Mixed feelings.... Early snow

[NOCK NOCK]

Winter weather/snow has come kind of early to central Washington this year.
On one hand, as a holder of a quality buck Permit, I kind of welcome it. From what my scouting has showed it appears the deer are starting their migration A bit earlier than normal.

On the other hand, our mule deer herds are in A huge decline. The same weather has a good possibility of helping the modern hunters have more success this year. Not what are mule deer herds need right now.

Hmmmmm

[cougforester]

I've got the Palouse tag this year and will still be headed up high for opener if I can access the country I want. Mostly just going to get out and stretch the legs, but am going to be trying for a cat that's following the migration down. And keeping my eyes out for a giant mulie

I just think it'll be a good chance to see some predators hot on the deer's heels, and maybe find a big old boy. Hope all the forkeys I've been seeing the last couple years that now maybe have an eyeguard don't just get hammered.

[huntnphool]

 We have been fed BS for years, that the herds are fine, the bucks have been staying up high and in places that most hunters don’t access, because of the weather.

 Can’t wait to see what the excuse is with this early snow, and hopefully more snow to come.

[MtnMuley]

I will assure you that we are at an all time low for deer sightings, deer tracks, and overall deer sign in all of the upper elevations in region 2. Boots on ground statement.  Even with a few roads snowed over and all the early snow and cold weather,  it will show during the general season starting this weekend with the lack of success. Region 2 needs to shut down for mule deer hunting for all weapons.

[Bango skank]

I will assure you that we are at an all time low for deer sightings, deer tracks, and overall deer sign in all of the upper elevations in region 2. Boots on ground statement.  Even with a few roads snowed over and all the early snow and cold weather,  it will show during the general season starting this weekend with the lack of success. Region 2 needs to shut down for mule deer hunting for all weapons.

Impossible, according to wdfw our muleys and whitetails are doing great, keep buying those special hunt apps guys!   

“Overall, hunters should expect good opportunities for mule deer along the east slopes of the Cascades in Chelan and Okanogan counties, good opportunities for white-tailed deer in northeast Washington

[cooltimber]

staying at the cabin in plain and have seen only 6 deer all summer,4 at 3100 ft level..driving around on the back roads 4 firewood.very few tracks on the bank's. seen 4 bear by fish lake heading up to trinity. im going wet side 4 blktail

[Bango skank]

staying at the cabin in plain and have seen only 6 deer all summer,4 at 3100 ft level..driving around on the back roads 4 firewood.very few tracks on the bank's. seen 4 bear by fish lake heading up to trinity. im going wet side 4 blktail

May as well go after those bears.  Bear hunting is just about the only real quality otc big game opportunity in washington any more.

[Ridgerunner]

With all the snow if game sightings are at an all time low this season the game department will have a tough time spinning the story this year. I can’t remember a year with this much early snow ever.  If there are deer it should be good hunting.

[bigmacc]

With all the snow if game sightings are at an all time low this season the game department will have a tough time spinning the story this year.

Drawing only, last 2 weeks of September for archery and last 2 weeks of October for rifle, 200-250 permits per unit in the Methow. No more late season tags, no doe tags, they will still make their money and at the same time give this herd at least a fighting chance to rebuild. If this weather does keep up I wonder if they will shorten the season like they did years ago, end it on the Sunday instead of going til Tuesday, if there is a long tough winter coming like some are predicting, this may need to be done. I did my part this year, no deer tag for me but I do have a cougar and a bear tag . I have some friends that live way up above Fish lake(off the grid) they only seen a few deer this summer, have a couple buddies that went into the Pasayten for 8 days,11 miles in and only seen 10 total deer with 1 of those being a small 2 by 3, they did get a shot at a cat but it was hauling A## at about 350 yards away and they had a clean miss....I also have mixed feelings about this early weather, years ago when herds were healthy I would have been chomping at the bit to get into migration routes, now with the shape some of these herds are in, not so much.

[NOCK NOCK]

and......WE all need to find a way(to convince WDFW) to do away with the multi season permits if not for both species, at least deer.  It is putting wayyyyyyy to much pressure on what's left of the muleys.

[bigmacc]

and......WE all need to find a way(to convince WDFW) to do away with the multi season permits if not for both species, at least deer.  It is putting wayyyyyyy to much pressure on what's left of the muleys.

 ..Absolutely, especially the muleys.

[Mtnwalker]

I will assure you that we are at an all time low for deer sightings, deer tracks, and overall deer sign in all of the upper elevations in region 2. Boots on ground statement.  Even with a few roads snowed over and all the early snow and cold weather,  it will show during the general season starting this weekend with the lack of success. Region 2 needs to shut down for mule deer hunting for all weapons.

Impossible, according to wdfw our muleys and whitetails are doing great, keep buying those special hunt apps guys!   

“Overall, hunters should expect good opportunities for mule deer along the east slopes of the Cascades in Chelan and Okanogan counties, good opportunities for white-tailed deer in northeast Washington

Yeah they had some yahoo from wdfw on the radio a couple weeks ago giving the hunting forecast, saying how mule deer in Washington are doing very well and how most of our winter range is at or near maximum capacity for deer numbers, especially in the Okanogan valley.. I didn’t know whether to laugh or yell at the radio

[Whisker Biscuit]

and......WE all need to find a way(to convince WDFW) to do away with the multi season permits if not for both species, at least deer.  It is putting wayyyyyyy to much pressure on what's left of the muleys.

 ..Absolutely, especially the muleys.

I'm no math wiz, but there is no way WDFW is going to stop selling multi-season deer tags.  At $130 each, there is too much $ to be lost. The only thing I see them doing is limiting the GMU's that the multi-season tags can be used in.  I'm not advocating this move, but they have probably already talked about it. 

[powderbounder]

But...As we all know. They won’t do a damn thing. They just think they know a thing or two. 😂😂

[Bango skank]

I will assure you that we are at an all time low for deer sightings, deer tracks, and overall deer sign in all of the upper elevations in region 2. Boots on ground statement.  Even with a few roads snowed over and all the early snow and cold weather,  it will show during the general season starting this weekend with the lack of success. Region 2 needs to shut down for mule deer hunting for all weapons.

Impossible, according to wdfw our muleys and whitetails are doing great, keep buying those special hunt apps guys!   

“Overall, hunters should expect good opportunities for mule deer along the east slopes of the Cascades in Chelan and Okanogan counties, good opportunities for white-tailed deer in northeast Washington

Yeah they had some yahoo from wdfw on the radio a couple weeks ago giving the hunting forecast, saying how mule deer in Washington are doing very well and how most of our winter range is at or near maximum capacity for deer numbers, especially in the Okanogan valley.. I didn’t know whether to laugh or yell at the radio

Either everybody at wdfw is wildly incompetent, or theyre just lying through their teeth.  Im certain its the latter, but either way they all need to get *censored*canned and replaced.  We will never be able to fix the problems with our herds if wdfw wont even admit that a problem exists.

[bigmacc]

Just heard from my brother at 5.15, he has been in the Methow since Saturday, been in elevations from 2500ft to 7000, put on over 25 boot miles and 470 truck miles, no snow low and up to about 17 inches high,  seen 6 deer, 4 bears and 9 coyotes(4 less of the yotes ,  a bear will come later), "flat a## horrible", his words, not mine

[HereDuckyDucky]

Our place is in the lower Methow. We typically have a local deer herd living in the draws on our property. It has been really tough the last two years. We keep them well fed and free from harassment, but it's pretty obvious that the deer herds are in serious trouble.

RW