Deer Numbers Down - Methow?

[MtnMuley]

They fawn survival rate hasn't been low at all the past couple years that I am aware of.  Seeing more sets of twins than ever.

[CavemantheHunter]

I hadn't noticed an issue with fawn survival rate until this year. I saw around 18 does in 3 different areas, and with those does, I only saw a total of 4 fawns. Where were their fawns then?

[huntnphool]

They fawn survival rate hasn't been low at all the past couple years that I am aware of.  Seeing more sets of twins than ever.

+1

[boneaddict]

Certain areas are definately lower than others, but other areas are doing as well as I've seen.

Could that possibly be caused by where the particular pack might be.  Pack being singular of course because there is only one up there right.

[huntnphool]

Could that possibly be caused by where the particular pack might be.  Pack being singular of course because there is only one up there right.

 But I thought the "pack" was down to two individules, I was amazed how much howling noise the two of them can make, sure sounded like more than two this past weekend.

[boneaddict]

They certaily earn the mystic critter award becasue its amazing how they can be at 5 places at once or travel that fast.......

[huntnphool]

They certaily earn the mystic critter award becasue its amazing how they can be at 5 places at once or travel that fast.......

Agreed!!!

[500 long]

I think they should relocate the car wrecking garden eating deer from the over populated areas to replenish the "wild" areas.

[boneaddict]

Believe it or not they came up with a decent solution to that, and used hunters as the tool which is a novel idea.  Unfortunatly there are enough treehuggers there that won't let folks hunt on their property that I don't think it had much effect.   
The valley floor permits......
I'm not a big proponent of doe tags, but I could at least see what they were doing.  The pressure would supposedly get them back on the hill versus being in the middle of the hiway so to speak. 

[Elkrunner]

I saw more yearling does and fawns this year than in the past 4 years.  One thing that was odd to me, I didn't see hardly any of the older deer.  It was very strange.  My camera was set up in that area for a month as well and the majority of them were younger deer. 

[NateR]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who struck out this week (yeah...I'm petty like that). Only saw two young bucks this week and a handful of does. We spent three days aimlessly wandering up Loup Loup and only heard a few rifle cracks. The wall at Antlers looked might empty this year. Looks like I'll be thumping brush next week in hopes for a BT 

[CavemantheHunter]

You most definitely weren't the only one NateR. Everyone I talked to had the same story: lack of animals. The wall at Antler's is proof. I'll be headed back over tomorrow through Sunday so hopefully I can bring back a different report, otherwise I will also be back to try and bag a blacktail.

[rickomatic]

We noticed the same low numbers of deer in the Quincy area. There were a couple bucks taken out of the area we hunt, but the actual number of animals even seen was way down. We spoke with lots of hunters that said the same. They were perplexed. Coyotes were there, but not in numbers higher than we normally see.
Not to be politically incorrect, but we were told by 2 different locals that deer are being shot all year round by certain ethnic orchard workers. They said they're taking a LOT of deer. WDFW is spread pretty thin and can't come to all calls of late night, or midday springtime orchard shooting. Even if they do, by the time they get there, the perps are gone.

[huntnphool]

I've seen 40+ deer today in the Methow Valley, had two bucks, 2 point and a young 4x3, bed down 130 yards in front of me and sit there all morning until I got up. Seeing plenty of deer, weather seems to be turning for the better.

[lilshootergirl]

Just got back from Bonaparte! there's some Big deer but few Does Didn't see much, but whats hanging in other peoples camp! I did see does with fawns and not much more than tracts & poop! Maybe It will be better next year (still want to get my 1st deer) Looking around my land, maybe with luck Ill make my kill. Hope Elk has better odds. Does anyone know if the Elk are up high around Naneum or tenaway? Ill be in that area Hoping for my 1st Elk too! I sure would love some advice from you old time hunters thanks