Deer hunting locations reasonably close to Redmond

[Bolete]

Hey all,

I've been out of the hunting game for a couple years but have been thrust back into its insanity this year. Part of why is because my Dad died in July and he was my Deer hunting mentor. Reliving the good times hunting with him and hearing his stories have put the bug in me to go out and find some meat. Knowing that we are all protective of our spots, I'm curious if any of you big buck hunters have seen a legal buck or know a good area to get the smallest possible legal deer I can shoot. I don't care about trophy size, I just want the meat. I've done 99% of my hunting in Eastern WA so I'm lost when it comes to Western WA.

I know in certain parts of local game units there are firearms restrictions for modern season is west of certain parts of the unit. That is no issue for me as I have ready access to a Muzzleloader.

Similarly, I'm interested in waterfowl hunting but have no idea how to get started. Looking for ideas, meetups, groups, whatever to go out with.

Also, I've been watching Meat Eater and that show is insane. Absolutely love it.

[Bob33]

You might check out Tiger and Taylor Mountains. Tiger is west of highway 18 and in a firearm restriction area. Taylor is not.

[jcamp86]

Ive been hitting the east side of highway 18 in gmu 454 and 460.  Lots of animal sign and a few guys have pulled out some bucks all ready that I've seen.    Park at the yellow gates and walk or bike in.

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[Scheindogg]

You might check out Tiger and Taylor Mountains. Tiger is west of highway 18 and in a firearm restriction area. Taylor is not.

So Taylor mtn can be hunted any legal weapon during modern?
@Bob33

[dmv9]

To refresh some memories: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=226240.msg3013131#msg3013131

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=81811.0

[Bob33]

You might check out Tiger and Taylor Mountains. Tiger is west of highway 18 and in a firearm restriction area. Taylor is not.

So Taylor mtn can be hunted any legal weapon during modern?
@Bob33

Yes. It is not in a firearm restriction area.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-413-180

The area west of Highway 203 (Monroe-Fall City, then Fall City-Preston Road) to Interstate 90 (I-90), I-90 to Highway 18, Highway 18 to Interstate 5 (I-5), I-5 to the Pierce-King County line; and GMU 422 (Vashon-Maury).

[smithkl42]

The Marckworth Forest area is also plausible.

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.7640027,-121.8657884,10161m/data=!3m1!1e3

It's buck only, even for archery, but there are deer in there. And if you head far enough in - especially if you jump on a mountain bike - you can find places that aren't a pumpkin patch. I spent 12 hours in there on Saturday, moving nearly the whole time, and saw precisely two other hunters. (Of course, I didn't see any deer either, so there's that - but there's plenty of sign.)

The biggest downside is that although there *are* deer there, they seem to be scarce and skittish. I've been scouting that area fairly heavy the last two years, and I've only seen maybe a dozen does, and zero bucks. They're in there, but they ain't easy to find.