NAS Whidbey Island & Skagit Waterfowl

[Axistails]

Sorry if this isn't the best place for this thread, first post on this sight!

I recently got stationed up here on Whidbey Island and am having a little trouble understanding where to hunt. Iv'e always hunted deer and have just started waterfowl hunting. I have been hunting on the seaplane base on whidbey island with no luck and would like to know some areas close or as far as mt baker to hunt. I'm not looking for people's secret spots, just some direction so i'm hunting legally. For instance, can you duck hunt in any national forrest? I heard people hunt beaver lake and clear lake in mt vernon but not sure if thats allowed and the maps on WDFW are a little bare. The base has some ducks, mostly sea ducks just passing over and the occasional geese. I tried some early archery for blacktail on the bases as well, but the only ones I saw where outide the base munching on people lawns    I don't have a boat, just me, my old A5, and my lab.

[buckfvr]

We used to hunt ducks a lot south of hwy 20 along the Swinomish channel......there used to be some pot holes and wdfw stuff east side of channel.  Disclaimer beeing this took place in the early 70s.

Also between Dugualla bay and the end of the air strip.

[Axistails]

Thanks. Seems everytime I find a place it's private or use to be huntable.

[Special T]

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,231951.0.html
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,139732.0.html
https://wdfw.wa.gov/places-to-go/wildlife-areas/skagit-wildlife-area

2 organizations you should check out. both are on facebook and have web pages and i have create HW links about them

Silver Arrow Bowmen in Mount Vernon. great walk through course, and indoor range. There are several Chiefs from your base that belong. Membership is cheap, Its only $25 for military for the year if i remember correct.

Washington Waterfowl Association NW Chapter Last meeting Rob Wingaurd  the Private lands Bio gave a great talk about his acess work. He is a great guy. I may be biased but the NW chapter is probably the most active chapter in the state. Duck hunting in the skagit valley is pretty damned good and is only 2nd in harvest stats to Yakima County.

The WDFW has recently changed up their web page so im not overly familiar with it. it does have pretty good info on Department owned land.

For my Blacktail hunting, I kill deer near homes. I use On X maps to find permission, keep me on track, and accelerate my cold calling for permission. IMO you have 2 things going for you. Your military, If they know they can call the base and hold you accountable that may take some of the apprehension away. Your bow hunting, very few folks are concerned about arrows flying through homes, or livestock.

[Axistails]

Thanks for all the info, defiantly going to check out the archery and WWA. 

[preacherman]

Shoot me a PM and I’ll try to show you some local spots.


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[CP]

Is the Seaplane base no longer open for duck hunting?  Very good hunting there

https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=137792.0

[Widgeondeke]

Another place to meet like minded peeps.
The Fallen Outdoors on facebook
Join the West Coast group. Plenty of veterans and active men & women on there.

[HaydenHunter]

Can't help you with any info (I'm 300+ miles away) but welcome to this forum!

[Fatherof5]

Welcome to Whidbey! Send me a PM. I Know of a few spots for blacktails.