Washington Deer hunting

4 replies [Last post]

Wed, 2004-06-30 18:22

Offline

Joined: 06/30/2004

Posts: 6

Washington Deer hunting

Hi all, this is my first post on this site, and I appreciate you taking the time to help out a neophyte.

I've hunted deer (blacktails) in Washington for the past several years with no success. Primarily, my hunting has been in Region 5, southwest Washington, generally in either the Toutle, Siouxion, and Battle Ground units. I am determined to hunt seriously this year, and hopefully end my losing streak. I'm willing to hunt pretty much anywhere in the state, but would prefer to do so within a hundred miles of my home in Vancouver. My rifle battery includes a 30/30, 30-06, and also a Remington 870 12 gauge. I consider myself proficient with all these guns, and I'd be comfortable shooting out to 300 yards with the '06.

Considering my equipment, and the fact that I can only hunt on weekends, where/how should I be hunting. Frankly, I could care less about shooting a buck or a doe. I know this is a wide open question, but I appreciate any help you can give me.

Thanks,
Joe

Thu, 2004-07-01 00:48

Tankgunner

Offline

Location: SW Washington

Joined: 06/24/2004

Posts: 38

Washington Deer hunting

Hi Joe,

Don't have time to say much right now, but you have one nice option. Late season in the Battle Ground unit. It's a restricted firearm area but you could use your shotgun with slugs or buckshot.

Battle Ground unit is mostly private property, but there are open access areas and lot's of landowners wouldn't mind a little thinning to protect their plantings etc. It's early enough that if you asked around and knocked on a few doors you might get access to your own private hunting area.

Do you do any shooting other than hunting (like sporting rifle etc.)?

Lee

Thu, 2004-07-01 21:12

JoeR

Offline

Joined: 06/30/2004

Posts: 6

Thanks for the tip

I have thought about hunting Battle Ground, but last year I didn't take the time to really look for an area to hunt. I will definitely sit down with my maps and find some potential areas, and maybe knock on some doors. If you are aware of any public lands in the unit, I'd appreciate it if you would let me know. I have seen some nice bucks in the summer around Lacamas Lake, and there is a patch of state land of about a dozen acres surrounded by farm-type land in the 23000 block of NE 28th ST, Camas. I've seen lots of deer there in the summer, but come hunting season they have moved out. I have taken a number of rabbits and coyotes from the area.

As for shooting, I don't do anything official, but I love to burn powder as much as the next guy. I've found the best practice a deer hunter can get is to hunt cottontails with a .22--they move quickly and the whole animal isn't much larger than the vital zone on a deer.

Joe

Wed, 2004-07-21 22:46

dhedrick

Offline

Joined: 07/21/2004

Posts: 2

Washington Deer hunting

Hi Joe,
I am also from Vancouver and this will be my first year hunting big game. I don't know much about the deer populations in this area but if you are looking for someone to hunt with (help you carry your deer out) let me know.
I will be using my remington .308 and I also have a remington 870.
Are you going to do any bear hunting?

Sun, 2004-07-25 16:24

JoeR

Offline

Joined: 06/30/2004

Posts: 6

I'm planning to bear hunt in August

I am actually planning to some bear hunting in August, and to scout out areas for deer and elk hunting. My plan is to go up in the areas around Bare Mountain and in the Trapper Creek Wilderness. Email me at [email protected].

Related Forum Threads You Might Like

Thread	Thread Starter	Replies	Last Updated
CWD aka mad deer/elk disease i.e. TSE update 2005	flounder	6	06/06/2010 12:20 pm
Say No to Holder	onesonek	26	02/03/2009 06:51 am
Michigan Hunter files Petition to Supreme Court	jci63	7	11/07/2008 07:13 am
DEER SCENTS BANNED DUE TO CWD TRANSMISSION	flounder	0	04/25/2007 08:58 am
CWD experts address first meeting of advisory committee	flounder	2	09/03/2007 11:20 am