Blacktail Deer

[Bear Heart]

One of the problem with the area I have to hunt is that it is used to train cadets in during a couple months in the summer.  They create lots of "game trails" Also the ground is either very hard or covered with thick vegetation. Very few track were found during my time in the woods.

[Chris Surtees]

I hunted Fort Lewis for about 5 years. During the first phase of bow season look to the apples. There used to be an area just past Point Salinas DZ. As you pass the DZ you should see the M203 range on the right, and orchard is on the left. Go behind the orchard up on the small ridge which boaders a scotch broom clear cut. Start looking aound there for trails and rubs.

Later in the year I did a lot of glassing clear cuts and hunting edges of swamps. There is also a small island in Spanaway Marsh that is a killer late season hunt, even with the duck hunters in there it is a good hunt. Bring your waders and start looking. It is on the boundary of what used to be the "No waterfowl hunting area" and the open side.

Also look out for the plum orchards good deer as well as bear areas. I believe area 9 and the ASP had some good plum thickets.

After the season and right before start driving and walking looking for orchards, and expand your scouting to walking depressions. There is a good swamp to hunt in the ASP when things start to dry up a little. I know this does not happen every year but when it does get in the middle of the swamp near the creek.

If you can send me a map I can circle areas that I used to hunt.

If you have any other question feel free to email me. What I remember about the post is yours.

Chris

[Bear Heart]

I'll take you up on that!