Help- First time hunting! (Trying to start a family tradition).

[alfonso0837]

Hello Everyone,

I will be hunting deer this year. However, this is the first year hunting by myself, the idea is to start a family tradition with my 6 and 7 year ild kids and wife. However, Im having a hard time finding a good spot to hunt. I been told to go to Tampico area, cowiche and Goldendale for deer hunting.

Can I get some advise on what specific areas to visit? Any information will be helpful!
(Hunting with rifle)

Thanks!!

[ctwiggs1]

Oh man, where to start here? 

First off, you’re absolutely on the right track. Getting your family outdoors and enjoying the countryside that most folks never want to get near will result in lifelong family memories.  Your kids will be stronger and healthier in many ways.

Most wont give up their honey holes for deer.  It just doesn’t happen.  That being said, nearly 28,000 deer were harvested in this state last year.  There are plenty out there and plenty to go around. Most successful deer hunters will tell you that their season begins months prior.  They’ll spend a lot of time in the woods scouting to find common areas that hold game. I strongly recommend you do the same in 2020.

Whatever you do and wherever you go, good luck.  I truly hope you are able to connect with your first deer.  Please report back after your first trip:  bring the good, bad and ugly for every trip and plenty of folks on here will be happy to help you constantly improve your hunting game. 

Good luck!👍🏿

[alfonso0837]

I appreciate the good words!

I think my plan will be just to go out at there and visit different areas and hope for the best. At this point just being able to take family out there is already a win for me. Next year I’m planning on scouting different areas. I heard towards seattle it’s good area  as well.

[fishnfur]

I wish I could offer more help, but I'm a Westside guy, so the only help I can give you is to say that in my mind, Seattle area would be the very last area in the state that I would think about hunting.  No access and tons of liberals that love eating meat but hate hunters and hunting.  It's more politically correct to have someone else kill your food for you.  All in all, a bad mix. 

The hills above Yak look pretty good, if they're open to hunting, (up towards White Pass). 

[meatwhack]

I’ll throw in some advice. If you haven’t had time to scout or look at any areas yet I’d just try to find a spot that you can do a fairly easy hike for your first hunt with the wife and kids. At those ages it’s easy to burn them out so it’s important to keep it fun. Maybe you see a deer maybe you don’t but just enjoy the time out and the success will come with time. Good luck and way to go with the family.

[Karl Blanchard]

Yakima and Goldendale areas are in massive decline. There's probably a tenth of the deer there was a decade ago.  There's still a chance to get a legal buck though. The mountains will be busy but head up chinook pass a ways and go for a walk. You could head up any of the forest service roads and branch out from there. 1701, 1500, Nile, Rock Creek, or Gold Creek. 

Enjoy your time afield with your kids and treat it all as an adventure and a learning experience. 

[ljsommer]

I don't know how much of an outdoorsman you are so forgive me if this is an ignorant comment, but make sure that you and your family are warm, dry, and stocked with snacks. Kids can bore easily and their tolerances for cold and wet are often a lot less than a grown mans.
If your family is well dressed and well provisioned you'll be able to really make an adventure out of it. Cold/wet feet faster than anything will ruin a good time with kids.

[Hilltop123]

JMTCW Go down to the regional WDFW office on 24th Ave, get the green dot road map. Learn the local area, yes deer numbers are down, lots of hunters. But I believe hunting local puts you in the feild sooner and able to spend more time in the feild, as appossed to spending time driving to a further destination. You can get a buck here local, you just need to be willing to do what others will not. I.E. hike the extra mile, hunt the steep and deep I realise this may be difficult with children. Are you able to hunt midweek?

[Tbob]

I live in Seattle and the earlier comment was correct. There are some places to hunt close by if you know the secret spots, but most of the folks out this way are not hunter friendly! I usually have to travel about an hour and a half to get into areas where I generally won’t run into the REI crowd.
   The onx app on your phone is always super helpful as to knowing what type of land you find yourself on as well.

[Archry]

Its all about having fun n not burning them out. Moderation.  You can never bring too many snacks. Instill on everyone n yourself that just seeing animals is a bonus. I have gotten more chances of filling a tag when I didn't feel we were truly hunting but looking for frogs, bugs n such. Good luck make some memories take pictures.

[alfonso0837]

I just wanted to give an update to everyone. I should have done sooner but I forgot my password and took me forever to try to recover it.

Regardless, we ended up in different areas as Goldendale, and Tampico. The kids initially were not having fun... they were like "Why the tablet doesn't work here?! I can't watch youtube" haha. Once the sun was out, we start walking and they start getting excited about it. They were like I found deer tracks, deer poop, and more! We took many pictures and the kids were happy. I took snacks and drinks with me so they were happy about it too.

Now every time they see deers while they watching TV, they always ask "when are we going hunting again?". So I see it as a success since they like it. Now we are preparing for Turkey hunting.

[bobcat]

That's very cool. One of my daughters, out of two, hunts with me, but still it's always difficult getting her away from electronics. Once I get her out there she has a great time but kids nowadays are so hung up on electronics. It's really sad and I feel sorry for kids these days. I'm glad I grew up without the internet.

[ctwiggs1]

I just wanted to give an update to everyone. I should have done sooner but I forgot my password and took me forever to try to recover it.

Regardless, we ended up in different areas as Goldendale, and Tampico. The kids initially were not having fun... they were like "Why the tablet doesn't work here?! I can't watch youtube" haha. Once the sun was out, we start walking and they start getting excited about it. They were like I found deer tracks, deer poop, and more! We took many pictures and the kids were happy. I took snacks and drinks with me so they were happy about it too.

Now every time they see deers while they watching TV, they always ask "when are we going hunting again?". So I see it as a success since they like it. Now we are preparing for Turkey hunting.

I think you're doing just fine then!  Great job