HUNTING IN ISLAND COUNTY / WHIDBEY ISLAND / **PUBLIC LAND**

[bobunderway]

OK, so brand new hunter and brand new to the forum, it came recommended by a friend. I have been in Whidbey since 2008 and have recently decided to try my hand at muzzleloading. Never hunted before, but was hoping to take a deer for freezer meat this season. Has ANYONE actually had any success hunting public lands on Whidbey/Camano? I am pouring through the posts, but have yet to find any where someone actually states they harvested any deer. Anchor Up!

Thanks!

-Bob 

[h20hunter]

Welcome and good luck. I've seen some members take nice deer but yes, access can be tough. Fyi, I did take down your other post as we discourage posting the same content in multiple spots.  Olay around with the search feature using different terms and maybe you find a thread here and there.

[bobunderway]

Thanks H20, I wasn't certain which one was more appropriate to put it under....

[Special T]

If i were to try and hut these islands i would do so with a bow and try and get private access. Very little public land and Archery is the easiest method to acquire permission. 

[hawks33]

Lived on whidbey most of my life...theres some public land to hunt. I usually hunt private, but I believe the Kettles Trail system and Trillium Woods are public access hu ting. Would need to confirm with wdfw to be sure if they're still open. I agree with Special T, bow will be the most likely to get you on property here as people dont like some of the problems that come with guns etc., but I mainly hunt muzzy and have very good luck towards the end of October. 

Dress nice, wash your rig, and use your manners and after asking around a bit you will find some property. I've found several properties to hunt in the last few years here, 9 out of 10 is a no, but you dont know til you ask. Send me a PM if you want. Theres a ton of deer here

[Stein]

I hunted Trillium with a smoke pole and jumped a few deer.  If I did it again it would be with a shotgun so I would hear something other than a click.  I never had much luck with muzzies and rain.  It isn't a blockbuster spot, but an easy walk on the trail and I think they closed it while the hunts were open if I remember right.