Out Of State Hunting

[Bluemoon]

Ironhead, it did for me..

[boneaddict]

Not so much in the beginning, but more so now

[Buckjunkie]

Does the lack of quality hunting in Washington factor into every ones decision to hunt out of state?

Yes, but I wouldn’t give up on Washington. Herds are always fluctuating up and down. It’s been down where I hunt here in Wa for a few years, so I have been putting more effort in other states.

The key is to build points in as many states as you can afford and hunt when herds are healthy and have the right age animals. It takes a lot of research.

[Ironhead]

Not so much in the beginning, but more so now

I feel the same way. In the beginning I was more curious and wanted to try something different. Now, I am afraid to put any more pressure on Deer and Elk, so I choose not to hunt general seasons in Washington. (I still put in for special permits although, if I wasn't so deeply vested I would not.)

[boneaddict]

ditto

[KFhunter]

Idaho feels to me like Washington did 20-30 years ago,  it's like rolling back the clock. 

[boneaddict]

I'd also like to note I have pulled out of a lot of states because I couldn't keep up with their increases or hands in pocket type policies and their "unfriendlyness" to non residents.  A couple I just grin and bare it because I am invested.   Points are the devil!

[msg]

First year elk hunting in Idaho was this year. Already purchased deer and elk for 2020. All the reasons listed above come into play. I love new adventures and that was a great one. Have been looking hard at Oregon. Oregon lists 125,000 elk, Washington lists 60,000. They have been listing that number for how many years? I believe since St. Helens was in its heyday!

[JBar]

I started just to extend my hunting and to see different country. 2020 the plan is Colorado and Montana possibly idaho. I'm talking just deer in those states. Washington is up in the air at this point and I have enough points for Wyoming but will hold off one more year. I love seeing different states.

[Ironhead]

   Points are the devil!

Isn't that the truth!

[WAcoueshunter]

For the most part, I only hunt draw tags out of state. I fill up my calendar with the best options between successful draws and WA otc. Some years I hunt here otc, some years I have conflicting hunts elsewhere or too many tags. This year I drew a moose tag here and quality Nevada bull tag, and my son drew a coues tag, so those three squeezed out everything else. One of these years I want to save the time to just focus on BT here. Lived in western WA my whole life and never really hunted BTs!

[follow maggie]

I started hunting out of state 2 years ago with a bird hunting trip to North Dakota. I made that trip again this year and added Idaho & Minnesota and fishing in Montana & Wyoming. I spend less time & money here because I love the road trip & adventure, seeing new places and wdfw. Like when their statements about rule changes don’t match up with what I see on he ground, in places where I’ve spent a lot of time over a lot of years. Or when they shut down all fishing for all species because of lack of an agreement with the tribes- remember when they closed all fishing in lake Washington for the whole season? Used to be able to get answers to questions, not anymore, at least when I’ve asked. Also the traffic to get anywhere and the distance I have to drive from Kitsap to get anywhere decent. Even though out of state costs more, I think it’s a better value for my money.

[huntnnw]

What is sad is pretty much every outta state hunt I have done for elk and muleys has been far better than anything I have hunted in WA except my special permit hunts. Seeing new country hunting and traveling is the best part.

[Little Dave]

Sometimes it is nice to hunt in places which still resemble what America was; where hunting is still a normal thing.

[Ironhead]

Here is a sad fact. I live in the Chiwawa unit, the Swakane unit is 48' across the street and the Entiat unit is 800 yards from my house.
 I rarely hunt for Mule Deer in Washington, nearly 100 percent out of state. I help others that draw tags but I do not hunt Deer here very often.