Skookumchuck continues decline

[Dman]

 I asked the question of WDFW about the decline in recent years of the Skoomumchuck unit blacktail. Not good news! No cause has yet been identified for the decline, but this year is expected to be the same as last as far as harvest. I'm wondering if many of the deer used to range down into the Weyerhaeuser land's sold in the Yelm and Mineral areas totaling several thousand acres for new housing. If that's the case, we'll never see the 'glory days' again.

[bobcat]

Maybe hair loss has had an affect?

[WDFW-SUX]

I think poaching is more of an issue around mineral lots of hard up folks in that neck of the woods

[Dman]

 Hair slip has not been significantly noticed, according to the bio. I think poaching can be an issue outside of Vail proper, but within the mainlines I think it's minimal to nil. My gut tells me it's both habitat loss and overharvest just prior to the habitat loss, as well as 3 dry summers in a row.

[billythekidrock]

I agree with the habitat loss and over harvest. The logging, though still ongoing, is less than what it used to be and the cuts are growing into stands of timber therefore less feed. Building is a huge issue in this area as well.

[280ackley]

Are we talking population decline or harvest decline?

[Dman]

 This is my theory on the last couple dry summers I hunted the Skook (excluding this summer). Doe's that are fawning in late spring have lower fawn survival rates when water is scarce and it forces them and their offspring to travel greater distances through coyote country in search of water.

[Dman]

Are we talking population decline or harvest decline?

 Both since 2004.

[280ackley]

I agree with the summer theory.  As far as the habitat I don't see much of a change in the harvest of the Vail Tree Farm.  The mixed age of the timber seems to me to be fairly consistant.  Yes there are years that have a higher harvest then others, but it looks fairly even.  I think with a 2 point restriction (spikes can be taken by youth or antlerless permit) the Skook could be a premier blacktail unit.

[Dman]

 A two point rule would be great for the Skook, I don't shoot spike's anyways. If the trend continues another year or so, it may very well happen.

[Dman]

 Here's an article from last season.

http://www.theolympian.com/103/story/47042.html

[Antlershed]

I would alos be in favor of at least a 2-point min restriction on that unit. I used to live (when I lived with my parents) about 10 minutes from the valley, and about 15 minutes from the E-130 gate. The amount of deer being seen has been declining for a number of years. I wish Weyerhauser would burn their clearcuts up there instead of leaving them dead with no food in them.

[257 Wby Mag]

2 point restriction would be the way to go,don't know if it will ever happen though. My property borders Vail, opening morning the headlights come over in a solid stream. what are they shootin'? Spikes. Let the geezers and youth kill spikes, everyone else forked horn or better.

[singleshot12]

Some timber company's use herbicides that kill allot of foliage that the deer depend on for food.A 2-point min restriction would definitely be worth a try tho.

[Dman]

 I saw a study on the use of herbicides done by DNR/ WDFW. Hancock came out as the worst, which I already knew from hiking the Snoqualmie, they definitely are using too heavy a mix from what I've seen with my own eyes (and smelled!). I've not noticed herbicede's at all in Vail, I think that they are so aggressive about planting/ burning the fresh cuts, that weeds don't really take hold as much. I know from being a WSDA licensed herbicides consultant for nearly ten years that many of the regulations have been relaxed too much in recent years. You don't want to know what is being sprayed around these days!!