Chelan County deer down 25% for 2017

[WAcoueshunter]

Not surprising, but hadn't seen this before.  From the WDFW hunting prospects page for Chelan/Douglas counties:

"Surveys flown returned a population estimate of roughly 15,000 deer in Chelan County south of Lake Chelan in spring 2016. These numbers aligned with our previous population estimates of 15,000 and 18,000 deer in the same area. Spring flights were flown again in 2017 and results showed a decline in the herd size. Winter is the dominant factor affecting population size in the district. Over the 2016-17 winter, snow covered a larger portion of the winter range in Chelan County, snow depths were greater than in previous years, and the duration of snow cover extended farther into the spring. Those factors combined to reduce the population by 25 percent, down to an estimate of roughly 11,000 deer across the same area."

http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/2017/district07.pdf

[muleracks]

I think everyone expected to loose some deer after the many easy winters we have had before the winter of 16-17.  Good to see the official report form the WDFW.

[cougforester]

Interesting. I have some cameras on the north shore and frankly almost all the local does I've seen have had great looking fawns. Significant amount of twins as well. Maybe while overall populations are down, increased moisture from this winter and reduced resource competition from other deer could bode well for the future recovery? 

[DOUBLELUNG]

We had a really mild fall through November, unfortunately the severe cold and snow came right after the rut and may have impacted some of the hard-rutting dominant bucks.  With that exception, I'd expect that most of the winter loss was 2016 fawns, and will have a greater impact on general season buck hunting in 2018 than 2017.  The 2016 buck fawns are this years yearling spikes and small forks, will be interesting to see if they are scarce this fall.  If so, the 2.5 year old bucks that are the largest component of the 3+ point harvest may be scarcer in 2018.   

[NOCK NOCK]

From what I have experienced the last 5 days.......I agree with this report 100% 

[NOCK NOCK]

Curious what others thoughts are now that modern is almost done. 

[kellama2001]

I hunted muzzy mostly in Douglas county, and overall deer numbers were definitely down. My usual honey holes were scarce, and in all my scouting and over 60 miles hiked during season only saw 1 legal buck (on private ground or public). I've been hearing the same from the rifle hunters. And supposedly we're in for another tough winter, next year should be interesting...

[grade-creek-rd]

I think they are down even more than that...other than localized deer, which gives a false sense of hope, but this winter a walk in the woods will reveal how bad it really is.

Grade

[crankin04]

I took a whole week off (9 days) of the general modern rifle, and put at least 3 days of first light to last light, Many miles hunting in the Entiat, Swakane, and Mission Units in spots where I have either killed or seen legal bucks (let alone bucks in general) and saw only THREE 2 Points and ONE Spike all 9 days.... Probably 50 does or more.

I will say that I did see about 10 bucks, 7 legal all on Private lands in the Swakane Unit during pre-season scouting and during the season... Of course, the people are anti-hunters and the thought of you coming around their property in orange and a muddy truck seems to bother them.

I think 25% is a BIG Understatement. 

[heavyhorned]

went out almost everyday sun up to sun down. saw just eight bucks. two on privet land both were legal, five on public land(spikes and two points),and one really big 4x5 inside city limits. saw about 25 doe's on public land. i think the numbers are way off from the 25%. i know of 15 deer killed,9 on privet land or just above orchards and 6 in the mountains. three of the six were taken high and far from any roads. i know of two cougars taken,one in the mountains and one above a orchard. i will bet when the harvest reports comes out for this unit it will be way down,and if this early snow is any indication of whats to come for winter i bet the herd numbers will be really low. might be a few years of hard hunting.

[crankin04]

went out almost everyday sun up to sun down. saw just eight bucks. two on privet land both were legal, five on public land(spikes and two points),and one really big 4x5 inside city limits. saw about 25 doe's on public land. i think the numbers are way off from the 25%. i know of 15 deer killed,9 on privet land or just above orchards and 6 in the mountains. three of the six were taken high and far from any roads. i know of two cougars taken,one in the mountains and one above a orchard. i will bet when the harvest reports comes out for this unit it will be way down,and if this early snow is any indication of whats to come for winter i bet the herd numbers will be really low. might be a few years of hard hunting.

Few years of "hard" hunting? More like a few years of NOT hunting these poor Chelan deer for me... I'm both frustrated and saddened to be honest

[timberfaller]

I agree, 25% is a under-statement!! 

Wonder what the character who told the news "our three point or better system is working" is at!??

[howlow]

I talked to a biologist the other day on the low buck to doe ratio   He said the bucks are the first to go in a bad long winter due to them being exhausted from the rut.  So I'm guessing it will take 3 years of mild winters to get the bucks back to legal shooters

[cryder]

Well. There you have it ! Just as fish n feathers had it figgered ,  I haven't been involved in the missle silo , parade in a lot of years , but this year I'm helping out a veteran buddy , counting 2 cameras , 8 days of hard hunting , we have seen 9 headgear lacking disappointments , and not 1 buck ! There so night clubed up forget it , unless you lucky enough to step on a white fluffy tail , this crap is a joke , not to mention the crowds , the duck hunters going off every 20 seconds ,vehicles puttn around everywhere ,and the ridiculous dress code ! Glad that in life we still have options , and my choice is bow for all these ridiculous reasons , soooooo , get out there before we are left with no options, when guns become illegal ,,,,, I become a criminal !!!

[Boss .300 winmag]

I talked to a biologist the other day on the low buck to doe ratio   He said the bucks are the first to go in a bad long winter due to them being exhausted from the rut.  So I'm guessing it will take 3 years of mild winters to get the bucks back to legal shooters

Yep, that’s what I saw where I hunt this year. Lots of young bucks, does, but low on mature bucks , and fawns. 

[Romulus1297]

I found a rutting 3 point entiat buck Sunday after my first half hour hunting this year. 50 feet away and didn't shoot it. The poor doe came by me 4 times trying to get me to take him away. Alot of hunters that are just riding in their trucks is good for deer.

[heavyhorned]

funny thing. yesterday the last day of the season saw the local 4x5 inside city limits chasing doe's like crazy. a week ago had nothing to do with them. neck is now swollen and has his nose right on them. last night got a call from dad hunting his little honey spot. 13 doe's hung out there all season with a little two point. two point is gone. he got a glimpse at a huge 4x4 cruising across the hill side right where the doe's were. rut has started and the season has ended. probably a good thing this year. what bucks made it will breed and hopefully winter will be not so bad.

[Skyvalhunter]

Just ask the biologist Fitkin he will tell you there's good numbers and the doe to buck ratio is at objective levels. The area couldn't possible sustain any more animals.

[Magnum_Willys]

Well I only need 1 to fill my Entiat tag 

[jstone]

My usual spots where low last year late archery. This year will probably be the same.

[Dick in the Dirt]

Just ask the biologist Fitkin he will tell you there's good numbers and the doe to buck ratio is at objective levels. The area couldn't possible sustain any more animals.

They have to sell tags,think he is going to tell the truth? All the local have been saying how the #s are down but not Fitkin. The Methow is in great shape according to him. I think he doe's his survey in Twin Lakes by drive through.

[bigmacc]

Just ask the biologist Fitkin he will tell you there's good numbers and the doe to buck ratio is at objective levels. The area couldn't possible sustain any more animals.

They have to sell tags,think he is going to tell the truth? All the local have been saying how the #s are down but not Fitkin. The Methow is in great shape according to him. I think he doe's his survey in Twin Lakes by drive through.

I remember in the 60,s and 70,s (in the Methow and I,m sure things were done the same in Chelan county) they used college students who were studying game biology, game management etc. They had their butts parked on rocks, stumps etc.etc. along migration routes armed with clickers, pencil and a clipboard for days just counting deer and noteing bucks, does, fawns and yearlings. My dad and I stopped and talked to a gal parked along a road that was a known route, the day we talked to her it was about 11 A.M and she had counted about 400 deer with about 70 of those being bucks, she started at about 7A.M that morning! Yes I know, I,ll say it again, those were the good old days. I think now they do a drive through town, count the town deer, or do a fly-over of a field of locals and count deer with horns and deer with no horns, put a quick pencil to it, say their are lots of deer and the buck to doe ratio is perfect , the whole process takes a 15 minute car ride and a 5 minute flight, done........at least thats what it seems like because their numbers are not close!