Some Whidbey Island discussion and feedback

[h20hunter]

So, brother in law has hunted a bit this year for local area (Snoho County) blacktail during modern. We pretty much have one weekend left in this area and I'm thinking of making a hail mary trip over to Whidbey. I've got a single shot H&R 20 Gauge that is scoped, dialed in, and ready to go. Here is kind of what I'm thinking. Maybe give me some feedback, suggestions, or stear me clear if I'm obviously way off. The goal is simply to fill a tag. Doe, buck, spike, meat hunting here.

The first chunk of public land that looks like it is easy to find after looking at GoHunt and Google Earth is just west of Coupeville. Now, let me get a few posts and pics up before feedback.

[h20hunter]

Wait.......working on more of the post.

[h20hunter]

Now....south of Coupevill looks like some easy acess but close to the main drag and I would think tough to stay on public land.

[h20hunter]

Now....the third area looks to be the state park. I don't remember seeing no hunting posted but would be a bit concerened about park goers. The goal is to fill a tag. This is the third area I was considering.

[h20hunter]

Okay.....bring on the feedback.

[frogman]

One of the locations is the airport it look appears.  I do not think you can hunt that.  I am no expert (am a pilot) but I would call the airport manager and find out if that is okay.  (NRA)

[h20hunter]

I agree....looks like there MAY be a small strip between the south end and the road that runs east west.

[losdaddy7]

The first area is fort ebey state park and the Kettles county park (I think thats the name).  There is only a small area where you can hunt from what I understand and it is between the highway and the state park, but that may have changed.  My folks and granparents own property surrounding these areas.  They are somewhat high use for recreational bikers and walkers this time of year.  I wouldnt recommend those areas.  The last page is south whidbey state park, cant hunt there.  The middle appears to be between the Navy airstrip  and highway, not much areas there either.  Whidbey is tough, you really need to know someone with land.  There are a few other  pockets of public land (dnr)areas between coupeville and freeland.  If you can find the DNR land maps online or go to Island county tax parcel viewer you might be able to find them. 
All that being said, I wouldn't waste your time on the Island hunt unless you can get on private land.

[RB]

  My folks live in Coupeville on 5 acres and have deer all around them but none of us can shoot them due to the neighbors being so close also quite a few people on the island frown on killing "their" deer call the game dept they will tell you the same thing unless you have a large parcel of private land don't even bother going to the isalnd 

[h20hunter]

Not what I wanted to hear but good feedback....keep it coming. Helpfull so far at least from stopping me from wasting to much time.

[Armadillo]

I wish I could make a trip out to cypress Is. That would be cool! 

[h20hunter]

Correct me here if I'm missing something but I don't see the cypress area specified in the regs.

[h20hunter]

From GoHunt

[buckfvr]

In the early 70's, when I was stationed at Whidbey, you could hunt the Coupeville air strip, but only on certain days and time frames, and of course now I think you have to go to the main gate and get a permit, maybe even watch a video......

Whidbey is a tough one......if you dont know someone who can show you good access, maybe some private land,  on the small amounts of public land, Id bet youd run into other hunters....none of the public spots are large enough for an all day hunt, unless you sit a stand or blind.

[Stilly bay]

wow....you just paved the way and drew a map for all the lazy ass internet hunters that think hunting the islands are a slam dunk just because you can harvest any deer.  I know what you posted isn't exactly top secret, but dude remember C-post? 

[h20hunter]

I do remember c-post.......a very general area that I would glady refer people to. I personally think it is hilarious when people get offended that general information is provided as a starting point. I wouldn't get to bent out of shape about it. It took me less than 5 minutes to use the GoHunt and google earth to zoom in on a few spots that apparently aren't worth a lick.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

H2O... sending you a PM... if you can go before the 28th anyway....

[Stilly bay]

referring someone to capital forest or vail tree farm as a general starting point is one thing. posting a map of tiny wood lots is entirely different. like I said and you reiterated its not top secret, but In this situation I don't think its right and at the very least its hypocritical to keep this thread going.

am I bent out of shape or pissed? absolutely not. I will probably never hunt whidbey since I could be almost over the mountains in the time it would take me to drive there.  I am just pointing out as many others have in the past that its in poor taste to display areas like you did on whidbey island to any one with a google account.

[seth30]

I dont recommend anybody hunting Whidbey Island  or putting in for a 2nd deer tag for the islands unless you have permisson, access to property or know the area. I know if I drove that far and found out I coudnt hunt it, I would be pretty pissed.

[h20hunter]

Since anyone that has a Google acess is everyone and you don't hunt the area I'll simply say thank your comments and suggestions. I'll allow the mods determine what is appropriate to post and act accordingly.

Heck, I am defenitely wishing for a slam dunk any deer!

Either way, thanks NWA for the tip, happy hunting to all, be safe and shoot straight.

Good point Seth....so far I've already avoided wasting time by some of the feedback..

[seth30]

Great job on posting the maps and asking questions.  It pays to be proactive

[losdaddy7]

Great job on posting the maps and asking questions.  It pays to be proactive

Good luck.  If you do decide on Whidbey, and you need any additional info on those areas, PM me.  I'm very familiar with the island.

[h20hunter]

thanks los...got a tip from bowhunter that looks like it may be a good chance at a meat hunt. It is away from the hikers, bikers, and landowners, lot of deer, a sure thing.

It is located at exactly.........hello? hello?.....your breaking up.......he......ca..n....yo.....ea.......e.....sor....los....ing.....you

[Cascade_fisher]

The airstrip looks like the (Old Landing Strip) in the pheasant release sites. If it is you will need to get a permit from Naval Air Station Recreation Office.  Not sure about deer hunting whidbey but when you want granola it's the go to place.  Good luck.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

It is OLF, no deer hunting allowed.  Part of the Navy base.  They do release pheasants there.

[Special T]

Lot of the hi density deer locations hace acess problems... Thats why there is lots of deer!  I have found that you are much more likely to get acces when you do not use a firearm. Bows tend to be looked on differently by those that are on the fence about giving acess.  For those of you who are archery challenged there are always cross bows.

[h20hunter]

That is a good point. Them deer ain't dumb. Look at any alfalafa field the day before modern on the east side....filled with 'em, then, a few shots ring out and they are gone baby. I've seen some of the biggest elk of my life on golf courses. So far I've gotten a few tips that will help out for my bro in law as well as myself late season archery.

[patton1]

Since NWWABOWHNTR already gave you some good advice, I doubt there is any thing better that I could tell you.  The rut seems to be starting pretty good here from what I have noticed.  If there is anything I can do to help out let me know.  If you do get one and need some help getting it out of the woods I would have no problem helping with that either.  There are PLENTY of deer on this island so good luck to you.

[D-Rock425]

How do I get to this c-post are?

[Button Nubbs]

I know of a few huntable areas on the island. I went for late archery last year for a day... Thought it was gonna be a slam dunk... Boy was I wrong... Pm me if you need a little more info.

[ck]

thanks los...got a tip from bowhunter that looks like it may be a good chance at a meat hunt. It is away from the hikers, bikers, and landowners, lot of deer, a sure thing.

It is located at exactly.........hello? hello?.....your breaking up.......he......ca..n....yo.....ea.......e.....sor....los....ing.....you

  I hunted there last year, not as good as I had hoped.