More Methow Valley News about Deer season

[wsmnut]

More from the Methow Valley News:

2009 was good year for deer hunters
By Patrick Hannigan

All anecdotal indicators suggest that the 2009 deer hunting season in the Methow was significantly better than 2008.

For example, in the four days the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife operated a check station up the East Chewuch, agents checked through 75 deer, which was an 88 percent increase over 2008.

The numbers from the annual Antlers Saloon and Café buck contest in Twisp confirm the trend. This year the wall was covered with pictures of 84 different hunters posing with their deer. That’s up significantly from last year, when the wall sported only 57 photos. Still, this year’s Antlers numbers were down substantially from the gravy year of 2004, when 140 successful hunters brought their deer to the saloon to pose for pictures.

According to WDFW biologist Scott Fitkin, he personally saw no record-breaking animal in the harvest, but he did say that the deer taken this year tended to be older and larger than average.

“We saw a lot of big-bodied, very healthy and fat animals this year,” said Fitkin.

While Katie Russell did get not out hunting, she was as busy as anyone during the 10-day hunting season, which began Oct. 17 and ended Oct. 25. The 25-year old Twisp resident has an interest in hide tanning and she offered to skin deer for any hunters.

In total, she skinned 27 deer last week and has an additional 25 hides that hunters dropped off for her to tan and use.

“My wrists are really sore and my hands are all swollen, but I’m very happy,” said Russell. “It was really fun meeting all the hunters and seeing all the deer.”

Russell employs a technique called “brain tanning” that uses the brains of an animal to tan its own hide. From the hides she plans on fashioning clothes and accessories for herself, friends, and perhaps sale.

“I’m still working on my wardrobe,” said Russell.

With hunting season comes the inevitable flood of law enforcement complaints. During the 10-day season, Sgt. Jim Brown of the WDFW said his officers responded to 125 violations in Okanogan County – most of which were in the Methow Valley.

In addition to the usual slew of trespassing and alcohol violations, this year a few hunters got busted by a robotic deer. More specifically, law enforcement agents busted five different hunters who shot at the deer decoy.

The robotic decoy deer was placed in different poses along roadsides around the county and the Methow Valley at night. Hunters that shot at the decoy were ticketed by agents, who staked out the deer, for breaking several laws, including rules against shooting deer at night and shooting from a public roadway.

“There are a certain percentage of people who are predisposed to break the law,” said Brown. “If they choose to shoot the deer, they are willfully breaking the law.”

Now that hunting season is over, valley residents are ready for a quiet fall.

“I’m looking forward to doing some hikes that I wouldn’t have done during hunting season,” said Callie Fink who lives in Winthrop.

 
 

 
It wasn't better for me...if that check station is "scientific", then we are in a lot of trouble.

[huntnphool]

Still, this year’s Antlers numbers were down substantially from the gravy year of 2004, when 140 successful hunters brought their deer to the saloon to pose for pictures.

Scott thinks hunters are idiots, the reason the numbers were higher in 04 is because the season ended almost a week later, on the 28th.

[saylean]

I've seen that "free deer skinning" sign between twisp winthrop...I am surprised a 25 yr old girl is behind it.

I know I am up on Antlers wall...I didnt even know bout the contest till this year...

[Wacenturion]

Still, this year’s Antlers numbers were down substantially from the gravy year of 2004, when 140 successful hunters brought their deer to the saloon to pose for pictures.

Scott thinks hunters are idiots, the reason the numbers were higher in 04 is because the season ended almost a week later, on the 28th.

minor detail....lol.   

[Dipsnort]

Wait, so it was a good year for deer hunting in the Methow?  I assume this is one thread Wolfbait (and others) won't mention how the herd has been decimated by the wolf population.

[Skyvalhunter]

I think things are twisted around a bit. I talked to a few wardens up there and for them to check 50+ hunters and one legal buck seems to me that would reflect pretty poor odds.

[mossback91]

Im gonna smack fitkin

[Skyvalhunter]

Can I watch? please

[MtnMuley]

Ya, were still seeing the effects of the 04 extended week long mule deer massacre!  Moss, come to the meeting at the agriplex next Monday the 9th at 6 pm if you want to see Fitkin squeel in his pants!  He'd better be there!

[WDFW-SUX]

                 
Scott Fitkin

[BLKBEARKLR]

Wait, so it was a good year for deer hunting in the Methow?  I assume this is one thread Wolfbait (and others) won't mention how the herd has been decimated by the wolf population.

LMAO

[huntnphool]

I think things are twisted around a bit. I talked to a few wardens up there and for them to check 50+ hunters and one legal buck seems to me that would reflect pretty poor odds.

Hey if its in print or posted on the internet then it must be true right? We took a drive through the Beaver Creek camp area, which was packed as usual, and only saw 3 bucks hanging. Of course they could have been in the town locker but I doubt it. The last saturday of the season I sat there in the morning and didn't hear a single shot the entire morning, and you can hear them echo down the canyon for a few miles.

Don't let them twist it, the season was just as bad as it has been the last couple years, IMO it was worse but then again my name isn't Scott.

[boneaddict]

Sounds like an election campaign, or a man trying to save his job.  Anecdotal evidence is just that....I have plenty that says the opposite.  Banner year of 04 and its just now recovering from that stupid WDFW mistake.  First year there are mature bucks behind every bush........at least according to Fitkin.  I sure saw A LOT of hunters with nothing in there camps.  I purposely looked.   Sure didn't hear many shots either.  That check station is also the biggest joke in the valley.  Go one way and you can be at the bar or home.  Go the other way and you get searched and have to be questioned.  hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[huntnphool]

or a man trying to save his job

 

[huntnphool]

All anecdotal indicators suggest that the 2009 deer hunting season in the Methow was significantly better than 2008.
For example, in the four days the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife operated a check station up the East Chewuch, agents checked through 75 deer, which was an 88 percent increase over 2008.

What happened to the "Twice as good" as last season?

According to Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist Scott Fitkin, hunters took approximately twice as many deer as last year as measured by numbers from the WDFW check station on the East Chewuch Road.

This clown is just throwing out numbers to have people hear what the want to hear. How does the saying go? "42.7 percent of all statistics are made up 80% of the time."