2nd deer Cypress

[nocklehead]

My lady and I both drew the 2nd deer cypress, muzzleloader, not that thats hard, its one of the easiest to get, hard to access, and not as many deer as say vashon. Were happy though, and the beach camping alone will be alot of fun.
Anybody else hunting/hunted Cypress?
We'll be camping out there in a couple weeks to check it out, my first time there, although Ive google earth'd it so much I feel like Ive been there.

[hillbillyhunting]

I also have a second deer tag for cypress. Im hoping to harvest some doe meat  looking for some basic pointers... Should I start at the north or south end?  Pm would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for any help. A helpful pointer may result in some homemade jerky in the mail.

[CP]

I hunted this several years ago and I believe the DNR campgrounds close Oct 1.

[hillbillyhunting]

I will be staying on a boat.

[Bearhide]

Good luck, you should be able to put some meat in the freezer

[JackOfAllTrades]

The island is in need of some game management! Taking four doe's would be honorable.  Also... Get in shape before you go. The only flat spots are the beach, the "Juvenile Correctional Center" (stay away), and the top of the island.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/garden/15alone.html?_r=0 
 
I have noticed that there are two gene pools (deer) for Guemes and Cypress. If you're seeing small deer. MOVE. There are some good bucks that swim between those islands.
 
Don't forget your Discover Pass!
 
-Steve

[h20hunter]

I'm really looking forward to the write up on this one. Could be a fun trip. Good luck and take the camera.

[RB]

Well hopefully third time is a charm! This is the third time I have drawn this tag been to the island four times and have yet to see a Deer  I will go again this year and if not successful most likely never put in for it again. I feel like I have covered quite a bit of ground and have seen some sign, but no animals yet.

After a scary ride last year I will be watching the tides and weather alot closer this year as well. Barely made it into Anacortes last day of late season. Accidently left my cell phone in my truck to start, so had no way to call anybody. Submarined through a wave so big it broke the aluminum bow on my canvas top. Made it to the island only to turn around cause the tide was so high I could not get on the beach. Had to leave my boat in Anacortes because I could not get back up the Swinomish channel to get back to my truck and trailer. Had to take a taxi (after harbor master let me use his phone to call) back to my truck go home and go back next day to get my boat.

Love a good adventure! 

[RB]

The island is in need of some game management! Taking four doe's would be honorable.  Also... Get in shape before you go. The only flat spots are the beach, the "Juvenile Correctional Center" (stay away), and the top of the island.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/15/garden/15alone.html?_r=0 
 
I have noticed that there are two gene pools (deer) for Guemes and Cypress. If you're seeing small deer. MOVE. There are some good bucks that swim between those islands.
 
Don't forget your Discover Pass!
 
-Steve

Are you kidding me? I have to put a discover pass in my boat???   

[JackOfAllTrades]

Launch at Washington Park. Not Swinomish channel.  Or lift/launch at the Cap Sante marina. No reason to leave your truck at Swinomish Channel to get broke into.  Much of the island is DNR land. Go now and set out trail cams.
 
An 18' foot boat in Guemes channel can be a bit small on certain tide/wind driven seas in October.
 
-Steve

[RB]

Launch at Washington Park. Not Swinomish channel.  Or lift/launch at the Cap Sante marina. No reason to leave your truck at Swinomish Channel to get broke into.  Much of the island is DNR land. Go now and set out trail cams.
 
An 18' foot boat in Guemes channel can be a bit small on certain tide/wind driven seas in October.
 
-Steve

Yes indeed! They stacked up quick and really close together reminded me of river rapids not salt water swell. If I had a trail cam that would be a great idea. Every time I go to Swinomish I see either the Game warden or the parks person did not realize it was a target area for thieves. Thanks

[Stickflinger]

Hey everybody, I drew a 2nd deer archery tag for Cypress. Has anyone been there towards the middle to end of September?

[ORCA_SIX]

I have hunted this island as well. I will try to write something up this coming week. And get to a couple PM's on the subject.

[lokidog]

Ha ha, hope you guys that end up being successful like $2.50 a pound venison, and that's just for the tag.     We stopped applying for the second deer tag here since they went doe only for it and upped the cost to stupid level (imho).

Seriously though, if you are looking for an interesting hunt, I hope you have fun.  The weather can be a bear out here.  September isn't usually too bad (hot and dry), but be dang carefull in October and especially November as the wind/waves can be quite scary out there.  If Cypress is anything like Decatur food-wise, bring a gunny sack full of apples, smush a few of them near some game trails and you should have all the does you can shake a stick at coming by in a day or so.

[nocklehead]

Ha ha, hope you guys that end up being successful like $2.50 a pound venison, and that's just for the tag.     We stopped applying for the second deer tag here since they went doe only for it and upped the cost to stupid level (imho).

Seriously though, if you are looking for an interesting hunt, I hope you have fun.  The weather can be a bear out here.  September isn't usually too bad (hot and dry), but be dang carefull in October and especially November as the wind/waves can be quite scary out there.  If Cypress is anything like Decatur food-wise, bring a gunny sack full of apples, smush a few of them near some game trails and you should have all the does you can shake a stick at coming by in a day or so.

Well, have you ever seen venison in the store!?  10-30$ a lb.... and if we can get 40lbs of meat for a $60 tag, thats not that bad, plus hopefully my buddy is driving and I just gotta pay for boat gas and beers. Of course its not all about value, its a second deer (hopefully) and a fun adventure.

Well hopefully third time is a charm! This is the third time I have drawn this tag been to the island four times and have yet to see a Deer  I will go again this year and if not successful most likely never put in for it again. I feel like I have covered quite a bit of ground and have seen some sign, but no animals yet.

After a scary ride last year I will be watching the tides and weather alot closer this year as well. Barely made it into Anacortes last day of late season. Accidently left my cell phone in my truck to start, so had no way to call anybody. Submarined through a wave so big it broke the aluminum bow on my canvas top. Made it to the island only to turn around cause the tide was so high I could not get on the beach. Had to leave my boat in Anacortes because I could not get back up the Swinomish channel to get back to my truck and trailer. Had to take a taxi (after harbor master let me use his phone to call) back to my truck go home and go back next day to get my boat.

Love a good adventure! 

dang! I hope we see more deer than you have! Good luck! Are you muzzleloading?

[lokidog]

I hope you are right about 40 pounds, maybe they are a LOT bigger on Cypress than here.  Our biggest doe has been 30 pounds of meat.  Not sure how you figure $60 tag?  Aren't they $73 including app? Guess I've never needed to look at the price of venison in the store... wouldn't even know where to look.      

Either way, hope you have a good time.  I've thought about heading over there sometime just to check things out.  When i first moved out here, I thought it would be neat to get a deer on every island

Bring those apples.   

I've heard about coyotes being sighted on Cypress, just an FYI.

[nocklehead]

I hope you are right about 40 pounds, maybe they are a LOT bigger on Cypress than here.  Our biggest doe has been 30 pounds of meat.  Not sure how you figure $60 tag?  Aren't they $73 including app?

dang quit reminding me of how much Ive already spent! Oh well, its alot more fun than going to costco!

[lokidog]

I hope you are right about 40 pounds, maybe they are a LOT bigger on Cypress than here.  Our biggest doe has been 30 pounds of meat.  Not sure how you figure $60 tag?  Aren't they $73 including app?

dang quit reminding me of how much Ive already spent! Oh well, its alot more fun than going to costco!

It's always fun checking out a new area.  And, it still costs less than therapy, though therapy is probably only a copay.   

[RB]

Ha ha, hope you guys that end up being successful like $2.50 a pound venison, and that's just for the tag.     We stopped applying for the second deer tag here since they went doe only for it and upped the cost to stupid level (imho).

Seriously though, if you are looking for an interesting hunt, I hope you have fun.  The weather can be a bear out here.  September isn't usually too bad (hot and dry), but be dang carefull in October and especially November as the wind/waves can be quite scary out there.  If Cypress is anything like Decatur food-wise, bring a gunny sack full of apples, smush a few of them near some game trails and you should have all the does you can shake a stick at coming by in a day or so.

Yes the price is fairly ridiculous, but compared to going to SE Alaska price wise it is cheaper. I have hunted up there several times and always come home with two Deer and alot of them are not much bigger than the island Deer here, so at $85 for license and $150 each for Deer tags plus flight (400-800), food (300), fuel (split with my brother and his friends 200). Paying $7.10 for application and $68 for the tag and $40 in fuel I can get a small Deer here for less than the price of one tag in SE and still have a fun adventure in my boat and be home the same night with the wife and kids 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I haven't lived in Anacortes for more than 12 years, but I've hunted Guemes in years past. A buddy has hunted Cypress and Guemes and taken 185# blacktails off both islands, (dressed). There should still be larger does and bucks. (at least there used to be)
 
This pair of garden fed bucks were spotted just last week on Fidalgo.
 
-Steve
 

[hillbillyhunting]

I don't like to do the math. We aren't hunting to save money on meat. I love eating deer meat, and would pay a premium price for meat of this quality, but do yourself a favor and don't calculate the cost of venison you harvested. Unless you don't practice shooting and shoot a deer in the back yard it's not going to pencil out to being a good deal. Think of how much we all pay for gas, ammo, tags, parking passes, etc. the cost of this tag was not a consideration for me. I'm doing it for the experience and a chance to put meat in the freezer while continuing to focus on a trophy with my regular ms tag. 

[bear hunter]

I don't like to do the math. We aren't hunting to save money on meat. I love eating deer meat, and would pay a premium price for meat of this quality, but do yourself a favor and don't calculate the cost of venison you harvested. Unless you don't practice shooting and shoot a deer in the back yard it's not going to pencil out to being a good deal. Think of how much we all pay for gas, ammo, tags, parking passes, etc. the cost of this tag was not a consideration for me. I'm doing it for the experience and a chance to put meat in the freezer while continuing to focus on a trophy with my regular ms tag. 

[RB]

I don't like to do the math. We aren't hunting to save money on meat. I love eating deer meat, and would pay a premium price for meat of this quality, but do yourself a favor and don't calculate the cost of venison you harvested. Unless you don't practice shooting and shoot a deer in the back yard it's not going to pencil out to being a good deal. Think of how much we all pay for gas, ammo, tags, parking passes, etc. the cost of this tag was not a consideration for me. I'm doing it for the experience and a chance to put meat in the freezer while continuing to focus on a trophy with my regular ms tag. 

Yup