Deer Hunting Ft. Lewis

[BurtonRider]

Does anyone out there hunt Ft. Lewis? I did a quick search and saw that the latest posts regarding Lewis were back in 2007/08. I was just wondering if it is even worth my time and what areas I should start to scout? I am a bow hunter. Any info y'all can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 

[Soldier5]

First thing you want to do is go to the adventure center on north fort and get signed up, then head over to range control and get a vehicle pass. You'll need the vehicle pass during scouting trips. You will eventually be stopped by range control or state police while out on training areas and it pays to be squared away. I've been stopped three times in the last two months by staters. Sometimes I think they get mad when they can't give me a ticket. But they're just doing their job, theres a lot of people running around fort Lewis property that shouldn't be. I suggest getting a map at the adventure center looking at areas that interest you and then research those areas on google earth, then go out and scout. There are deer to be found out there.

[Soldier5]

Shoot me a pm if you have any other questions.

[BurtonRider]

Thanks! Will do and thanks for the info, that is a step in the right direction!

[Button Nubbs]

Um don't you have to get your visitors pass then go to the adventure center?

[gasman]

Once you are registered with the Adventure Center, they will give you a vehicle pass to access JBLM.

There are some nice deer on JBLM but they are not easy to find, hell even the doe's are hard to find  I only seen 2 deer all last season on the base and that is including duck hunting 

I think the deer are getting less and less every year. Why, I don't know, but I do not see as many deer as I used to, and I have been hunting the base on and off for 15 years, Archery and MF.

I think they are doing more and more field work and it pushes the deer away or the guys are out there have a "Bambie BBQ" 

As for technique, get out of the rig, and slowly walk old unused roads, and the thicker cover. Keep your eyes open and use your bino's.

Scouting is a great idea, but it is more to know the area and terrain then to spot deer. If you do spot and or pattern some deer, all it takes is a week of field maneuvers to blow themout of the area 

There are many guys that scout, set up trail cameras, and tree stands so you will not be  the only one out there. Once you get out hunting the area, you will start to see the same people hunting the same area and get to know there vehicle and possibly them, if you are friendly enough to stop and talk with other.

Make sure you got your bear and cougar tag with you 

[Soldier5]

During non-hunting seasons you need a vehicle use permit from range control. During hunting season the pass you get from the NAC is all you need.

[gasman]

During non-hunting seasons you need a vehicle use permit from range control. During hunting season the pass you get from the NAC is all you need.

There is an option on the call in that allows you access to the base but must not carry a weapon. I used it for shed hunting this winter and spring. Just have to go through the all the options on teh phone list. 

[Soldier5]

Ya, that's what I though too. And I even explained it that way on two different occasions to state police but they informed me I had to have the range control pass if it wasn't hunting season. Kinda weird, I know....find any sheds?

[gasman]

Ya, that's what I though too. And I even explained it that way on two different occasions to state police but they informed me I had to have the range control pass if it wasn't hunting season. Kinda weird, I know....find any sheds?

NOT A ONE 

But I believe Yoterhunter found 1 or 2 

Where were you when you were stopped by a stater, I have only been stopped once, by a gamie and that was about 5 years ago. Got stopped by the MP's once, but I was registered in an area that they were having field maneuvers 

Got a call on my cell from the Adv. Center last year to get out of an area that they were doing maneuvers in that they registered me in    The missile simulator's were loud 

[deerslyr]

I dont know what it is about the fort, I hunted there lst late archery season and saw sign every where, monster rubs tracks etc. I hunted my a** off and didnt see one deer on 6 different trips, and i hunted hard!

[YoterHunter]

thats becouse i have most of them on my walls..the biggest problem is all the manovers these deer will lay 10 ft from you if you dont see them you will walk past them .

[logger]

The nisqaully's are hunting it now, even around the firing range.

[akirkland]

Quite a few bear actually!

[logger]

Quite a few bear actually!

yes there is, we log out there quite abit and have seen many many bears