Mossyrock area rut

[blackveltbowhunter]

   Poaching numbers have probably remained the same or even decreased, but i am sure predator numbers are rapidly increasing. 2+2=4.

[Wanttohuntmore]

I feel it's cougar and maybe hairslip.  One place I hunted in 2007 I found roughly 30 fawn skeletons in or near the road, over the course of about 5 miles, behind a gate.  I can only assume it was from cougar, course maybe other things...

I definitely know that the deer population is not half of what it was 10 yrs ago.  If I was to guess I'd say about 1/3.

[FullDraw]

I agree predation is a huge problem and I plan on doing my part to help this winter with some yotes goin down.  On another note I have seen tons of does with fawns this year in the area I hunt (not mossyrock)

[FullDraw]

The 2 point is a deer that came out of that area.  The other buck was taken in Grays Harbor.

[jstamp]

i had a little snow at my house this morning. that should put those bucks into the rut. looks like the hills got an inch or two. good luck to all the guys hunting late blacktail. i wish i could hunt too, but montana is calling my name. 

[Bigshooter]

Jstamp and I have hunted peterman hard the last 6 or 7 years.  I think the lack of deer the last 2 years is the lack of clearcuts.  Most all the clearcuts up there are realling getting grown up.

[bow4elk]

I feel it's cougar and maybe hairslip.  One place I hunted in 2007 I found roughly 30 fawn skeletons in or near the road, over the course of about 5 miles, behind a gate.  I can only assume it was from cougar, course maybe other things...

I definitely know that the deer population is not half of what it was 10 yrs ago.  If I was to guess I'd say about 1/3.

Hairloss Syndrome is claiming a lot of deer and it cycles through areas.  I would suspect from the reports you guys mention that HLS has had played a significant role in the deer numbers, especially does and fawns.  Most bucks survive HSL after the first winter.  Now is about the time when the lice will leave the ground (deer beds) and start hosting on the deer.  Finding fawn remains is a big clue here.  Cougars will take any deer, not just target fawns and yearlings as bears and coyotes do.

Might sound harsh but HLS can actually improve buck hunting because there are fewer does, creating lots more competition.  Rattling in HLS areas can be a great tactic.

I'd probably just look for a new area and give this deer population a couple years to recover.  Maybe move a few miles and see what kind of sign you're seeing there.  But it doesn't do you any good to want something that can't be - great hunting.  Things change and it's tough to move on but sometimes that's the deal.

[elksnout]

Just got home today from our late buck permit hunt in sw Wa. We took two, a 4x4 and a 3x3. The bucks are rutting hard. Their metertarsal glands are oozing juice..... Fresh rubs all over the place.

[Dustin07]

thanks for the feedback guys. we head out at 0:dark:30 am tomorrow.  I would hunt a different area, but I just haven't found an area I like. This one is a bit of a drive for me, but i like the terrain more. The hunting up here is so damn dense you can't see anything. I know it's fairly dense down there as well, but there are more clearings (even if they are growing in). and turkeys. at least there are turkeys. 

if I see a Yote I'll take him down.

[Dustin07]

i've got a spike and a 3 point hanging out together in my yard almost every night, neither seem to be rutting yet. their necks aren't swelled, and they don't seem to be interested in any of the does in the area. 

Maybe there's a reason why those two bucks hang out alone togethr....  

[buckbrush]

The lack of deer in East lewis county is due to poaching.  Alot of the bear grass pickers, fern pickers, bow cutters and mushroomers add to alot of pressure on the deer also.  There is just alot more activity in the woods now.  Add to the fact that the tweekers in East Lewis aren't helping either.