new to washington looking for places to bow hunt deer and elk

[lsu fan]

Iello ladys and gents,  Im from louisiana. I moved here for work purposes but i figured while im here i would take in as much of the local culture as i could this is place has to offer. Washington from the little bit i have seen has some of the best looking hunting opertunitys in the country. I have hunted in louisiana,texas,colorado,illinois,georgia and arkansas. im very interested in hunting in washington, im in the town of mukilteo. i have always like bow hunting in bow only areas if possible but i dont know anything about hunting in this place.That brings me to asking the resident area experts for any advice on getting started here  .Do you have hunting clubs to join or is most of hunting on public land ,private,do you have bow only places basically what is the normal way of hunting around the state of washington GUN HUNTING or BOW ELK DEER                   THANK YOU  in advance for helping a southern boy experience hunting in washington.

[bowhuntin]

We have Choose your weapon here. You have to pick to hunt modern firearm, muzzleloader or with archery. Once you pick that is the only weapon you can use unless you have a multi season permit. You can hunt deer any where in the state, but elk you have to choose to hunt the westside or the eastside. Lots of public land to hunt, though you can get permission to hunt private land. I am not sure about hunting clubs, they exist but it seems the norm to just DIY on public land for the most part.

[andrew_12gauge]

lots of public land to bowhunt muleys, whitetails, blacktails or elk, you will find blacktails and roosevelts on the westside or muleys, whitetails and rocky mountain elk on the east, most of the eastside is spike or cow only for elk so keep that in mind(permits can be hard to come by but if your gonna be in wa for a few years start applying for permits now) if you want to apply for eastside bull elk permits you have to buy an eastside tag, also i suggest you try and do some spot and stalk mule deer hunting while you are here very enjoyable

[Elk hunter4ever]

Welcome to Washington and welcome to the site!!! Big game hunting is pretty much over now. Best advice to you is start planning for next years hunt. Go to any sporting goods store (Walmart). Pick an area wether it's on the west side of the cascades where it is thick or if you like it more open then there is the eastside as well,decide what weapon you want to use,  I'm not sure on the rules, if you have to go through hunters ed here or not. But you might want to check in on that. Good luck!!

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

Maybe you could post a few more times so we could get to know you.....Archery season is only 9 months away....

[Rgrady35]

Welcome to WA

I'm from the south myself. Best thing you can do is hit this web site often. Listen to what these guys have to say about different topics. These people are kinda like the people in the southern rural areas: Honest, God fearing. Big gov't hating, law abiding, opinionated, all around good folks. I've gotten a buck 3 outta the last 4 yrs hunting, all on public land. Lots of good places to hunt. Just pick a area close to ya and fish camp and scout. Your gonna like it here, it's truly a sportmans paradise.

[PA BEN]

No deer or elk here

[PolarBear]

Welcome!
If you were born after 1972 you have to go through a hunter's safety course unless you have proof of passing a comparable program in another state.  Pick which species you want to target and then ask us for more specifics.  We have some very liberal bow hunting seasons and you should be able to easily find one to suit your taste.  Most of us are willing to help you out with any info (even some old honey holes) that you need.

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

He must have listened to PA BEN, he hasn't been back........

[1bowhunter1]

There's Elk HERE?  I seen a Deer once