Hunting in Washington State

I

Ishyid

New member
Okay, before I start I want to inform you that I know nothing about hunting, completely new to it.

I live in Washington state, and just recently purchased my first rifle(Remington 700 SPS Varmint) for target shooting. I have realized that I need a greater challenge, and am looking to possibly start to hunt. My question to you hunters out there is this: what are my options here in Washington state to hunt. I must warn you I have my 700 chambered in .308. I honestly don't want to hunt deer, because I don't think I can pull the trigger (I know pretty lame, I'm being a girl). What are some other options I have, that a beginner can handle?

Thank you for your time,
Joshua
 
First, Welcome to TFL. Sit back and read the asnwers.

As a new hunter, you will have to take a Hunter Safety course, presuming you're a youngster?

Contact the Washington state Department of Natural resources, they have a website and look for HS course, maybe a little sparse as mostly held in the fall.

Have you been shooting alot (years?), if not then locate a gun club and see if they have public hours for shooting, as to get familiar with your rifle.

You MAY want to get a .22 rifle as you can keep cost down for shooting, a .308 is expensive to buy ammo for nowadays.

Google Washington Riglt & Pistol association, they will have additional info.

Usually, hunting skills are acquired thru small gane hunting, then transfer up to big game.

ASk more question, we' re ready to help
 
I'm actually not too young. I'm 20. I have probly put about 200 rounds through the rifle taget shooting in the mountains and also at a local range. What would be considered small game but also legal to shoot with a .308?
 
At 20 you'll still have to take the hunter safety course. Even if you didn't have to it'd be a good idea.
There is no limit on what you can hunt with a .308. It might not leave much of a squirrel left though.

Larger game to hunt in Wa. aside from deer would be black bear, elk, moose, sheep, and cougar.
You need a special permit for the last three.
Small game such as bobcat, coyote, and raccoon are suited to your rifle.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/

You can find lots of info here.

I second the suggestion of getting a .22 caliber rifle. Both because it is less expensive for target practice and it is more suitable for squirrels and rabbit than your .308.
 
Joshua,

You are not "being a girl" - most of the girls I know hunt...

With your .308, and not wanting to hunt deer (I assume this means elk as well) - I am thinking you are pretty much limited to coyotes.

You have to realize that any hunting is still hunting. A dead coyote is just as dead as a dead deer. If you are not comfortable with that, maybe look for more challenging range time.

It is a lot harder for me to be very good at the range than it is for me to make venison for the freezer.
 
Hi Josh.
I would advise you to find and join a gun club (Paul Bunyan Sportsman Club is in Puyallup. Black Diamond Gun Club is in, now where was that? Oh, right, Black Diamond!) You will meet a lot of very knowledgeable people (as well as some others that we will describe as "not so knowledgeable"), and you will get the opportunity to talk with a lot of folks who do "gun stuff" all the time. Many gun clubs (as well as some gun shops) offer hunter education classes during the summer months (Paul Bunyan does). If you are lucky and tenacious, you may meet someone who will take you out hunting with them after a fair amount of "getting to know you" time.

Paul Bunyan is having new member orientation this Sunday at 4:00 PM, if you are interested.

Paul Bunyan Sportman's Club web site:
http://home.att.net/~BSEditor/index.htm

If you want to go out and see the range before you join, PM me. I live in Puyallup.
 
Also, Joshua, get a current copy of WA ...

hunting regulations.

This will give idea of season, and RESTRICTIONs on firearm use.

there a a number of re rifle areas.

Question, how are your camping skills? Some hunters care to have a camper truck over RV for hunting as long as they can drive close to area.
If you capable of backpacking into the field then a more successful hunt is possible. Sometimes you will spend the night out on a hunt.

Most IMPORTANT, are you current on FIRST AID and can keep a level head in an situation???? Somebodies life, will depend on it.

Are you good with map & compass? All the high tech gadgets may fail and use of compass with map can be a LIFESAVER. It a learnable skill but it takes time.

Do you have access thru a family member to private land, there you have the ability to be out on your own and minimize worries of where to hunt.
 
jRothWA:

By telling you the fact that I am a firefighter will answer just about all your questions.

Pulling a trailer or RV to camp is not for me. Backpacking, making your own trails and camping is what I look forward to the most.

Are my first aid skills up to date. Absolutley... I'm a certified EMT and really have no choice but to keep them up to date. The people I visit depend on it. :D

And I am a little rusty on a compass, learned to rely on tom-tom, and my map skills for urban enviroment are excellent. Wilderness is a different story.

Thanks for the insight.
 
Go to Hunter's Safety Class- Come down to California to hunt Wild Pigs! They are destructive to the environment and farm crops. They are delicious to eat!!
Your .308 is perfect for pigs.
 
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