randle deer numbers

[logger]

My dad was in story telling mode today and was telling me when he worked in randle-packwood late 70s to the late 80s you had to just about swat the deer and elk out the road everymorning. I have been over the 23 rd. to trout lake several times in the last 2 mo. and seen some elk just once. are they still there, is it to growed up now?

[Big Fred Kahuna]

Don't know about the elk, but the deer numbers are not real good. That being said the bucks you do see are generally big bucks.

[Alchase]

The elk between Randle and Trout lake are very "road shy". If you get off the roads there is a ton of sign. Especially in the 23rd and 90rd junction area or south of the Berry fields.
We also saw a lot of cat sign this year.

[Alchase]

The deer in the same area seem to have diminished allot over the last 5 years. We tend to see allot more elk sign then deer sign anymore.

[DOUBLELUNG]

USFS projected switching management under the 1994 Northwest Forest Plan would result in a 40% reduction in deer and elk populations on the GPNF.  Looks like they got the trend right.

[Bigshooter]

No logging = Less deer.

[BENCHLEG]

i agree with you bigshooter

[fishseeker]

Elk4me and I spent the late rifle hunting the 23 around Blue Lake trail area. saw very little deer sign. Blew my only chance Friday morning by not being ready to hunt when I left the truck. Was not 50 feet from the truck and looked up and saw a deer from the neck back on the skid rd about 40yards. never saw the head but it was a BIG deer. Couldn't find it again. Fresh scrape another 50yard up the skid. Saw only 2 more does the rest of the hunt. Didn't see any hanging

[jstamp]

No logging = Less deer.

[tony04]

me my brother and dad hunt up by woods creek off of the 25rd. we have always seen a good number and atleast one of us get a buck every year there. but this season i didnt see a single deer and hardley any sign. we found out why on saturday of late buck. my brother shot at a cougar that was stalking him. didnt get it though. we found very little blood but couldnt find the cat.

[bullcanyon]

Cougars are a problem, but from what a local game warden told my buddy.  Not the biggest problem.  He said that the minorities are going out and shooting does to feed their families.  Several at a time.  I'm just repeating what he said, but it does make sense.  This was by far the worst year on the westside that I've seen.  I've got a ton of buddies that hunt all over lewis county and for the most part they came up empty this year.  Most of them have not ate a tag their whole lives.  We have a serious deer problem in this area.  I wrote the game department about it and have not recieved a response as of yet.

Keep your eyes open for poachers.

[buckbrush]

I grew up in Randle and know the area quite well.  Everybody is absolutely right when it come to the deer population. I have to express another reason why numbers have dwindled.  Every fall of every year we now have an increase in mushroom pickers, beargrass pickers and any number of "pickers" out there.  They are everywhere. Add this with the local "meth heads" and you have yourself quite a poaching party.  Predetor numbers have increased.  The deer are losing big time.  Elk numbers are up.  Especially in the valley.  I know we have read the articles concerning special hunts or tags for the area around the valley.  I oppose that.  If you are a landowner, find a way to charge people to hunt your property.  If not, sell your property to an organization (not tribal), that will manage animal populations, (transplant, hunt etc..).  Most of us that read or post on this site share the same thought process when it comes to the outdoors.  Organizing and becoming active in the outdoor industry is the only way that we can preserve our way of life.  I am definately guilty of not doing enough.   If anybody would like to know more about the area and what is going on in the big bottom valley, give me a shout. (email).  The big bottom valley needs more productive citizens and less meth heads, illegal aliens and poachers.

[logger]

I was talking to a buddy of mine who works for the forest service and he was telling me that his crew worked up at high rock off skate cr. rd. off and on all summer and never saw one elk. He agrees that when the f.s. quit logging the game moved out. In talking with some of the oldtimers it's a shame what the area has come to, you almost have to hunt in town anymore.

[buckbrush]

Skate creek area and skate mountain are very popular with poachers.