Klickitat Deer..

[Mark B]

i havent hunted in ten years and recently made a trip back to my stomping grounds along the klickitat river.. I HAVE NEVER seen the "Klick" so green.. But one thing did catch my mind, when I used to hunt there if we didnt see less than forty deer a day we were having as terrible day.. On this trip I saw seven.. one up close.. other just bodies as they ran aways from me and my friend, and 2 at over four hundered yards away.. i know theres NO pressure where Im at due to land usage permits and lack of foot traffice due to the severe "HILL" that I have to climb up.. Where have all the deer gone?? do they stay up on the flatland east of the river until summer ends and then come down?? Anything helps there guys and Gals.. Or maybe the "klick" just isnt what it used to be... I mean last year opening day there were atleast five bucks taken from the area.. WHAT GIVES?? am i scouting too early??

[ELKBURGER]

Klickitat isnt what it used to be. Cougars are taking their share and I've notice a major increase in hunting pressure in the last 5 years. I'm sure the fish and game dept will blame lack of funds or something. Maybe they'll make it a 4 point minimum next year, that'll fix it!!!

[Mark B]

I always knew there were alot of cats in the canyon, my buddy told me they (WDFW) went on a "cat killing spree" a few years back and cleared the canyon of some 20-25 cats... I wish i could post up some pics of what i saw up there, But there too dam big, ran into a rattlesnake on the way down and I might say I almost ran like a little school girl...

[RUTNBULL1]

Don't bother even hunting in the canyon anymore, no more deer to speak of, trust me been hunting it for 30 years. Rid the area of cats, and poachers and maybe it will turn around.

[carpsniperg2]

  truth. to man dam cat in our neck of the woods

[Magnum_Willys]

Hunted Klickitat every year up to two years ago.  Typically saw at least 100 deer opening weekend ( or twice that).  Have pics of 7 of us tagging out on opening day.  My buddy went last year and saw two deer the whole weekend !  The cats and lice and poachers have wiped them all out.  Crying shame. 

[bobcat]

We didn't see many bucks but I got this buck in 2008, just east of the Klickitat River:

[tonymoe]

I used to float the klick every year from lidle bridge down to the slide out. I never seen 40 deer in a day, but, I did see more bucks then does though. I only ran into a couple people once we got closer to town, but both sides of the canyon (on top) was loaded with orange vest, and parked pickups. I think it will take a while for the numbers to get back up there. Those animals were slaughtered when it was 2pt min.
I know one this, grab a drift boat/raft, gun, fishing rod with a blue fox #4 and hit the klick during rifle deer......thats a fun trip right there 

[hoyt5199]

I hunted the klickitat this year for turkey and we couldn't walk without seeing fresh sign, there are a lot of deer. You just need to know where to look.

[aer212]

Cougars are way overpopulated. I live here, I know there are not what they used to be.

[klickman]

I used to float the klick every year from lidle bridge down to the slide out. I never seen 40 deer in a day, but, I did see more bucks then does though. I only ran into a couple people once we got closer to town, but both sides of the canyon (on top) was loaded with orange vest, and parked pickups. I think it will take a while for the numbers to get back up there. Those animals were slaughtered when it was 2pt min.
I know one this, grab a drift boat/raft, gun, fishing rod with a blue fox #4 and hit the klick during rifle deer......thats a fun trip right there 

The two pt min was great compared to what it was when you could shoot any buck.  THat was when the slaughter happened.  There are gonna be a lot of big 2pts not getting shot and then doing the breeding in the goldendale area, since they won't get any bigger than that.  3pt min. may not be the solution.  I hope it is, but blacktails are different than mulies.

KLICKMAN

[tonymoe]

I hunted the klickitat this year for turkey and we couldn't walk without seeing fresh sign, there are a lot of deer. You just need to know where to look.

you seen alot of sign in the spring? Wow! You must be good? Head that way in October. I think most would agree that you see alot of deer in the spring. But, I'll work on knowing where to look. Thanks for the advice

[RUTNBULL1]

I hunted the klickitat this year for turkey and we couldn't walk without seeing fresh sign, there are a lot of deer. You just need to know where to look.

Damn those new Primos scented deer droppings I picked up for 10 cents a pound worked well and fooled you! All those deer you saw, you will be lucky to see 1 out of ten by October, most of those deer are concentrated down here for the wintering grounds, and will be headed back up and spread out over 100,000 of acres soon, Local deer population is non existent compared to 10, 20, 30 years ago!!!!

[carpsniperg2]

 

[bowhiker]

Boys you just saved me a scouting trip. haven't hunted there yet, but wanted to see what it was like, but sounds pretty disappointing. So how much farther east do I head to run into deer?

[superdown]

why do some people call these blacktails http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_River

[carpsniperg2]

if you are looking for blackys head west heading east gets you more into the bench bucks

[Wazukie]

No "true" blackies in klickitat, in fact, no dear at all.  We dont have any game here.  Actually, they're here, you just have to look for them.  I've sen 3 shooters so far this year.

[RUTNBULL1]

why do some people call these blacktails http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_River

Most of the deer in the general area are now mostly blacktails from Hwy 97 or approx. there abouts West. That being said they do have their own classification for pope and young and Boone and Crockett. One main reason is for the Muley influence from the Eastern portion of the county and the transplanting of mule deer in the mid 60's and late 70's into the region. With these mulies breeding some what with the native blacktail have produced a stain of blacktail( bench legs etc,etc, etc.) into the system. But for the most part the muley influence in the western portion of the county is almost back to a pure blacktail species. Are you stating with your reference on wikipedia that the region should only serve as a mule deer area only? Last I knew deer couldn't read or understand boundry lines.

[carpsniperg2]

No "true" blackies in klickitat, in fact, no dear at all.  We dont have any game here.  Actually, they're here, you just have to look for them.  I've sen 3 shooters so far this year.

in some areas far west there are some true genetics left and recognized by b&c as blacktails. in the area we hunt in the east they are bench leg crosses most the time.

[Wazukie]

well, as far as the WDFW is concerned, anything west of the Klickitat River is a black tail.  I know that the ones on the Mt. have big ears and many have big bodies.  Just what I see, I really only hunt one area and never see another hunter, that is unless I take my son's with me. 

[Pathfinder101]

Thats a great looking buck Bobcat.  Got any more pics?

[bobcat]

No I don't. We walked a mile out to get the cart and the camera, and then FORGOT the camera. So all I got is that picture of it on the tailgate.   

[engelwood]

The cougars are definitely more prevalent than they used to be and are taking their toll on the deer populations. Good luck if you go for it. That buck picture is a dandy. Nice work, those are few and far between in that neck of the woods!

[Deer slayer]

I live in the area as well and without a doubt the numbers are down some. Two years ago there was bit of a winter kill because the deer health was down do to disease.  The east end of the county (mostly private) the deer are doing very well. In many places of the county the deer are migratory and they show up in mid October. I foresee the hunting back over the next few years. Also I am a supporter of 3 point and better in this county. 

[ELKBURGER]

I too am a supporter for the 3 pt min cause I'm still working on my trigger control With a 3 pt min I can only shoot a larger buck and you definetley see more animals which makes the experience much better. I started hunting with freinds that shot first legal deer, usually a spike, so that became a habit. Now hunting in a 3pt. unit has forced me to be more selective and patient in shooting a legal buck. Now I'm looking forward to challenging myself to get a better buck each year. Now spikes arent tempting anymore

[Drifterat]

why do some people call these blacktails http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_River

They are listed as Cascade Blacktails in the record books.

http://www.nwbiggame.com/graphics/maps/WA_blacktail_map_lg.gif

[Bigshooter]

why do some people call these blacktails http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Klickitat_River

They are listed as Cascade Blacktails in the record books.

http://www.nwbiggame.com/graphics/maps/WA_blacktail_map_lg.gif

Only in the Washington state record book.