Scouting West WA, late to the game

[roger1042]

Hi!
After getting my tail smoked by these elk, I’m gearing up to try filling my freezer with a deer and a bear or two.

I live in Kitsap County. Was looking at 621 (Olympic), 638 (Quinalt), or 638 (Skokomish). I hunted Quinalt for elk, saw lots of fresh bear sign - so that seems an obvious start for bear.

Anyone find good deer numbers in these units? Not worried about trophy, just wanting to feed my family and help show my brother in law the basics.

[kball4]

You live in a pretty good bear and deer unit no need to drive far.

[MADMAX]

It’s all about access
Most timberland is now gated and pay to play
High crime at gates too
Don’t t leave anything of value in the vehicle

[fishnfur]

Kitsap has a ton of deer.  Finding access to hunt is the issue.  Check out DNR lands near Gold Mt. area.  You can also head south to Mason and hunt DNR lands there as well. 

[roger1042]

Thanks folks! Appreciate the insights.

[Sitka_Blacktail]

I live in Kitsap County. Was looking at 621 (Olympic), 638 (Quinalt), or 638 (Skokomish). I hunted Quinalt for elk, saw lots of fresh bear sign - so that seems an obvious start for bear.

Anyone find good deer numbers in these units? Not worried about trophy, just wanting to feed my family and help show my brother in law the basics.

Quinault (638) isn't a great deer unit. For example in 2021, the take was 8 deer.  That being said, there are some huge old mountain bucks residing there.  The problem being there isn't much road access in that unit. Either the top on the Quinault ridge road, or the bottom, the south shore road.  There is a lot of area in between those two and it's very rugged. Not to mention there is a lot of blow down from the 2007 storm.  Also there are few clearcuts so most of the hunting is in deep timber, mostly old growth.  There used to be more deer taken, incidentally by elk hunters when it was a more popular elk unit before they screwed it up by making it a trophy unit.

[kball4]

Some of the old Pope land now Rayonier in Kitsap is free to access but you have to make an account on their website and print out a free permit.

[Alchase]

Head across HWY 101 by the Skokomish fish hatchery, and on up the Skokomish Valley. The Spider Lake, Pine Lake, to Browns Creek area has a lot of deer when you get more then 1/4 mile off the roads. The clear cutts near any road will get hammered by hunters.
Find a finger to head up and get back up in a bit and you will almost never see another hunter.