Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Bear Hunting => Topic started by: Stalkin Prey on October 26, 2017, 05:36:48 PM

Title: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: Stalkin Prey on October 26, 2017, 05:36:48 PM: Hey everyone, I live near Tumwater and I've been trying to learn new areas closer to home so I can hunt more and just be out in the wilderness AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. This is my first yr hunting the wet side and I was initially taken back by all the private land and needing special access permits and blah blah blah. That's just not my thing. Majority of the time I'm a solo hunter on public land and I love the solitude. All that being said, JBLM land was recommended to me recently and I've looked into it but before I go through the MWR process I'd love some info from people that actually have hunted on JBLM property. I'm in no way looking for anyone's honey holes just some insight. What type of terrain? Previous logging activities? Is it choked out? Is there a lot of hunting pressure? Is dealing with the check in check out a pain? Sorry for the long post guys, just looking for some knowledge and I can't just go out and check into things beforehand like I typically would. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: slowhand on October 26, 2017, 05:42:48 PM: Tag
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: NRA4LIFE on October 26, 2017, 05:44:54 PM: You may know this already, but you will need a passport to access the base.
Title: JBLM Hunting Advice😧
Post by: Stalkin Prey on October 26, 2017, 05:47:39 PM: Quote from: NRA4LIFE on October 26, 2017, 05:44:54 PM
You may know this already, but you will need a passport to access the base.
I didn't know that. If that's the case they need to update there form. Unless that's required to access the visitors center? (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171027/b44d6cba5d1b74de7354e80ccc6874e0.jpg)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice😧
Post by: lamrith on October 26, 2017, 06:00:33 PM: It is a requirement just to get on base if you are a WA resident. The std WA driver's license no longer meets federal requirements. This will be affecting ability to go thru airport security at some point as well, they keep pushing out the deadline.

Quote from: Stalkin Prey on October 26, 2017, 05:47:39 PM
Quote from: NRA4LIFE on October 26, 2017, 05:44:54 PM
You may know this already, but you will need a passport to access the base.
I didn't know that. If that's the case they need to update there form. Unless that's required to access the visitors center? (https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171027/b44d6cba5d1b74de7354e80ccc6874e0.jpg)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: Stalkin Prey on October 26, 2017, 06:11:55 PM: More and more red tape and restrictions. This wet side hunting has a TON of fine print.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: bowNarrow on October 26, 2017, 06:29:36 PM: Either Enhanced liscense or passport will work
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: JDHasty on October 26, 2017, 07:16:05 PM: Big blacktails on JBLM, access is spotty getting on the Training Area you want on any specific day. But it is as good as any other public property even with the nuisances it presents.
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: gasman on October 26, 2017, 07:19:14 PM: And this year they raised the fee up for civilians to $50.
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: pygmy1985 on October 26, 2017, 08:17:42 PM: It can be a pain to register, but depending on the time of year, there can be good opportunities. I live right next to Ft. Lewis and I have seen several bears, especially in Oct. some nice bucks, and elk. Now, I wouldn't necessarily spend my whole season trying to get one of these game animals on Ft. Lewis, but if it was a matter of convenience, and I didn't have time to travel, it's not a bad place to hunt.
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: 12Gauge on October 26, 2017, 08:54:40 PM: Big game at JBLM is only on weekends, ducks are all week unless the area is close for training. Yup, 50 bucks if not associated with the base, as in DOD, Active Duty, Military Retiree.

NWAC normally has a board of last years harvest. You can check that out and make your choice of area.
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: ThomMedic on October 30, 2017, 09:39:28 PM: I recently read on a JBLM web posting to watch out for bears, which I took for a good sign on availability. I was scouting off of Spurgeon Creek Rd and saw a lot of bear sign. But that range is off limits, however the next range over, TA-20, which is mostly dense and hilly is almost always open. It is between other training ranges with old apple orchards, prairie, and garbage dumps. Except for duck hunters, I have never encountered another hunter on JBLM any of the times I have hunted out there. May be I need to change the battery on my glasses.

JBLM makes more ranges available with more days to hunt when there is three-day weekend, usually a federal holiday. You can download a free app with the maps of the ranges, a bit of a hassle. They post each week what ranges are to be accessible for hunting or fishing.

Do make sure that you have the DL, vehicle registration, insurance, a hunting license, proof of hunter education if under a certain age, and gun information for all three places (post for gun registration, Northwest Adventure Center for the actual permission, and Range control for vehicle access. All three need the same information each time.

Let me know if you need assistance, I have access to the base as I am a retiree. Hope this is helpful.
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: Stalkin Prey on October 31, 2017, 05:22:42 AM: Quote from: ThomMedic on October 30, 2017, 09:39:28 PM
I recently read on a JBLM web posting to watch out for bears, which I took for a good sign on availability. I was scouting off of Spurgeon Creek Rd and saw a lot of bear sign. But that range is off limits, however the next range over, TA-20, which is mostly dense and hilly is almost always open. It is between other training ranges with old apple orchards, prairie, and garbage dumps. Except for duck hunters, I have never encountered another hunter on JBLM any of the times I have hunted out there. May be I need to change the battery on my glasses.

JBLM makes more ranges available with more days to hunt when there is three-day weekend, usually a federal holiday. You can download a free app with the maps of the ranges, a bit of a hassle. They post each week what ranges are to be accessible for hunting or fishing.

Do make sure that you have the DL, vehicle registration, insurance, a hunting license, proof of hunter education if under a certain age, and gun information for all three places (post for gun registration, Northwest Adventure Center for the actual permission, and Range control for vehicle access. All three need the same information each time.

Let me know if you need assistance, I have access to the base as I am a retiree. Hope this is helpful.
Thank you for your help and knowledge of the area. I'm gonna try jumping through the hoops and hopefully gain access. I don't have my passport or an enhanced license but I'm up for renewal in a couple weeks so I'll be trying that route.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: JBLM Hunting Advice???
Post by: JDHasty on October 31, 2017, 08:38:09 AM: Quote from: ThomMedic on October 30, 2017, 09:39:28 PM
I recently read on a JBLM web posting to watch out for bears, which I took for a good sign on availability. I was scouting off of Spurgeon Creek Rd and saw a lot of bear sign. But that range is off limits, however the next range over, TA-20, which is mostly dense and hilly is almost always open. It is between other training ranges with old apple orchards, prairie, and garbage dumps. Except for duck hunters, I have never encountered another hunter on JBLM any of the times I have hunted out there. May be I need to change the battery on my glasses.

JBLM makes more ranges available with more days to hunt when there is three-day weekend, usually a federal holiday. You can download a free app with the maps of the ranges, a bit of a hassle. They post each week what ranges are to be accessible for hunting or fishing.

Do make sure that you have the DL, vehicle registration, insurance, a hunting license, proof of hunter education if under a certain age, and gun information for all three places (post for gun registration, Northwest Adventure Center for the actual permission, and Range control for vehicle access. All three need the same information each time.

Let me know if you need assistance, I have access to the base as I am a retiree. Hope this is helpful.

BRAC has resulted in KBLM Training Areas being used way more than they used to. Three day weekends/federal holidays there is less training going on so that aligns nicely with sportsmen's desires to hunt over three day weekends.