4 gut piles- possible poaching?

[dwils233]

We pulled into a gravel pit this weekend around 11 o'clock looking for some pheasants . It was tucked just off the road and we wrapped behind some trees and a 15 foot high gravel pile. As soon as we get behind the gravel pile we saw 4 gut piles all fresh from the morning within about a ten foot area of each other.

The first thing I thought was poaching just because I would never haul a whole animal out before gutting, much less 4 of them. Also it seems highly unlikely that a single group would all tag out the same time frame with legal bucks. Finally, just the location and the way it felt back there was just..off somehow. I know its a day late but should I call it in? Its not much to go on, but I'd feel better if WDFW at least had it on the radar in case something happens again in the area, since I mostly go for bird though (not big game) am I just being paranoid or misreading the situation?

[buckfvr]

Theres gut piles everywhere......Id mind my own business, but thats just me............

[bowhunterty]

Depends on the unit. Eastside has some spots open for does.

[dwils233]

Its a 3 pt minimum GMU.

I would mind my own business but me and the guy I hunt with put in a lot of time down there knocking on doors and going by the book to get on private land. If another hunter or group of hunters is abusing that land, it is problematic for me and for anyone else trying to hunt down there.

 

[buckfvr]

Thats a big " IF "...............you're looking for trouble......if what you are seeing is a crime in its self, call.....but dont manufacture a crime on an if..............

[Thehowler]

Never hurts to report  If it looks suspicious to you.
that sounds suspicious. Talk to the game warden about it.

[runningboard]

the county road crews sometimes put whole roadkills in the same spot in pits, maybe the guys who salvage roadkills (legally) just used the same pit after a series of car/deer accidents?

[_TONY_]

the county road crews sometimes put whole roadkills in the same spot in pits, maybe the guys who salvage roadkills (legally) just used the same pit after a series of car/deer accidents?

 

Also, some of the private land that I hunt,the owners ask that I don't leave gut piles... Could be the same situation...

[grundy53]

Its a 3 pt minimum GMU.

I would mind my own business but me and the guy I hunt with put in a lot of time down there knocking on doors and going by the book to get on private land. If another hunter or group of hunters is abusing that land, it is problematic for me and for anyone else trying to hunt down there.

 

A lot of the the 3 point minimum units have doe permits and second deer tags(antlerless). The Methow has a LOT right now.

[EDT]

From the sound of your post with the "knocking on doors" and "private land", it makes me think that is farm land.  There are groups of people who draw doe tags, shoot them, drive up to them, put them all in the back of the truck, then unload and gut them all at once.  Just cause it was a 3 point minimum does not mean that there is not another legal hunt going on right now.  Personally, I wouldn't worry about it, other people knock on doors and get permission too.

[Stein]

Also, some of the private land that I hunt,the owners ask that I don't leave gut piles... Could be the same situation...

I think this happens more than one would think.  Several guys get permission to hunt private land and owner doesn't want wolf/coyote/bobcat bait on his land.  Guys load up and drive to public where then can gut and leave them out of sight.

Not sure if it is legal or not, but I would think a poacher would be more likely to haul home then stand over a 4 bagger of guts.

[BOWHUNTER45]

As a kid back east I can remember leaving 8 to 10 gut piles in the same spot 

[Hawgdawg]

 

Theres gut piles everywhere......Id mind my own business, but thats just me............

[Hawgdawg]

Stick to your birds. That's just good hunting.

[huntnnw]

Lotta suburb area hunting going on and I know of people who do not gut deer in peoples yards and leave it..they haul them out to an area to gut them