I need a hunt…

[mossyhorn]

I applied in Wyoming, Arizona, Idaho, Utah and Oregon this year and have nothing to show for it. I live in Washington and refuse to buy a hunting license in this state.

I’ve always hunting DIY and never bought a tag. However, I’m so frustrated with not having a tag, I’m looking at other options at this point. I’m willing to spend up to $7-8000 to either buy a tag or hire an outfitter for elk, deer, and antelope.

If anyone has any ideas or advice on this, I’m all ears.

Thanks

 

[displacedtexan]

Hire an outfitter, or buy a tag and access from a landowner.

You spelled out the answer in your question.

 

[Bubblehide]

California has over the counter tags, I scored this year and got awarded 2.

 

[RockAndSage]

California has over the counter tags, I scored this year and got awarded 2.

^ This. OTC blacktail.

 

[Ajsomp]

If you want to hunt Idaho or similar, and are willing to hunt mountain white tail, there are some DIY drop camp options I remember looking into that are on the cheaper side. But if you’re willing to spend that money, you can probably hire an outfitter.

Mountain white tail not like east coast white tail. If I didn’t draw Montana I was strongly considering doing that and bear hunting this year.

 

[Bearded Bowhunter]

Could always hunt otc 2nd or 3rd rifle elk in CO, or look at the leftover list and try to get lucky.

 

[VomSteinbruch]

I guess you'll have to compromise.

 

[TheDoublR]

So you can hunt OTC deer in Washington....?
I understand not agreeing with the politics but I would give my left nut to be able to hunt deer OTC every year.

 

[7RemMag]

So you can hunt OTC deer in Washington....?
I understand not agreeing with the politics but I would give my left nut to be able to hunt deer OTC every year.

I can’t wrap my head around not purchasing a license in my own state, regardless of whether I agreed with the political climate or not. It seems an awful lot like cutting off your own foot. Especially beings the OP states his “need” to hunt. It’s certainly a feeling I can relate to, but I think the answer is right in front of him. Hunting close to home is generally cheaper than anywhere else.

To answer the question, there are numerous OTC and leftover options around the mountain West that one can opt to go hunt this year or any year.

 

[mossyhorn]

So you can hunt OTC deer in Washington....?
I understand not agreeing with the politics but I would give my left nut to be able to hunt deer OTC every year.

It’s not a politics thing. I feel it’s a waste of time. My experience has been that trying to find a blacktail buck is like hunting unicorns. Then there’s mule deer in this state, which I just cannot get remotely excited about it. I’ve been on too many flat out disappointing hunts to do it again. I’ve had many awesome, positive experiences elsewhere and would like to focus time there if I can. If I can’t, oh well. I’ll have to wait till next year and change up my app strategy.

 

[RockAndSage]

Then there’s mule deer in this state, which I just cannot get remotely excited about it.

My brother, you're doing it wrong.

 

[mossyhorn]

My brother, you're doing it wrong.

Enlighten me? It feels like I’m doing everything wrong.

 

[Coyote Commander]

My brother, you're doing it wrong.

Maybe a quality thing?

I have mule deer. Its just hard to get excited about 130-140" mule deer.

 

[mossyhorn]

Maybe a quality thing?

I have mule deer. Its just hard to get excited about 130-140" mule deer.

Same. I don’t have a desire to shoot stuff just to shoot stuff. I

 

[RockAndSage]

Maybe a quality thing?

I have mule deer. Its just hard to get excited about 130-140" mule deer.

Maybe. But the joy of the hunt with mule deer isn't just in having a shot at the biggest in absolute terms, compared the rest of North America's zones and genetics. It's the challenge in finding the biggest ones in the unit. Once they get past about 4yrs, they get a hell of a lot smarter, and more challenging to hunt. And over time, I've realized there's usually a really big buck or three in every zone. Maybe not a 200", but definitely 170s and even 180s. The more guys think a zone is crap, the more true that usually is. It's about how you hunt, more than the zone. The hunts just get a lot harder, taking a lot longer, when you're unwilling to shoot one of the locally "small" ones, whatever that may be in a given zone.

Enlighten me? It feels like I’m doing everything wrong.

Go into the mule deer forum here, and read every thread with more than a page of posts, going back about 3 years. Further back if you're serious. It's an absolute gold mine.

One key point: every mule deer hunt you don't jump on, leaves you less prepared for future ones. Relying on a dream zone is like trying to buy skill by purchasing expensive gear - it won't make you a better shooter, and the best mule deer zones on the planet won't make you a better hunter.

 

[Pulleye16]

Head to MO as this will be the last affordable year to hunt there! . OTC tags available.