Looking for opinions on Okanogan Co mule deer

[shanevg]

We have been seeing less and less over there as well.  I archery hunted all weekend over there and some of our great spots had nary a track let alone a deer.  We still do OK during modern season but we are seeing maybe 25% of the numbers we used to see just 3 or 4 years ago.  I think the Tripod Fire really hurt things as well as it took away so much terrain that the deer used to frequent. Eventually that fire will grow some good feed again but it hasn't happened yet. 

[jess]

wolves are running the deer and they are having misscarages.. Then the bears and yotes if they do drop the fawn are all over it.. The predator population is way to high!!! The deer population around republic is going down too.. Its sad! And we have had fairly easy winters so its not winter kill! 

[boneaddict]

My son shot a four point in the Gardner on day two of the modern season at 8:00 AM. I know one person's experience is nothing to base a total observation on, but I thought I'd give the information anyway.

All observations are welcomed.    I have killed a buck and most of them fairly decent every year for the last 30 years, BUT I certainly have also observed we are at an all time low in that time frame of deer in the Methow Valley.   This MAY BE the first year I don't tag out.   I have had one oppurtunity to tag and I didn't take it this year on a 145 buck.   I usuaully have MANY of those oppurtunities.   

As for seeing 40-60 deer.   Still possible in several fields, but I add you used to see 100-200 in some of those fields.  I also see NONE where I used to see 40-50.   Winterrange,   counted 9 deer this last year in the prime lookout pack zone on a hillside where I used to count 300-400 deer.   Go figure.  Maybe they moved to other ranges.  Where?

[highmuley]

I listed control burns for this reason. Where we were hunting on NF they came through and thinned, than they came through and burned it. We had one honey of a spot where one of us killed a buck every year. It was so good we only allowed the youth and disabled hunters to hunt it first than the other guys could. Once it was burned the magic was gone.
So I think burns are good but some places will not be good again in your life time, if ever.

Same chit happened to the white tail in my area. They thinned and burned....now no white tail. We used to see 5+ point whiteys all the time. Lucky to see a spike now. The muleys haved moved down (before pressure starts) but their scarce now too. Grrrr.....I hate luvin huntin! Its like a bad marriage you can't get out of!