Help out a new hunter

[Jagz]

Hello everybody, I was hoping that one of the more experienced fellows on the site would be willing to give me some guidance on where to hunt deer around the Gig Harbor area for the modern firearm season. Thanks for your help!

[Birdguy]

Unless you have read and UNDERSTAND ALL the hunting regs and are familiar with the WAC laws about shooting in Pierce/Kitsap counties (firearm restrictions, minimum acreage, etc) I would avoid hunting around Gig Harbor for the modern season . Were you planning on using another weapon during the season? Do you know a large land owner that will give you access? That might change things. In my opinion your best bet during modern season with a modern weapon would be Tahuhya/Dewatto or head south towards Tenino area. There is Matlock and a few other areas as well but you are no longer in Gig Harbor area. I live less than five minutes from Gig Harbor and I drive 300 miles one way to hunt deer . Perhaps someone else will have better news/info for you.

[TheFewTheProud]

Hunt 633

[DoubleJ]

Hunt 633

Yup.  Dewatto is the place to be.

[Jagz]

Thanks for the information gentlemen! If anyone else has valuable input, I would love to hear it.

[himmerman]

Hey jagz! I am new too. but something I have found helpful in finding lands in this area is the go-hunt application on the WDFW web site:

http://wdfw.wa.gov/mapping/gohunt/

The application is a little frustrating since it was obviously was low budget. You have to zoom in really close to find the public lands in that area. I know there is a spot off of HWY 16 on the east side of it off of the SE Burley-ollala rd exit. Its the woods to the right there. I think that one is open to modern firearm/hunting but not sure. It is a gated area so you will have to walk in but it is about 351 acres of public land. That is something i have found in my research.

I hope that was helpful.

[Jagz]

Gohunt is ok, but honestly, it doesn't show much. The best advice I had gotten is to hunt 633/Dewatto, it sounds very vauge, but in all reality, it was great advice. I had found more places to hunt by just driving around the suggested area than on any application or website. Trolling the internet is a good place to start, but nothing beats boots (or tires) on the ground.