New to Washington - Hunting Location Tips (Spokane area)

[aaronk]

Hello all.  This is my first post and I am happy to join such a well run and thorough forum.  I have read through many of the previous threads but I thought I would post something new and see what sort of response I get.

I just moved to Airway Heights in July to start a job as a Forester for the Spokane Indiana Reservation.  I was living in Montana prior to coming out here.  I have talked to a couple of guys in the shop I work in about where to go hunting this fall.  Most of them indicated that heading east/north east of Chewelah onto Colville National Forest land would be a safe bet.  I realize that such advice is rather vague so I was curious as to what input members on this board may have. 

I am not picky about what I am hunting for.  If I can tag a nice whitetail buck then so be it but the bottom line is that I want to put something in my freezer for the next 6 months/year.  Are there any more specific areas that I should look into?  I'm not looking for any "honey holes" but a road name and general directions would be very much appreciated.

Thanks for taking the time and I'm looking forward to your responses as well as becoming an active member of this site.

[shoot-em-dead]

I moved here three years ago and the best I can tell you for starters is to get some maps on where the state property is. There seem to be deer everywhere so picking a spot from the maps is more about the terrain you like to hunt. As far as elk go, I did muzzle loader around here last year and hiked my butt off and never even seen a track. I was way up by the border and tried several spots up there. I will say also that I'm not an expert on elk but I will make the trip back to the wet side of the state to hunt from now on. Good luck.

[aaronk]

Thanks for the reply.  I appreciate it.  I have been familiarizing myself with state fish and wildlife maps as well as USFS maps to find locales.  Given the fact that I'm new to my job I have little vacation time saved up so I fear I will be at the mercy of getting an early morning and heading to a predetermined spot and see what shakes out.  If I can bag an antlered deer of reasonable size I will be pleased (and fed).

Any other tips are appreciated.  Thanks again.

[coop2424]

If you want local to spokane I know you can buy a pass for Inland Paper Property which I think is like $40.  I am not sure on the amount of property it is but I know it is a lot.  A lot of the property is within about a hour of spokane so you can usually do some night hunts.  I have heard if you scout it you have a pretty good chance of getting something. NE corner has a ton of public land but a lot of hunters.  Really need to look at maps and cover a lot of terrain in order to learn the NE corner.  I have lived and hunted there most of my live and still do not know it all. 

[NWBREW]

Welcome to the site......My best advise would be go north.  Northeast corner of the state....Lots of public land to hunt. Its thick but theres good deer and maybe a few elk Big bucks in the late rifle. get back in a ways and hit an old, old loggin road. Hike back in a couple of miles and look for scrapes and does. Find those two and the bucks are there.

[aaronk]

Good suggestions guys.  I appreciate the info.  I think I may take a day or two this weekend and next to head up the the Colville NF and try to find some areas that are somewhat secluded or at least roads that are adjacent to roadless chunks of the forest.  I have problems with a hike to find something worthy.

[runningboard]

I just moved to Airway Heights in July to start a job as a Forester for the Spokane Indiana Reservation.  I was living in Montana prior to coming out here.  I have talked to a couple of guys in the shop I work in about where to go hunting this fall.  Most of them indicated that heading east/north east of Chewelah onto Colville National Forest land would be a safe bet.

what is an Indiana Reservation? just kidding
 where do you work? for the tribe or for the BIA? I used to work for the BIA in fire control.
since you moved here in July wouldn't you still qualify as a resident of Montana? If you could swing it I would return there and hunt familiar territory until you become more aquainted with this area.
good luck and welcome to the site.

[aaronk]

I just moved to Airway Heights in July to start a job as a Forester for the Spokane Indiana Reservation.  I was living in Montana prior to coming out here.  I have talked to a couple of guys in the shop I work in about where to go hunting this fall.  Most of them indicated that heading east/north east of Chewelah onto Colville National Forest land would be a safe bet.

what is an Indiana Reservation? just kidding
 where do you work? for the tribe or for the BIA? I used to work for the BIA in fire control.
since you moved here in July wouldn't you still qualify as a resident of Montana? If you could swing it I would return there and hunt familiar territory until you become more aquainted with this area.
good luck and welcome to the site.

Haha - my mistake.  I actually work for the tribe (so non-BIA). 

I never qualified as a Montana resident because I'm originally from Ohio.  I went to Montana for college and as a result I couldn't get residency because I was taking a full course load (they like getting the out-of-state tuition).

Thanks for the welcome though!

[bearpaw]

The advice to get a DNR map is good advice, it shows all the public ownership. There are at least some deer everywhere, just get out on some public land or knock on a few doors for permission and put in your time. You should kill a deer and learn some new country.

Sometimes the best hunting is close to town on little public land pieces.

Welcome to the site. 

[aaronk]

So I have been looking at maps provided by google, usfs, and wash dnr and I think I have found a couple of potential areas to go to located in the Colville NF to the east of Chewelah.  I do a have a question though (that may be better served for a ranger station): am I allowed to hunt on non-national forest system lands that are within the national forest boundary? My initial thought is yes but then I wonder what the difference is in these lands.  Maybe it has to do with use or management objectives.

[bearpaw]

I have no official affiliation, but you need to look at the DNR map in the same area and see if the land you talk about is some other type of public land. If it's public you can hunt it. There is also a lot of Plum Creek Timber Company land east of Chewelah up high, that land is all open to hunting. If you can't find out ownership, then be sure and watch to see if it's posted, tilled, fenced, or shows other sign of private ownership or improvements.

Understandably, most landowners do not want trespassers on their property.

Good Luck

[aaronk]

Alright guys - after looking over maps and readings online I think I've narrowed down two places where I will start out.  I hope to head out this coming weekend to check them out then do a few weekend hunts between the early and late modern firearm seasons.  Even if I don't get anything, I'm really looking forward to getting and exploring some new land I've never been in before.

[NWBREW]

aaronk  I think your in the right mindset.......Goodluck and enjoy yourself.

[aaronk]

So I tried to buy my license online today and it appears I am still considered a non-resident... It looks as if my hunting goals for this year won't have any chance of being met.

I'm not sure what the problem is.  I started working here on July 13th... maybe I will have to wait a few weeks so I get my full 90 days in.  I may just stop in somewhere that sells licenses and see if they have any other information.

[superdown]

 I don't know if it's the same here but when i moved to idaho all i needed was a piece of mail with my adress and date proving i had been there long enough.