Finding Deer

[Kingpuck]

King Puck (you a hockey guy?)

Nock point is a good start, but learn to tune you own bow...Lots of great books available. Join Kenmore and use the bow hunter course 2X a week. You will learn to shoot well and meet some guys that just might take you under their wing and next thing you know you will have a hunting buddy (s). Remember hunting is a give/take have something to offer and invites will become the norm.

Yeah, came up with the name because I like chasing after king salmon and really like hockey. Mainly just need to get the sight working in conjunction with where the arrow is going. I'm aiming in one spot and arrow ends up in a slightly different spot. Totally willing for give and take. Don't mind helping in the yard or helping with taxes. Don't know that I have a lot to give but willing to help others however I can.

[Kingpuck]

Live in Mountlake Terrace, practically 4 blocks from Nock Point. Just bought a car due to fuel economy but the trucks look so much better. Might need to look at how to mod out the car to make it easier on the forest roads. Thanks for the offer. Wish I lived closer to you. Always up for going shooting at kenmore.

[NWBREW]

Buy a cheap little toyota 4x4. I got this one for my hunting rig for 3k. Just bought it 2011.

[Colville]

I'll assume based on your willingness to hike "10 miles" that you are two things, physically capable and experienced as a backpacker.

That being said, a mature mule deer, even a doe, is a big critter. There aren't that many guys who are going to be able to pack a 3 to 5 day camp and a 100% boned out mule deer in one trip. So while 10 miles is not really a big deal as a camper, it's a real big deal as a solo hunter. Since most of the places you would actually hike long distances are 3 pt minimum and low density situations you've made scouting a more difficult issue as well.

Check out all the WA high hunt threads. Tons of country, some deer, tons of effort spent locating and even more getting on them... and that's with a rifle.  This isn't discouragement. But, you'd level your odds hunting localized deer, lower. Maybe deer on public but drawn to agriculture. Maybe in one of the units with an any deer opportunity. 

No one wants to talk down to you but it's very hard to know how much you know, yah know?  Do you have a gps and have you navigated off trail? What time of year are you going to hunt? Do you have the rest of the proper gear? Are you prepared to dress an animal? It can be daunting on your own. That's where I started because there were no hunters in my family. It's a more than worthy pursuit but until you narrow down a location(s) it'll be hard to get more specific advise about the approach beyond, spend as much time there as you can.

I'd advise that wherever you decide to make your place that you don't change it up year on year without due cause. Once you figure out the deer in a given location you can apply that to other locations. But if you keep changing it up out of frustration, you may never learn a place well enough to get it figured. Search this forum by the names of the locations and GMU's you intend to hunt and read all the past reports it can do a ton to bend your learning curve and help you to ask more specific questions.

[grunt11B]

Sounds like you have everything going for you. Find the species you want to hunt, and find the nearest hunting ground, and scout the crap out of your area...look for trails and signs....set up trail cameras to see whats hangin around.. Here are some examples of signs I have in my area...Good luck....



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Oh did I mention break bush, be in the thick with them....Once you are satisfied with your area start making shooting lanes....  

[DeerThug]

Cant top the advise already given but heres my 2 cents.  Hunt small, you dont have to cover miles to see deer, in fact just the opposite.  While I mostly hunt mulies, there are days when I cover less than a mile sunup to sun down.  But will literally have my binocs on my eyes for hours.  Same will hold true on the west side.  Scan what you can see with optics and then do it again.  Then after you think there are no deer there, do it again.  Even if it is only 50 yards that you can see.  Sun and lighting changes can disclose an antler or leg.  Also remember a hidden deer just has to move a foot for you to see him.  Better he move that you - you bust him than he busts you.   If you are moving slow enough - watch behind you too.  You may have walked by a deer that did not run and now that you are past it you can see it.   If it is open at all get a spotting scope, the best you can afford.  Got mine at Walmart.  I cant count the number of rocks and bushes i see in the binocs that I save a stalk on with the spotting scope.  Also cant count the number of times when what I thought was a branch turned out to be a buck rack and then Game On.

Also hunt ALL day.  I have shot more deer at 2 in the afternoon than 30 minutes after sunup.  Hunt every day you can.

Finding deer is not hard.  Heck anyone can walk thru the woods and eventually jump one.  Learning to hunt deer is what you want to learn to do - that just takes practice.

Also the comments about care of the meat.  If you don't have that skill dont kill it - it is not hard, but if you have never been around it - it is easy to ruin a piece of meat.  There are threads on here that are step by step.  And be sure you have a SHARP knife, does not need to be big - a 3 inch blade will work up a deer nicely.  Biggest thing is get it cool as fast as you can.   Also you want a good experience with your first one to make you want to come back for more.

And remember all you need is to see one in range.  For your first few seasons try to get a doe tag, that will up your odds of filling a tag and give you the experience.
 
Post pics when you get one.

[Kingpuck]

I'll assume based on your willingness to hike "10 miles" that you are two things, physically capable and experienced as a backpacker.

That being said, a mature mule deer, even a doe, is a big critter. There aren't that many guys who are going to be able to pack a 3 to 5 day camp and a 100% boned out mule deer in one trip. So while 10 miles is not really a big deal as a camper, it's a real big deal as a solo hunter. Since most of the places you would actually hike long distances are 3 pt minimum and low density situations you've made scouting a more difficult issue as well.

Check out all the WA high hunt threads. Tons of country, some deer, tons of effort spent locating and even more getting on them... and that's with a rifle.  This isn't discouragement. But, you'd level your odds hunting localized deer, lower. Maybe deer on public but drawn to agriculture. Maybe in one of the units with an any deer opportunity. 

No one wants to talk down to you but it's very hard to know how much you know, yah know?  Do you have a gps and have you navigated off trail? What time of year are you going to hunt? Do you have the rest of the proper gear? Are you prepared to dress an animal? It can be daunting on your own. That's where I started because there were no hunters in my family. It's a more than worthy pursuit but until you narrow down a location(s) it'll be hard to get more specific advise about the approach beyond, spend as much time there as you can.

I'd advise that wherever you decide to make your place that you don't change it up year on year without due cause. Once you figure out the deer in a given location you can apply that to other locations. But if you keep changing it up out of frustration, you may never learn a place well enough to get it figured. Search this forum by the names of the locations and GMU's you intend to hunt and read all the past reports it can do a ton to bend your learning curve and help you to ask more specific questions.

Colville, you got some good questions here. The biggest is probably my comfort backpacking. Been doing that for 3 years, actually worked at REI for 2 years. So have the gear and feel really comfortable in a tent. Recently bought a lightweight bivy type tent (its actually a rainfly on a larger tent but with a tarp on the ground it will do just fine). After the tent and the sleeping bag and food I'm hoping to have a bag that is under 15 pounds. That should give me a good 50-70 pounds to play with. Not sure what that means as far as how much the animals weigh. A mullie should be what 120-150 dressed?

Totally get the knowledge thing. Some people say one thing and know another. Funny how many people you see like that. The only people you are fooling is yourself. Haven't navigated off trail but will be looking into a GPS this offseason for that and will be taking the orienteering course offered by REI. Probably early to mid season hunting. Have the bow and the backpacks. Need the scent blocker gear and the estrus scents. I've got a great knife and have watched just about every butchering video on youtube. Would definitely want to quarter the animal and bone out the ribs to reduce what your carrying to just meat. Also thought it would be cool to build the game bags out of sheets like others have talked about. Mom always taught me to be handy with the needle and thread so that might finally pay off.

Got a buddy or two with a truck so that might be taken care of, just got to coordinate drop off and pick ups.

Thanks for the encouragement. Feels like I'm taking on a 2nd part time job but I owe it to the animals and myself to be prepared.

[Kingpuck]

Deerthug, solid advice. Wasn't looking for a wall hanger the first few years just know that this is a slow progression. Have a lot to learn but don't mind. That is part of the fun. In the end if I go a season without a shot and learn something its still not a season lost.

[Clancy]

Lots of great advice here. invest in a trail cam or two if you can once you find a area you're taking a liking to. good scouting tool and fun as heck 

[NateR]

I, like KingPuck, grew up in a non-hunting family and have been doing the DIY method for a few years now without much luck. I'm always impressed in the amount of time and info people are willing to dole out for us new guys...THANK YOU. The people on this site kick arse.

[NWBREW]

Kingpuck, If you are backpaking in to hunt you will want to bone the whole animal out.....including the front and rear quarters. Leave the bones for the woodland critters. Trust me....it makes a difference. 

And always leave a map or let someone know where you are going. Unexpected things can happen and it is easier for help to find you if they know where to look. You can also do a search on here for what others put in their packs. Go in light but be prepared.

[bearpaw]

I scanned over this topic, some good advice given. It sounds like you are starting out as a bowhunter from the beginning. Here's a little basic advice that I didn't see mentioned, forgive me if I repeat something already mentioned.

Get yourself a cheap used range finder that will read 10 to 50 yards.

When you are out scouting practice at judging the distance to objects and verify the actual distance with the range finder. This will greatly improve your ability to be more effective at shooting when still hunting or stalking, you will not always have the chance to range animals when you see them.

If you plan to stand or blind hunt practice shooting from you blind or stand a lot. I have seen numerous hunters who get in a hunting stand, but they've never before shot from such a position. You need to be comfortable shooting from all positions in your stand/blind.

Once you are sitting in a blind/stand hunting, be sure you pick out a few objects and check their distance for refernce points. You will also want to keep that range finder handy in case you have the chance to range an animal before shooting.

Always pay attention to the wind direction, try to hunt with the wind in your favor and not going from you toward where you want to see deer. If you spot deer at a distance and plan a stalk, remember to approach with the wind not going toward the anmal from you.

I don't like cover scents, too much chance they might not smell right in your area, I do like No Scent or other scent eliminators. I think it's most important to watch the wind direction, then you have less chance of a blown hunt due to smell.

Deer can see, smell, and hear many times better than humans, they only survive by outwitting coyotes, cougars, and humans. You must think like a predator when you are hunting. Keep out of sight whenever possible, move slow with the wind in your favor, sneak up to overlooks, don't skyline your body and movement, never move fast when around or near animals. Just turning your head too fast in a tree stand while 20 feet off the ground can be spotted by cautious deer. Remember to watch behind you when slowly still hunting, if you are doing a good job, deer could be moving in any direction around you, or they may have layed out of sight as you snuck past them. My last quick piece of advice, always expect to see deer, you might be walking up to your truck to leave an area and the biggest buck you'll ever see is feeding near it, so expect to see deer when you least expect it.

Welcome to the addiction.....

[huntnnw]

save yourself some money and dont buy scent blocker type clothing..PLAY THE WIND!

[jackmaster]

kingpuck, its good to hear that adults that have never hunted are still willing to get in to it, that means there is still hope, i figured most adults that arent hunters now were brainwashed by the antis, glad that is not the case, when you close out your first animal you will find that it is just the bonus, nothin like spending time lookn for your quarry, when you start your scoutn pay real good attention to the southwest slopes, come deer season deer really favor slopes with a south to southwest exposure, dont get discouraged,especially if your huntn blacktail, which is by far the hardest north american game animal to hunt, but no matter what do not get discouraged, you can do everything right and not see a thing for days and then you can do everything wrong and see a ton of deer, just go with it and pay attention to the animal you hunt, always pay attention to what they eat, and remember deer try to feed with the wind coming to their back so they can smell whats behind them and see whats in front of them... good luck to ya

[Glockster]

Great advice for a newcomer!  We need more of you.  And more who are willing to help get them started.

My advice is don't over think things in the beginning.  Be open to learning and expect NOT to kill your first year or two.  Don't become frustrated.   Learn to enjoy the learning process....because even experienced hunters learn something new every day afield.  The deer will teach you how and were to hunt if you pay attention to their clues.

~Don't buy the latest greatest wonder gadgets you see on TV.  Don't believe even half of what you read in hunting magazines or see on TV shows.  90% of them are 'celebrity' hunters who don't have a clue if you were to drop them off in the WA woods without a guide on public land.  Most of those hunts you read or see on TV are what we call 'silver spoon' hunts.   Animals pre scouted, pre fed by timer controlled feeder, 1/2 tame ranch deer that our hero flies in and shoots for the camera.  Don't get me started. 

~Get the book Hunting Trophy Blacktails by Boyd Iverson....alot of great insight into hunting the toughest deer in N. America.

~ Don't be intimidated by the prospect of boning out or gutting a deer.  If you can fillet a fish you can do a deer!  But if you hunt far from the car, have a plan for getting the meat cool and clean ASAP. 

~ Become a stats junkie....find the units with the highest kill percentages and work from there.  Gotta hunt where the deer are.

~My best tip would be join a local bow hunting group or club.  Go to the meetings, absorb like a sponge.  Volunteer to get your fingernails dirty on conservation projects.  Show that you're a contributor, not just a taker and you'll get so networked on good hunting tips, partners, and valuable info that you'll shave years off the learning curve.   

Good luck and welcome to the brothahood!