New hunter in Spokane best place for kids

[Maximills]

Hello
I’m new to all this. My 9 year old wants to go hunting. My grandfather hunted but skipped my dad for me. I have always Heard the stories of grandpa hunting growing up and so I have been interested in it for a long time.

I have learned that the sport is declining and me and my son want to help reverse that

Wondering what is the best initial first step for me and my son.

Wondering some advice on where to go that is best for a kids first time and adult first time. I have seen GMU 124 is good because it’s any deer. Is that true still?
 
Also know about IEP permits but was also wondering about good public land areas in other GMU near by. 117 121 133 130 136. Any advice or areas that are good for a first timer with a 9 year old

I know there is not much public land to choose from but for a first time out to get introduced would be great to know a area, town or creek name someplace with a name to find on a map to go

Thanks

[Bob33]

GMU 124 is any deer for youths.

[Maximills]

Cool. Thanks for the update. That is probably the best bet for first time

[wadu1]

Don't forget in order for your kids to hunt they must have passed Hunter Education.

[Maximills]

Roger that

Been looking into that too. Thanks for the input

[Buckhunter24]

I would get onx maps for your phone to help you know where your at/ownerships. Theres a decent amount of DNR land in 124, along with the private timber companies. Up north there is a lot better access opportunities. Hancock and Stimson who don't currently charge for access plus state and lots of forest service. Theres lots of good grouse hunting which is a good way to learn an area. Camping on usfs land is great, lots of firewood and seclusion..

[Maximills]

Great information BuckHunter.

I really appreciate it. Good ideas to start to look into.

I will bet OnX maps too.

Very cool

[WAcoyotehunter]

Kids are the secret weapon for access on private land!!  Don't be afraid to knock on doors and ask to hunt, lots of folks still say yes.

Consider a turkey hunt too, it's exciting and pretty low pressure.... If you blow it on a turkey you can usually find another to chase around. 

Pm me if you want to talk more specifically about places to go or tactics.

[Maximills]

Thanks for input. I will look into knocking on doors too. If that is a good option still makes sense to explore it.

[Rutnbuxnbulls]

Get the kids thru Hunters Ed now while it's all online, they can do it without leaving the house.  I talked my daughter into it and we got out a few times last fall to get her acquainted with the sport a little bit.  Now she wants to kill an elk with a bow!

I've had great luck in the past getting on private lands with my son in tow.  Also, another way to hunt private lands is to get on the wdfw website and register to hunt private lands or reserve hunts on private lands.  There are literally thousands of acres that landowners set aside every hunting season for folks to hunt and a lot of it has game animals.  Download on x maps and you'll never need a paper map again.  Camping out there in the woods is a great way to get familiar with a drainage/mountain.  Just getting out there during the off seasons is the best way to familiarize yourself and kids with an area; huckleberries, fishing, wood collecting/cutting, christmas tree gettin.  It all adds up to success during the season.  Oh, and you can still bait for deer/elk in WA state!

[WA1232]

While I won’t claim the deer and or/elk are plentiful, you should consider a trip to the Blue Mountains outside of Asotin/Cloverland/Anatone. Beautiful national forest land. Feels like an adventure. My kids love camping/playing/hunting down there. I live in Spokane, and still make the trek down to the southeast corner as opposed to the units you mentioned up north. Special place

[huntnfmly]

Don't forget in order for your kids to hunt they must have passed Hunter Education.

They can get a 1 time waiver if they are with someone who has had their license for the last 3 (I believe) consecutive years

[wannabhntr]

Don't forget in order for your kids to hunt they must have passed Hunter Education.

They can get a 1 time waiver if they are with someone who has had their license for the last 3 (I believe) consecutive years

And they have to be ten years old according to the website.

[huntnfmly]

Don't forget in order for your kids to hunt they must have passed Hunter Education.

They can get a 1 time waiver if they are with someone who has had their license for the last 3 (I believe) consecutive years

And they have to be ten years old according to the website.

 

[rainshadow1]

When you look into hunter's safety, ask about the mentored hunts program, especially for youth and first time hunters. Amazing opportunity for turkeys, and great time and learning opportunity with a master hunter.