New to Washington, Planning 2012

[CouesFanatic]

I'm moving to Vancouver and will be attending graduate school starting January 2012. Just trying to get an idea of how the hunting is in Washington. I picked up the Regs for Oregon and Washington. I just want to put some meat in the freezer but wouldn't mind a chance at a nice buck. I hear the deer tags are over the counter, is that for Mule deer and Blacktail? Any general pointers of where to start researching or applying for this next year? I'd like to stay reasonably close to Vancouver. Thanks

[pianoman9701]

Depends on how you hunt. Archery, muzzle, modern? Welcome to the Couv.

[billythekidrock]

I know this is in the deer section but more info would help.
Rifle/bow/muzzie?
Deer/elk/bear?

Lots to learn in a short amount of time.
Deer, Elk, Bear & Cougar are OTC and Sheep, Goat & Moose are draw only.

Spring bear permits and multi-season deer/elk permits are due early. Like March early.
Deer/elk/moose/etc permits are due late spring.
Close to Vancouver is great BT, bear and elk hunting. Most GMUs in the general area are great.

[CouesFanatic]

Thanks for the replies. Mainly looking for deer. Bow and/or Rifle.

A little background info.  I've shot 3 elk. All Rocky's, 367 345 and 340. Shot one mule deer, 3 by 3. Shot 3 Coues deer down here in Arizona( 2 average bucks and one 100 incher). One mid 70's antelope. Im 26 years old and consider myself a experienced and hard working hunter. I have Swarovski binoculars and love to glass. It might be different hunting for me there in the thick country compared to the desert here.

I'm thinking blacktails and/or whitetails. Never shot either and would like to get them under my belt. I want to put some meat in the freezer but I would like to try for a mature animal. I mainly hunt sheds in the spring.

Not trying to get any secret spots, just looking for general info on blacktails and whities with a bow and rifle.

[billythekidrock]

You would have to go east for whitetails. There are a few whities in SW WA but they are a no go for hunting as they are protected.

You will find hunting mature blacktails to be an enjoyable challenge, especially with a bow. I would suggest you try to apply for the multi-season deer permit so you can hunt all three weapon types and seasons.

[ELKBURGER]

Sounds like you've done well on elk. Our westside elk herds dont put out many 340"+ bulls but theres a few and the dream keeps you out there. Washington has some great bulls on the eastside if you can draw a tag. Takes quite a few years to build points for a decent chance at a draw. Good luck and welcome to washington

[CouesFanatic]

Does anyone have experience with battleground, Washougal, Coweeman or yale areas? I've heard these get hammered and killed during the season. I'm trying to see what I can expect around here. It seems like most guys are hunting on private ground they have gained permission on. I'd probably hold out for a buck thats bigger than a spike. I want to treestand archery hunt it. Anyone willing to help a newbie here? I can trade info for Arizona and lots of other western states. I'm not looking for spots or secrets, just general info. thanks

[RB]

Are you a resident of Washington? If not it will cost you dearly to hunt for big game. Search around the WDFW website there is good general knowledge on there. If you are wanting to just fill the freezer check out the special permits they will be out in a few months for doe and cow tags depending on which method you use to hunt. As stated earlier if you want to get Whitetails you will have to go east of the mountains and west for Blacktails. Maybe get a Washington Gazeteer and pick a National forest and scout it out this spring to see the terain difference from where you have hunted before. Welcome aboard 

[CouesFanatic]

thanks man. Its for sure different than what I am used to. I'm looking for just blacktails since its close to home. I've hunted Coues in a treestand some so I think thats the plan of attack for now.

I will be a resident of washington legally at the end of march, so price issues will be no problem then.

Looking to shoot at least a buck, but not very picky. Whats a Washington Gazeteer? I've been reading last years regulations.

[carpsniperg2]

There will be a fair bit of pressure in most areas around there. You have done very well with the animals that you have taken and I am sure you will do well here also. If you can take great animals like you have done you already know the fundamentals to making a hunt great. Find some areas/learn them/scout them and kill the animals you are after

Welcome to the site We all love to see pictures and it sounds like you have some great animals we all would love to see pictures of

[fishinmike]

The gazeteer is just a big map book of the entire state broken up in different sections. They only cost 10-15 bucks at any sporting good store and most stores that sell books and magazines. Well worth the money, imo.

[Arteman]

Sent ya a pm.

[ELKBURGER]

If you are willing to put in some time in a tree stand I'm sure you could get a chance at a dandy buck during the archery season. Not many people use tree stands around here so the boot hunters push the deer into cover. Use that to your advantage.
Battleground and Yale units are firearm restricted unit so that limits some hunters to bow, muzzle loader, shotgun or pistol. Mostly locals hunting around there.

[RB]

The gazeteer is just a big map book of the entire state broken up in different sections. They only cost 10-15 bucks at any sporting good store and most stores that sell books and magazines. Well worth the money, imo.

 
Gives you a good overview of the state

[bobcat]

IMO, the gazetteer is only useful if you're hunting all over the state. Otherwise you're better off with a different, more detailed map. The gazetteer leaves a lot to be desired- doesn't show public lands, doesn't show many of the dirt/gravel roads, no contour lines, and I believe the newer ones don't even show section lines. I have a couple of them that I've had for many years but I can't remember the last time I opened one. I'd suggest DNR Public Land maps, and a Weyerhaeuser map for the areas you're talking about. Also you can't beat having a GPS with a good map on it. Takes a whole lot of guesswork out of trying to figure out where you are.