Vashon Island Blacktail

[krapmit]

Just curious, what experiences people have hunting vashon Island.  A good chunk of the top state record blacktail have been shot there. I've hunted other islands and know that it's a lot of private land access.  has anyone hunted there, was it private or public and how did you do?  I have some friends out there, thinking of linking up with them and finding some 100+ inch blackies.

[dr.derek]

A lot of Lib's and Hippies who don't like "mainlanders" I've seen nice deer there the one time I was there.  Be prepared to get a lot of 

[krapmit]

Yea, I'm from orting and played middle school and high school sports there. They are always in our league and I've got some buddies form the island. they're overpopulated with deer, and i drew the second deer tag for over there. I'm sure it will be easy to take down a doe in a few days over there. Just curious how other hunters experiences have been

[Bean Counter]

I didnt pound on a lot of doors but I got a lot of bad vibes, too.

[MadHatter]

There is some state land that you can hunt on, I will try looking it up.  Growing up there you saw a lot of the NIMBY crowd against hunting.  It seemed to create some sort of problem every year.  One yet a guy shot a buck that went into someone's front yard and the homeowner would t let him come retrieve it.  He called it a "lesson" to the hunter and, from what I understand let it spoil.  Some people there view the deer as their pets, and are very protective over them.  Lot of deer there though, and a lot of nice bucks.  Some of the deer there are like dogs though, just walk up and shoot them as people have taken away their fear of humans by feeding them and such.  Good luck to you if you want to hunt there... It's not what it was 15 year ago when I hunted there... it used to be that most people would let you hunt their property because the deer were very destructive.  Now the destructiveness is viewed as "cute" However that works...


Sent from my sniper hide.

[krapmit]

Mad Hatter. The other island communities I've hunted black tails on are the same way. A lot of wealthy folks from the city who have never gotten their hands dirty think hunting is a crime.  But there area always people who will give permission. I read some archives about all the problems with hunting on the island and all the nature walkers walking right under guys tree stands all day.  All I know is there must be some good genes on that island! go look at the state record black tail

[D-Rock425]

There are some really nice deer out there.

[doyourtime89]

I used to bowhunt over there a few years back and it seems like there are two sides to the deer/hunting.  One side is the ones that don't want you over there hunting/killing their pets.  The other side wants them all gone, because they are very destructive.  Over the years I hunted there I gained a lot of different land access and was able to get a deer every year I hunted there and a couple years I got two with my second tag.  I took a couple really nice bucks, but I most took a lot of does.  But I haven't been there in a few years so I am not sure how things are these days.  I might still have some of the names and contact info from the places I used to hunt.  Let me take a look and I will PM you if I can find them.  Have fun.

[krapmit]

doyourtime, that would be great.  I appreciate it.  I know the main problem is vehicle collisions, seems like everyone would want to be safer 

[doyourtime89]

Yeah I used to talk to a county sheriff that worked over there and he said there are a lot of vehicle collisions with the deer and when you drive around up there you will see where people put big nets and stuff like that over there plants, flower, fruit trees to try to keep there deer from eating and destroying them.  There are no natural predators over there either.

[Bantams]

Yup, lots of deer but it's virtually all private property - and mostly smaller properties at that.
Last year KC Parks did a pilot program to allow hunting (again) on the one remaining public area.  I believe they will allow it again this year - but only during the main modern firearms season. 
Your best bet would be to gain permission to hunt private land.  We've been riding our horses in the state lands for years - I've been in there hundreds of times - and never seen a deer.  But there are a few elusive ones. 

You would do the deer and gardens a favor if you helped thin them out.  Not many people actually "love" the deer (most love their gardens and rose bushes more), but there are houses everywhere and safety is the biggest issue. 

If you do hunt on Vashon, PLEASE get permission and don't just jump out of your truck and shoot the first deer you see ... we've had too many main-landers give hunters a bad name in the last few years.  Thanks!

[krapmit]

lol. I've never heard of someone just pulling up to someones front yard and blasting a deer. maybe a poacher  Of course I will get permission and I hunt with a bow, people should be a lot more receptive to it, hopefully.  I have friends from the island, I just hope they have land or know people who have land.  I know on other islands I've hunted, people have begged me to "kill as many as you can." Obviously, that's not legal, but they really do cause a problem for drivers, especially at night time as well as yards/gardens/trees etc.  Anyone can feel free to PM me if they would like the deer on their property thinned out. I'm willing to share some meat and am extremely ethical as far as where I shoot, how far I shoot and she placement.

[h20hunter]

The shot placement you mentioned is major........

Don't want a deer to run 100 yards into a property that you don't have permission to enter.

[krapmit]

Yea, for sure.  Even though it is "fair chase," I would rather just not have to deal with it     

[steen]

Duh!  That is why there are record breakers there.  If they are not hunted they grow big.  They get to eat all the good stuff in people's yards.  And they are not benchleggers, real blacktails.