Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: mackmoss93 on February 18, 2016, 10:17:22 AM

Title: Getting started in new state
Post by: mackmoss93 on February 18, 2016, 10:17:22 AM: I moved here from Montana and haven't hunted since 2007. I'm looking for any advice (where to go for starters) to hunt. Advice from both modern and archery would be useful as I'm open to doing both. My goal is to just get something, don't necessarily care if its a doe/cow or buck/bull. I just want to bring some meat home and show my son how to skin an animal!

Mack
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: Smossy on February 18, 2016, 10:32:43 AM: First advice, moving here from Montana was a bad idea. :dunno:
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: dvolmer on February 18, 2016, 10:37:20 AM: I hate to sound negative, but if you have hunted in Montana and lived there you are up for an experience like nothing you can ever imagine. Welcome to the Zoo!!!! Take if from a guy that has hunted this state for over 35 years and has hunted Montana for the last 10 years. You would be way ahead by taking advantage of the out of state license in Montana that is reduced cost to Native Montanan's. Unless you know somebody here in this state with good hunting land you are going to be very frustrated. In Montana as you have probably observed, when you show up at a farmer or ranchers remote home to hunt, they are happy to see you. In this state it is the opposite. If I had to start new now in this state I cant imagine what I would do. I have been lucky enough to have a couple of really good opportunities that most people don't have. All of my old "great spots" are closed down and or in pay to hunt clubs now. Most public areas are literally Zoo's and something a guy from Montana couldn't imagine in his worst nightmare! A sea of Orange! Good luck!!
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: mackmoss93 on February 18, 2016, 10:42:11 AM: I'm starting to realize that. Unfortunately Montana doesn't have the jobs that Seattle does. I will move back someday but for now I'm stuck wading through the crap. A lot of people have told me hunting here is somewhat frustrating. I won't give up though! Hunting is way to much fun to just give up. Plus I feel like it's my duty as a father to show my son how to hunt, gut a deer, and cut it up.
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: NRA4LIFE on February 18, 2016, 11:32:15 AM: Another piece of advice is to start doing your homework on the permit system and how the draws work. Good luck as it is a bit confusing. The OIL tag draws at this point are probably a near impossibility for someone just starting out in the lottery system here. But Bull/cow/buck/doe tags are always somewhat in reach.
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: dvolmer on February 18, 2016, 11:46:24 AM: If you like to archery hunt or Muzzle load hunt and you don't care if you shoot a doe, there are some pretty good spots here to put some meat in the freezer. Lots of either sex opportunities with archery and there are some real good antlerless permits and general late season antlerless muzzle loader opportunities too (Kahlotus for one). Sorry I was so negative in my first post. It just been a super frustrating process these last 5 or so years to see all of your spots dry up and go away. there is always national forest land to hunt. I cant give you any Western side of the state advice due to me never hunting over on that side. The advice above about a multi season tag is good if money is not a concern and you want a much better chance at success. Good luck and look at all of the antlerless opportunities in the regs too. there are a bunch of places that wont let you hunt the normal buck season but will let a guy on to hunt later in the year with an antlerless special permit tag. Happy Hunting!!!
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: WAcoueshunter on February 18, 2016, 12:05:12 PM: Puyallup is near some very good blacktail country. If you're up for learning something new, that is where I would focus. Good advice on getting a multi season permit, this will allow you to hunt both archery and rifle. That will open up your hunting options for blacktails for nearly the entire fall.

You might also look into the private timberland permits. Hancock Kapowsin is near you:

http://hancockrecreationnw.com/kapowsin/about/about-kapowsin

So are some of the Weyco properties:

https://www.wyrecreationnw.com/PropertySearch.aspx

You can probably find a September doe to harvest with your bow, although blacktail bucks are hard to find except during the rut. However, the rifle season runs to the end of October, and that last week can be fantastic. Also, there is a late rifle hunt weekend in November on the back end of the rut too. All over the counter.
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: blackveltbowhunter on February 18, 2016, 12:28:01 PM: Can you still hunt in Montana? What species are you wanting to focus on? If Montana is still an option saving vacation for a hunt there may be more successful and allow you to be less reliant in Washington. That said, you wont have an opportunity at some of the species namely Blacktail and Roosevelt elk that you will on the Westside. With the right mindset and homework this can be some great hunting. Don't get discouraged!

Deer: A multi tag will increase your season length, but you will still be limited to weapon restrictions and your individual time off and it cost significantly more. So may or may not be a good option for you. Everyone has their favorite seasons, but for general buck and rut timing standpoint for blacktails Modern has the best season. With either sex options and extended time being given to lesser weapons.

Elk: Multi season will open up similar options as deer, but with a bonus of being able to apply for both east and westside permits. Rather than being locked into tag choice. In short if you don't have points built up, it wont affect you much. But if wanting to start playing the draw game, applying is not a bad idea. They are also more limited than deer multi season permits so much longer draw odds.
Archery and Muzzle season are much better for elk IMO. The only benefit to hunting with a rifle is the weapon itself. Both lesser weapons season offer better season timing and length.

If you have kids and want to take them with you the Timber Co passes or leases are almost mandatory IMO. Although public hand hunting is good a lot of it is in areas that are physically tough to access, which can be an issue for young kids. For BT deer the Vail pass from WeyCo is a great option. A decent deer population in a centrally located area. But get online now and research when the permit goes on sale and get setup to purchase as soon as it does. Think Ebay auction type competition, The permits sell out in minutes. For elk the Southwest area passes are going to be your best "foolproof" options. Leases from Rayonier in Fossil creek and Salmon creek area will be good. As are Weyco passes for Willapa South. Again be prepared for Ebay auction type competition for some of these permits. Weyco St. Helens pass is another permit that is less competitive and offers the most area for your dollar. The down side is increased competition and more area to cover to locate animals.

There is a lot of public land as well. State land and national forest land, much of it is heavily timbered and animals are often less densely populated so Scouting is key!!!! For example the Lewis River GMU is huge, lots of public land, a decent population of animals, but it can be intimidating due to sheer size and area that is covered in timber. Much national forest in the Peninsula is the same. Boot leather and a good map or gps to mark data are your friends when covering this country. Good Luck!
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: Jonathan_S on February 18, 2016, 12:38:26 PM: First of all, Washington isn't the hell-hole it's made up to be. You just have to work a little harder to get remote.

Secondly, the NE Washington late whitetail firearm season is a pretty solid season for getting an animal down and involving the kids. If you're an archery guy, you can hunt deer and elk all September and for a few weeks in the late season and bear all fall.

The warnings you received early on in this thread are representative of smaller swaths of public and private land on the west side but there are plenty of people who hunt decent populations of game and never see other hunters.
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: irish52084 on February 18, 2016, 07:29:25 PM: I'll second the late season NE whitetail hunts. Look into the draw whitetail hints in the NE of the state for some good opportunities.

Also, the Hancock land kinda near Puyallup can be productive but you have to buy a pass and I don't know what the prices are anymore.

Another thing you could do is make friends with a land owner and see if they'll let you hunt. It's amazing what a few nice gestures will do to increase your odds of hunting some quality private property.
Title: Re: Getting started in new state
Post by: mackmoss93 on February 19, 2016, 07:02:00 PM: Thanks for all the advice! I think I'll definitely look into purchasing a timber area permit. They are quite expensive for the most part but everyone seems to think their worth the money, even on reviews outside this forum.

Mack