Free: Contests & Raffles.
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
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
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 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!