Washington State Mule Deer Hunting Future (poll)

[huntnphool]

I think one of the biggest problems is how well the deer have learned to read (lol)  Mule deer around my place are doing quite well, but they are very careful to stay behind the "no hunting " or "no trespassing" signs. Seriously, the amount of property that has been put off limits either due to straight no trespassing or "leased for hunting" has grown tremendously over the past few years. This privatization has served to squeeze more hunters into the open ground and provided a safe sanctuary for the deer.  I could have taken a couple of pictures during the hunt this year of nice bucks standing right behind "no hunting" signs, almost seemed like they were mocking the hunters that went by. Kind of off the thread topic, but I see this loss of ground as becoming as big a problem as the diminishing herds.  Around us the herd is doing well, but does'nt do much good if you can't get at em. Seems more and more across the west the only herds that are doing well are those that are located near or in large tracks of off limit ground. (of course the predators can't read as well as the deer, so it doesn't solve that problem)

As far as the Methow goes even the local deer herd is a mere shadow of what it once was, many have said including myself that it was nothing to see a hundred or more deer in all the fields all up and down the valley in August and September, heck all summer for that matter. Yes more and more land is being posted, fenced, habitat is shrinking with the influx of more and more people, is this the cause of the destruction of  this once strong and healthy herd?...its a contributor for sure but there is a lot more factors that have devastated this herd I,m afraid. Those tracts of posted land, private property that you mentioned are the only deer some folks seen over there this year, I talked to many that spent the whole season over there and the only deer they seen were the town deer and the yard pets, and their numbers are even in the toilet, a real shame....

For the last ten years or so there have been more deer bedding down next to rural homes etc., the reason is they have less fear of people then they do the predators. There would be far fewer deer if they did not have this protection against the predators.

Early summer when the whitetail does were having fawns, on two separate occasions we ran a wolf off, that was after the fawn/fawns. Talk to locals and they will tell you that seeing wolves is no big deal anymore, and then ask around about all the cougar sightings.

I know of four nice bucks that were taken during modern rifle that were town bucks. Those who claim because of homes there are less deer is false, in actuality it is just the opposite.

I think we have seen the last of migrating deer, there just isn't any left to migrate.

Not so my friend, I saw more deer this year than last year in my area, and it’s all migrating deer I hunt. But I do agree the Mule deer are in a decline in Washington. Just hope for mild winters, and some predator relief. 

But the moose numbers were really low compared to previous years, and wolf sign ways way up. 

I wish you were right, I truly do.

But I don't see that happening, what I see is the town deer and farm land mulies, plus the white tail being the last of the deer to survive mainly because they don't migrate, they live in back yards etc. where they have protection from the wolves and other predators.

I believe we are now seeing the beginning of the end.  Sad deal.

You have incorrectly predicted so many "ends" I have lost count.

 

[Jpmiller]

I think one of the biggest problems is how well the deer have learned to read (lol)  Mule deer around my place are doing quite well, but they are very careful to stay behind the "no hunting " or "no trespassing" signs. Seriously, the amount of property that has been put off limits either due to straight no trespassing or "leased for hunting" has grown tremendously over the past few years. This privatization has served to squeeze more hunters into the open ground and provided a safe sanctuary for the deer.  I could have taken a couple of pictures during the hunt this year of nice bucks standing right behind "no hunting" signs, almost seemed like they were mocking the hunters that went by. Kind of off the thread topic, but I see this loss of ground as becoming as big a problem as the diminishing herds.  Around us the herd is doing well, but does'nt do much good if you can't get at em. Seems more and more across the west the only herds that are doing well are those that are located near or in large tracks of off limit ground. (of course the predators can't read as well as the deer, so it doesn't solve that problem)

As far as the Methow goes even the local deer herd is a mere shadow of what it once was, many have said including myself that it was nothing to see a hundred or more deer in all the fields all up and down the valley in August and September, heck all summer for that matter. Yes more and more land is being posted, fenced, habitat is shrinking with the influx of more and more people, is this the cause of the destruction of  this once strong and healthy herd?...its a contributor for sure but there is a lot more factors that have devastated this herd I,m afraid. Those tracts of posted land, private property that you mentioned are the only deer some folks seen over there this year, I talked to many that spent the whole season over there and the only deer they seen were the town deer and the yard pets, and their numbers are even in the toilet, a real shame....

For the last ten years or so there have been more deer bedding down next to rural homes etc., the reason is they have less fear of people then they do the predators. There would be far fewer deer if they did not have this protection against the predators.

Early summer when the whitetail does were having fawns, on two separate occasions we ran a wolf off, that was after the fawn/fawns. Talk to locals and they will tell you that seeing wolves is no big deal anymore, and then ask around about all the cougar sightings.

I know of four nice bucks that were taken during modern rifle that were town bucks. Those who claim because of homes there are less deer is false, in actuality it is just the opposite.

I think we have seen the last of migrating deer, there just isn't any left to migrate.

Not so my friend, I saw more deer this year than last year in my area, and it’s all migrating deer I hunt. But I do agree the Mule deer are in a decline in Washington. Just hope for mild winters, and some predator relief. 

But the moose numbers were really low compared to previous years, and wolf sign ways way up. 

I wish you were right, I truly do.

But I don't see that happening, what I see is the town deer and farm land mulies, plus the white tail being the last of the deer to survive mainly because they don't migrate, they live in back yards etc. where they have protection from the wolves and other predators.

I believe we are now seeing the beginning of the end.  Sad deal.

Could it be you are only seeing deer there because that's where you're looking? Up elk hunting this weekend I think I cut my first wolf track and also saw my normal number of mule deer and elk. I didn't see any backyard deer or whitetails.

Now that's not the story all across the state but it's what I saw.

[bigmacc]

Your right Jpmiller, the Methow herd unfortunately is in a whole other level of hurt.

[jrawl]

I say the wdfw opens hound hunting back up for bear and cougar because really how many people are gonna be able to sneak on a cat or a bear that is destined to kill and survive so I say let the hounds run first

[wolfbait]

I think one of the biggest problems is how well the deer have learned to read (lol)  Mule deer around my place are doing quite well, but they are very careful to stay behind the "no hunting " or "no trespassing" signs. Seriously, the amount of property that has been put off limits either due to straight no trespassing or "leased for hunting" has grown tremendously over the past few years. This privatization has served to squeeze more hunters into the open ground and provided a safe sanctuary for the deer.  I could have taken a couple of pictures during the hunt this year of nice bucks standing right behind "no hunting" signs, almost seemed like they were mocking the hunters that went by. Kind of off the thread topic, but I see this loss of ground as becoming as big a problem as the diminishing herds.  Around us the herd is doing well, but does'nt do much good if you can't get at em. Seems more and more across the west the only herds that are doing well are those that are located near or in large tracks of off limit ground. (of course the predators can't read as well as the deer, so it doesn't solve that problem)

As far as the Methow goes even the local deer herd is a mere shadow of what it once was, many have said including myself that it was nothing to see a hundred or more deer in all the fields all up and down the valley in August and September, heck all summer for that matter. Yes more and more land is being posted, fenced, habitat is shrinking with the influx of more and more people, is this the cause of the destruction of  this once strong and healthy herd?...its a contributor for sure but there is a lot more factors that have devastated this herd I,m afraid. Those tracts of posted land, private property that you mentioned are the only deer some folks seen over there this year, I talked to many that spent the whole season over there and the only deer they seen were the town deer and the yard pets, and their numbers are even in the toilet, a real shame....

For the last ten years or so there have been more deer bedding down next to rural homes etc., the reason is they have less fear of people then they do the predators. There would be far fewer deer if they did not have this protection against the predators.

Early summer when the whitetail does were having fawns, on two separate occasions we ran a wolf off, that was after the fawn/fawns. Talk to locals and they will tell you that seeing wolves is no big deal anymore, and then ask around about all the cougar sightings.

I know of four nice bucks that were taken during modern rifle that were town bucks. Those who claim because of homes there are less deer is false, in actuality it is just the opposite.

I think we have seen the last of migrating deer, there just isn't any left to migrate.

Not so my friend, I saw more deer this year than last year in my area, and it’s all migrating deer I hunt. But I do agree the Mule deer are in a decline in Washington. Just hope for mild winters, and some predator relief. 

But the moose numbers were really low compared to previous years, and wolf sign ways way up. 

I wish you were right, I truly do.

But I don't see that happening, what I see is the town deer and farm land mulies, plus the white tail being the last of the deer to survive mainly because they don't migrate, they live in back yards etc. where they have protection from the wolves and other predators.

I believe we are now seeing the beginning of the end.  Sad deal.

Could it be you are only seeing deer there because that's where you're looking? Up elk hunting this weekend I think I cut my first wolf track and also saw my normal number of mule deer and elk. I didn't see any backyard deer or whitetails.

Now that's not the story all across the state but it's what I saw.

I think the Methow is an example of what the rest of the state will look like if strict predator control is not implemented. Look at the Yellowstone and Lolo elk herd as an example.

You might not see it where you hunt now, but if wolves are hitting the herds the outcome will be the same.

[bigmacc]

I say the wdfw opens hound hunting back up for bear and cougar because really how many people are gonna be able to sneak on a cat or a bear that is destined to kill and survive so I say let the hounds run first

I wish it was that simple, but its a great thought

[huntnphool]

It will be interesting to see the late tag guys post in the next couple weeks.

[dmoua]

I say the wdfw opens hound hunting back up for bear and cougar because really how many people are gonna be able to sneak on a cat or a bear that is destined to kill and survive so I say let the hounds run first

For Cougar maybe but I don't see the point in using hounds for bear. I've been successful almost every year when actually putting in the time to hunt Black bears.

[TylerMulie]

Predators are a hugeeeee problem. Also, If people stopped shooting the first young deer they see.....

[huntnphool]

 Now that the season is ended, I'm wondering how many may have a different view?

[hunter399]

I voted no when first started,without predator mangement,it won't help ,we need both.I just don't like permit system ,it's a cash cow for wdfw .All we need is to reward there mismangement with more money to piss to the wind. More regs,more predator mangement,more otc tags.

[huntnphool]

I voted no when first started,without predator mangement,it won't help ,we need both.I just don't like permit system ,it's a cash cow for wdfw .All we need is to reward there mismangement with more money to piss to the wind. More regs,more predator mangement,more otc tags.

 Herds be damned huh? That's a great attitude.

 Since WDFW won't do their job and allow more predator control, you're okay with wiping out what's left..........another brilliant post!

[hunter399]

I voted no when first started,without predator mangement,it won't help ,we need both.I just don't like permit system ,it's a cash cow for wdfw .All we need is to reward there mismangement with more money to piss to the wind. More regs,more predator mangement,more otc tags.

 Herds be damned huh? That's a great attitude.

 Since WDFW won't do their job and allow more predator control, you're okay with wiping out what's left..........another brilliant post!

So what's your life changeing plan ?

Permits will only help so much,without predator mangement.
Why do you think it has not gone permit already ,cause wdfw will let it get wiped out to sell as many otc,before the permit starts.
When it comes to management of wildlife there's a bill to pay and I already give them enough money.

[bigmacc]

phool, I have to say again, I really like your every other year idea ....

[huntnphool]

I voted no when first started,without predator mangement,it won't help ,we need both.I just don't like permit system ,it's a cash cow for wdfw .All we need is to reward there mismangement with more money to piss to the wind. More regs,more predator mangement,more otc tags.

 Herds be damned huh? That's a great attitude.

 Since WDFW won't do their job and allow more predator control, you're okay with wiping out what's left..........another brilliant post!

So what's your life changeing plan ?

Permits will only help so much,without predator mangement.
Why do you think it has not gone permit already ,cause wdfw will let it get wiped out to sell as many otc,before the permit starts.
When it comes to management of wildlife there's a bill to pay and I already give them enough money.

 How about you point out the post where I suggested paying more money for less opportunity.

 Your posts show your selfish attitude, unfortunately it's shared by several members on this site. You admit that a permit system would help, but you are not for it unless it's combined with WDFW pulling their heads out of their collective ars's and increasing predator harvest.

 In a nutshell, you once again made my previous point.......the herds be damned unless you get what you want........we all got it..