Post by: Blsum on September 02, 2009, 06:14:37 PM
I'll will start off by telling you a little about myself. My name's Ben. I am from the wet side of the state (Shelton/Olympia). I'm 29 years old, married with a 2-1/2 yr old and one in the oven, and I'm an avid hunter. I've been hunting the wet side ever since I was 12. I spent most of my years hunting with the Rem. 700 .30-06 that Grandpa gave me. A few years ago I wanted a little more of a challenge. So I picked up a T/C Contender in a .357 Maximum for deer and a Black Diamond for elk. I've taken five blacktail in my career with the rifle. None with the Contender (I missed a huge buck a few years ago but thats another story) and I've taken 1 6x6 bull with the B.D.
I've decided that I would like to expand my horizon's a little more and do some deer hunting on the dry side. I've taken almost a week off work to hunt the modern season. That being said I haven't the foggiest idea where to start. I will be hunting with at least one other guy. Neither of us have really hunted deer in E.Wa. I know there's ussually a bunch of people who ask for help and don't stick around. I'm not like that. I also don't want anyone's honey hole. What I'm asking for is maybe a little insite on some area's we could go with some what of a chance of getting a deer. I am in no way a trophy hunter, but hold myself to a strict 2 pnt. min.(Let'em go so they can grow) If anyone find's it in there heart to maybe point out a couple of area's to hunt, Thanks. Oh yeah. Neither of us have a problem with hiking. We would like to camp out of our truck/base camp. But we will not be driving around and just glassing. I truely believe you see more animals when your on your feet, and not riding around in a vehicle or on a quad. Unfortunatly I will not have anytime to scout any of these places.
Again Thanks
Post by: Timberstalker on September 02, 2009, 06:28:45 PM
Post by: Armadillo on September 02, 2009, 06:30:12 PM
Post by: DeKuma on September 02, 2009, 06:33:48 PM
He is asking for a little direction and has shared his story. Cut him some slack. You were all non-experts at sometime as well.
Post by: walt on September 02, 2009, 06:39:56 PM
Post by: bobcat on September 02, 2009, 07:26:58 PM
Come on guys! Lets not have another newbie bashing contest.
He is asking for a little direction and has shared his story. Cut him some slack. You were all non-experts at sometime as well.
:yeah:
Besides, it's not like he's new on here. 89 posts and been registered for almost 2 years.
Blsum, Best advice I could give you is for mule deer pick a spot somewhere in Chelan or Okanogan counties, and you should have a chance of getting into deer. You'll also have plenty of company but there's no way around that. Anywhere you have good numbers of deer you will also have high numbers of hunters. If you want to try for whitetails you could go in the Colville area but after the last two bad winters I'm not sure how many deer are left.
Post by: nw_bowhunter on September 02, 2009, 07:32:33 PM
Post by: alecvg on September 02, 2009, 07:35:59 PM
Good Luck!
Post by: Blsum on September 02, 2009, 09:20:59 PM
You might want to try a 3 Pt Min instead of a 2 Pt. :dunno:
Just so you know there are only a couple unit's in western wa that have any antler restrictions at all. I however don't shoot spike's. I have shot spikes in the past. I will never do it again. I understand that if I where to hunt mulies that there is a 3pt min. All I was trying to convey is I would rather let a small button buck walk away, and eat tag soup, knowing that I did the right thing. Personally I wish the state would make all of western wa 2pt min. with the exeption of kids and seniors. Besides you get more meat out of an older deer than you would a button buck.
ps. I've responded to all your pm's that have been sent. Thanks
Post by: coop2424 on September 02, 2009, 09:27:55 PM
Post by: Buschingc on September 02, 2009, 10:58:10 PM
Post by: GrainfedMuley on September 03, 2009, 09:04:18 AM
Post by: jollyskwala on September 22, 2009, 03:36:38 PM
Post by: Dmanmastertracker on September 22, 2009, 03:41:23 PM
Nope, the whole north central area is spike or better, primarily the Blue Mountains are 3 point or better.
Post by: BULLBLASTER on September 22, 2009, 03:51:57 PM
"there is a three point minimum for whitetails in easterm Washington also."
Nope, the whole north central area is spike or better, primarily the Blue Mountains are 3 point or better.
and mica peak...
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on September 22, 2009, 03:52:59 PM
Post by: SHANE(WA) on September 22, 2009, 03:58:17 PM
Post by: Chesapeake on September 22, 2009, 04:52:08 PM
I used to hunt the Army Corps land along the Columbia from boat. It was OK. Easy access and easy to tell you are on public land.
Also WDFW puts out a map (or used to) that had dots all over it representing "Free to hunt" and "Ask to hunt" lands. Each dot had an explanation of the available land in that location. It proved usefull more than once.
I too live West side and try to hunt some East side stuff with little or no scouting. Its hard, but I've managed to do quite well by going the extra mile. You can do it too!
Post by: coachcw on September 22, 2009, 05:09:22 PM
Post by: Timberstalker on September 25, 2009, 09:08:12 AM
Sorry BSLUM I had no intentions of being an ass about the 3pt minimum topic that I replied to on your post.
I appologize. Sincerely.
I hadnt checked this thread for a while and just noticed. Once again sorry.
Post by: goosegetter79 on September 25, 2009, 10:01:07 AM
Post by: GrainfedMuley on September 25, 2009, 10:59:57 AM
Post by: mossback91 on September 25, 2009, 11:04:02 AM
Post by: TheHunt on September 25, 2009, 08:51:23 PM
Post by: Wyoming08 on September 28, 2009, 09:22:50 AM