New Washington Hunter Help

[Dmcgugan]

Morning all,

Hopefully I am posting this in the right forum... Long story short. I have live in Federal Way for 6 years and have finally decided to take up hunting with a friend that has never hunted. I previously lived in Montana for 20 years and hunted every year with my father. Never felt the urge to hunt here in Washington but it finally got to me and I need to get out there. I have never bow hunted but am giving it a try this year. To be honest I am completely content with a doe, that may even be a stretch target since it is my first year bow hunting

Does anyone have thoughts on private lands or public lands to give a try? I'm not asking for anyones sweet spots but good lands to hunt. We ventured out to GMU #505 in Mossyrock and that area was not exactly what I thought it was, seemed to heavily wooded, maybe that's just me. But any help you guys and gals can offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Machias]

Welcome, sorry I can't help you out with that side of the state, but welcome to the site.   

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

654 mashel unit 2 point min or antlerless not a bad place to start seen deer here.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

Just about any GMU on the wet side is going to be "heavily timbered", but there are a lot of deer....

[Dmcgugan]

How is the Lt. Murray area? I see it's 3 point or higher. But is that area fairly decent?

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

How is the Lt. Murray area? I see it's 3 point or higher. But is that area fairly decent?

The area is great, but deer numbers are low.
My friends see a few "legal" bucks every year, but have not brought one home for a few years.

[MIKEXRAY]

I used to hunt 672 a lot a few years ago , there are a lot of deer and public land to hunt. I used to hunt it along hwy 6 just past Pe ell,worth a look for sure.  I have been hunting the east side for the very reason you stated, much more open and dry.  I deer hunt up at Snoqualmie pass and enjoy it a lot more than my wetside days.  I also live in Federalway and my spot at the pass is only one hour. Have a good season. Mike