western wa deer

[sjohnv3]

First, I would like to introduce myself.  Steve, grew up in yakima county.  am currently living in thurston county and am stationed at ft lewis.  Just picked up a bow last year and am having a blast with it.  Been out 2 days hunting this year on ft lewis and have seen 3 doe; all of them by walking a good distance from were  I parked.  They seem to like to lay in the golden rod on small hilltops about 80 yrds off the trails.  My question is; with no significant trees in thees old clear cuts and thick brush, how can I get closer to them.  Lots of noise walking through this thick stuff.  The trails are noisy due to lots of gravel.  I am very happy to have got within 100 yrds, considering its my first year.

[shanevg]

Wait 'til it rains.  Makes walking quieter, when it's raining it covers any sounds you make, and black tail bucks tend to get active during the first rain after a few days of warmth (no matter what time of the day the rain starts).

Good luck!

[Gobble]

Also find their path of travel and wait downwind for them to pass

[usmc74]

work with a buddy.  He spotted 4 bucks in an open valley.  I stayed on top to keep them "occupied", and he worked around below them.  They weren't dumb, and kept a stand of vine maples between them and him.  After about 3 laps around the vines, they walked away from him..........but uphill right past me.  I passed on the 2 point, and shot the 3 point at less than 10 feet

[CoryTDF]

They sell some ridiculous looking over shoes at cabellas and sportsmans wearhouse. The almost look like slippers but they have like sheep skin on the bottom. They would help in the gravel. It's worth a try they don't cost that much. 

[grousetracker]

i think i met you at luckyshot , try an apple scent on the bushes around where you are seeing them. just sit and wait.

[BLKBEARKLR]

First, I would like to introduce myself.  Steve, grew up in yakima county.  am currently living in thurston county and am stationed at ft lewis.  Just picked up a bow last year and am having a blast with it.  Been out 2 days hunting this year on ft lewis and have seen 3 doe; all of them by walking a good distance from were  I parked.  They seem to like to lay in the golden rod on small hilltops about 80 yrds off the trails.  My question is; with no significant trees in thees old clear cuts and thick brush, how can I get closer to them.  Lots of noise walking through this thick stuff.  The trails are noisy due to lots of gravel.  I am very happy to have got within 100 yrds, considering its my first year.

Fort Lewis is an awesome place to hunt I am on the backside of it in Roy, like you said it is hard right now because of everything being so dry. Depending on what area you are hunting one of the things that I have done in the training areas is try to find water. I would sit over the water and always have deer coming into it.

Usually works well as long as you are not in three too close to the Nisqually


Good Luck
Joe

[firedog]

If anyone is looking for a meat hunt in Western Washington the Diamond Point Airport (East of Sequim about 10 miles)is just about over run with deer and they are wanting hunters to come in and take care of some. There are a couple areas that the Neighborhood Assoc has control of that people can hunt. Not a hard core hunt by any means but a meat hunt.  Send me a PM if interested and I can get you contact info for access. My parents live up there and the deer are a big problem because they are always out on the runway. Double check the regs but as far as I know it is an either sex hunt with bows during archery season and Bows or Shotguns during general season.

[bwhntr2819]

PM sent.