Post by: ckr117 on August 25, 2016, 10:44:03 AM
Post by: Eli346 on August 25, 2016, 10:52:04 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 25, 2016, 10:53:46 AM
Post by: fishnfur on August 25, 2016, 11:57:43 AM
Avoid the mass hunter migration to the east. Save time, save money, save gas. Have fun!
Post by: pd on August 25, 2016, 12:48:28 PM
You're living on an island with one of the greatest populations of Blacktail Deer in the NW. I suggest you get to know some of the farmer or landowners up there and find some access hunt the bush.
Avoid the mass hunter migration to the east. Save time, save money, save gas. Have fun!
:yeah:
Whidbey is huge, and holds a lot of very nice blacktail deer. Most of it is private property, however. And, there are a lot of service personnel attached to the air station, so you have double difficulty in competing against a lot of others who will be knocking on doors. However, this is your best bet. Very few mainlanders will come over to the island to try to hunt (unless they already have access). Get out there, knock on some doors, talk to folks. I agree with F&F, don't join the eastern hunter migration, but stay at home.
Post by: ckr117 on August 25, 2016, 03:34:18 PM
Post by: fishnfur on August 25, 2016, 05:02:56 PM
Just kidding of course. Welcome to WA and the cold and windy island of Whidbey. Hold onto your hat! I've got no help for fulfilling your hunting desires. Shouldn't be be too hard to locate just what you're looking for on the East side. Good luck!
Post by: dscubame on August 25, 2016, 05:19:29 PM
You guys will probably shun me for what I'm about to say, but I have a spot here on Whidbey and have multiple pics of 2 nice bucks on a buddy's trail cam a few different times. It's an easy bag, but it's just not my kind of hunting. I'm not big for sitting in a blind. I like getting out and hiking, glassing hillsides and stalking my kill. I'll leave them for someone else, I know with the lack of public land and the abundance of hunters someone will come across them. I'm open to ideas outside of teanaway also, anywhere in the state honestly. Thanks for all the input so far!
Checkout the Mule Deer high hunt seasons in the Chelan areas. I believe they are in Sept and it will be as close to NM as you will get.
Any chance you lived around unit 53 in NM? I pulled a elk tag there this year.
Your style of hunting lends itself to Eastern WA and with just a little research you can easily get away from people especially since it sounds like you have no issues hiking in a few miles from a road.
Post by: pd on August 25, 2016, 05:35:44 PM
You guys will probably shun me for what I'm about to say, but I have a spot here on Whidbey and have multiple pics of 2 nice bucks on a buddy's trail cam a few different times. It's an easy bag, but it's just not my kind of hunting. I'm not big for sitting in a blind. I like getting out and hiking, glassing hillsides and stalking my kill. I'll leave them for someone else, I know with the lack of public land and the abundance of hunters someone will come across them. I'm open to ideas outside of teanaway also, anywhere in the state honestly. Thanks for all the input so far!
No problem, follow your heart whenever it may lead. With your deer tag, you can hunt statewide. Go east and give the mules a shot. If you don't fill your modern rifle tag on the east side, you will still have several days to try on the island. Give blacktail hunting a shot; it is not a slam dunk.
Post by: caliborn on August 25, 2016, 06:39:45 PM
Post by: pd on August 25, 2016, 07:19:44 PM
I too am hunting WA for the first time this year (bow) and my dad has been there for a short time meaning a couple months and hasnt had time to scout actual areas and doesnt know the state all that well. Dad lives on whidbey and we both have multi season permits for deer. Im headed out thanksgiving week and the following any suggestions?
You have the multi-season and are heading out Thanksgiving week? The season opens for you in 7 days---get out there now! That's my suggestion.
Post by: fishnfur on August 25, 2016, 10:20:57 PM
Post by: pd on August 25, 2016, 10:25:23 PM
PD - I may be wrong, but I think he lives out of state. I assumed he was in school somewhere, or lives with his mom -some unusual situation anyway. Hard to give advice to someone starting their hunting season around Thanksgiving.
I see. If so, I retract my suggestion. Obviously, you can't hunt here until you come here. Thanks for the chiding, I need it from time to time. :P
Post by: caliborn on August 26, 2016, 07:09:27 AM
Post by: fishnfur on August 26, 2016, 07:36:44 AM
Check out the GO HUNT interactive mapping feature on the WDFW Hunting pages. You can easily identify public lands. There are many, many options out in Skagit, Stilliguamish, and Diablo Units if you head E. from Whidbey. Coyle and Olympic Units are just a ferry ride west. Go explore.
Sorry about sidetracking the thread. Back to the spot and stalk quest.
Post by: ckr117 on August 26, 2016, 08:27:38 AM
Sounds like you should have stayed in New Mexico. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Just kidding of course. Welcome to WA and the cold and windy island of Whidbey. Hold onto your hat! I've got no help for fulfilling your hunting desires. Shouldn't be be too hard to locate just what you're looking for on the East side. Good luck!
Haha! Unfortunately Uncle Sam wont let that happen.
Checkout the Mule Deer high hunt seasons in the Chelan areas. I believe they are in Sept and it will be as close to NM as you will get.
Any chance you lived around unit 53 in NM? I pulled a elk tag there this year.
Your style of hunting lends itself to Eastern WA and with just a little research you can easily get away from people especially since it sounds like you have no issues hiking in a few miles from a road.
I went to college in Albuquerque which is somewhat closer to 53 than where Im from. Im from unit 24. I can check around, Im sure I have some buddy's that have hunted there.
Post by: fishnfur on August 26, 2016, 09:44:14 AM
Sounds like you should have stayed in New Mexico. :chuckle: :chuckle:
Just kidding of course. Welcome to WA and the cold and windy island of Whidbey. Hold onto your hat! I've got no help for fulfilling your hunting desires. Shouldn't be be too hard to locate just what you're looking for on the East side. Good luck!
Haha! Unfortunately Uncle Sam wont let that happen.
Gotcha. I served my time at NAS too.