Vashon private property...

[Forrestrover]

I've been invited by a friend of my wife, to hunt some property on Vashon this year. It's not huge, just five acres. I haven't seen it yet, my wife and I are heading over next weekend and I'll have a chance to check it out.
 Having never hunted in this situation, I'm wondering what sort of questions to ask, what to look for, (besides deer sign, of course). I don't know if I should be looking into treestands or ground blinds or what at this point. I'm sure I'll have a better idea once I scope the place out. Apparently, the neighbors land is twenty acres of timber.
 There is a buck that she wants rid of, it's always eating her garden!
  Any input will be appreciated.

[Hunterman]

Use a 12ga. and walk the fence line until you see were the deer have been crossing. Or sit in the kitchen with a cop of coffee and see when and werethe deer start showing in their field. Time it and good luck.

Hunterman(Tony)

[littlebuf]

ton of deer out there, you should do well

[jackelope]

back east we used to hunt small pieces of property like that and we did it exclusively out of tree stands. we'd find a fence crossing or game trail and set up on it. definitely use a weapon with a lot of knock down power so your buck doesn't end up on the neighbor property and don't take any iffy shots.

[bowpredator]

If you haven't gotten your tags yet, I would buy a rifle tag and hunt it in the October rifle season.The bucks out there are in the rut then. If there are does around then your in the money.You can use a shot gun or if your a bowhunter use your bow. If there are apple trees there then thats even better.   

[WDFW-SUX]

misty isle farm?

[bow4elk]

I would use a treestand as well.  I bought a rifle tag this year for the same reason, but will be bowhunting.  You need to check into "No Shooting Zones" on Vashion before deciding shotgun or bow.  You may be forced to bowhunt regardless of the tag you buy.

[LongTatLaw]

I agree with what is said!

a nice climber treestand will do nicely...

As the day gets closer, have her watching for the deer...time and location...That deer isnt pressured so he will be easy to pattern!

You could still set up a trail cam in the yard to get an idea what the biggest deer looks like.

You probably could just ask the woman when the deer shows up...  walk outside when ya see it in blue jeans and a tee shirt and smack it but if I was given a nice populated place to hunt like that...

Id keep an eye out for an exceptional deer. Places like that are better places for a deer to grow big than some of the biggest timber in public land in this state.

The biggest BT Ive ever seen (serious 5pt) was out in a field during season during shooting hrs in the middle of a housing development...I tried over 30 houses and couldnt get a single permission to bow hunt!

Thats why there are big deer in there.  Your island is probably the same.

Treestand + 12 slug  (theres nothing Ive ever seen for knocking them down as they stand than a nice slug!)

but check the shooting regs!

hold out for a nice one!

dave

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

A friend of mine took me to Vashon several years ago, a lot of deer on that island. I suggest heading over now and knocking on doors. I met a lady who sells real estate on island and invited me to bring my friends over and "kill them all!". When somebody gives permission, ask what neighbors allow hunting and which ones dont. There is also a lot of access in center of Island, but not many deer. Also Maury has some access, but private property has the most deer.
A friend hunted a piece of property after seeing a "hunting by permission only" sign and asking, sat in the guys barn and shot a decent buck that evening.
Sometimes all you gotta do is ask.

[LongTatLaw]

5 acres in deer country is plenty if its wooded like id expect an island to be??

just find out if shotguns are ok,  then find a slug gun....lol

[bow4elk]

be prepared for a lot of "NO!" but be polite and respectful anyway.  There are a lot of non-hunters who just aren't warmed up to the idea of killing deer who are destroying their gardens and flowers.  Respect is paramount!!

[bowpredator]

Misty Island Farm is booked up for the year, there is a new ranch manger who really cut back on the amount of people. Like was said above dont be afraid to knock on doors but expect alot of No's especially on the north end.And when you do get permission do what ever it takes to keep it, because it is like gold out there. We usually bring back some of the meat, pepperoni, smoked salmon and have no problem hunting the next year.

[Forrestrover]

   I really appreciate all the input. I may not have worded my original post very clearly, but I DO have permission to hunt some private property. It is the five acres mentioned. If the owner has contact information for her neighbor, I'll try to secure permission to his twenty acres, also. The neighbor doesn't live there and is only around on sundays.
   Anyway, the treestand method seems like the way to go here. I haven't picked up my tag yet, but I had planned on using shotgun. I'll have to check on the Vashon no shooting zones, ( thank you for mentioning, bow4elk, I hadn't thought of that!)
 So, I'm really excited. Maybe I'll try the trailcam idea. My wife and I are heading over this saturday.
Thanks again,everyone.

[nw_bowhunter]

VASHON ISLAND is a firearm restricted area so shots guns with slugs, muzzleloader and bows are all you can use. No rifles. Having private land access over there is pretty cool. You will see some good deer depending on where the property is. The deer over there get a ton of pressure from road hunters.

[h2ofowlr]

I would bring a plate of cracked corn and put it in an aluminum cake pan.  Shake it twice and they will come running.  Shoot the first one that is the size of lab.  That will be the trophy one.  Don't worry about the white spots, they sport those year around.