Lewis River Unit

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Hey guys, I’ve been reading posts on here for the past year and finally decided to join everyone. 2020 was the first season I have ever hunted deer. I hunted the east side of the Washougal unit, mostly. As a brand new hunter, I learned a lot about what not do and about the frustrations that come along with black tail hunting. Although I didn’t shoot anything in 2020, I am hooked. I will be hunting the entire last week of October 2021 and I want to hear what guys have to say about the Lewis River Unit. I don’t want to know specific spots, access, etc., I want to get a feel for the number of deer and the quality/quantity of harvestable bucks.

Considering it isn’t a week before the general season, I’m hoping some of you are less annoyed with seeking out advice. I’m willing and able to put in time to scout and learn territory, I’m just trying to get the most amount of knowledge I can to be successful.

I live in SW WA.

Thanks for reading my first post and for such great information all throughout the sight

[Dan-o]

Welcome aboard.

I can't help with SW Washington, but you have found the right board.

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Dan-O! Thanks for the welcome

[Mulie87]

The only area of 560 that I have experience in is up around the monument on 99. That are is a big elk area. Not a lot of deer up there, i’ve only seen two off and on for 13yrs.

[Sliverslinger]

Where are you from? There are some deer in there but I mostly hunt elk in that unit.

[Skyvalhunter]

Welcome to the board!! Seen some definite brutes come out of that unit. Do your scouting and you should have no problem finding a buck

[Wolfdog2314]

As others have mentioned, it more so seems to be an elk area. If focus on the west side of rd 25/north of Swift. I’ve hunted it for elk a bit and have seen a nice buck or two while hunting elk in November.

Being you’re in SW wa a Weyerhaeuser permit to hunt the Coweeman and Toutle areas for deer is an option. Or head East to West Klickitat. Klickitat has a fair amount of land to hunt. I’d say it has declined in recent years but I’d say a tad better deer hunt than the Lewis river area. Though you have a 3 point minimum there. Either way, there’s deer all over. Scouting and time in the woods will get you one.

[b0bbyg]

I would say I see far more deer in the Washougal unit than the Lewis Unit overall. Same of the other 500 units south of the Lewis. This is not that there are no deer in there but starting from scratch I would think success in the Washougal unit would be more likely.

Think there are still Weyerhaeuser permits you can get on the west end of the Washougal unit. lots of land behind a few of those gates either walking, driving of biking. Have seen several deer in there back before it was a permit only access.

[elksnout]

It's beautiful country and in it's day (when logging was going on) it was a decent bet for blacktails. It simply no longer is. I've logged many days hunting and camping up there. The feed just isn't there. Yes, guys still kill bucks there but as difficult as it is to tie a tag on a blacktail buck is I would really encourage you to spend your efforts in a solid blacktail unit. Check the harvest stats. You'll see where year in and year out the Washougal unit kicks out some bucks. And the last week of general is a great time to be hunting them.

Elksnout

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Mullie87,

Thanks for your info. I’ll definitely consider this as the year goes on.

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Wolfdog2314, thanks for the tip. I’ve looked into getting a weyerhauser permit and it’s something I’ll continue to consider. You mentioned west klickitat.. have you ever hunted the east side, specifically the simcoe mountains area? I know it’s all bench legs and mule deer but the more open country seems appealing to a new hunter like me.

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Elksnout, thanks for your reply. I appreciate your info and honesty.

[anotherguyinthewoods]

Bobbyg, thanks for the tip. Washougal seems to be the place to be. I did spend some time there this last season, spent about 11 days total and saw two bucks. One was a forky, 4 days after the general season, probably 1 in the afternoon, right in the middle of the road. I swear that *censored* was taunting me haha. I saw a nice 3 point the second to last day of late buck but it was before shooting light. Thanks again for your tips