Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Woods_Warrior on September 09, 2014, 10:35:21 AM
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Hey this is my first post on this forum. I am a 17 year old hiking enthusiast from Vancouver, WA that had decided to get into blacktail hunting. I didn't grow up hunting, and I don't know anyone that bow hunts for blacktail. Last year I bought a bow, shot about 30-40 arrows every day, and got out in the woods hunting. I have read Boyd Iverson's book Blacktail Trophy Tactics, but other than that I don't know that much. Unfortunately I suffered a really bad ankle sprain from soccer, 3 days into last years early season. This year I am healthy and pumped to go out. Last year I hunted in a spot on public land in SW Washington. The area has two ancient farmers fields from homesteading days that have old, but marginally productive orchards and a lot of grass. A powerline cuts through high up on the hill above these fields. There is a lot of old growth timber and some areas with reprod. A road traverses the entire lower part but it is gated year round, I have been using this road to walk in with. I will probably return there this year. I have scouted it only one day in August, and only found one old pile of deer droppings, a dozen rubs from last year, and about 4 fresh (within a couple of days) piles of bear droppings. This area is only open early season. Does anyone have any tips as far as scouting this area? I have attached an aerial picture and a topo of where I hunt. After early season ends I am looking to hunt late season as well, would anyone be able to point me to some good areas in GMU 564, 572, 556, or anywhere near SW Washington that has a late season for archery blacktail deer? Also, if any blacktail archery hunters would be willing to take me out, even to just tag along and not even bring my bow, I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about hunting these awesome animals.
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Welcome and good luck! More hunters the better. You came to the right spot and it looks like you are going about it the right way. :hello:
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Tip for scouting- get a trail camera and set it up on a trail where you expect deer to be. If you don't get pics move it. Good to see young people from Vancouver take an interest in hunting.
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Thanks for the advice westsidehntr, I actually just purchased a trail cam about a week ago, so I think I will head out into the woods this weekend to set it up and do some more scouting. Does anyone have advice for getting my friends into bowhunting or hunting in general? A few of them hike or own guns, but none of them fancy the idea of practicing shooting several times a week, getting up early and sitting in a treestand for hours or still hunting at a sluggish pace.
