit the gym 4 to 5 times a week, so humping to the back country isn't a problem. Down here in Florida, I do a lot of fishing and spearfishing. I have a 24' Center Console that I'm going to try and sell before I move and upgrade to something a little bigger with a closed cabin. But I plan to fish as well up there. Also into hiking and camping. Pretty much into just about anything outdoors. Oh, one last thing, I'm semi retired. Do a little contract work here and there. So getting out during the week for the most part is not a problem.

[NoBark]

Welcome Dtray,  work in Bham and grew up in Bradenton.  Ha Go figure.  Once you get up here, lets have coffee and a chat!

Jim

[BD1]

Spent 4 years up there going to college.  It was a hard town to leave, you will love it. Not sure about big game as I am just a bird hunter.  There are/where some good places to duck/goose/pheasant hunt. I like the vibe of the town...good people and tons to do outdoors.
Good Luck on your move 
BD1

[Dtray332]

Welcome Dtray,  work in Bham and grew up in Bradenton.  Ha Go figure.  Once you get up here, lets have coffee and a chat!

Jim

Hey Jim for sure, definitely. I'm flying into Seattle to meet up with my wife, then we are driving up to Bham on Sunday to start narrowing down which area we want to live.

Dave

Spent 4 years up there going to college.  It was a hard town to leave, you will love it. Not sure about big game as I am just a bird hunter.  There are/where some good places to duck/goose/pheasant hunt. I like the vibe of the town...good people and tons to do outdoors.
Good Luck on your move 

I have never ate pheasant, let alone hunted them. But I will give both a try
BD1

[cdriver]

You are moving to a great area. Bellingham is a very nice small town. I would live in the south end, Fairhaven area if I were moving there. Lots of areas to hunt. You are a ferry ride away from Olympic Peninsula which offers lots of hunting options.

[baker5150]

Bellingham is an extremely liberal town, and no longer small

You are moving to a great area. Bellingham is a very nice small town. I would live in the south end, Fairhaven area if I were moving there. Lots of areas to hunt. You are a ferry ride away from Olympic Peninsula which offers lots of hunting options.

Bellingham has become extremely liberal, especially the south (Fairhaven) side of town.  (Kinda always was)  its a horrible mess of traffic, bikes, gluten free restaurants, and homeless poeple.

It was a great town a decade or two ago, but now it's a liberal paradise.

[Skyvalhunter]

Could be 1000X times worse like Seattle

[magnanimous_j]

You are moving to a great area. Bellingham is a very nice small town. I would live in the south end, Fairhaven area if I were moving there. Lots of areas to hunt. You are a ferry ride away from Olympic Peninsula which offers lots of hunting options.

Very true. Olympic Peninsula is great, but don't forget the east! You don't have to drive long from town to be in the woods either. And if you are a fisherman, the north sound is an enviable place to have access to.

Have a pint of Scotch Ale at Boundary Bay for me. 

[h2ofowlr]

I'm 51 years old, retired from the military back in 2006. Still hit the gym 4 to 5 times a week, so humping to the back country isn't a problem. Down here in Florida, I do a lot of fishing and spearfishing. I have a 24' Center Console that I'm going to try and sell before I move and upgrade to something a little bigger with a closed cabin. But I plan to fish as well up there. Also into hiking and camping. Pretty much into just about anything outdoors. Oh, one last thing, I'm semi retired. Do a little contract work here and there. So getting out during the week for the most part is not a problem.

Get a Canadian fishing license and you should be good to go on the fishing.  Mt. Baker back country can be good for deer and bear.  Elk is going to be a drive for you.  Probably looking at 4+ hour trip to get to any elk spots unless you draw locally or go through the Master Hunter program.

[Dtray332]

Sitting in Seattle right now, heading up to Bellingham probably on Sunday. Wife is catching an ear full from everyone she works with on where to live. She just needs to be able to drive to Bellevue about twice a month. She wants to check out a few areas now. Just want don't want to live in the Seattle traffic jam.

[Special T]

Where is work located?

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[Dtray332]

My wife if taking over as the Managing Director of Sales for FedEx's Pacific North West Region. So she will cover Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Montana. Her office will be at our home because of her travel schedule. Since she will cover Bellevue and Seattle, she will have to drive there a couple times a month.

[Special T]

So commute is less of an issue for her...

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[Dtray332]

And the Bellingham airport supports everywhere she has to fly to.

[Special T]

That would put you some where inntye north end of Bellingham. I personally like parts of the Ferndale Lynden area. Also the north side of Bellingham won't compete with the Western WA university and all the housing and such associated with It.

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[aaronoto]

Welcome!  Bellingham is a great area, assuming you don't live in the city proper... Look north county - Lynden, Everson/Nooksack, Ferndale area.  Avoid Maple Falls like the plague... Sudden Valley is a nice area if you don't need to commute on a regular basis and don't mind being stuck if it snows.

Bellingham Bay is a great launch point to go north just across the line to Canada or into the San Juans to fish, good shrimping nearby too.  Lingcod open for spearfishing.  Tons of public land just east of Bellingham.  I like to hunt the backcountry around Mt. Baker, lots of trails to get back in there, but be forewarned it's steep country!

PM if you'd like any more info. 

[Dtray332]

After all of the house hunting and looking at different areas, we decided to move just a little south of Bellingham. Found a nice place just north of Everett. Flying back to Seattle today to go through the house with the inspector. Hopefully will be completely moved and settled in within the next 30 to 45 days.

[cdriver]

Just north of Everett puts you in the Puget Sound convergence zone. You might see more rain in that area than in some other parts of Western Washington. Welcome anyway to the PNW, a great part of the country to live in!

[Buckmark]

Just south of Bellingham and just north of Everett are two completely different areas, can you be a little more specific?

I personally would not want to be a little north of Everett, i would want to be alot north of Everett but not so far as to be just south of Bellingham 

Tweakerville vs liberalville/hippieville that is starting to get a tweaker presence..

[Special T]

Half way in between is Stanwood....

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[Dtray332]

It's just North of the Tulalip Res, near Lake Goodwin. Small gated community, only 4 homes, 5 acres each.

[Calvin Rayborn]

Watch out for crazy drummers! 

[Dtray332]

LOL... Will do

[Dtray332]

Hey everyone, finally made it here and got settled in. Downloaded onxmaps and have been checking out some areas in the south for archery elk this year. Anyone hunt the Mt. St. Helens area?

[kselkhunter]

Welcome to WA.   PM sent.