No matter what you enjoy to pursue in our wonderful outdoors, there is something out there for everyone this time of year.
For the next couple of weeks it will seem like there is a new season opening every weekend, and this weekend is no different. The much-anticipated general firearm deer starts on Saturday and many hunters will put aside their pursuit of birds and small game for a week or two and chase after some of the state’s bigger game.
The prospective deer hunter has numerous options here, and depending on what your pleasure is and how much time you have, you can find deer to hunt. We’ll start left to right here in the Evergreen state, which means we’ll start off on the coast. Over here will be the exclusive home of the blacktails. Many of the drainages of the rivers on the peninsula are home to many of the smallest members of the deer family. Be prepared, the cover is going to be thick and shots will be close, and pack your Gore-Tex, this time over there is going to be wet.
The borders of the Olympic National Park and the areas around Humptulips have good populations of deer. As you move to the east you encounter the heavily populated I-5 corridor. These units are going to more crowded to hunt so pre-season scouting is essential.
Locally the island has a large population of deer, but most of the land is private and access is very limited. If you do have access to hunt here, chances are good that you can fill your tag if you are not too picky. Be sure to read the regulations, because each GMU has their own restrictions on legal gender and antler point limitations.
Here on the island either sex is legal, but be reminded that there are firearm restrictions that must be obeyed when hunting the island. As you move off the island you will find more space, but more people too. There is ample public land to hunt all along Highway 20, but again the cover is going to be thick. Areas that have been successful for me in the past have been Finney and Day creeks and the Sauk Mountain areas. Further south good hunting can be had around North Bend, especially in the Mount Si area. Also check the hills around Enumclaw and read the regs for access to the Weyerhauser properties around Snoqualmie.
If you have the time, head deep into the Cascade to chase the elusive muleys. From Winthrop to Yakima, some large deer inhabit these woods. Prime areas are north of Winthrop along the Chewuch River east to Loup Loup Pass. Being prime muley country is going to mean large crowds. Your best bet is to get up well before dark and get set up and wait for the army of blaze orange to push deer toward you.
If you want to see a lot of deer, then head due east and hunt the northeast corner of the state. Here whitetails have taken over to the point that doe permits have been readily available for over a decade. It is not uncommon to see fields with over 20 deer feeding in them. Best units have historically been Huckleberry, Kelly Hill and Threeforks. If you don’t have access to private land I would start at the Sherman Creek Wildlife Area. There are pockets of state land throughout Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille Counties, but you need to do some homework.
Birds and fish
If you are not into big game hunting or are lucky enough to have tagged your deer in either the archery or muzzleloader season, then pick up the shotgun and target the many bird seasons that are open. Ducks and pheasants are of course the most popular and depending on weather you can pick your poison. If we are having one of those nice Indian summer days, chasing pheasants in the fields of the Seaplane Base, Arnold Farm or Skagit Flats with your dog can be fun. If Mother Nature is whipping up some typical fall weather, then toss out the dekes and call in the passing mallards and teal.
Fishing is still an option; also, many of the warm water species are still feeding in area lakes, trout are again becoming active with the cooler water temps and silvers and cutts can still be had in rivers like the Skagit.
Sorry if I don’t answer the phone, there’s too much to do to stay home.
