Youth first deer

[Theyarealltrophies]

I am new to the forum, I've been reading it for years and finally joined and happy to be here. I have a 9 year old that has passed hunters Ed and is eager to hunt. We tried a turkey hunt this spring with no success. I'm looking for any help I can get to get him on a deer, turkey or both. He has limited time as he plays 2 select sports so any suggestions on a quick weekend trip would be greatly appreciated. He knows that hunting is not a guaranteed harvest but would be cool to at least see animals and give him a hunting experience to keep him interested.
Thank you in advance for any replies I get!

[Rugsnfeathers]

Curious as to where you hunted during the turkey season.  Deer should also be there where you hunted for turkey.

[Platensek-po]

I am new to the forum, I've been reading it for years and finally joined and happy to be here. I have a 9 year old that has passed hunters Ed and is eager to hunt. We tried a turkey hunt this spring with no success. I'm looking for any help I can get to get him on a deer, turkey or both. He has limited time as he plays 2 select sports so any suggestions on a quick weekend trip would be greatly appreciated. He knows that hunting is not a guaranteed harvest but would be cool to at least see animals and give him a hunting experience to keep him interested.
Thank you in advance for any replies I get!

Welcome! My advice is just to get out! Don’t worry too much with getting into animals. Just get him into the woods and learning. Then apply for youth tags! While not amazing the youth tags generally add more days and give a better chance for success. Good luck!

[jrebel]

I think it is crazy important to get kids on deer early in their hunting career.....I know I will get flamed for this by some....but they need to at least see deer and have opportunity.  I would say you need to look at the youth hunts in the NE corner and find him a whitetail doe to chase.  The actual harvest isn't as important as seeing deer and putting in some stalks....most kids love that stuff.  Get On-X and find public land in the many gmu's listed where a doe can be taken by a youth and go explore.  No pressure...have fun...see deer...and if your lucky, bag a fat doe.  He will be hooked for a lifetime. 

[millerwheeler]

I think it is crazy important to get kids on deer early in their hunting career.....I know I will get flamed for this by some....but they need to at least see deer and have opportunity.  I would say you need to look at the youth hunts in the NE corner and find him a whitetail doe to chase.  The actual harvest isn't as important as seeing deer and putting in some stalks....most kids love that stuff.  Get On-X and find public land in the many gmu's listed where a doe can be taken by a youth and go explore.  No pressure...have fun...see deer...and if your lucky, bag a fat doe.  He will be hooked for a lifetime.

Great advice and totally agree

[GOcougsHunter]

https://firsthuntfoundation.org/washington/

Also look for youth deer clinics on the WDFW website. 

As a father of two kids who played lots of fall sports, you will be limited on being able to get out.  That's the unfortunate reality.  Deer is a big order to align with weekend tournaments and games.  Lots of flexible options on duck and geese opportunities in the north puget sound.

[Rugsnfeathers]

I think it is crazy important to get kids on deer early in their hunting career.....I know I will get flamed for this by some....but they need to at least see deer and have opportunity.  I would say you need to look at the youth hunts in the NE corner and find him a whitetail doe to chase.  The actual harvest isn't as important as seeing deer and putting in some stalks....most kids love that stuff.  Get On-X and find public land in the many gmu's listed where a doe can be taken by a youth and go explore.  No pressure...have fun...see deer...and if your lucky, bag a fat doe.  He will be hooked for a lifetime.

Great advice and totally agree

Amen!  My youngest son got his turkey and deer in the NE corner too.  Different years.  As we all know, teenagers have a short attention span and we need to keep them interested.  Although, your son is still 9 years old.  Otherwise, they fall off the tracks. 

[wannabhntr]

I think it is crazy important to get kids on deer early in their hunting career.....I know I will get flamed for this by some....but they need to at least see deer and have opportunity.  I would say you need to look at the youth hunts in the NE corner and find him a whitetail doe to chase.  The actual harvest isn't as important as seeing deer and putting in some stalks....most kids love that stuff.  Get On-X and find public land in the many gmu's listed where a doe can be taken by a youth and go explore.  No pressure...have fun...see deer...and if your lucky, bag a fat doe.  He will be hooked for a lifetime.

Very good advice. Am I missing something though? I thought the only  northeast units for youth doe now were Mt. Spokane and Mica Peak.

[jrebel]

I think it is crazy important to get kids on deer early in their hunting career.....I know I will get flamed for this by some....but they need to at least see deer and have opportunity.  I would say you need to look at the youth hunts in the NE corner and find him a whitetail doe to chase.  The actual harvest isn't as important as seeing deer and putting in some stalks....most kids love that stuff.  Get On-X and find public land in the many gmu's listed where a doe can be taken by a youth and go explore.  No pressure...have fun...see deer...and if your lucky, bag a fat doe.  He will be hooked for a lifetime.

Very good advice. Am I missing something though? I thought the only  northeast units for youth doe now were Mt. Spokane and Mica Peak.

124, 127-142, 145, 149, 154, deer Area 1010 and 178

Not really the NE corner so to speak....but the north and the eastern part of the state.  It's sad they took youth doe away from other units up there as there are plenty of does for the youth to have. 

[Theyarealltrophies]

Thank you all for replies, we went by colville for turkey and there was still snow on the ground where we were so turkeys were hard to find and I’m no turkey hunter. I have OnX. I am a muley hunter so I know hunting I’m just trying to figure out something easier for him, I don’t think pushing him 7 or 8 miles a day will keep him motivated. We will likely end up near Kettle falls area for general season, the youth hunts this year don’t look so hot.

[jrebel]

Finding a whitetail doe in 127, 139, 142 would be about as easy as it comes if you do your homework on OnX.