SW Washington Deer hot spots?

[brokehunter]

I'm a native Oregonian and have hunted with my pop in Oregon for many years. Know a lot of great spots down there. I have hunted deer in WA for several years now, unsuccessfully. I've driven roads, hiked in a few miles, glassed clearcuts, even spent some time doing a little pre-season scouting and mapping. We consider it a successful trip just to see one scraggly little doe. We usually see nothing at all.

Just got back last night from 4 days in the woods. We saw one doe, and pushed a few elk around, but that's it. And I'm pooped. I'd give us an A for effort but we failed to tag out once again. I plan on heading out again this weekend, discouraged as I am every year.

My question is, without giving away someone's honey spot, is where can I go in SW WA to find deer? Now I'm not looking for a trophy, I'd settle for a runt spike! I'd just like to fill my tag for the first time in ten years! I live in BattleGround so I'm looking for a spot that might be no more than an hour, hour and a half drive from here. Any ideas? I've hunted a lot of areas in battleground unit, Washougal, Wind River, Siouxon and Yale. Lots of hunters, (although not as many as years past) but no deer . Just gets frustrating not seeing any animals. Anyone wanna share a good spot or two?

[CJ-5]

I wouldn't say that there are too many "hot spots" in southwest Washington for blacktail.  Its no guarantee to go out and see deer anymore it seems like.  Things will get better as the season progresses.

[medic6]

Um you live in BG and cannot find any deer? From down town you can literally ride a bike to hunt bear, elk and deer.  If you drive it takes approx 12 minutes to get to my hunting spot. My spot is no secrete,  but it has produced multiple bucks mostly 120-145 lbs, biggest being a nice 4 point 173 lbs. Just head towards the river........

[brokehunter]

Yes and unfortunately, the Battle Ground unit is most if not all private lands. Unless you know someone with some property and you have a shotgun, then it's not realistic. It would be super to get a deer or elk basically in your own backyard or your neighbor's yard, but that's probably not going to happen. And I'm sure no one wants me on their property with my .06 unless it's a large distance from any homes. I've been up on Larch many times, basically the only stretch of public land left in the unit, and it's a freeway of trucks and hunters behind every tree. I think next year I might just save and spend the extra dough to hunt with my pop in Oregon. Since it cost about a hundred bucks for tags here, it's not too much more for out of state over there. Thanks for the advice though. Gonna do some more hunting and scouting this weekend. Who knows. It might pay off.

[Arteman]

I wouldn't say that there are too many "hot spots" in southwest Washington for blacktail.  Its no guarantee to go out and see deer anymore it seems like.  Things will get better as the season progresses.

  Huh?

[bigbeamhunter]

Go to yacolt go straight east through town that's the burn lots of people road hunting ...but just sit and glass the big cuts

[Arteman]

10 years serious?  How dedicated are you at hunting, I mean do you get out much?  And by we, who are you talking about?  I hate to see a guy go ten years without tagging, and wouldn't mind helping a guy get a buck that's been a long time waiting, but with that said there are guys at work that go for a few hours in the morning, then go home tell the evening hunt, then stay home on Sunday to watch the ballgame and at the end of the season when everybody is tagged out they are bitching because they didn't.  If you are seriously trying and just can't get it done then this different, I can help you.  For instance I helped a guy get his first archery bull this year and he's been doing it for NINE YEARS!!! Without sticking one, of coarse he walked in a walk in area for the first and witnessed calling for the first time the very day he killed it, not a coincidence.  I could help you half way with a little more info, but your going to have to figure out the other half on your own, but you'll have a pretty good jumpstart.

[Arteman]

Go to yacolt go straight east through town that's the burn lots of people road hunting ...but just sit and glass the big cuts

agree, Yacolt is teaming with deer.  My older brother got his buck there last year, been down there three times now, one time seeing 25 plus deer and all three times seen multiple bucks, smaller bucks though.

[brokehunter]

10 years serious?  How dedicated are you at hunting, I mean do you get out much?  And by we, who are you talking about?  I hate to see a guy go ten years without tagging, and wouldn't mind helping a guy get a buck that's been a long time waiting, but with that said there are guys at work that go for a few hours in the morning, then go home tell the evening hunt, then stay home on Sunday to watch the ballgame and at the end of the season when everybody is tagged out they are bitching because they didn't.  If you are seriously trying and just can't get it done then this different, I can help you.  For instance I helped a guy get his first archery bull this year and he's been doing it for NINE YEARS!!! Without sticking one, of coarse he walked in a walk in area for the first and witnessed calling for the first time the very day he killed it, not a coincidence.  I could help you half way with a little more info, but your going to have to figure out the other half on your own, but you'll have a pretty good jumpstart.

I don't get out near as often as I would like, especially the last few years. And in the decade or so since I shot my last deer, I haven't been able to hunt all of those years due to finances, and my ailing back. I do have a hunting buddy or two, but it's not often that we can get our schedules to work together. Which means I usually hunt on my own. And when I am on my own, I don't hike in too far, simply because I think it's a bit dangerous when you are on your own, and my back won't allow me to walk too long without it complaining. If I am able to walk in a mile or two, it's a good day. Granted I am pretty out of shape and I know that's something I can work on as well. But really it's just lack of seeing any sign or animals. I put in an honest effort, but so far when I'm out there, I don't see much. Even if I see fresh sign I get excited, but the areas I've been in this week has been little to none. Saw a lot of elk sign, and could here them back in the brush, but no deer. I think I am just not looking in the right areas. But thank you. Anything helps! I'm all ears!

[brokehunter]

I am goint to check out the Yacolt area this weekend as well. Haven't driven up there in awhile simply because I heard it's a freeway for other hunters too.

[CJ-5]

Arteman,

What i am saying is that there aren't many areas where you can go out and guarantee that you find a buck.  Hunting will get better later in the season as rut activity increases.

[brokehunter]

Well after double checking the regs, it looks like the area east of Yacolt is shotgun only. Rats. I don't own one. Back to square one! DOn't want a nice fine for toting the ol .06 in there!

[Arteman]

Pm sent brokehunter