Quality Buck - Alta

[CavemantheHunter]

Did anyone draw this tag last year? The results on the harvest reports were about what I expected (not good). I have hunted that unit for the past 15 years and have been putting in for that tag for 13 of those years anxiously waiting to get drawn. Seems to me that there were a lot more hunters this year and a lot less good bucks due to the prior year's slaughter. Thinking it's not even worth putting in for this tag at this point. Anybody have any thoughts or insight?

Thanks,

[OutHouse]

Did anyone draw this tag last year? The results on the harvest reports were about what I expected (not good). I have hunted that unit for the past 15 years and have been putting in for that tag for 13 of those years anxiously waiting to get drawn. Seems to me that there were a lot more hunters this year and a lot less good bucks due to the prior year's slaughter. Thinking it's not even worth putting in for this tag at this point. Anybody have any thoughts or insight?

Thanks,

Look up Aaron Lee. He's a guide out of the methow valley and I'm pretty sure he does business in that unit. Maybe call him and see what he says.

[huntnphool]

 The entire Methow Valley was poor last year, not a surprise.

[ghosthunter]

Take the points. For another year.

I have 18 Quality points. But taking a point this year too.

[Ridgerunner]

It's a good year to just do points


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[Wingin it]

I don't disagree on the points option but keep in mind it will get worse before it gets better over the next few years.

[3nails]

 You don't know how many hunting seasons you have left on this earth. The odds of drawing get worse every year and you can't control when the hunting will be best. Put in and hunt hard if you draw.

[grundy53]

You don't know how many hunting seasons you have left on this earth. The odds of drawing get worse every year and you can't control when the hunting will be best. Put in and hunt hard if you draw.

Exactly

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[Miles]

There's usually a big buck hiding where everyone says there aren't any.  Just remember that.

[The scout]

I think everyone should do the point option this year, and I will do the same .

[skidynastar33]

I would do points for the next couple years in the whole methow valley. Can just justify years of points on Some of the worst years in the valley.

[WAcoueshunter]

The Chelan county units had similar poor results. Quite a few spikes, forks and threes in the special permit harvest surveys. I was up there for a couple days in mid November, and just weren't many deer around.

All that said, I don't think sitting on the sidelines is the answer for the reasons stated above. If you're waiting for the mature buck numbers to get back to 2015 levels, you might be waiting for awhile.

[Buckjunkie]

The General hunts are tough due to numbers..more people and less deer. The late hunts are still good. Don't let any of these jackwagons tell you different. They are just trying to keep you out of the pool.

[257 Wby Mag]

The General hunts are tough due to numbers..more people and less deer. The late hunts are still good. Don't let any of these jackwagons tell you different. They are just trying to keep you out of the pool.

And silence!!!! Haha same story every year.... simply do a search....

Even General season folks do good.....

[Skyvalhunter]

I wouldn't waste that many points on this unit now or any time in the near future.

[Miles]

I would see if you could donate your points to a new hunter.  Then sell all your hunting gear and give up.  Hunting will never be as good as it once was.

[Timberstalker]

 

[boneaddict]

I'm pretty sure I'm only doing points this year, and I anticipate my fall hunt to be more about being out there than it is finding an animal.   

[vandeman17]

I love the way this thread is trending... 

[boneaddict]

Im ashamed of the game department for even having permits up there this year.   For those that draw, the best of luck to them.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well I wrote them about giving any permits out anyhow. It just disgusts me that they even give out doe permits. Obviously its all about the money at the extent of the wildlife. I was up there last weekend and didn't see much sign at all totally depressing.                         

[ghosthunter]

Well we have hunted the Twisp, Winthrop area for over 30 years now. And we have done ok. I started building points with ALta in mind, than Gardner and now not sure. But we go back each year for the entire season because we like the area.

I take points mainly because when I draw it I wont hunt the regular season or the elk season. I will hunt the whole 20 day special hunt. The last few years I haven't wanted to give up my other hunts because I got lots of buddies in camp. So when the buddies thin, than I plan to try for it. In four more years it wont matter because I will be retired.

The problem is not with the doe permits.

The problem is on any given year there are hundreds if not more small bucks shot by folks who just do not care or are to dumb to figure out a 2pt. from a spike. A game agent who checked us last year had five illegal heads in the back of his truck, four were under 3 pt. One was a 3pt shot by shooting across a busy road onto private property.

That was in two days.

The problem for the most part my friends is us, hunting has turned into "I am going to get mine no matter what activity" The folks don't see a problem with shooting first and counting points later.

I would be in favor of shutting down the  whole area for three years, No harvest of any kind by anyone. Than start up again.  But that wont happen. 

[Skyvalhunter]

No the problem also involves doe permits. When they kill a doe the hunters don't just kill one deer. They shoot the largest doe that has a yearling with it. That doe was more than likely pregnant thus you kill 2 or 3 deer. Then that doe that they shot had a yearling that will not survive the winter on it's own. 

[Romulus1297]

I didn't think a yearling whitetail doe was a big deal to take so I told my daughter to shoot. Pretty tender but not very much to eat.

[boneaddict]

I would be in favor of shutting down the  whole area for three years, No harvest of any kind by anyone. Than start up again.  But that wont happen. 

I wish they would.   I purposely didn't notch last year.   First year in 34 or something like that.   Trust me I could have, but it wasn't worth it to me.  The herd is in really bad shape.   This may well be year two for me.  It's a personal choice. 

[Luckyone]

I spent almost all of November and December in most of these units.  Had a bunch of buddies spread out looking as well. I agree with bone, and skyvalley I'd probably save my points.  Not only is the quality way down but so are the numbers.  The alta,  pearrygin, Okanogan ect. Should have been closed after the fires. It would blow your mind how much the deer numbers are down not to mention how hard it was to find any "really" mature bucks.  The entiat and slide Ridge areas were equally tough in regards to mature bucks as well.  I was being super picky but really wasn't tempted that often. We passed on the buck that the raffle deer guy ended up taking and only seen one buck in there better then that buck.  To say it was a lean year would be a understatement.  The most concerning thing was the lack of bucks that were a few years away even,  if you know what I mean?  I'm not saying we seen them all but we covered it well, and did so until late December.  On the other hand there is a chance you could find a giant! It worked out for us but it wasn't like we were passing up 180" bucks left and right.  That's my $0.02.... good luck everyone in the draw!!!

[crabcreekhunter]

 

[trophyhunt]

I changed my normal picks this year for deer, good luck guys.

[coachcw]

Going g to Colorado  again . I only put in for one late archery permit .

[ctwiggs1]

Points for me.  It's a meat year. 

Except second deer and cow elk 

[no.cen.wa]

It's so true, numbers are down, but, I'll be 69 this year and been putting in since the draw started, thought it was great idea back when it started but kinda wonder now. I'm in good shape today but have seen many many friends and hunters have to give it up because they can't get around anymore or just aren't around to try. The draw is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! Just take the time to count the special permit applications for deer and times that by the the fee(which has gone up a few times), anyway, if I get the chance I'll shot the biggest one I can find.
I won't shoot them all, just one.
John G.

[Miles]

Going g to Colorado  again . I only put in for one late archery permit .

Nice!  What unit did you pull?  I'm living out here now and love it.

[Miles]

It's so true, numbers are down, but, I'll be 69 this year and been putting in since the draw started, thought it was great idea back when it started but kinda wonder now. I'm in good shape today but have seen many many friends and hunters have to give it up because they can't get around anymore or just aren't around to try. The draw is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY! Just take the time to count the special permit applications for deer and times that by the the fee(which has gone up a few times), anyway, if I get the chance I'll shot the biggest one I can find.
I won't shoot them all, just one.
John G.

Good luck!