Observations from Okanogan Area?

[WaltAlpine]

Besides the predator problems (4 legged and 2 legged) the rifle hunt is to early IMO for any great success, atleast in my area. The weather this week is highs in the 40's, lows in the 20's and possible snow. Also "back in the day" the hunt went for 3-4 weeks......
Waltpine did ya look at the field of alfalfa and corn on the corner of talkire lk rd and hwy 20?

Yes I did see those fields. There was a camp at the edge, and a guy posted up on the road. I assume they got their tags filled as they were gone after two days, but I never did see anything shootable. As far as I can tell they didn't move up the creek during the day or at night.
There's a lot of sad stories around the office today.

[TimberCutter]

I lived at Bonaparte lake resort from 1974 till my mom sold it in the 80's never have i seen so few deer. It is sad i remember when you could see 50 to a 100 a day . I think fish and game should have a few more doe tags and just finish off whats left. It would save us all allot of money!!! Very poor hunt.

[WaltAlpine]

I lived at Bonaparte lake resort from 1974 till my mom sold it in the 80's never have i seen so few deer. It is sad i remember when you could see 50 to a 100 a day . I think fish and game should have a few more doe tags and just finish off whats left. It would save us all allot of money!!! Very poor hunt.

Funny, (not really), I was going to leave where I was to go check it out up there. Glad I didn't.

[Tundra]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info.   So is it bad year because Mule Deer numbers are down in general? Or just down due to the timing / weather?

[WaltAlpine]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info.   So is it bad year because Mule Deer numbers are down in general? Or just down due to the timing / weather?

We'll probably find out when the late tag guys are done with their hunts???

[MtnMuley]

I spend a "fair" amount of time in the Okanogan, and will tell you that wolves are not the slightest bit of an issue on the deer numbers.  Methow is a different story, but not in the Okanogan country.  Bears are doing a number on the fawns, and the coyotes get their normal share.  Cougars get their normal share as well, but nothing like some suggest.  Cougar numbers are right where they should be, and definately not high. (Thanks to the hounders maintaining that.  Now that's over, so we'll have to wait and see) More and more seem be seen, but they're usually juveniles looking for a range.   Also, people expanding out into their country increases more sightings as well.  On a side note, I will say this was the worst rifle season I've seen as a whole.  They're just a week or so behind  for their normal mid October patterns. 

[Buckmark]

Thanks guys. Appreciate the info.   So is it bad year because Mule Deer numbers are down in general? Or just down due to the timing / weather?

They have been declining every year for awhile, success rates drop every year up there.

[Buckmark]

I lived at Bonaparte lake resort from 1974 till my mom sold it in the 80's never have i seen so few deer. It is sad i remember when you could see 50 to a 100 a day . I think fish and game should have a few more doe tags and just finish off whats left. It would save us all allot of money!!! Very poor hunt.

There was a biggin hanging in your camp opening weekend, any pics?

[TimberCutter]

I heard about a nice whitetail but didn't see it, i was there for the last 4 days and it was gone.

[Birdguy]

We have owned property over there for 30+ years. We have hunted it for the last 15 or so. We did not have near the number of deer around this year. Not just during the season but all summer as well. We had 4-8 cams out from May and the numbers are WAY down from previous years  . We do seem to be getting more bears each year on cam as well. We got our first one two years ago and this year we photoed 4 or five different ones.  We have a very predictable group of mule deer does and fawns every year that seem to stay right around 8 animals, with the occasional 2 point that will hang out with them checking any that will hold still. While we do not generally see the bigger mule deer bucks until November the white tails have been pretty dependable over the last several years. We generally shoot a couple white tail bucks each year this year we saw none. We hunted a lot of hours but saw nothing of note. We actually saw more big horns than white tails. We went out looking for coyotes one morning (after 0900) and counted 8 in less that an hour. My boy scared one real good  from 250 yds (first shot at an animal with his 243), we will be heading back over for more coyote action in Nov.-Feb. for sure  .
    I wonder between the coyotes and locals trying to stay alive how many deer disappear each year?  I know things are tough over there (they always have been) but I think poaching is accepted on most levels at this point. I am thankful I do not need the meat to survive but I had really hoped to get my son a shot at one. I do not even think he needed to pull the trigger but to see a legal buck would have been great. I guess we will see what next year brings in the form of permits for him, maybe he will get his youth doe tag and a second deer tag  .

[sako85]

I was also there all week only to see maybe 20 deer total, 50/50 split
on Whiteys and Mules. Even the Grouse #s seemed way down from last yr.
We get up there about once a month and the Yotes and Bear sure seem
to do a number on the them in our area. The Nov. guys should still do well
with the rut.

[Scottystyle]

I hunt NW of Omak for the last 21 years.  This is the second year not tagging out opening weekend. Usually see 50 or so deer daily, a hand full spikes and forkeds, and a couple shooters.... Nothing of big size.  In 4 days , saw 13 does, 0 bucks.... All mule deer, no whitetail.  Didnt see any cougar sign or bear sign and no kill spots.  Itwas pretty bleak for whatever reason 

[JimmyHoffa]

You don't have brush pickers over there, do you?

[boneaddict]

Pot grows

[dr.derek]

weather played a key part