Done in the 272

[mossyhead]

We are pulling the plug after 20 years hunting in unit 272. Over the past 6 years there has been a steady decline in the deer population. 4 years in a row now I have found large dead head 4 and 5 point whitetail bucks all within a mile of each other. We very rarely seen any whitetail let alone large bucks. I am not sure if the cougars are the issue or not because there is never any cat sign to be found on this particular property. This year I felt guilty even looking for a legal buck in the area so back to the mountains it is.

[Bango skank]

No, you found those in idaho

[jrebel]

Never seen a whitetail in 272.....never.  It is a huge unit and I'm sure they are there but most ALL the deer we see are mulies.  I do agree the numbers are way down and the hunters are way up.  Lots of private ground so I suppose if you have access it can still be great hunting.   

[Skyvalhunter]

Mossyhead I don't think your the only one that feels guilty about looking for a legal buck. There are a lot of units now where people should feel guilty about shooting a barely legal buck. But some don't look at it that way.

[hawks33]

We pulled the plug in that area after opening day this year. The amount of hunters, the burns, and the overall decrease in mulies in the last 20 years...it just didnt feel right hunting it this year. We were over in st Andrew's, but same general area. We did see animals, but nothing like we did in the 90s.

[Skyvalhunter]

So whats the plan for next year?

[MerriamMagician]

I live in the unit, but don't really hunt it much anymore. Did lots of hunting in there from about 2000-2012. Went back in and hunted it this year for the first time in several years. Wow. Opening day on a big piece of public land featured hunter numbers like I've never seen. I got back in 2 miles in the dark and planned to keep hunting further in from there. Normally this approach would get you away from about 70% of the other hunters. At first light from a good glassing position it was a sea of orange. I think I counted about 70 other guys in the field that morning. I didn't see a legal buck anywhere, but there was no shortage of bullets flying around. In less than an hours time I had bullets whiz by my head at crap your pants close distance. In my entire life I've never worried about getting shot in the field, but after that I cut my hunt short and got out of there. On the drive out I counted 42 trucks along a 2 mile section of road. In the past there would probably be 2-4 rigs out there tops, even on the weekends.

I hunted a lot of other spots over the course of the week with similar results. Meanwhile it was not till Thursday that I saw the first legal buck, a barely legal 2x3. The surrounding gmus had similar scenarios. I also witnessed some of the most ridiculous hunter actions I've ever seen, like people running in front of other hunters shooting at deer to cut them off and shoot at the deer themselves! Seen people cut fences and drive into private fields to push deer towards public land, hunters shooting at deer out the windows of their rigs from public roads, and all kinds of other tomfoolery.

Needless to say, I can't really blame you on pulling the plug on this area. I'll be doing the same and getting into the high country.

[snowshoes22]

The small pockets of whitetail were all killed the couple of years we had blue tongue. Not many in 272 but they were here in small numbers.  I haven't spotted one in 2 years. 

[buckcanyonlodge]

"I also witnessed some of the most ridiculous hunter actions I've ever seen, like people running in front of other hunters shooting at deer to cut them off and shoot at the deer themselves! Seen people cut fences and drive into private fields to push deer towards public land, hunters shooting at deer out the windows of their rigs from public roads, and all kinds of other tomfoolery. "

Sounds like Bissell Road here in Stevens County

[crabcreekhunter]

On my families land just North of Moses never had any Whities in the past.  In the winter now, there always seems to be 2-3 running in the herd.  Figured they'd do quite well in the russian olives and cattails in Gloyd seeps area and surrounding ag fields. Sorry about your experience in 272, private seems to be holding fair amount of animals as it has in the past.

[brocka]

I live in the unit, but don't really hunt it much anymore. Did lots of hunting in there from about 2000-2012. Went back in and hunted it this year for the first time in several years. Wow. Opening day on a big piece of public land featured hunter numbers like I've never seen. I got back in 2 miles in the dark and planned to keep hunting further in from there. Normally this approach would get you away from about 70% of the other hunters. At first light from a good glassing position it was a sea of orange. I think I counted about 70 other guys in the field that morning. I didn't see a legal buck anywhere, but there was no shortage of bullets flying around. In less than an hours time I had bullets whiz by my head at crap your pants close distance. In my entire life I've never worried about getting shot in the field, but after that I cut my hunt short and got out of there. On the drive out I counted 42 trucks along a 2 mile section of road. In the past there would probably be 2-4 rigs out there tops, even on the weekends.

I hunted a lot of other spots over the course of the week with similar results. Meanwhile it was not till Thursday that I saw the first legal buck, a barely legal 2x3. The surrounding gmus had similar scenarios. I also witnessed some of the most ridiculous hunter actions I've ever seen, like people running in front of other hunters shooting at deer to cut them off and shoot at the deer themselves! Seen people cut fences and drive into private fields to push deer towards public land, hunters shooting at deer out the windows of their rigs from public roads, and all kinds of other tomfoolery.

Needless to say, I can't really blame you on pulling the plug on this area. I'll be doing the same and getting into the high country.

The high country is no better...

I upland bird hunted the area opening weekend. My god, I have never in my life seen so many people in orange.

[Sandberm]

So it sounds like...if Thanksgiving is canceled for a lot of folks, highschool sports is canceled, extra curricular activities for the kids is canceled, church activities are canceled...etc etc..

I should just plan on there being a crap ton of people out for the late archery season Nov 20-Dec 8?

[Sutherland]

Count me in lol. Got to get some meat in the freezer still.

[Dirty Mike]

I hunt it during the muzzy season and you can definitely see the decline.

[Sutherland]

Maybe I should plan on heading elsewhere for the late season. I'm just after a doe. Was just liking that location as it's close to Wenatchee.

[snowshoes22]

Hunter numbers did seem to be up on public land in 272 and 136 this year.  Maybe because of the fires?

There is a 240 acre parcel of blm land across from my driveway that hasn't had a lot of pressure in the past due to no parking and very little shoulder on the road.  This year it was like people were hunting in shifts.  One truck would leave and another would pull up and so on all day everyday.  Never seen anything like it.  I think technology has a little to do with it.  No local spots anymore with ONX and other apps.

[HawkCreek]

My mom lives there. Last week I saw a ton of doe and a nice 4 point. He didnt care and watched me drive by at about 30 yards. Not near as many bucks as there was in the late 90's but still worth going if you know some land owners. Public land isnt one I'd take as my first choice.

[idaho guy]

OnX has killed alot of my old “secret “ public land spots. But I do use it occasionally. It’s a great thing but it also sucks