Post by: Skycruiser on September 17, 2007, 07:19:38 PM
For maps, go here:
http://www.dnr.wa.gov/dataandmaps/maps/100k_product.html (http://www.dnr.wa.gov/dataandmaps/maps/100k_product.html)
Order the Nespelem and Chewelah quads online and you'll have them in two days. They're great maps and clearly display the public land and roads to get to them. You'll never be sorry you own them. With these in hand, no one can ever try to bluff you that you're hunting on their private land when you're not.
Then check out the Stevens County website. Start at the homepage http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/ (http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/). Click the GIS (Geographical Information System) link, then the SC Mapbook link. There you can download maps like this:
http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/GIS/Maps/Page_12.pdf (http://www.co.stevens.wa.us/GIS/Maps/Page_12.pdf)
The pink is public land administered by the DNR, same as shown on the quads you ordered, but not as detailed. If you find a section you like, you can get a satellite view from the Stevens County tax assessors site. Here's how to do it:
From the sample map above, lets say you're interested in Section 15. From the legend in the upper right, you can see that the full description is Township 36, Range 39, Section 15 (or, in GIS shorthand, 363915).
Go back to the homepage and clink the link for "Parcel Information on Assessor's Site". There, click the link for "Real Property Search", then click "I agree". On the search page, select "Legal Search" in the drop-down box and enter 363915 in the township/range/section box (leave the plat name box blank). Click the Legal Search button.
What pops up is a list of the taxable parcels in that section. In this case there are only two, because almost the whole section is public land. Click one. Now you can see the details of that parcel, including the owner, their mailing address, the size of the parcel and its designated use. Across the top of the page are a series of tabs. The far right one is "Section Maps". Click it. You now see a link labeled "Entire Section". Click it (or download it if you choose). It's a satellite view of the entire section, showing the terrain and the two legal parcels outlined in yellow. The remainder (labeled 8000367) is public land.
Is that cool, or what? Your tax dollars at work. Now you've got a new way to kill HOURS AND HOURS getting ready for hunting season!
Post by: firemechanic on September 18, 2007, 09:58:02 AM
Post by: Skycruiser on September 18, 2007, 07:27:33 PM
If you have time to do a little scouting, try to hunt within a half-mile of an alfalfa field. If alfalfa is available, especially if it's irrigated, it will be the deers' #1 food choice. You won't have any trouble finding trails through the woods nearby leading to it. In the afternoon, set up about 200-400 yards back from the field and wait for them to come drifting through.
The ridgetops are generally pretty open and are prime spots to find deer crossing over to the shady side (north) in the morning and for stillhunting VERY SLOWLY during the middle hours, say 11:00 to 2:00.
Post here and let us know how you do. Good luck!
Post by: Lincoln4 on September 25, 2007, 09:26:50 PM
Post by: firemechanic on September 25, 2007, 10:25:23 PM
Post by: Lincoln4 on September 28, 2007, 08:23:00 PM
Post by: Palmer on October 21, 2007, 07:53:36 PM
Thanks for the info. I just used it for the area my kids and I hunt. (https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg99.exs.cx%2Fimg99%2F8577%2Fyupi3ti.gif&hash=1201a8d765e07524662cb022018c937dd25af3cb)I used to hunt just north of Chewelah and there were deer everywhere. I'd see 2-5 deer a day and the population has only increased since 7 years ago.
Post by: Lincoln4 on October 22, 2007, 06:13:15 PM
Post by: Lincoln4 on October 23, 2007, 08:54:06 PM
Post by: Palmer on October 23, 2007, 10:23:11 PM
Post by: Lincoln4 on October 28, 2007, 09:17:46 PM
Post by: firemechanic on November 06, 2007, 09:11:39 PM
Post by: jonnyz94 on November 14, 2007, 01:43:21 PM
Have also just used the same formula for lincoln county and now i'm going to try Pend O Reilly :)