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Author Topic: Scouting West WA, late to the game  (Read 1438 times)

Offline roger1042

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Scouting West WA, late to the game
« on: September 24, 2022, 08:59:17 PM »
Hi!
After getting my tail smoked by these elk, I’m gearing up to try filling my freezer with a deer and a bear or two.

I live in Kitsap County. Was looking at 621 (Olympic), 638 (Quinalt), or 638 (Skokomish). I hunted Quinalt for elk, saw lots of fresh bear sign - so that seems an obvious start for bear.

Anyone find good deer numbers in these units? Not worried about trophy, just wanting to feed my family and help show my brother in law the basics.

Offline kball4

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #1 on: September 27, 2022, 02:59:29 PM »
You live in a pretty good bear and deer unit no need to drive far.

Offline MADMAX

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2022, 03:48:27 PM »
It’s all about access
Most timberland is now gated and pay to play
High crime at gates too
Don’t t leave anything of value in the vehicle
I Ain't Captain Walker.
I'm The Guy Who Carries Mr. Dead In His Pocket


What would life be without the thrill of the hunt ?

Offline fishnfur

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #3 on: September 28, 2022, 12:01:21 AM »
Kitsap has a ton of deer.  Finding access to hunt is the issue.  Check out DNR lands near Gold Mt. area.  You can also head south to Mason and hunt DNR lands there as well. 
“When I die, I want to die like my grandfather who died peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the passengers in his car.”  - Will Rogers

Offline roger1042

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2022, 06:32:14 AM »
Thanks folks! Appreciate the insights.

Offline Sitka_Blacktail

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2022, 08:51:59 AM »

I live in Kitsap County. Was looking at 621 (Olympic), 638 (Quinalt), or 638 (Skokomish). I hunted Quinalt for elk, saw lots of fresh bear sign - so that seems an obvious start for bear.

Anyone find good deer numbers in these units? Not worried about trophy, just wanting to feed my family and help show my brother in law the basics.

Quinault (638) isn't a great deer unit. For example in 2021, the take was 8 deer.  That being said, there are some huge old mountain bucks residing there.  The problem being there isn't much road access in that unit. Either the top on the Quinault ridge road, or the bottom, the south shore road.  There is a lot of area in between those two and it's very rugged. Not to mention there is a lot of blow down from the 2007 storm.  Also there are few clearcuts so most of the hunting is in deep timber, mostly old growth.  There used to be more deer taken, incidentally by elk hunters when it was a more popular elk unit before they screwed it up by making it a trophy unit.
A man who fears suffering is already suffering from what he fears. ~ Michel de Montaigne

Offline kball4

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2022, 11:06:21 AM »
Some of the old Pope land now Rayonier in Kitsap is free to access but you have to make an account on their website and print out a free permit.

Offline Alchase

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Re: Scouting West WA, late to the game
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2022, 06:12:30 PM »
Head across HWY 101 by the Skokomish fish hatchery, and on up the Skokomish Valley. The Spider Lake, Pine Lake, to Browns Creek area has a lot of deer when you get more then 1/4 mile off the roads. The clear cutts near any road will get hammered by hunters.
Find a finger to head up and get back up in a bit and you will almost never see another hunter.
Only 2 defining forces sacrificed themselves for you:
The American Soldier and Jesus Christ. One died for your freedom, the other for your soul.

My rock,
He trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144.1

 


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