New Archer, New to Washington, Basically a NOOB. HELP?

[h20hunter]

New place is nice.....open pro shop where you can see them working....BIG area for shooting.

[NANNERPIEZ]

thanks everyone for being so helpful. I appreciate all the advice! hopefully I will see you guys out there somewhere. Just look for the dude with the huge beard, gnarly tattoos, maybe the just got out of prison look and thats me haha.

[gaolista]

I'd love to piggy back a little off this thread.  I'm pretty new to bow hunting and really appreciate as much or as little those with experience are willing to share.  I've learned a lot just reading the posts not just in this thread, but all over the forums.  I was planning on learning to bow hunt about 10 years ago, but ended up moving out of the country for a while and have just returned after 7 years of living in China...not a lot of bow hunting going on there.   
I guess what i'm wondering is if anyone knows of some places on the east side of the lake (renton, bellevue, kirkland, issaquah or redmond) to go to get my bow tuned and start shooting.  The nock point seems like a good place, i was just wondering if there is any closer places.
I'm the type that believes anything worth doing is worth doing well.  I am completely willing to put in the work, hike, walk wherever to really know/understand bow hunting well, and at the same time realize you can only watch so many videos online and read so many forums, the real growth comes when you get your boots muddy.  I just need a little push in the right direction.
Is it a good idea to carry a firearm while out archery hunting just in case you surprise a black bear or cougar?
Does anyone have opinions on if trail cameras are a worth-while investment?  if so which brand/model is a good one.
i apologize if my ignorance is offensive, i guess its better than pretending you have it all together when you don't, right?

thanks in advance for any help.

[Special T]

http://www.silverarrowbowmen.com/
Our business meeting is tonight at 7pm at the clubhouse. the 2 closest afordable clubs to everett is Silver Arrow Bowmen,  or Granit sportmans club in Granit falls. D-rock is heading up thier new archery program there and I do a bunch of work for Silver Arrow Bowmen. I think going to Nock point or Van winkles will get you taken care of. 

[D-Rock425]

Granite falls archery course is having a work party Sunday about 9 for those who want to come check out the course I'll give you a personal tour.   I'm buying all the helpers lunch than we will all go shoot a round on me.

[Camo Queen]

What kind of work are ya doin D-rock? I'm going to try to make it

[D-Rock425]

I got some new trails cut and weed wacked ned to be racked.  Few bag targets need stuffed setting targets.  Nothing to difficult.

[mtbiker]

gaolista, IMO there's a void of really good bow techs in the Seattle and Eastside area.  My personal experience with the Nock Point was just okay at best and I took my new Hoyt (purchased from the Nock Point) to Ryan Black ( blackopsarchery@gmail.com ) to make a few things right that they did a sub-par job on.  BTW folks, not trying to start a, "my bow tech is better than your bow tech" war.  There's been no shortage of those threads on this site.  Just saying what my personal experience has been.  Anyway, there is Outdoor Emporium in Seattle.  I've heard that that Steve and Andy (if he's still there) do a fair job when it comes to bow work.  I would call first and find out what days they work before you make the trek from Snoqualmie to Seattle.  Other options are Rock Creek Archery in Enumclaw and Great Northwest Archery in Puyallup.  Both have ranges onsite, as does the Nock Point.

As for learning more I would suggest joining an archery club.  Most everyone is very friendly and willing to answer whatever related questions you have (like here).  The closest club/range to Snoqualmie is Cedar River Bowmen ( http://www.cedarriverbowmen.net/ ).  It's not close to Snoqualmie, but it's something.  I've been a member there for a few years now and have had very good experiences with other members.