Western WA Late Season Deer... am I hosed?

[johng]

Greetings more experienced hunters,

So this weekend is my last chance to get a deer this first season of mine.  It has been a blast learning but it would be super kick butt to bring home a deer.

To that end I am thinking about GMU 564... Any deer!  I know GMU 410 is also any deer but logistically that won't work for me this weekend.  Any thoughts about this GMU?  Would I be hunting in people's backyards basically?  Also, I can't tell from the regs whether or not this is shotgun only.  Also, what the heck is a smokepole?? lol   

Thanks to any wisdom you may be able to provide this rookie.  I tried out in the Okanagan this year and also some other places in Western WA and while I saw sign...I saw no buck.  Plenty of does but nothing with 3 points....

Cheers,

John

[Skyvalhunter]

smokepole=muzzleloader

[bobcat]

Yes you would need to hunt with a shotgun in that unit. Or a muzzleloader or bow. There are lots of places to hunt in that unit that wouldn't be in residential areas. You need to get a DNR map which will show you where the state land is. There is also quite a bit owned by Longview Fibre that is open for hunting. A shotgun with slugs will work great out to about 75 yards. Just be sure to go out and shoot some at targets first so you know where they are going in relation to your point of aim.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Being that you don't have much time to check out that unit, I'd feel you'll have better luck looking for a spike in some of the surrounding units on the west side of I5.  Less people, get on a gated road in reprod and hike away.  I've taken a few in 564 years ago, and even then it was getting tough on public land.  The access is less now.