Hello All,
My partner for a planned rifle deer trip in eastern Washington is being non-committal right now. I've set aside 10/15 to 10/21 for the season and I was looking at a backcountry trip to the Okanogan-ish area. I could also be open to parking somewhere, camping next to the car, and hiking in each day, but I'm not sure that would get us far enough from other hunters.
I also have 49 acres south of Kettle Falls. I could car-camp there and hunt public lands and timberlands within a couple of miles, but it looks like some pretty thick and steep hikes in to get to good glassing spots over there, and even then, the glassing spots don't look ideal. Steep doesn't bother me much, but thick does, hence my attraction to eastern Washington in general. Regardless, this option is not off the table.
I've only seriously bow-hunted so far, and only for 3 years. I've yet to get an animal but this year I really stepped up my spot and stalk game and I was within 10-50 yards of legal deer all 5 days of my trip. I came to full draw several times as well but just couldn't get the mostly broadside shot I wanted before spooking them. Anyway, I've got the multi-season deer permit, my .308 shot is solid up to 300 yds., and I really want to get my first hunted meat in the freezer this year.
I'm geared for backcountry but haven't had a full-on backcountry trip yet. I've skinned, gutted, and quartered several lambs (from farms) and one deer (I hit with my SUV :/ last year), so I have plenty of experience there.
I'm 41 years old, fit, and I live in Edmonds, WA.
Let me know if you're interested and we can talk more as I await my partner's final answer.