Free: Contests & Raffles.
From what I've seen, the deer ARE making a comeback. I have started seeing deer in areas I haven't seen them since late 90's, and not just a few. It's been noticeable numbers
I see mostly characteristics of mule deer in my chukar hunting areas. mule/black mix on the river for the most part, benchlegs in the beginning of timber to about 5 miles from the crest, and then you start seeing straight blacktail. The deer at the ski area are blacktail. Yes, deer are somewhat coming back. Seen 65 total in 12 miles I hiked late last fall.
I doubt it has much effect in that area. No longer running cats with dogs probably has the greatest effect IMO. Save one kitty = 20+ dead deer each year plus dozens of turkey polts. Eat all the deer = kitty moves on to better hunting grounds. But at least we don't harass the poor little kitty and endanger the poor little puppies. Protect predators, kill off all the big game, close hunting seasons, greenies win and the master plan is complete compliments of WDFW, WSU activists and uneducated voters of Washington.
don't forget rad, if there is no hunting then why do you need a gun.............
They could have saved about $175,000 and just asked hunters. No big secret the cougar population in that region is out of control. In fact it seems to be spilling over the mountain too. We've seen a spike in cougar numbers all the way to the Southern Toutle. No coincidence the deer numbers have been crashing at the same time! Over half the hoof rot elk we see dead in spring have been fed upon by cats too.I know a few Klickitat bowhunters that have seen more cats over the last few years than deer. Not saying they are good deer hunters...but apparently they stumble upon plenty of cats. Hard to find a Klick turkey hunter that doesn't have a cat story or two. Could probably cut down on the number of cats quite a bit if they extended the late cougar season until May 1st. That would give turkey hunters 15 days to help thin the population.
Quote from: RadSav on May 14, 2014, 12:15:11 AMThey could have saved about $175,000 and just asked hunters. No big secret the cougar population in that region is out of control. In fact it seems to be spilling over the mountain too. We've seen a spike in cougar numbers all the way to the Southern Toutle. No coincidence the deer numbers have been crashing at the same time! Over half the hoof rot elk we see dead in spring have been fed upon by cats too.I know a few Klickitat bowhunters that have seen more cats over the last few years than deer. Not saying they are good deer hunters...but apparently they stumble upon plenty of cats. Hard to find a Klick turkey hunter that doesn't have a cat story or two. Could probably cut down on the number of cats quite a bit if they extended the late cougar season until May 1st. That would give turkey hunters 15 days to help thin the population.Definitely have to agree w/ya on this one RAD. From the emails and a single phone call with the WDFW, the answers I received were cougars and Indians.
I suppose, But me personally I havnt heard so much with the indians killing a bunch of deer,Just the Elk.Can you point me to the deer stories?
Interesting that they didn't factor in the annual slaughter of deer by their own tribal members and the Yakimas as part of the reason that the population isn't rebounding. They fill the beds of their pickups with deer (and elk), every year until the snow gets too deep on the roads for them to drive their rigs. Too many people have witnessed them doing this for anyone to deny that it doesn't happen. Two-legged predators is the real problem.
Quote from: canyelk48 on May 20, 2014, 05:16:46 PMInteresting that they didn't factor in the annual slaughter of deer by their own tribal members and the Yakimas as part of the reason that the population isn't rebounding. They fill the beds of their pickups with deer (and elk), every year until the snow gets too deep on the roads for them to drive their rigs. Too many people have witnessed them doing this for anyone to deny that it doesn't happen. Two-legged predators is the real problem. It's not Yakama doing the study. If you think the Muckleshoot is slaughtering deer on the east side (yes they have started hunting there) you are kidding yourself. They have very strict regs and mandatory reporting. I wish there was a little recognition when somebody tries to do something right. They have one of the top bios in the West and resources (I.e. hounds) to address some of the issues that are negatives in the overall dynamic of the herd. The Yakama tribe has their own thoughts on management of the wildlife populations. I commend the people trying to change things for the better and who have a focus on the future game populations for all involved.
If you said weren't I would agree but I will whole heartedly disagree with you. I can produce solid facts and numbers, something I haven't seen in opposing arguments.
Ok I will give you that one.
There's a reason why they get a bad rap. When I was younger we used to hunt Wyoming every chance we got. A W. Wa guy that loves to hunt is glued to the window once the rig crests the first pass. Don't get to see a lot of game grazing fields on our side of the rocky top. We'd litterally be lined up on both sides of the motor home, bino's in hand, trying to count points while on the move, especially once we hit MT. We took 90 till Billings, then headed south. As soon as we made that turn, that was the time for a nap. You pass through the Crow res., seems like it took about 2 hrs or so, BIG res compared to ours, and you never saw so much as a squirrel. That is generally good deer/lope country, but we NEVER saw anything once we hit that res. Just saying, I draw conclusions from experience and it wasn't a one time occurrence.
Quote from: Tbar on May 20, 2014, 07:21:19 PMIf you said weren't I would agree but I will whole heartedly disagree with you. I can produce solid facts and numbers, something I haven't seen in opposing arguments. I'm not bashing or telling you that your wrong, but harvest reports are dependant on individuals actually reporting. Historically, the tribes willingness to track harvests have not been stellar. Some of us on here actually live in these units and I will tell you that I see more mucks than I do Yaks. I also have seen in the last two years, a larger number of mucks during the early season (Sept). One thing I will say is at least the Mucks ARE TRYING to do something. More than I can say about Yakama tribe. Our deer get hammered by predators from Jan to Dec, two legged and 4 and we wonder why they aren't multiplying. This is why I choose not to hunt Yakima GMU's anymore.
A few rosies
Quote from: Wiley on May 24, 2014, 07:11:35 AMA few rosies
