collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)  (Read 11942 times)

Offline Skyvalhunter

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2007
  • Posts: 16010
  • Location: Sky valley/Methow
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #15 on: December 10, 2009, 05:26:03 AM »
Fitkin is so full of his self it's not even funny!!
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
The further one goes into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom.

Offline huntnphool

  • Chance favors the prepared mind!
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+15)
  • Legend
  • ******
  • Join Date: Apr 2007
  • Posts: 32899
  • Location: Pacific NorthWest
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #16 on: December 10, 2009, 08:16:36 AM »
I have seen pretty good fawn numbers this year, even a doe with triplets but the numbers they are claiming dont seem quite right. I would be willing to bet that 18 of the 20 bucks they witnessed and counted toward their total were spike or forkhorns as well. Lets hope the weather trend continues for the herds sake, not going to help diddly for the snowpack though, water rationing this summer? :chuckle:
« Last Edit: December 10, 2009, 07:06:00 PM by huntnphool »
The things that come to those who wait, may be the things left by those who got there first!

Offline Gobble

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2008
  • Posts: 2542
  • Location: Yelm, Wa
  • Wack'em and Stack'em
    • Dave Harder
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #17 on: December 10, 2009, 08:19:28 AM »
I have to agree. I spent 5 days in the Methow during my hunt and did see decent animals but 3,500 is a far stretch IMO I saw pockets of animals but most were only 10-20 animals and a few 30-40 but very isolated.

Offline wolfbait

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 9187
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #18 on: December 10, 2009, 09:03:03 AM »
I was just reading the WDFW's "Weekender Report" and I was surprised at the glowing report of how the mule deer are doing in the Methow.

Quote
Mule deer should be visible soon if not already on winter range in the Methow Valley of Okanogan County. Scott Fitkin and Jeff Heinlen, WDFW wildlife biologists, recently completed post-hunting-season mule deer aerial surveys in the Okanogan district and observed the highest buck to doe ratio since 2002. Out of about 3,500 deer, they saw 20 bucks for every 100 does. They also observed about 77 fawns per 100 does, which Fitkin says is about average over the long-term.

"The deer look healthy and fat," Fitkin said, "With virtually no snow over much of the winter range and none in the extended weather forecast, the early prognosis for over-winter fawn survival looks positive."



I have to disagree, I counted close to 6000 deer in a little over a week, everywhere I went I saw deer, 90% of all the does had fawns, and the buck to doe ratio  like the deer and fawn count was unbelievable. Do to the overrun of deer I believe wdfw should import more wolves from Idaho and Montana, and perhaps shut all cougar and bear hunts off so that they can catch up to the over population of the deer herds.

Offline Shootmoore

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 1301
  • Location: Skagit
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #19 on: December 10, 2009, 09:07:09 AM »
I was just reading the WDFW's "Weekender Report" and I was surprised at the glowing report of how the mule deer are doing in the Methow.

Quote
Mule deer should be visible soon if not already on winter range in the Methow Valley of Okanogan County. Scott Fitkin and Jeff Heinlen, WDFW wildlife biologists, recently completed post-hunting-season mule deer aerial surveys in the Okanogan district and observed the highest buck to doe ratio since 2002. Out of about 3,500 deer, they saw 20 bucks for every 100 does. They also observed about 77 fawns per 100 does, which Fitkin says is about average over the long-term.

"The deer look healthy and fat," Fitkin said, "With virtually no snow over much of the winter range and none in the extended weather forecast, the early prognosis for over-winter fawn survival looks positive."



I have to disagree, I counted close to 6000 deer in a little over a week, everywhere I went I saw deer, 90% of all the does had fawns, and the buck to doe ratio  like the deer and fawn count was unbelievable. Do to the overrun of deer I believe wdfw should import more wolves from Idaho and Montana, and perhaps shut all cougar and bear hunts off so that they can catch up to the over population of the deer herds.
 

Wolfbait did you forget to put the lid back on that can of paint again?


I know I know sarcasam!

Shootmoore

Offline wolfbait

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 9187
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #20 on: December 10, 2009, 09:13:36 AM »
Just trying to write a good report. ;) How did I do?

Offline boneaddict

  • Site Sponsor
  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50475
  • Location: Selah, Washington
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #21 on: December 10, 2009, 09:20:12 AM »
Its equally as accurate.  I know there are a few folks like Remington that think I don't know anything, but believe it or not I do get out and have been walking the same hills for the past 30+ years.  I do know a little about current conditions and trends.  Just a little....

Offline Shootmoore

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2009
  • Posts: 1301
  • Location: Skagit
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #22 on: December 10, 2009, 09:37:00 AM »
Just trying to write a good report. ;) How did I do?

aha it was'nt the paint can!  You went to one of those DWWDFW Reports 101 classes again!

Offline wolfbait

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2009
  • Posts: 9187
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #23 on: December 10, 2009, 09:39:15 AM »
Its equally as accurate.  I know there are a few folks like Remington that think I don't know anything, but believe it or not I do get out and have been walking the same hills for the past 30+ years.  I do know a little about current conditions and trends.  Just a little....

Thank you, I did my best. I wondered how you got them nice buck pictures, trompin around the mountains,eh. What will the deer report be next year at this time, how long can the lies continue? :dunno:

As far as the paint can theory, all of my paint is frozen solid.

Offline Axle

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 2088
  • Location: Issaquah
Re: Methow Valley Deer Report (WDFW)
« Reply #24 on: December 10, 2009, 09:48:23 AM »
Quote
Just trying to write a good report.  How did I do?

Definitely had me worried for a bit :chuckle:

After reading the flawed report, I now know what the "S" stands for. I didn't know it meant Scott. But then again, that part could be flawed too.
I am the man what runs with the football: Jerry Clower

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Toutle Quality Bull - Rifle by ReidMcSquatch
[Today at 03:24:51 PM]


Pocket Carry by Shawn Ryan
[Today at 03:03:08 PM]


AKC lab puppies! Born 06/10/2025 follow as they grow!!! by scottfrick
[Today at 02:14:23 PM]


Calling Bears by bearmanric
[Today at 02:07:32 PM]


2025 Crab! by Stein
[Today at 01:48:55 PM]


Sauk Unit Youth Elk Tips by Kales15
[Today at 01:04:52 PM]


2025 Coyotes by JakeLand
[Today at 12:20:54 PM]


Price on brass? by Magnum_Willys
[Today at 12:18:54 PM]


AUCTION: SE Idaho DIY Deer or Deer/Elk Hunt by Dan-o
[Today at 10:28:23 AM]


Utah cow elk hunt by kselkhunter
[Today at 09:03:55 AM]


KODIAK06 2025 trail cam and personal pics thread by kodiak06
[Today at 07:03:46 AM]


Unknown Suppressors - Whisper Pickle by Sneaky
[Today at 04:09:53 AM]


Early Huckleberry Bull Moose tag drawn! by HillHound
[Yesterday at 11:25:17 PM]


THE ULTIMATE QUAD!!!! by Deer slayer
[Yesterday at 10:33:55 PM]


Archery elk gear, 2025. by WapitiTalk1
[Yesterday at 09:41:28 PM]


Oregon spring bear by kodiak06
[Yesterday at 04:40:38 PM]


Tree stand for Western Washingtn by kodiak06
[Yesterday at 04:37:01 PM]


A lonely Job... by Loup Loup
[Yesterday at 01:15:11 PM]


Range finders & Angle Compensation by Fidelk
[Yesterday at 11:58:48 AM]


Willapa Hills 1 Bear by hunter399
[Yesterday at 10:55:29 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal