Advice for First Time Hunter

[Fischer R.]

Did some research on the east side and came across East Okanagen and Mount Spokane GMU's. On this side, I saw that North Sound had twice as many harvest reports than Olympic unit, not sure how I missed that. A little bit further drive but still in my area and worth the look.
I'm gonna have to stick with Archery hunting for now though, but thanks for the suggestions.

I didn't expect to much from this thread but it had a lot of info, thanks guys

[rainshadow1]

Silver Lakes area in the buckhorn is a great place, but as has been mentioned, the trails are heavily used. Get familiar enough with the area where you're very comfortable going off trail and over ridges and thru draws. (Google earth study time, and print paper maps, or bring a good mapped gps. Both, actually... batteries die, no cell service. That can make you comfortable the first run.) Beautiful area for high buck or archery.

Can get very rugged when you're trekking off on your own, so be aware.

Good initial plan since you live close by, but like was also mentioned, why not doing during season (also) with your tags and gear?!?!

[huntnfmly]

#1 advice have fun enjoy the time outdoors and the learning.
Do not measure your success on harvesting an animal.
Good luck and have a great season in the woods

[Boss .300 winmag]

#1 advice have fun enjoy the time outdoors and the learning.
Do not measure your success on harvesting an animal.
Good luck and have a great season in the woods

 

[idaho guy]

I would hunt reasonably close to home where you can put boots on the ground. Definitely BUY a tag. Google earth and all that’s great I guess but I have had way more success just being in the woods. There’s sign like rubs and poop etc you can’t see on a computer and the woods look a lot different in person vs a computer to me. Some of my best deer,elk, bear and lions have come from 1 area in a unit with low success and harvest rates. It’s overcrowded during hunting season but I like it there and have found little pockets that hold game and people haven’t found yet in person or on the computer. Just spend lots of time in the woods hunting but also horn hunting picking mushrooms and huckleberries etc. get off trail as far as you can. If I lived in Washington I would spend a lot of time Hunting predators especially bears when it’s not deer or elk season Pick an area that’s not too far away and spend a lot of time there OFF any established trails. Good luck and have fun.

[BassHunter]

Have fun exploring! 

I always recommend bringing a GPS.  Many phones have great GPS offline apps.  This will give you the confidence to try new spots and possibly find that honey hole. I'm sure you have one, but a good range finder and binoculars are a game changer.

Have fun!

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[DOUBLELUNG]

WDFW harvest reports tell you best odds.

Hunt timing is most important.  Hunt when deer are most active.  If youre still in camp at daylight, you just shot yourself in the foot.  If youre back at camp before dark, you just shot your other foot.

Super advice right here!  When in the backcountry, I carry two headlamps + spare batteries, a gps unit and a compass.