Hunting Washington Forum
Classifieds & Organizations => Where To Go - Partners - Hunt Swaps => Topic started by: LR5Ranger on January 08, 2020, 09:09:34 AM
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Hello all, I’m new to big game in WA and am looking for a few pointers. I grew up in Marysville and hunted upland bird and waterfowl East of the mountains with my old man. I started deer hunting when I was stationed in North Carolina where the deer are like big dogs but you can shoot 2 or 3 a day. Good eating if nothing else. My first try at big game hunting on the west coast was when I lived in Molalla OR. I put in a whole lotta effort, but never got lucky. Seemed like all the mushroom pickers and dirt bikers/poachers were up there too, and it was incredibly difficult to leave the crowds, at least when all you have is a weekend to get away. Add in having a few game cameras stolen and let’s just say this time around I’m looking to get away from the places all the city folks go.
I live out on Camano now and want to get back to it. My job now affords me large blocks of time off so I will be able to put in the time scouting this next summer, I’m just looking for where to start. I don’t mind putting miles on the truck and boots to really get away from the crowds and truck hunters. The west side is nice but I’ll happily drive to the peninsula or the East side. Bonus points if I can find somewhere to take my daughter since she wants to go this year.
Sorry for the long first post, hoping this forum is a good place to swap lies and learn something.
Cheers!
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What weapon/seasons?
How old is your daughter?
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Also, welcome to Washington, where the harder you try to get away from everyone the more people you find...
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Get on I-90 until you go over two passes. Good hunting there for 700 miles or so.
Honestly, if you have the means and time, you would be much better of in other states.
That said, there are some good draws for kids here.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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I would recommend joining a club. The NW chapter of the waterfowl association meets 2nd Tuesday of each month 7pm at the Conway firehall near you. Twin City sportsmen club is a Trap club just NE of Haggens in Stanwood. If you are an archer you live close to the best Archery club in the state! (Im clearly biased) Silver Arrow Bowmen in Mt Vernon. all 3 are close to you on the web and FB. go and make friends, Ive made life long ones because of my club.
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Dont listen to Stein. he just doesnt want you in his duck hunting spot! :chuckle:
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DO you prefer whitetail or mule deer?
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Ill hang in there to see what you say if he says mule..........
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Most of my hunting has been rifle, but I went on one archery hunt and enjoyed it. I honestly enjoy shooting my bow more than my rifles, and getting to hunt in the rut seems to be the way to go. My daughter is 11, so the jury is out on whether she will be able to draw the 40 lbs necessary. If she can't I'll probably take her in modern firearm season.
What weapon/seasons?
How old is your daughter?
.
Also, welcome to Washington, where the harder you try to get away from everyone the more people you find...
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I've tried my best to move out that way, but realistically it's not going to happen until my kids graduate from high school. I made a deal with the wife tho that after I bought her a house here on Camano, I can go buy some property to build a cabin on.
Get on I-90 until you go over two passes. Good hunting there for 700 miles or so.
Honestly, if you have the means and time, you would be much better of in other states.
That said, there are some good draws for kids here.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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That's the 2nd strong recommendation I've heard for Silver Arrow. I plan on checking you all out soon! :tup:
I would recommend joining a club. The NW chapter of the waterfowl association meets 2nd Tuesday of each month 7pm at the Conway firehall near you. Twin City sportsmen club is a Trap club just NE of Haggens in Stanwood. If you are an archer you live close to the best Archery club in the state! (Im clearly biased) Silver Arrow Bowmen in Mt Vernon. all 3 are close to you on the web and FB. go and make friends, Ive made life long ones because of my club.
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I can't honestly say I'm educated enough to prefer one over the other. However I get the picture that if you enjoy long range work mulies are where it's at (east of the mountains with less dense undegrowth etc). In another life I have shot a lot of long range rifle so if this is the case I'd probably be biased towards mule deer.
DO you prefer whitetail or mule deer?
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Thanks all for the input and suggestions!
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Either specie can be hunted LR fashion quite well, but you can also do as good from a tree stand for both even with a rifle.......its more about being where they are when they are there.....Give wdfw harvest reports a good look, 2019 not out yet but 2018 gives you the idea. These will tell you all you need to know for a "base" decision, boots on the ground will tell the whole story.
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How old is you daughter? My daughter will be 12 this year, she has passed hunters saftey and is ready to hunt! We plan on going for spring turkey and to do some scouting this summer for mule deer. Pm me if you want to exchange contact info.
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I'm still pretty new to this area as well. I have a few places that I plan to scout for elk archery, then modern for deer. Last year I managed a really nice 4x5 mule deer out in the Oakanagan National Forrest. If you want to try and make something happen, shoot me a message. Were you at Ft. Bragg? I spent 15 years there, 3rd Group.
Dave
