Cypress Island San Juan hunting charters and access information?

[yakimanoob]

Hey everyone! 

This is my first post, and I'm glad to be here.  I moved to WA last year from Alabama where I've been hunting all of twice and never got a chance to fire, so I'm new to Washington and VERY new to the sport. 

Anyway I got drawn for a second deer tag on Cypress Island, and need some help with logistics.  I found a few charter services in the area, but I would love some pro tips on who to use that will let me bring my rifle and (hopefully) my deer back. 

Also, what's the best way to find out about access?  I'm an avid hiker and caltopo.com lists pretty much the entire island as state land, but another thread on this forum seemed undecided if this island was open for public hunting at all.  Help?  I'm not flush with time or cash and won't bother with arranging the logistics if I'm not SURE I can legally hunt there.

Thanks so much for the help, I look forward to getting to know this group.

[Bob33]

Paraclete Charters can take you there. I've used them to hunt other islands.

http://www.paracletecharters.com/

[h2ofowlr]

I drew this tag a few years back.  Didn't fire a shot and I put on a lot of miles on this Island.  It's not a slam dunk.

[fishnfur]

It is open to hunting as far as I know.  Removing does is more beneficial than bucks on those islands.  The hunter success rates are good, if I remember correctly, but many hunters have trouble finding deer, which defies common logic.  The island is overloaded with deer by all reports.  They are typically smaller deer than found on the mainland, but 40 - 60 lbs. of venison is nothing to turn your nose up at for a first WA hunt.

If it were me, I'd find two or more intersecting trails at the top of a large draw and sit on the downwind/uphill side it. (if you hunt Oct 26th -31st, or the four days in Nov., you stand a good chance of seeing a buck).  If there is fresh sign, you should be on a doe in short order in the early am., mid-day, or early evening. 

Winds will be a big issue up there.  If you've got swirling winds, move on.   You will not see deer if you're blowing your scent across the area you're hunting.

There's probably not a lot of charters available to get you in and out of there, so I'd talk to the people on the previously linked charters provided by Bob33 soon to lock up your dates.  Otherwise, you need to find a person with a private boat (or perhaps a plane) to get in and out of there.

There are a few pages to study on the internet if you Google the name of the island.  Try variations on your searches.  I've seen four or so good links in the past.

[h2ofowlr]

Fishfur,
Cypress is not like the other islands which have lots of deer.  It is largely unhabitated, unlike the other islands in the San Juans which have a fair amount of residences.  I think the abundance of yards, bushes, fruit trees, shrubs and many non huntable spots on many of the islands helps maintain an abundance of deer.  I have hunted several of the other islands and filling a tag was quick.
Given many of the deer are like pets and have frequent human interaction, they are not to skittish.  They just slowly move into the thickets, so that is your challenge.
Find crossing trails between residences, cabins, fruit trees or ares with shrubs they like and you will find them.

Since my Cypress tag, I have gone back and hiked many of the trails and started seeing where they typically hang out.  A boat is a good option with a kayak in it.  Tether the boat to a buoy and kayak to shore.  That way the tides don't leave you high and dry or bash your boat up.

[RB]

I drew this tag a few years back.  Didn't fire a shot and I put on a lot of miles on this Island.  It's not a slam dunk.

 

I have drawn this tag twice and have never fired a shot. I covered a large portion of the island over two seasons and saw one Deer on the hoof that was maybe 30 pounds and a Couple does that others shot that were decent. My buddy missed a nice two point with my 44 one of the years. It is a fun hunt just not as easy as it sounds. 

[lokidog]

Meat - doe likely 30 pounds max, buck up to 55 pounds.

Travel, Paraclete Charters and Island Express, both depart from Skyline Marina. Both are fine with guns and coolers full of meat, I'm not sure either would be OK with you dragging a gutted deer on board, scheduling can be hit or miss and will usually be dependent on their schedule.

I'm pretty sure you will not be allowed to hunt around the cabins, private property and all. Check out Skagit County Assessors website for property boundaries. This island is still, I'm pretty sure, not in the firearm restricted area as the rest of the San Juans are.

There are deer around, I would find an open area and sit and watch. As mentioned by others, this will not be a slam dunk hunt. Fresh water access can sometimes be a limiting factor out here, but by rifle season, there will probably be more around.  Archers could target water sources with more results likely.

Good luck.

[fishnfur]

H2Ofowler - I'll take your word for it.  You've been there.  It appears on satellite photo as though virtually the entire island is closed canopy timber, which limits browse for deer, and certainly makes them hard to find.  There may also be predator activity at work too.  Guemes Island to the east has 'yotes by all accounts.   Presumably, if there are fewer deer on the island, they may be a bit bigger than the average SJ island deer.   

Probably not the best choice for a second deer tag, but it should make for a great opportunity to be in the woods without a lot of other hunters in the field with you.

[Bob33]

Meat - doe likely 30 pounds max, buck up to 55 pounds.

Travel, Paraclete Charters and Island Express, both depart from Skyline Marina. Both are fine with guns and coolers full of meat, I'm not sure either would be OK with you dragging a gutted deer on board, scheduling can be hit or miss and will usually be dependent on their schedule.

I'm pretty sure you will not be allowed to hunt around the cabins, private property and all. Check out Skagit County Assessors website for property boundaries. This island is still, I'm pretty sure, not in the firearm restricted area as the rest of the San Juans are.

There are deer around, I would find an open area and sit and watch. As mentioned by others, this will not be a slam dunk hunt. Fresh water access can sometimes be a limiting factor out here, but by rifle season, there will probably be more around.  Archers could target water sources with more results likely.

Good luck.

I take large 3 mil plastic bags when I go to the San Juans. Put your deer (parts) in them and you'll be fine on board one of the charters.

Cypress is in Skagit County, and thus is not subject to the San Juan County firearm restriction.

Skagit (firearm restriction areas)
All mainland areas and islands, including GMU 419 (Guemes), in Skagit County west of I-5 and north of the Skagit/Snohomish County line,
except Cypress Island. This restriction applies to big game hunting only.

[bear hunter]

All can say is Island deer are different then main land deer. I have been hunting them on Lopez since 1996. You just have to get in the thick brush and drive them out. Keep the wind in your face and follow the deer trails in to the thickest brush. I hunted Cypress for my 2nd Muzzle tag back in 2009. Filled my trag in a hour with a nice 3x3. There was 2 bucks beded down 10 yards away.  Easy shot loaded him in the boat and was home by 3:30 pm. Not bad I have also took friends over there and they should of filled there tags but missed. The upper hills are covered in furns and the lower land brush is the thorny and big green leaf stuff. I would just zig zag through the waste high and thick brush. You will jump deer and if they don't smell you. The deer just get up and run 10 yards. Then they look back. I also throw sticks and rocks into brush piles deer bed in. Sometime the deer run out and stop right next to me. They look to the brush pile to see what thet was. You should have a funny time there. I have picutres of my trip to the island on the form some where. I was thinking of trapping there for fox next season. Will see

[yakimanoob]

Thanks so much for the replies everybody! 

I'm glad to know there are mixed reports of the deer on the island -- it'll help me from getting my hopes up.  I've never been to the San Juans, and mostly I'm looking forward to the adventure of exploring with a rifle .  I don't have any time off, so I'll be weekending it and won't really have any time for scouting.  I'll look into the recommendations and let you know what works out, and hopefully post some photos of my trip in the fall

[NW-GSP]

All can say is Island deer are different then main land deer. I have been hunting them on Lopez since 1996. You just have to get in the thick brush and drive them out. Keep the wind in your face and follow the deer trails in to the thickest brush. I hunted Cypress for my 2nd Muzzle tag back in 2009. Filled my trag in a hour with a nice 3x3. There was 2 bucks beded down 10 yards away.  Easy shot loaded him in the boat and was home by 3:30 pm. Not bad I have also took friends over there and they should of filled there tags but missed. The upper hills are covered in furns and the lower land brush is the thorny and big green leaf stuff. I would just zig zag through the waste high and thick brush. You will jump deer and if they don't smell you. The deer just get up and run 10 yards. Then they look back. I also throw sticks and rocks into brush piles deer bed in. Sometime the deer run out and stop right next to me. They look to the brush pile to see what thet was. You should have a funny time there. I have picutres of my trip to the island on the form some where. I was thinking of trapping there for fox next season. Will see

Ha, only if I could shoot my compound bow like a shotgun. Hunting with a shotgun would be my choice. While you may end up seeing more deer on the islands its far from a slam dunk.

[CP]

I drew this tag a few years back.  Didn't fire a shot and I put on a lot of miles on this Island.  It's not a slam dunk.

 

I have drawn this tag twice and have never fired a shot. I covered a large portion of the island over two seasons and saw one Deer on the hoof that was maybe 30 pounds and a Couple does that others shot that were decent. My buddy missed a nice two point with my 44 one of the years. It is a fun hunt just not as easy as it sounds. 

 

Add me to the list of those that struck out on this permit. 

Access is easy - just boat over from Washington park.   

[bear hunter]

All can say is Island deer are different then main land deer. I have been hunting them on Lopez since 1996. You just have to get in the thick brush and drive them out. Keep the wind in your face and follow the deer trails in to the thickest brush. I hunted Cypress for my 2nd Muzzle tag back in 2009. Filled my trag in a hour with a nice 3x3. There was 2 bucks beded down 10 yards away.  Easy shot loaded him in the boat and was home by 3:30 pm. Not bad I have also took friends over there and they should of filled there tags but missed. The upper hills are covered in furns and the lower land brush is the thorny and big green leaf stuff. I would just zig zag through the waste high and thick brush. You will jump deer and if they don't smell you. The deer just get up and run 10 yards. Then they look back. I also throw sticks and rocks into brush piles deer bed in. Sometime the deer run out and stop right next to me. They look to the brush pile to see what thet was. You should have a funny time there. I have picutres of my trip to the island on the form some where. I was thinking of trapping there for fox next season. Will see

Ha, only if I could shoot my compound bow like a shotgun. Hunting with a shotgun would be my choice. While you may end up seeing more deer on the islands its far from a slam dunk.

Well it is hard to bow hunt the islands. You know that Rich because all deer you jumped. Ran to me and just stopped 20ft away and looked at you and me. 

[fishnfur]

 
Gremlin's have got your keyboard running wild, or you're speaking in tongues. 

 Sounds like Cypress will be a hunt similar to that found on the mainland.  (Where's all the deer I keep hearing about?)

[bear hunter]

 

Gremlin's have got your keyboard running wild, or you're speaking in tongues. 

 Sounds like Cypress will be a hunt similar to that found on the mainland.  (Where's all the deer I keep hearing about?)

[jamesfromseattle]

Add me to the list of people that have struck out on Cypress. Only time I hunted it the weather got nasty and I had to cross back over so I didn't get stuck there. Was in my own boat.

Another limiting factor is that you're not allowed to camp after Labor Day, which doesn't matter if you've got your own boat by makes things tough if you're on the water taxi. I'm not sure how strictly that is enforced, but there are a lot of people up there who are very anti-hunting and may be apt to call you in for it.

I apologize for the doom and gloom--Cypress is a wonderful and unique public resource that if definitely worth exploring, but I'd recommend spending a sunny July weekend there unless you've got a better plan than I did.

[CamanoArcher4-2016]

New poster here... Im interested in scouting cyprus this year and hunting next year with my bow (need more practice)...My question is access, do i need permission from the state or the DNR to hunt on cyprus? I have a boat to gain access but i wasn't sure about the hunting part.

Anyone know encounter hikers or campers while hauling out a deer? I'm curious if you have to worry about foot traffic while your trying to stalk an animal.

I was checking out the property lines on the Skagit county assessors website and it looks like the private land is mostly along the coast on all sides, so my plan was to scout the water sources.

And as long as i'm there before labor day i can camp right? Do you need reservations or a pass to camp multiple days?

I wish there was a better website on the island and logistics of visiting to hunt or whatever...

Sorry for all the questions ... Thanks!

[CP]

These may help:

http://file.dnr.wa.gov/publications/amp_rec_updated_cypress_island_trail_map.pdf

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/CypressIsland

[CP]

You do not need permission to hunt the DNR land.  Stay off the private land.

Beware of the raccoons – they are bold and relentless.

[CamanoArcher4-2016]

Thanks for the links!

and for the warning on the racoons

[CP]

The place seriously needs some raccoon population control.  They have even learned how open ice chests, nothing is safe from them.   

[yakimanoob]

Sounds like I should pack my 22 wmr american rifle and entertain myself with raccoon control if I strike out on the deer .

[fishnfur]

Great idea.  Cute animals but they make me happier when I see fewer of them.

[RB]

I ran into hikers twice and the DNR guy once made sure to go the opposite direction to ensure I was no where near them. 

[Sitka_Blacktail]

Another limiting factor is that you're not allowed to camp after Labor Day, which doesn't matter if you've got your own boat by makes things tough if you're on the water taxi. I'm not sure how strictly that is enforced, but there are a lot of people up there who are very anti-hunting and may be apt to call you in for it.

That was changed last year. I wrote to Paul Mcfarland NW Regional Natural Areas Manager for DNR as my son and I got drawn for a second deer tag on Cypress this year. Here is his answer.

"Yes, Camping is open year-around on Cypress.  It was closed seasonally for several years, but last year we opened it up year-around again.  Please remember that camping is allowed only in designated campgrounds at Pelican Beach and Cypress Head.  Thanks for checking.  Proper planning always pays off."

For other info his e-mail addy is paul.mcfarland@dnr.wa.gov

 

[lokidog]

Sounds like I should pack my 22 wmr american rifle and entertain myself with raccoon control if I strike out on the deer .

A golf club might be handier, and a lot more quiet.....   

[fishnfur]

.... I recommend a 4 iron.  Stay down on it and swing through the raccoon.   

[bear hunter]

I am planing on trapping there this coming up season. I can't wait. Hoping to catch lots of coons and  some fox.

[johnsc6]

Place is loaded with deer (hence the 2nd tag) , they bed in the Salal brush. You will walk by them they are very small and hold tight. One of the only places I've seen that buckshot may be useful as a deer hunting cartridge. I shot a three point there once,  threw it over my shoulder and never returned. If you shoot a deer that is #100 on the hoof on that island you got a dinger! Smaller the island,  the more inbred and smaller the deer. Good luck.

[fishnfur]

Gotta love Blacktail hunting!  Several earlier reports state that there are not nearly as many deer deer on Cypress as there are on the other SJIs.    johnsc6 has a much different take on the deer numbers. Perhaps the hunter just has to find the right spot.

[baker5150]

If you are planning to take the Paraclete.  Just text the cell phone number on their web site.  They don't return phone calls very often, if at all.  We use them regularly for work and texting gets a response every time, usually after 6 pm.

[archerykraze]

Something to consider and I could be wrong but the 2nd deer tag for the islands have to be on private land. When you look in the regulation booklet on those hunts there is a C in the hunters note section which states hunting on private lands only. If this is the case, you will not be able to hunt all of the DNR land on the North end of the island for the "2nd tag" which would limit you to finding private land access off of Stawberry Island cove somewhere which would be a challenge. Hope this helps.

[RB]

After covering a lot of ground on this island my personal feeling is there are not as many Deer as people think. On different trips I have busted brush from Eagle harbor to Eagle cliff, and Duck lake, Eagle Harbor to nearly Cypress lake through the valleys and over the ridge tops, Secret Harbor to the ridge top, walked the road to the top of the island and busted brush back to Eagle harbor. Yes the Salal is where I have seen the most sign, but I have seen more sign and Deer in other areas of the state. 

Don't get me wrong this is a fun hunt and is the closest I have found to hunting south east Alaska style and having the potential to shoot two Deer in one day. Plus it is awesome to put out crab pots and have the potential to drop a line in and catch a fall King too, which we did on one of the trips. Have fun and I hope you connect with a Deer or two! 

[fish vacuum]

Something to consider and I could be wrong but the 2nd deer tag for the islands have to be on private land. When you look in the regulation booklet on those hunts there is a C in the hunters note section which states hunting on private lands only. If this is the case, you will not be able to hunt all of the DNR land on the North end of the island for the "2nd tag" which would limit you to finding private land access off of Stawberry Island cove somewhere which would be a challenge. Hope this helps.

The way I read it, the C notation is just a warning that the area is mostly private land, and not a requirement that you hunt private land. Now that you bring it up I can see how it could be interpreted that way. But I think if hunting public land was prohibited, it would be made much more clearly.

[bear hunter]

Gotta love Blacktail hunting!  Several earlier reports state that there are not nearly as many deer deer on Cypress as there are on the other SJIs.    johnsc6 has a much different take on the deer numbers. Perhaps the hunter just has to find the right spot.

Thats because the dang coyote are there now.

[bear hunter]

Something to consider and I could be wrong but the 2nd deer tag for the islands have to be on private land. When you look in the regulation booklet on those hunts there is a C in the hunters note section which states hunting on private lands only. If this is the case, you will not be able to hunt all of the DNR land on the North end of the island for the "2nd tag" which would limit you to finding private land access off of Stawberry Island cove somewhere which would be a challenge. Hope this helps.

Wrong, They say that because most of the islands are private and if you don't have access don't apply. Thats why you should study the units before applying for PERMITS. 

[lokidog]

Something to consider and I could be wrong but the 2nd deer tag for the islands have to be on private land. When you look in the regulation booklet on those hunts there is a C in the hunters note section which states hunting on private lands only. If this is the case, you will not be able to hunt all of the DNR land on the North end of the island for the "2nd tag" which would limit you to finding private land access off of Stawberry Island cove somewhere which would be a challenge. Hope this helps.

The way I read it, the C notation is just a warning that the area is mostly private land, and not a requirement that you hunt private land. Now that you bring it up I can see how it could be interpreted that way. But I think if hunting public land was prohibited, it would be made much more clearly.

This is the correct interpretation.  Living on one of these islands, I wish the state would make it even more clear that MOST are almost all private property.  Decatur only has three tiny pieces of public land and they are not even huntable.

The state did reduce the numbers of second deer tags substantially this year, not sure why.

Gotta love Blacktail hunting!  Several earlier reports state that there are not nearly as many deer deer on Cypress as there are on the other SJIs.    johnsc6 has a much different take on the deer numbers. Perhaps the hunter just has to find the right spot.

Thats because the dang coyote are there now.

I saw one jogging down the shoreline south of Strawberry Bay Sunday morning while salmon fishing.

[jamesfromseattle]

Lokidog--any luck fishing?

I was up there Saturday-Sunday to fish but spent the weekend dealing with mechanical issues instead.

[lokidog]

Lokidog--any luck fishing?

I was up there Saturday-Sunday to fish but spent the weekend dealing with mechanical issues instead.

Got two dogfish on lures, didn't see any other fish caught.  I had heard glowing reports from Friday, but maybe the fish moved through, the current was cranking out there.

[jamesfromseattle]

Getting a dogfish on gear is something I generally take as  a sign that it is time to go home...

[fishnfur]