Twisp Modern Deer

[DuckDuckGoosed]

Hello,  I am going to take an elder friend out this weekend who has not hunted in many years due to health concerns.  One mention though that I’d take him out and he’s out getting his rifle serviced, trying on his old boots, ready to hit the hills.  I know he can’t cover much ground on boots unfortunately. I usually hunt a minimum of a mile away from truck or backpacked in, and never in Twisp.  Any tips and suggestions for the area and suggestions to be prepared taking a less than able bodied man are appreciated. Just want a safe and memorable time out.  Looking forward to the hunt and love that I get to make hunting a reality again for my friend.

[Skyvalhunter]

Well I personally would head further north but thats just me. The deer are few and far between in the Twisp south area. But thats just my observation. Might to hit an area where you can do a little walking then glass alot.

[h2ofowlr]

Hunted it for two days and never saw a buck in that area other than private land properties.  Saw more hunters than deer.  Twisp area gets hit really hard by hunters.  I would leave your location options open and hit a spot with less hunter traffic.

[boneaddict]

Take a left or a right.  Anywhere in the Methow Valley is a beautiful spot to stretch the legs.   Obviously he will be glad to be out.  Realize the expectations of seeing a deer will be almost zero and a buck even less.    I doubt that will matter.   

[DuckDuckGoosed]

Take a left or a right.  Anywhere in the Methow Valley is a beautiful spot to stretch the legs.   Obviously he will be glad to be out.  Realize the expectations of seeing a deer will be almost zero and a buck even less.    I doubt that will matter.

You’re correct, I don’t think will matter. Thanks!

[Hockey21]

Worst year I've seen in the Twisp area in a long time. Usually either my father in law gets one or I do and all we got was tag soup after 7 days. We saw 3 - 2 points and 1 - 3 point on Monday. Stalked the 3 point for a few miles and another hunter shot it when we got within 200 yards. We were trying to get my son his first.  My family knows of 3 bucks shot (including the one shot in front of us) out of alot of hunters, including many who live there. It was just a weird year. Way too warm and way too dry. Most of the fresh sign we found was above 3200'. We went everywhere, way up and way out, and it was impossible to walk through the timber without someone hearing you in the next county. Hopefully you guys have better luck!!

[rickomatic]

Worst year I've seen in the Twisp area in a long time. Usually either my father in law gets one or I do and all we got was tag soup after 7 days. We saw 3 - 2 points and 1 - 3 point on Monday. Stalked the 3 point for a few miles and another hunter shot it when we got within 200 yards. We were trying to get my son his first.  My family knows of 3 bucks shot (including the one shot in front of us) out of alot of hunters, including many who live there. It was just a weird year. Way too warm and way too dry. Most of the fresh sign we found was above 3200'. We went everywhere, way up and way out, and it was impossible to walk through the timber without someone hearing you in the next county. Hopefully you guys have better luck!!

We were up the valley in Winthrop, and I concur, it was one of the worse years I've seen since I started hunting there in 1973. No animals or sign down low. Even the Winthrop town deer were unusually absent. Other than the doe one of our camp got on a disabled permit, my son was the only one that got anything decent. But he went up to 7000 feet, and the one he got was a local 4x3. Tough year. Guys we know up there that score every year ate tag soup.

[h2ofowlr]

Went back this weekend and decided to go way back in and hunted high.  Burned the legs out, but did see a wide bodied 3x3 at 900 yards moving up and over the ridge.  Billy goated over to where he crossed the ridge and I figure he beded up on the North side of the ridge in the timber.  I looked it over for several hours and never located him again.  It was still super dry, the worst I have seen it in a long time.

[Tbar]

Went back this weekend and decided to go way back in and hunted high.  Burned the legs out, but did see a wide bodied 3x3 at 900 yards moving up and over the ridge.  Billy goated over to where he crossed the ridge and I figure he beded up on the North side of the ridge in the timber.  I looked it over for several hours and never located him again.  It was still super dry, the worst I have seen it in a long time.

How was the pass?

[Hockey21]

The pass was fine. Came home yesterday and there was only a small dusting of snow on the trees.

[cjc23]

I just got back from up there yesterday, I would say your best bet is to start knocking on doors for private access. Saw a few shooter bucks but all on private land down low. Lots of closed forest service land, more hunters than you could imagine and not a lot of deer compared to the pass.

[bigmacc]

Worst year I have ever experienced in the Methow as far as deer numbers. We hunted spots from the valley bottom to 7500 feet, from the south valley to the darn near the Canadian border. 9 of us spread everywhere, killed 4 bears, 3 yotes and one little white tail buck. Heard wolves in most spots, seen a total of 7 bears between all of us. All our game cameras had cougars on them, 2 big ones with collars. A local rancher I know said his family has killed 4 cats on their property over the last 6 months. A fella I know said bears exploded in the valley over the last few years and this last spring they hammered the fawn crop, I believe him, we found more little fawn carcasses/bones than we could count. He flat said “don’t look for the deer situation to get any better”. The fawns are getting slaughtered by bears and the adults are getting clobbered by cats and wolves.

[h2ofowlr]

Went back this weekend and decided to go way back in and hunted high.  Burned the legs out, but did see a wide bodied 3x3 at 900 yards moving up and over the ridge.  Billy goated over to where he crossed the ridge and I figure he beded up on the North side of the ridge in the timber.  I looked it over for several hours and never located him again.  It was still super dry, the worst I have seen it in a long time.

How was the pass?

It was snowing pretty good on us, on the way over.  When we came back Sunday afternoon it was in good shape.  Probably received more snow today.

[Hockey21]

We saw more bears and bear sign in the valley than ever before. They were everywhere. Had to step around their "sign" to keep from stepping in it! Should've bought a tag!! Didn't see any cats though. Lots of small deer and fawn bones also. We hunted from the valley floor on up to around 5000'.

[boneaddict]

One of the most magical places in the world if you are an outdoorsman.  Was anyways.

[h2ofowlr]

One of the most magical places in the world if you are an outdoorsman.  Was anyways.

Californian's and greenies are taking it over at a rapid rate.  All the new home construction in the valley from Mazama to Carlton is mind blowing.

[bigmacc]

One of the most magical places in the world if you are an outdoorsman.  Was anyways.

100 percent agree bone, as we have talked, that magical place is now officially a predator pit. Very sad, when you see the predator situation as bad as it is. As I’ve told you, my son knows “a guy” that has said even the local anti hunters are expressing concern over the exploding bear population, lots of phone calls expressing concern for their kids and pets. Oh boy.

[timberfaller]

  Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

[bigmacc]

Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

Well, you didn’t miss much timberfaller, I’m a full fledged bear hunter now, I even know how to call them, went to town, bought a call, got a 10 minute lesson on YouTube while in town and the next day we were stacking bear like cordwood. Have never hunted bear before. They are so thick in there it was ridiculous.

[bigmacc]

Bears killed  a ton of fawns this last spring, a ton! Not coming from me but a “ guy we know”, fawns we’re basically slaughtered in the Methow. That’s next years, the year after etc buck/deer crop. Not good.

[mountainman]

Saw 40-50 deer last Sunday with 4-2 points and one 3 point whitetail up Twisp river 4-5 miles.

[bigmacc]

Saw 40-50 deer last Sunday with 4-2 points and one 3 point whitetail up Twisp river 4-5 miles.

👍 good for you.

[NRA4LIFE]

Last time I hunted up there was 3 years ago for deer season.  Spent more time bear hunting than deer hunting.  Nearly connected twice.  I can't imagine now it being worse.

[Hockey21]

Saw 40-50 deer last Sunday with 4-2 points and one 3 point whitetail up Twisp river 4-5 miles.

We used to see 100's....daily. :'(

[Hockey21]

One of the most magical places in the world if you are an outdoorsman.  Was anyways.

  If all you wanted to do was hike or ride your mountain bike I guess it would be fine. I saw more hikers and bikers than hunters all week. It was weird. Stupid sunny weather!!

[timberfaller]

Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

Well, you didn’t miss much timberfaller, I’m a full fledged bear hunter now, I even know how to call them, went to town, bought a call, got a 10 minute lesson on YouTube while in town and the next day we were stacking bear like cordwood. Have never hunted bear before. They are so thick in there it was ridiculous.

   

Hockey,  that is what I seen last year too, even came across a group of people, totally lost to where they parked their cars!  Wanted so bad to ask them, where you from???

mountainman, the valley sure has changed hasn't it!!??

[boneaddict]

the valley sure has changed hasn't it!!??

  That’s an understatement

[mountainman]

Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

Well, you didn’t miss much timberfaller, I’m a full fledged bear hunter now, I even know how to call them, went to town, bought a call, got a 10 minute lesson on YouTube while in town and the next day we were stacking bear like cordwood. Have never hunted bear before. They are so thick in there it was ridiculous.

   

Hockey,  that is what I seen last year too, even came across a group of people, totally lost to where they parked their cars!  Wanted so bad to ask them, where you from???

mountainman, the valley sure has changed hasn't it!!??

It sure has! Someone posted deer by the 100’s, I remember by the 1000’s in wintering area. Counted over 400 between Gowdy grade and Lewin’s, maybe 3/4 mile stretch one day!
And we took care of the bears and cats back then!!

[timberfaller]

  WE sure did!!!  Driving through the winter ranges during the winter months logging got challenging!!   Half the faller's I knew chased cats all over the place during time off, knew one who ran after a bear, until it stood up and challenged him!!

[borntoslay]

One of the most magical places in the world if you are an outdoorsman.  Was anyways.

Californian's and greenies are taking it over at a rapid rate.  All the new home construction in the valley from Mazama to Carlton is mind blowing.

There should be a law against this sort of thing. Disgusting to be quite frank. They are a different breed altogether 

[cjc23]

Sounds like I might just skip late archery deer and come up there to shoot a bear instead

[bigmacc]

Sounds like I might just skip late archery deer and come up there to shoot a bear instead

Please do, you will save some fawns in the spring. Fawn in distress call is what we used, we called in 2 in the wide open sage brush with that call! Came out of the thick creek bottom crap and moved right into the wide open.

[OltHunter]

Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

Well, you didn’t miss much timberfaller, I’m a full fledged bear hunter now, I even know how to call them, went to town, bought a call, got a 10 minute lesson on YouTube while in town and the next day we were stacking bear like cordwood. Have never hunted bear before. They are so thick in there it was ridiculous.

What's the secret calling sequence or resource? Got a foxpro and a few predator mouth calls, looking to get more involved in predator hunting. Maybe better for a separate thread or PM.

[bigmacc]

Didn't even bother to hunt the valley this year.  Stayed closer to home base!

Well, you didn’t miss much timberfaller, I’m a full fledged bear hunter now, I even know how to call them, went to town, bought a call, got a 10 minute lesson on YouTube while in town and the next day we were stacking bear like cordwood. Have never hunted bear before. They are so thick in there it was ridiculous.

What's the secret calling sequence or resource? Got a foxpro and a few predator mouth calls, looking to get more involved in predator hunting. Maybe better for a separate thread or PM.

Pm sent but I’ll tell you , no secret, mouth call purchased in town, watched a video on how to blow it, wounded fawn, 3-4 second “screams”.

[elkrack]

Contact bearmanric on this site! He makes great predator calls

[boneaddict]

He does and I’ve called in quite a few with them.   

[wolfbait]

Worst year I have ever experienced in the Methow as far as deer numbers. We hunted spots from the valley bottom to 7500 feet, from the south valley to the darn near the Canadian border. 9 of us spread everywhere, killed 4 bears, 3 yotes and one little white tail buck. Heard wolves in most spots, seen a total of 7 bears between all of us. All our game cameras had cougars on them, 2 big ones with collars. A local rancher I know said his family has killed 4 cats on their property over the last 6 months. A fella I know said bears exploded in the valley over the last few years and this last spring they hammered the fawn crop, I believe him, we found more little fawn carcasses/bones than we could count. He flat said “don’t look for the deer situation to get any better”. The fawns are getting slaughtered by bears and the adults are getting clobbered by cats and wolves.

Well Said, pretty much explains the Methow.

We have watched it happen since 2002, have been over run with predators for a few years now. Usually when the big snow hits in the high country it drives some nice buck down into the foothills, wife and I took an 83 mile drive from N.summit through the back roads, ended up near Freeze out pass up Boulder. In all that country we saw one doe in lower Boulder till we hit Wintro-up, where we counted ten rolling through the back streets.
Bought an extra big bale for the winter deer, doesn't look like they will need it this year, nothing left to feed. Despite all the new homes going up there is a ton of habitat but nothing left to use it.

When The Game Department changed to WDFW everything headed south.

Not even going to get started on the New People, it's just way past time to sell the place and find new stomping grounds, looking at Idaho or Wyoming to finish out our years.

[no.cen.wa]

I haven't posted in awhile but after another very bad season thought I would toss out my thoughts. My grandfather lived on  Beavercreek from the late 1920's moved into Twisp in the 1940's to 1950's,  we lived in Twisp, and moved away when the "Mill" was having trouble but my Dad hunted all over the Methow. My uncle was Jim Simmons, he sold his ranch and it was turned into the "Tice Ranch" on SR 20.
 I would go over with my Dad on weekends to hunt after we moved to western Washington.
   All that is to say, when My Grandfather talked about deer count being down it was always because of bad winters. He always said that it seemed nature had a way of bringing the deer back after a hard winter, more twin fawns, etc.
So, I have hunted for over 60 years and have never seen it so bad.                                                     
  Winter kill isn't the problem any more, it's incompetent leadership in government and the WDFW.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

[boneaddict]

Your uncle and Aunt were good people.  The last cup of coffee I shared with her and visit is still a good memory. 

[doubletall]

I haven't posted in awhile but after another very bad season thought I would toss out my thoughts. My grandfather lived on  Beavercreek from the late 1920's moved into Twisp in the 1940's to 1950's,  we lived in Twisp, and moved away when the "Mill" was having trouble but my Dad hunted all over the Methow. My uncle was Jim Simmons, he sold his ranch and it was turned into the "Tice Ranch" on SR 20.
 I would go over with my Dad on weekends to hunt after we moved to western Washington.
   All that is to say, when My Grandfather talked about deer count being down it was always because of bad winters. He always said that it seemed nature had a way of bringing the deer back after a hard winter, more twin fawns, etc.
So, I have hunted for over 60 years and have never seen it so bad.                                                     
  Winter kill isn't the problem any more, it's incompetent leadership in government and the WDFW.
DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

I'm guessing your grandparents knew my neighbor that just passed away just short of 110, her name was Helen Krinkle, she lived on Alder Rd just south of town.  I can't imagine the changes she saw over the years.

[no.cen.wa]

Bone, yes Dot and Jim were the best. They would baby sit me once in awhile and Dot would have a fresh pie ready and Jim would take me out around the ranch, high point was riding in his flat fender jeep for me. My Mom was named after Dot, who was my Grandmothers sister. I was only about 4 years old but remember Uncle Jim as a real cowboy and often rode his horse to check the ranch too. My Dad always said "Jim was noted for having the heaviest bale of alfalfa in the Methow.
 Like many ranches years ago, you could count hundreds of deer in his fields as the sun was going down.
 Great memories from a great time in my life!
  John G

[bigmacc]

Bone, yes Dot and Jim were the best. They would baby sit me once in awhile and Dot would have a fresh pie ready and Jim would take me out around the ranch, high point was riding in his flat fender jeep for me. My Mom was named after Dot, who was my Grandmothers sister. I was only about 4 years old but remember Uncle Jim as a real cowboy and often rode his horse to check the ranch too. My Dad always said "Jim was noted for having the heaviest bale of alfalfa in the Methow.
 Like many ranches years ago, you could count hundreds of deer in his fields as the sun was going down.
 Great memories from a great time in my life!
  John G

Good to hear from you again no.cen.wa👍
And yes, worst I’ve ever seen also, even worse than the season after that horrible winter kill in the late 60,s. We seen a heck of a lot more deer that following season, even with an estimated 10-20k deer dieing!