McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer

[Wood2Sawdust]

I'm not sure if this is posted in the right place, but here goes.  In Douglas County there is an area next to the road where the local apple sheds have their apple culls dumped. At times there have been multiple piles  40 or more yards long and several feet high. Lately there has been just one smaller pile, size of a couple dump truck loads. The older fermented piles from this fall have been tilled in with some type of white powder on top. This dump goes on year round. Yesterday I counted 130 deer in a couple minutes within 10 acres. I have seen well over 200 some mornings even during hunting season. Yes it's posted and private land around. Today, I went back and about every 5 minutes there would be horns honking from people driving around on a semi blind corner with groups of deer crossing. Saw one hurt doe. I imagine there are plenty of accidents involving them. There is a fence on their entrance to keep people out, but deer go in anywhere. Some just live there. Does anyone know what they put on these apples? I see deer pawing and licking at the black dirt and rotted apples. it can't be good for them to be feeding on this year round. It also sucks that all these deer are there and not in the hills during hunting season. Would like to know what other members know or think of this. Seems like it should be fenced off.

[Wood2Sawdust]

Picture

[Wood2Sawdust]

Pic

[jrebel]

Been that way for as long as I can remember. Lots of deer get smacked there by vehicles.....I know of a couple salvage deer from this stretch of road. 

I wonder how this plays into the "BAIT" rules and laws??

[Wood2Sawdust]

It's hard to see but there are probably 120-140  deer in those two pictures on the black rotted apples and hillsides there is one pile of apples by the equipment in second pic

[DOUBLELUNG]

It's been that way since at least 2001 when I moved to Wenatchee. 

[Wood2Sawdust]

But that does not mean its good for the deer or vehicles--is it legal? What is the white stuff they dump? Something from apple sheds? is it safe to eat?

[bigdog2u]

Yes it is completely legal.  Call WDFW if you want, but they have already talked to the land owners and confirmed that everything is legal.  No hunting has been allowed there since the baiting laws changed last year so nothing illegal there either.  The apples are culls from local warehouses and the white stuff is just lime to help the pH level to help with decay.  While the apples aren't ideal food, there is nothing harmful from the deer feeding on it.  Too many people speed on that stretch of road so if people are worried about hitting a deer.  SLOW DOWN.  Are you really worried about the deer eating apples or are you mad because you can't hunt them on that property?

[Wood2Sawdust]

Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.

[Dan-o]

Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.

That might be some mighty sweet mash.     

[Romulus1297]

A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it.

[crazywednesday]

A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it.

Interesting, isnt that harassing wildlife?

Justin

[Skyvalhunter]

Guess its no different than Oak Feed station except that its private land.

[sooperfly]

Quite common around the NCW.  Here's one due to a bumper crop a couple years go.   80+ acres when it was all filled in, and those rows are deep!  The tonnage total was astounding.

[jackelope]

A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it.

Interesting, isnt that harassing wildlife?

Justin

Wildlife agencies use helicopters for all sorts of things from hazing to capture and relocating wildlife.