Whidby island second deer

[Muleycrazy01]

Well I drew second deer for whidby this season, not my ideal area but hey beggars can’t be choosers. Anyway does anyone have any info on areas to hunt, I’ve been out there scouting a few times just can’t seem to find much state land. Any help would be appreciated.

[h20hunter]

Very little.  There are a few threads on here.....maybe look for some write ups that Ripper,  Mark RIP, posted. He took a few nice deer. Mostly private and finding A a landowner that will grant permission and B a landowner that grants permission and you won't upset his or her neighbors is tougher.

[UpperleftPNW]

Well I drew second deer for whidby this season, not my ideal area but hey beggars can’t be choosers. Anyway does anyone have any info on areas to hunt, I’ve been out there scouting a few times just can’t seem to find much state land. Any help would be appreciated.

Your best bet is private land. Many people on the island think deer are pets and like to feed them. Others understand the issues with overpopulation and are friendly to hunters.

The Greenbank Farm allows some hunting access, other then that I would be knocking on doors and sending out some letters in the mail.

[Fatherof5]

Muley, Look Up Whidbey Camano Island Land Trust. They allow hunting on some of the properties they own. I've hunted on a piece near Langley before.

[MAVsled]

had the Whidbey 2nd deer archery tag 2x over the past few years.
filled only one of those 2 tags. A small 3 point buck.

best bet is private land. The few (and VERY FEW) public areas get pushed hard by local hunters who don't have access to private.
During August, way before season start, Had about 10 doors shut in my face when knocked. Couple people said; "didn't you see the sign at driveway entrance" (no trespass or no hunting).
heck, at least I tried asking.

I will never apply for this tag again, without having access to private lands.

[GASoline71]

I live on Whidbey Island and draw the tag every so often myself.  I've lived on the Island since the Navy dropped me off in 1991. 25+ years ago, there was quite o bit of public land hunting on the island.  Heck we could even deer hunt almost all of the Outlying areas of the Naval Air Station and Outlying Field Coupeville back then.  That went away a long time ago though. But now dang near the whole island is private property.  Plus most locals view the deer as "pets" and will act accordinly when you ask for permission to hunt.  I don't even think there is any "state land" on the island anymore besides state parks, in which there is no hunting.

Securing private property is the main way you're going to get any kind of hunting in on Whidbey.  But if you do, land tracts are small, and just when you think you're in it kind of thick, you'll see the roofline of a house through the trees and brush, as you trip over a lawn flamingo and land in a compost pile. 

The Whidbey Camano Land Trust does have a few parcels set aside that are accessible to hunting.  But the non-hunting public shares the area and your hunting experience will be diminished because of that.

My avatar pic is of myself and my grandson, walking out of the private property we hunt after checking trail cams. 

Gary

[Buckmark]

I never draw the tag but get a whidby deer from time to time, just have to drive roads at dawn or dusk 

[fishnfur]

The good news is that you don't need a big parcel of land to find deer.  Use the Assessor's website to look at parcels on Whidbey, then determine who the owner is. (or use Onxmaps).  There's some timber parcels in the mid-island, or at least use to be.  Those owners might be talking to.

[GASoline71]

I never draw the tag but get a whidby deer from time to time, just have to drive roads at dawn or dusk 

There are some very large blacktail bucks killed by vehicle impacts on the south end every year.  The size of some of the deer on the island will suprise ya! 

Gary

[Lady Grouse hunter]

Just like Orcas, Island there R Lots of BIG lands there, Just offer a good Wine or local Beer then Negeociate!