Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: davew on October 21, 2014, 07:39:42 AM

Title: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: davew on October 21, 2014, 07:39:42 AM: I got this guy Saturday morning fairly low in the Gardner unit. He doesn't look like a local deer. I heard of a few more like this taken late in the week. Did the rainy weather start moving a few deer down into the valley?
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: sirmissalot on October 21, 2014, 07:45:07 AM: Pretty buck, nice shooting
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: _TONY_ on October 21, 2014, 07:49:41 AM: They were calling for snow above 5000 feet last Wednesday, so it could have pushed some down... Though, some will make their way down without any weather, too...
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: rose673 on October 21, 2014, 08:09:47 AM: Would agree, for some at least, saw a good buck Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.... The first two were rutting and the third was bedded by himself.
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: nw_bowhunter on October 21, 2014, 08:16:24 AM: pretty nice.. like the dark horns
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: elkoholic1 on October 21, 2014, 08:20:00 AM: :tup:
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: Smokepole on October 21, 2014, 08:20:50 AM: It's possible the Little Bridge Fire moved some deer around this summer. Maybe some came down Thompson early because of it. I know the fire went pretty high up & there are migraters that summer up in that country.
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: boneaddict on October 21, 2014, 08:45:05 AM: Yes, a lot of big bucks started to move this weekend, and some dandys were killed. I heard someone got a near 40 incher but haven't seen the photo yet.
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: no.cen.wa on October 21, 2014, 08:55:54 AM: I think they may have moved down for whatever the reason, I camp at 5500 ft north of Winthrop 30 miles and although there were nice bucks taken we didn't see near as many deer, I passed on a few smaller bucks, missed one and still have a tag. There was one day of snow at 6000-6500 ft. but it was gone in no time. We went though the middle of it and there where no tracks on Saturday. It was in the 30's for temp in the mornings, about 10-15 degrees warmer than normal, so no snow, no cold, and many less deer we think.
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: bowman on October 21, 2014, 09:30:34 AM: I almost connected with a dandy of a buck. Biggest one I've seen over there. He was traveling and I couldn't get a shot in the rocks :bash:. I was fairly low in elevation.
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: vfilbert on October 21, 2014, 09:38:06 AM: Quote from: davew on October 21, 2014, 07:39:42 AM
I got this guy Saturday morning fairly low in the Gardner unit. He doesn't look like a local deer. I heard of a few more like this taken late in the week. Did the rainy weather start moving a few deer down into the valley?

Love that buck
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: vfilbert on October 21, 2014, 09:39:53 AM: My friend got a nice 3x4 at the teailheAd sat in the rain and fog. It looked similar to yours. Ill try and get a pic soon
Title: Re: Early migration/rut in the Methow?
Post by: bigmacc on October 21, 2014, 10:04:04 AM: A buddy of my dad got a dandy 6 by 6 in the south end of the valley.Sorry I wont get more specific or show a picture(I,ll probably get chewed out for this :chuckle:) but I guarantee it was no local.