Hey man, thought I’d chime in. Don’t be afraid to hunt alone, it is super rewarding. I’ve always been in to solo sports, skateboarding for 28 years and snowboarding for almost as long so solo hunting is right up my alley! If I’m not hunting with my wife and 2 young boys in tow, then I’m solo. Hopefully you find some good hunting partners, but I’ll admit, good hunting partners are hard to find. Don’t let that stop or discourage you from getting out there! If you figure it out alone, you’ll be proud and you’ll be the talk of your group.
First, of course, pic a species, I think probably deer is gunna be the easiest one to be successful on. Then go through this list, find some of the more high success % areas, it’ll be helpful too.
https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/management/game-harvestThen decide on a few areas you want to/are willing to go, pick more than one place, I’d say 2-4 ‘cause if you make one big giant plan then every effin time you get to the parking spot there’ll be 3 trucks there.. best to have plan A, B and C. If you want to, go through this list of areas, it’ll be helpful (and fun) to go through also.
https://privatelands.wdfw.wa.gov/private_lands/There is GOOD hunting grounds on there.
Also, get onX, it is indispensable, I think it’s 30 chucks for one state (don’t quote me on that). Spend enough time looking at maps that when you get where you’ve decided to go, you know the area well or at least the layout. Which brings me to another point, get ya boots on the ground, looking at maps is super valuable but no amount of sitting in front of a computer or phone is gunna be as valuable as time in the woods. Like, this week, get out there and find an old logging road to walk behind.
I wish ya luck and if you find luck, then post it here so we can all look on with jealousy!