Deer news from the Methow Valley News

[wsmnut]

archery, special anterless seasons just ahead

Mule deer seasons will open this week for both bow hunters and those modern firearms hunters who still have unfilled permits for antlerless deer.

The late archery season in Game Management Units (GMUs) 209 (Wannacutt), 215 (Sinlahekin), 233 (Pogue), 243 (Manson), and 250 (Swakane) opens Friday (Nov. 21) and continues through Nov. 30.

The second half of the modern firearms special split season for antlerless mule deer also reopens Nov. 21 and continues through the end of the month in the three GMUs most affected by this summer’s Carlton Complex fire. Those units include Alta (242), Chiliwist (239) and Pearrygin (224).

Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin said the special antlerless season was adopted and 1,900 permits issued in an effort to encourage hunters to harvest more does and reduce the stress on local herds during the coming winter months.

Seth Thomson of Thompson’s Thomson’s Custom Meats in Twisp said the antlerless results as gauged by the number of carcasses brought into their facility was far below season expectations for the first half of the split season.

“Many hunters who had two tags and got a buck elected not to shoot a doe,” Chris Thomson said. He added that in a hard winter with reduced habitat to support local herds, “nature will take its course.”



1900 permits now?  I thought it was 1,000.  Bad reporting or what?

Wsmnut

 

[huntnphool]

Yep, 1900 now 

[mkcj]

It will take 20 years to recover from fitkins slaughter

[MtnMuley]

What a lot of people fail to realize is how the seasons are set and the numbers of tags issued  in Okanogan County are basically determined by this useless puke. One change and we wouldn't be in these  threads over the same issues. Allow this to continue and expect more 

[coachcw]

well if every one would just get the tags then burn them it would make a difference . I've never been a fan of muley doe tags for adults ... white tail a different story.

[Elkpiss]

What a lot of people fail to realize is how the seasons are set and the numbers of tags issued  in Okanogan County are basically determined by this useless puke. One change and we wouldn't be in these  threads over the same issues. Allow this to continue and expect more 

WTF are you doing up at 3am..?      

[boneaddict]

Its clueless management.   What are the numbers killed by the fire?  What are the numbers remaining?  Where are all these excess animals?

Hats off to those that did not "take advantage" of this mismanagement.   THANK YOU

[huntnphool]

Its clueless management.   What are the numbers killed by the fire?  What are the numbers remaining?  Where are all these excess animals?

Hats off to those that did not "take advantage" of this mismanagement.   THANK YOU

+1 on the mis"management"

Dont know what the fire numbers are, clearly Fitkin doesn't either, but at the last meeting they threw out a total herd number of around 35k I believe is what they said.

[bigmacc]

Its clueless management.   What are the numbers killed by the fire?  What are the numbers remaining?  Where are all these excess animals?

Hats off to those that did not "take advantage" of this mismanagement.   THANK YOU

+1 on the mis"management"

Dont know what the fire numbers are, clearly Fitkin doesn't either, but at the last meeting they threw out a total herd number of around 35k I believe is what they said.

Clearly Fitkin does not know, because if that herd number of 35k that hes throwing out there were true that would mean there are as many deer now as there were in the glory days of the Methow, myself and a few others here know that is total b.s.....

[bigmacc]

Its clueless management.   What are the numbers killed by the fire?  What are the numbers remaining?  Where are all these excess animals?

Hats off to those that did not "take advantage" of this mismanagement.   THANK YOU

I also will tip my hat to those who did not partake....thank you

[Ridgerunner50]

Maybe the snow that is falling now will lessen the impact of Fitkins doe massacre!

[Boss .300 winmag]

Maybe the snow that is falling now will lessen the impact of Fitkins doe massacre!

How much snow do you have?

[Ridgerunner50]

Just an inch or so on the valley floor but sounds like a foot or so in the passes so maybe people wont risk the drive,

[Skyvalhunter]

Fitkin once again shows his true colors and show he still suffers from inability to pull the head out syndrome.

[7mmfan]

I think I'll be heading over on Friday morning to find myself a whitetail doe and see if I can help the mule deer a little bit. I have an angle on a few 

[huntnphool]

I think I'll be heading over on Friday morning to find myself a whitetail doe and see if I can help the mule deer a little bit. I have an angle on a few 

  Good eats.

[Birdguy]

I too would like to thank those who are electing not to use their doe tags and to those only shooting whitetails  .

Suppose Fitkin will use these "hunter success" numbers to report that with all the animals taken by hunters this year is just another testiment to non effect of wolves to our herds in the area  ?

[Team Baze]

Took my son this weekend to unit 242 we saw a lot of deer and in the end he told me he couldn't shot a Doe.  He is only 11 and I didn't want to push him and make him do something he didn't want to and then ruin him on hunting.  He will know when it's time so there are two less doe tags that won't be filled.  We did make good memories and found new areas .


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[YellowDog]

Took my son this weekend to unit 242 we saw a lot of deer and in the end he told me he couldn't shot a Doe.  He is only 11 and I didn't want to push him and make him do something he didn't want to and then ruin him on hunting.  He will know when it's time so there are two less doe tags that won't be filled.  We did make good memories and found new areas .


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I think you made a wise.decision not to pressure your soninto taking a doe if he didn't want to... Not all parents are as wise.

[boneaddict]

Took my son this weekend to unit 242 we saw a lot of deer and in the end he told me he couldn't shot a Doe.  He is only 11 and I didn't want to push him and make him do something he didn't want to and then ruin him on hunting.  He will know when it's time so there are two less doe tags that won't be filled.  We did make good memories and found new areas .


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  Not just because you didn't harvest a doe, but because I think you made a great decision with your son.  Good for him as well.  Impressive.