Post by: Spearo on December 19, 2016, 12:20:05 AM
Me and a good life-long friend of mine have decided to invest in some .22 rifles and hunting licenses this winter break while we are both back from college. I have been doing a lot of research into the subject of where we can and cannot hunt and I have been thouroughly confused. We intend to hunt squirrels in the Olympic National Forest, but this is where my questions arises. If we have he proper licensing is it legal to hunt in the forest or wilderness land? I know hunting is not allowed the in adjoining Olympic National Park (from what I have seen) but I have had a very hard time getting a straight answer on the ONP's website or from WDFW about whether or not hunting the National Park is or is not permitted. I am going to call the area-management office for the specific area we are looking to hunt in (near the Buckhorn wilderness and Brinnon Washington) but if someone here could tell me if I am totally off base before I fall in tommorow morning that would be super helpful, and any additional information you think would be pertinent would also be much appreciated. We are basically planning to drive down some logging roads in the forest until we find an area to park were we can then dismount and hike into the woods a few hundered yards. We both are very experienced hikers and will have all the necessary equipment and know how not to get lost as long as we stay safe.
I am very excited for this trip, and am seriously looking forward to getting in some quality time outdoors. Any and all help/advice is welcome, and I look forward to hearing what you all have to say!
Thanks in advance, and merry Christmas!
Post by: CP on December 19, 2016, 07:10:35 AM
Post by: h20hunter on December 19, 2016, 07:47:53 AM
Have you both passed hunters ed?
Post by: bobcat on December 19, 2016, 08:16:52 AM
Post by: 7mmfan on December 19, 2016, 08:47:23 AM
You can hunt the National Forest, not the National Park. Make sure you know where you are.
Post by: Spearo on December 19, 2016, 10:54:18 AM
I can assure everyone I have and am taking all the necessary measures to make sure I am not breaking the law in any way, which is why I made this post in the first place :)
Post by: 7mmfan on December 19, 2016, 11:02:20 AM
Post by: bobcat on December 19, 2016, 11:04:42 AM
Post by: Bob33 on December 19, 2016, 12:49:41 PM
Post by: Lefthook on December 19, 2016, 01:20:34 PM
Post by: Spearo on December 19, 2016, 02:17:55 PM
Well, in your post you said you were going to hunt in the Olympic National Forest for squirrels. I don't believe you will find any squirrels in that area that are legal to hunt. Grouse and rabbits, yes. So that's what I would be looking for if I were you.
Awesome, Where do you think I would have the best shot at seeing rabbit? Would they be up in the forest along the logging roads? I will look into getting a grouse license but they seem pretty spendy, but do you think I would have a better chance of seeing grouse than anything else (rabbits, squirrels etc.)?
Post by: Spearo on December 19, 2016, 02:19:04 PM
Making a positive ID on a little squirrel playing hide and seek around a tree 10' to 15' up could be very hard at best. I think I would go grouse hunting and take some fun targets to shoot if you don't run into any grouse. Pack out whatever you pack in.
Do I have a pretty good chance of seeing grouse this late in the season along logging roads?
Post by: jennabug on December 19, 2016, 02:23:48 PM
Don't forget that grouse is only open through December 31st.
Post by: CP on December 19, 2016, 02:32:04 PM
Well, in your post you said you were going to hunt in the Olympic National Forest for squirrels. I don't believe you will find any squirrels in that area that are legal to hunt. Grouse and rabbits, yes. So that's what I would be looking for if I were you.
Awesome, Where do you think I would have the best shot at seeing rabbit? Would they be up in the forest along the logging roads? I will look into getting a grouse license but they seem pretty spendy, but do you think I would have a better chance of seeing grouse than anything else (rabbits, squirrels etc.)?
It's been a banner year for Snowshoe Hare. Yes, you find them along forest service and logging roads usually 2,000 ft and higher elevation. They are in their white phase now and a bit harder to see now in the snow.
Post by: Dead-Eye on December 19, 2016, 03:24:37 PM
It's been a banner year for Snowshoe Hare. Yes, you find them along forest service and logging roads usually 2,000 ft and higher elevation. They are in their white phase now and a bit harder to see now in the snow.
I like the challenge of spotting a white rabbit in the snow. A bit of movement over that way, but then you have to figure out exactly where it is, so you zoom in on that spot. That's pure fun!
Post by: Lefthook on December 19, 2016, 03:45:41 PM
Post by: Spearo on December 20, 2016, 12:03:18 PM
Well, in your post you said you were going to hunt in the Olympic National Forest for squirrels. I don't believe you will find any squirrels in that area that are legal to hunt. Grouse and rabbits, yes. So that's what I would be looking for if I were you.
Awesome, Where do you think I would have the best shot at seeing rabbit? Would they be up in the forest along the logging roads? I will look into getting a grouse license but they seem pretty spendy, but do you think I would have a better chance of seeing grouse than anything else (rabbits, squirrels etc.)?
It's been a banner year for Snowshoe Hare. Yes, you find them along forest service and logging roads usually 2,000 ft and higher elevation. They are in their white phase now and a bit harder to see now in the snow.
I'm planning on going to a spot near a ribbon Washington which is on the coast. There's logging roads which shoot up into the mountains about 3000 feet, would that be high enough?
Post by: CP on December 20, 2016, 12:22:42 PM
Post by: Screwtape5981 on December 25, 2016, 10:13:44 PM