New Guy Introduction

Texan_Devil · Feb 11, 2019

Hello all..

I am new to the forum, and it looks like I will be new to the state of Washington within the next 6 months (as soon as I find a job). My wife, son and I are moving closer to my mother in law who now lives in Port Townsend. We have lived in Houston (my hometown) for 4 years now and are ready to get out, it just isn't the same here anymore. We will be looking to move in between Seattle and Port Townsend, I will likely have to commute to the Seattle area for work. My wife is a teacher and will have much more options when it comes to job location. Any help on what good areas there are to live would be great, commutes really don't bother me, I live 25 miles outside of houston and it takes me 45min-1 hour to and from work. I would rather my son live in a nice community than the hood I grew up in...

I have hunted and fished my whole life. I started mainly bow hunting when I was 16 (33 now) but still gun hunt as well. I want to get back into waterfowl hunting, did a lot before I left Texas for the military and have a lab now that may turn into a serviceable retriever. I have never killed a mule deer or elk (only whitetail), I have hunted them on numerous occasions while living in Arizona (I've been around lol), and I loved it. Looking forward to hunting blacktail! I know I am in for a huge change when it comes to Washington hunting vs Texas hunting, any advice in that would be much appreciated.

Anyways, this has gotten long enough. Thanks in advance for any advise!

GilaJeff · Feb 12, 2019

Welcome Texan! You might not get a lot of responses on this site. Sportsmen in WA tend to gravitate towards some other website. I live in Chelan County, and have been here for seven years. If you want advice hunting on the west side, let me know. I have never hunted the west side of the Cascades before. Hunting here is different than other places I've hunted (NM, AZ, CO), but some similarities. I hunt deer and elk here every year, but have not had the fortune of drawing any quality hunts or other species. The bird hunting here seems to be pretty good.

heywouldya · Feb 12, 2019

Welcome! You moved to a great state. I've hunted ducks a lot on the east side of the state, near the tri-cities area. It can be very good there. You can also shoot divers in your neck of the woods.
Really good big game hunting on the east side of the state as well. You can also drop down into Oregon or go into Idaho for some good big game and turkey hunting.
Good luck! You'll love it there.

hwy

Texan_Devil · Feb 13, 2019

You know I googled "hunting forums in washington" and saw 2 of them. This one was most similar to the site I'm on in Texas, so I picked this on lol. As long as the responses are quality responses then the quantity don't really matter! I have been scouring YouTube watching fishing and hunting videos to see what I can expect. I was curious is the big game all draw hunts or are there over the counter tags as well? The more I look at what I can expect the more excited I am, and the less I worry about leaving Texas! Thanks for the reply and hope to hear form you more when I post questions!

PS
Chelan County looks like a beautiful place!!

Texan_Devil · Feb 13, 2019

Haven't moved yet! Looks like sooner and sooner! We were originally looking at a spring/summer 2020 move, but now we are looking at putting our house on the market in April. Thanks for all of the info! I hope I get the chance to hunt all over!

newhunter · Feb 13, 2019

Welcome.
In my opinion big game hunting is more difficult
in Wa. than other states. I don'y know about Texas.
West side is very thick and wet with lower game population. East side is over crowded.
So general seasons are tough. But there are always nice animals harvested.
Anyone can buy a general season deer, elk, bear, and cougar tag.
Special hunts (draw hunts)are the way to go.
But poor odds of drawing. We do have preference point system.(points squared)
We have great Goat, sheep hunts. If you can draw a tag.
Moose hunts are on there way down.
We can pm if you want specifics.

ByeByeObamas · Feb 15, 2019

HUNTNNW · Feb 17, 2019

get a lot more responses on Hunt Washington forum

Texan_Devil · Feb 19, 2019

I will check it out, thanks!!

Texan_Devil · Mar 20, 2019

Little update for the guys that have been helping out..

We hope to have the touch ups done on our house in the next couple of weeks and then put it on the market. Our agent seems pretty optimistic. My wife has had a couple teaching interviews, one with Bellevue ISD which she feels really good about. I guess yall go to school a bit longer up there than we do down here so the offers won't come until May at the absolute earliest! Down here they already know who is leaving and who is staying. I've got apps out and am waiting on an interview with the state of washington. My end game is to get into the fire service, I was a FF before I left for the Navy. I hope yalls draws are going well! Thanks again for all of the info!

Texan_Devil · Mar 20, 2019

My brother in law was up there last week and he interviewed with a school Chelan, said it was a beautiful place!

Handloader · Mar 21, 2019

Awesome! Yes, for the most part schools won't be posting jobs until mid-Late May even June. (I taught myself s few years ago) what subject will
She teach? I could help her out with some quality schools if you'd like

Texan_Devil · Mar 22, 2019

She is in her 3rd year of teaching reading and writing at the 3rd grade level. She has also done 5th grade for a summer school session. I think 5th grade is her goal, but will not go any lower than 3rd. Thanks for any help!

Texan_Devil · Oct 1, 2019

Well I made it up to Washington for a visit. I tested with a department near Tacoma this past weekend. It sure is beautiful up there and I can't wait to go back. I spent the most of my time around Port Townsend, that is where my in laws live. I am think the wife and I may look to move around Port Orchard. It is within striking distance of most departments with minimal commute (at least compared to commuting in Houston). I hope yalls seasons are going well. Got to see my first black tail! They are about the same size as the whitetail I hunt in Texas.