need help with the san juans......

[grundy53]

about six years ago i went scouting up on orcas island for deer... or more precisly public land to hunt deer. as most of you know there isn't much. just one little spot. i was wondering if that spot is still there and is there any other little spots on any of the other islands? next year  i want to put in for a second deer tag for over there and i want to hunt with a bow. i'm trying to get an early start. of course no secret spots or anything just any open huntable land. any help would be greatly appreciated. pm's welcome. Thanks.

[crane]

I hunt Lopez every year looking for freezer fill.  I have never been turned down by a landowner.  Everyone I have asked has said sure go for it.  Most people over there realize there are to many deer and they are tired of not being able to have a garden without a ten foot tall fence.  The hard part is finding people at home to even ask.  This year we saw lots and lots of nice bucks in pastures and yards but everytime I went to knock on the door no one was home??  You can also order the BLM land maps on line for the San Juans, they will show you all the public and private lands.  I find the BLM and public lands get over run with hunters though and the deer are in peoples front yards and in the fields.  So if your shy or afraid of getting told no it isn't worth the ferry ride.  Good luck.

[grundy53]

Thank you. Thats some helpful info. nope not afraid to knock on doors. i probably knocked on a dozen doors when i was on Orcas and every one of them said no... just figured it was the mind set of the area. guess i will give it another shot. thanks again!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Yes, you'll find more friendly folk to hunting, on Lopez and Shaw.  Especially if you're a bow hunter.

-Steve

[grundy53]

Thanks guy's!

[Special T]

Every island is different out there... I know people on several and each one has its own feel...
A friend from Friday harbour on San juan told me this....
Do you know what they call a person that lives on San Juan? San juanian..  Lopez? lopezian... Shaw? Shawian... Orcas? Californian! 

[grundy53]

Every island is different out there... I know people on several and each one has its own feel...
A friend from Friday harbour on San juan told me this....
Do you know what they call a person that lives on San Juan? San juanian..  Lopez? lopezian... Shaw? Shawian... Orcas? Californian! 

that's about what it felt like.

[steeleywhopper]

Go over and hit up some of the people working at the farmers markets. It worked for me about 10 years back. Now I have a guy I can call when I need a place to hunt.