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!
