New to WA

[bgarrett8]

Hello All, I just moved to Washington from Utah and I need some help. I have just started to read through the proclamation. I understand that the two hunt areas that are closest to me are 454 and 460. I live in Issaquah and I have always liked to hunt close to home, after work hunts. I am primarily a bow hunter and I would really like some help.

I understand that i have missed the draw for the "premium" tags, which doesn't really matter at this point to me. Is there another draw? Or are tags available over the counter? I have read in some posts that ya'll can use bait, is this correct?

Wow I have so many questions running through my head, I hope you will all bear with me. I guess the main question is where do I start scouting in these two Units? I have a trail camera that I would like to set up and will share any information with who ever will get me pointed in the right direction. Your help is greatly appreciated. I'm sure I will have more posts later full of questions.

[shedcrazy]

You have until Wednesday to but your liscence, put in for pemits..etc. Welcome to the state! Where in Utah are you from?

[TikkaT3-270Shortmag]

Go pick up the hunting regs!! that will help ya a ton.  There is no other draw the deadline is the 18th so you have a couple days still.

[bgarrett8]

Ogden area. SO is the due date on Wednesday just for special permits or all permits?

[saylean]

Just the special permits. Regular permits you can get, at the moment, anytime you want. They have a good FAQs at

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/permits/

welcome to the state. Good luck this season.

[Jburke]

Theres a couple things you may need to consider first, regardless of where you are wanting to hunt.  How long have you been a resident here in Wa?  You will have to be a resident for 90 days to buy a resident license, and you have to be able to prove it.  State ID, drivers license, etc.  There is a huge difference in price between resident and non resident and I would recommend holding out to buy your license until you have that met.  Also since you don't know the areas yet I wouldn't apply for any special tags.  It looks like the two units you mentioned are either any deer or any buck during bow season, depending on which you choose.  If you're military, then the residency requirement is different.  Pick up a copy of the hunting regs and the residency requirements are on page 14.  Also the fees are changing here later this year so you may want to check on the wdfw website for exact amounts on that as well.  But as long as you buy them before they change they wont stick it to you again.

[jackmaster]

hell if your military you are golden, your an automatic resident, and i agree with one of the other guys you shouldnt put in for permits but you can still get your ghost points and there is some good huntn in your neck of the woods, if i was you i would start talkn to farmers and land owners, there are some damn damn nice blacktail up there, good luck and welcome to the wetside.

[MP123]

Welcome!

Like others have said I'd at least get your ghost point for this year.  You have until the 18th so time is short.  You basically buy a special tag with a code that says you won't be using it and just want the points.  You can still hunt the regular season too.  That way down the line in a few years you might have a chance at getting one of the special permits since your odds go up if you have more points.

Hope that makes sense...

[Bob33]

If you're a resident by the 18th, buy a license and apply for a ghost point in some of the deer and elk categories (there are several.)  If you're a non-resident now, I would not buy a non-resident license just so you can apply for special permits: too expensive.  You can buy a general hunting license in 90 days as a resident, and hunt for deer and elk in 454 and 460 in the fall.

There are some very large blacktails near Issaquah.

For deer you need to specify hunting method: modern firearm, muzzleloader, or archery.   For elk you need to specify hunting method and also "Eastern" or "Western" Washington.

[Wahunter555]

454 , 460  Areas  are great Black tail and Elk Hunts. Lots of animals  these areas  are real thick & Brushy and there are some good Clear Cuts as well. you should have a good time hunting in these units. like suggested in an earlier post .  start talking to the Farmers  and see about getting some good trail cams  set up. as for the Permits this is your first year here in Washington  put in for ghost points. get to know the area before you waste money on speacial permits. I have lived in maple Valley most my life.  Have hunted both units and they are some of the finest deer and elk in those units. tuff part is getting access to the farms  that the big bulls and deer hide on. this is my 

[bgarrett8]

Thank you for all of the help. I have started my computer scouting and some driving around. I have been seeing some pretty healthy Looking Blacktail. I have a question though, about what percentage of growth are the bucks at on antlers about this time of year? I did see that 454 is any deer which makes me excited, freezer meat for sure.

[jackmaster]

if they have a good mineral source and good genetics they can grow an inch a day but that inch takes in height and mass, you will definatly find some nice bucks up there, have you got out and talked to any farmers, the farms are where the huge bucks are, but sometimes it can be hard to get permission, i always offer to do work, the old timers sometime just like to b.s, which is what i like, love to hear about the old days, good luck to ya sir....

[Alan K]

I'd say they have 25% or so of their frame grown now, at least the bucks down here in the SW.

[turnloose]

You are going to hate this state, beautiful country, f in lousy laws, management, game dept, etc........

[jackmaster]

You are going to hate this state, beautiful country, f in lousy laws, management, game dept, etc........

why would he hate it? there isnt anhything wrong with it imo, we have good seasons, alot of animals to pick from, the money might be a little high but thats the price of the game, if your a meat hunter, then go buy beef, it will save you alot of money in the long run