San Juan Islands Blacktail -- New hunter looking for advice

[swampbear]

I drew 2nd deer for Lopez. Curious if it’s been showing up there. Very limited hunting opportunities on the island that aren’t private. Not many locals willing to let folks hunt.

[bearpaw]

I looked at my onx maps and would suggest you do the same! 

[RC]

Anybody have any new information on how the deer population is doing on Lopez?  Curious as to how much the AHD has affected the numbers.

[JDHasty]

When they are not rutting use a fawn distress call and does come charging in looking to save the world.  It WILL NOT work when they are ditching their fawns to hook up for a date.  I usually use the fawn distress early, during archery season.  It may work after they are through the rut.  Give it a try.  We have a few different ones, the one I have is a Knight & Hale and I don't think they make it any longer.  Friends have others and they all seem to work. 

[luvmystang67]

I know the population on SJI has been completely devastated, nobody sees deer anywhere anymore.

[jamesfromseattle]

I know the population on SJI has been completely devastated, nobody sees deer anywhere anymore.

All my anecdotal observations (during a couple visits to Orcas) and conversations with friends who live up there continue to be consistent with this. Didn't even have the opportunity to fill a tag if I wanted to.

Have there been any updated reports/studies or estimates on the effect of AHD? All I've been able to find are older news articles from earlier this summer that announced AHD was confirmed in the herd.

[steeleywhopper]

My cousin lives on San Juan Island, his place is out of town 5 or 6 miles and said he has seen a grand total of 3 deer since June. This is the first time he has had apples on his trees and on the ground. Usually he has multiple deer in his yard all year and he has not seen any.
For the first time ever he is coming off Island to hunt deer on the mainland this weekend.