Public land joke..

[rosscrazyelk]

So I originally was planning on some private property that I have hunted to take my niece  for her rifle season. well the landowner decided to give everyone and their mother a written permission slip. so needless to say we went to some blm land that I knew of not to far away. well this land is 11,000 acres and it has multiple parking places. As I pull up to one end of the property I see 12 vehicles. So I pass on to the next entrance point. 5 camps there. Now that daylight has arrived I decided to drive around to the other side of the land. It takes about 45 minutes to get around. in this drive I counted 61 deer. 7 bucks one which is the third largest deer I have seen in this area. But of coarse its all private . finally get to a spot where there is noone around. we hike in for a couple miles and get on a viewpoint.. I put up the binos and see 22 people.
Needless to say I feel bad that I did not get her a deer but she had a good time. She only got this weekend to hunt due to School and her modeling and sports.
Oh, I almost forgot. I drove to the big center area of the peoperty to see what the parking lot looked like. Guess I wont waste my time going there anymore.

[big wood]

That sucks. Take her in the high country. I have horses but you could back pack. You probably will see way less people and have an amazing experience with you daughter.

[Brad Harshman]

That looks like Rock Creek.  My last time modern firearm hunting was at Rock Creek; it scared the cap out me.  Sorry that you experienced such over crowding.  Good luck.

[Bean Counter]

Yeah we had a bit of that in Wyoming this year. Not nearly as bad, and there's a lot more wildlife there, but we thought we'd have the place to ourselves and there were a lot of other hunters with the inside hookup as well 

[270Flat]

I had a very similar experience with my son this weekend. It is his first hunting season. I'll pull him from school to go on a fishing trip... Now we have hunting that he can miss school for. But sports is a different story. Needless to say we missed opening morning for his final soccer game. By the time we got out to our spots (I had 5 spots I wanted to take him) there was so many people I got sick to my stomach... We ended up pulling into the first open spot along a very popular route. We had to hike up, up, up to get into the drainage. We ended up seeing a few deer and three bears. A great experience for both of us. He was so excited to see critters. I felt bad about all the people but the smile on his face makes my day.

[rosscrazyelk]

That looks like Rock Creek.  My last time modern firearm hunting was at Rock Creek; it scared the cap out me.  Sorry that you experienced such over crowding.  Good luck.

That's where we were.  Was better when no one knew it was there.

[jrebel]

That looks like Rock Creek.  My last time modern firearm hunting was at Rock Creek; it scared the cap out me.  Sorry that you experienced such over crowding.  Good luck.

That's where we were.  Was better when no one knew it was there.

Hunted there the first 3 years it was open and took bucks every year.   The 4th year was a zoo so I never went back.  It has continued to be a zoo, which is weird.....usually these places become unpopular after a few years of heavy use, then they become huntable again.  NOT THIS PLACE. 

[2MANY]

"That sucks. Take her in the high country. I have horses but you could back pack. You probably will see way less people and have an amazing experience with you daughter."

This!!!!!!!!

[JimmyHoffa]

That looks like Rock Creek.  My last time modern firearm hunting was at Rock Creek; it scared the cap out me.  Sorry that you experienced such over crowding.  Good luck.

That's where we were.  Was better when no one knew it was there.

Hunted there the first 3 years it was open and took bucks every year.   The 4th year was a zoo so I never went back.  It has continued to be a zoo, which is weird.....usually these places become unpopular after a few years of heavy use, then they become huntable again.  NOT THIS PLACE.

Once an area is a good place for camping, the quality of the hunting doesn't always dictate the crowds.  Lots of big camps still set up each year on the westside during mod elk--same areas same parking configurations.  I went visiting to one that looked like a sales lot for RV World and figured with all the old guys there, they would have some good stories and tips.  Turned out the camp only took one elk forty years before when spikes were legal and the area had huge clear cuts.  Since replant only the precommercial thin was done, now it is jungle and the forest circus decommed probably half the roads.  But still hunt it like it is cuts.  Super nice people that like camping with guns and will shoot an elk if one pops out, but mostly cooking, playing cards and reliving old memories.

[jjhunter]

When I was a kid, I would have never believed that I would see that place full of people or owned by the gov.   It was an amazing place prior to '99.

[wannabhntr]

I remember bird hunting there with my dad as a kid. I don't ever remember him not getting limits. Saw tons of deer and virtually no people.

[JJB11B]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

[moocher97]

I would tie a deer to a tree and let you hunt my property if your daughter came along.....KIDDING!!!!

I feel ya on rifle hunting public land. Its a joke. Why I'm doing archery.

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[Stickerbush]

Similar situation. Arrived at a spot I thought I had reserved. Turned out was reserved by some other hunters as well. Anyway I was able to get out away from the crowds some but no deer to speak of

[fishingnut71]

welcome to the eastside swarm. western wa at its finest. its pathetic.

[bobcat]

This is why mule deer hunting needs to be by permit only. It's ridiculous that we still have an unlimited number of over-the-counter deer tags in a state with a high population of people and relatively low numbers of mule deer.

[CAMPMEAT]

The WDFW needs to better manage game, bobcat.

[bobcat]

The WDFW needs to better manage game, bobcat.

Yes they do, and that's why I said mule deer should be permit only. They have no control over how many people hunt each GMU. I don't consider that management. They just sell as many tags as people will buy and hope for the best.

[CAMPMEAT]

The WDFW needs to better manage game, bobcat.

Yes they do, and that's why I said mule deer should be permit only. They have no control over how many people hunt each GMU. I don't consider that management. They just sell as many tags as people will buy and hope for the best.

We both know it's a pure money makes for the WDFW. They need to have a late muzzleloader season in the 101 and maybe a short rifle season. We have tons of mule deer here.

[Thehowler]

Love to now where the mule deer are. I only ever find whitetail. 

[JimmyHoffa]

welcome to the eastside swarm. western wa at its finest. its pathetic.

Believe it or not, it's not the really bad ones that are usually headed over there.  They stay here and do things that make the others want to go your way. 

[2labs]

Love to now where the mule deer are. I only ever find whitetail. 

Turn left sooner!

[Thehowler]

What the hell?

[jkthomps]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

X2

[LDennis24]

This ranch has been hit so hard for the last 5+ yrs that it's not even worth looking at. I live 3 miles away from it and people drive by headed that way all week long and half end up driving back by 10 mins later cuz they about puked when they see how many rig's there are. Public land is public land but everytime they develope an area and allow parking and RV's it becomes a zoo. Try staying around the elevator next time. The alfalfa is public land and just across the creek on the left at the gate is public land too. Goes back about 3 miles and has some decent bucks on the farthest Northeast end where they can funnel into McCall's alfalfa at night. Also try the BLM ground North East of there in the rock's. For some reason no one hardly ever walks back past the rock column's. Also some area's with dandy bucks along 23 that are "hunt by reservation". Hope I helped a little forin the future.

[rosscrazyelk]

This ranch has been hit so hard for the last 5+ yrs that it's not even worth looking at. I live 3 miles away from it and people drive by headed that way all week long and half end up driving back by 10 mins later cuz they about puked when they see how many rig's there are. Public land is public land but everytime they develope an area and allow parking and RV's it becomes a zoo. Try staying around the elevator next time. The alfalfa is public land and just across the creek on the left at the gate is public land too. Goes back about 3 miles and has some decent bucks on the farthest Northeast end where they can funnel into McCall's alfalfa at night. Also try the BLM ground North East of there in the rock's. For some reason no one hardly ever walks back past the rock column's. Also some area's with dandy bucks along 23 that are "hunt by reservation". Hope I helped a little forin the future.

Are you referring about the army Corp property?
If so it was nuts as well.
Unless I am missing a pocket you are referring to

[Seabass]

I grew up about 10 minutes from there. I took my wife out there about 7 or 8 years ago. I haven't been back since. I think that place is actually dangerous!

[kellama2001]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

X2

X3!

[2MANY]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

X2

And that's why I have always owned horses and mules.
Glad to hear these places draw all the people.
I heard there is an abundance of huge bucks that are easy to kill there as well. LOL.

Didn't the RMEF have something to do with securing the Rock Creek area in WA?

[jjhunter]

I shot my big bucks there in the 90's, in my teens.   The whole area is crap now compared to what it was.   Too much traffic.  Be lucky to whack a 150" buck on the best private dirt, now.

That's why I switched to targeting whitetail.

[bigtex]

We can also blame this on the internet. Anyone can sit at home i  their pajamas and look for "new" public land they haven't been to before with assessors maps online, online agency maps, and now the OnXmaps. Its a negative side effect to a good thing

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[JimmyHoffa]

We can also blame this on the internet. Anyone can sit at home i  their pajamas and look for "new" public land they haven't been to before with assessors maps online, online agency maps, and now the OnXmaps. Its a negative side effect to a good thing

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Definitely, has affected pretty much everything.

[2MANY]

It's more fun without PJs.

[jkthomps]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

X2

And that's why I have always owned horses and mules.
Glad to hear these places draw all the people.
I heard there is an abundance of huge bucks that are easy to kill there as well. LOL.

Didn't the RMEF have something to do with securing the Rock Creek area in WA?

Is that an invite to start hunting with you with horses and mules? If so, I am in lol

[Stickerbush]

We can also blame this on the internet. Anyone can sit at home i  their pajamas and look for "new" public land they haven't been to before with assessors maps online, online agency maps, and now the OnXmaps. Its a negative side effect to a good thing

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True that. Blessing and a curse.

[Curly]

We can also blame this on the internet. Anyone can sit at home i  their pajamas and look for "new" public land they haven't been to before with assessors maps online, online agency maps, and now the OnXmaps. Its a negative side effect to a good thing

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Also can blame message boards.

[2MANY]

aaaand that's why I quit rifle hunting....

X2

And that's why I have always owned horses and mules.
Glad to hear these places draw all the people.
I heard there is an abundance of huge bucks that are easy to kill there as well. LOL.

Didn't the RMEF have something to do with securing the Rock Creek area in WA?

Is that an invite to start hunting with you with horses and mules? If so, I am in lol

Personally I would like to see every road locked at the asphalt.
There are 2MANY people hunting 2FEW acres of real estate these days.

[Bigshooter]

The WDFW needs to better manage game, bobcat.

Yes they do, and that's why I said mule deer should be permit only. They have no control over how many people hunt each GMU. I don't consider that management. They just sell as many tags as people will buy and hope for the best.

We both know it's a pure money makes for the WDFW. They need to have a late muzzleloader season in the 101 and maybe a short rifle season. We have tons of mule deer here.

First you say that they need to be managed better then you say we have tons of mule deer. 

I agree with bobcat all mule deer hunting should be by permit only.

[razzanof]

I shot my first buck on "over-hunted" game lands in Pennsylvania. It was in a spot that no deer had any business being in.  The fact that I shot the deer was due to my uncle realizing that anyone entering the woods would kick deer towards me.  My point is don't always discredit "over-populated" areas.

[asmith]

This is why mule deer hunting needs to be by permit only. It's ridiculous that we still have an unlimited number of over-the-counter deer tags in a state with a high population of people and relatively low numbers of mule deer.

Why stop there?  Make all deer hunting permit only.  That way you can only hunt every 3-5 years.  Just take a look at Nevada deer hunting.  Everything is a draw.  Sure, it does make for some really nice deer.  But you only get to hunt every few years.  I lived there for 4 years and was finally drawn the year I moved up here.  So I never did get to deer hunt.  The better option is too limit the amount of tags sold to each area.  Then at least if an area you want to hunt is sold out, you can always get a tag for a different area.

I would rather be able to go hunting in an over populated hunting area, then not hunt at all!!  Its always about more than just killing a deer.  Its about getting out with friends and family and enjoying the outdoors.

[kentrek]

I don't think a lot of people realize the decline in young adult hunters...18-25 year olds...i bet I have nearly 15 pluss buddies that have given up on hunting in this state because of the current  restrictions...permit only will just drive the hunter numbers down even further

If the deer/elk need to be managed I'd vote for an idaho elk zone system...have zones that have "x" amount of tags...first come first serve

We will lose are rights to hunt if we eliminate the hunters

[JLS]

I don't think a lot of people realize the decline in young adult hunters...18-25 year olds...i bet I have nearly 15 pluss buddies that have given up on hunting in this state because of the current  restrictions...permit only will just drive the hunter numbers down even further

Agreed.

Those of you wanting to eliminate opportunity better be asking yourself the honest question of "why"?  Just because the Escure Ranch is a rat race during deer season doesn't mean we should be eliminating opportunity.  What would be the point of going to permit only?  To grow bigger deer?  Why?  There are big deer in general hunt units, on public land in Washington.  Go find them. 

If anything, we should be actively seeking out ways to create more opportunity.