Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: NOCK NOCK on July 10, 2016, 06:51:19 PM

Title: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: NOCK NOCK on July 10, 2016, 06:51:19 PM: Curious if anyone else is seeing a difference in the quantity/quality of deer, either on their trailcams, or scouting this year? I checked several cams this weekend that have been soaking for a month, and there is a big decline in the numbers and quality of the bucks compared to what I normally see. My best cam set usually gets between 15-20 legal bucks, this year so far I got 2, and they are dinks. 3 other cams also showed a decline.
From what I am seeing, its gonna be a tougher year. :(
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: badnewskruse on July 10, 2016, 07:05:50 PM: i have to agree with you. i havent been seeing near as many deer this year as i have the past couple years. think the wolves might be taking a toll on my hunting area
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on July 10, 2016, 07:07:44 PM: Yep terrible muley deer numbers all across eastern side do yourself a favor and stay home not worth hunting for at least the next 10 years. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: Ridgeratt on July 10, 2016, 07:10:21 PM: Don't forget the effect's of all the fires last year as well.
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: NOCK NOCK on July 10, 2016, 07:26:00 PM: Quote from: Boss .300 winmag on July 10, 2016, 07:07:44 PM
Yep terrible muley deer numbers all across eastern side do yourself a favor and stay home not worth hunting for at least the next 10 years. :chuckle:

:chuckle:
Always worth hunting, some years its just a little more challenging. I have successfully killed a deer every year (36years)since I started hunting, the last 26 have all been archery. 8)
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: haugenna on July 10, 2016, 07:38:08 PM: Been seeing more cougar sign that started the decline before fires.
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: Jimmy33 on July 11, 2016, 09:30:26 AM: I don't think there's much of a difference. I know there was a large harvest last year, but nature is in a cycle. Because of the easy winters, there was a large amounts of bucks for harvest last year, couple that with the early rut and harvest numbers are up. I agree that all Westfield would probably have a better chance shooting blacktail on their side of the mountain, deer numbers are way down here.

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Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: Jimmy33 on July 11, 2016, 09:31:09 AM: West-siders...stupid autocorrect

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Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on July 12, 2016, 08:45:18 AM: Seemed like I could see the effects of last years harvest during my late hunt in the Chiwawa. I seen probably 100 plus bucks but I can say probably 3/4 were spikes & 2 points. I think I only seen maybe 15-20 3 point or better bucks. Only 5 or 6 in the 140-160 range. Seemed like either the deer took a huge hit during general season or the big boys were still hung up in the high country?
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: Wingin it on July 12, 2016, 08:12:43 PM: Yeah, probably going to be a tough season. I`ll tell you what, I will go check it out this season and see how it goes. Once the season is over I will report what I found and you can make a more informed decision for next year! Sound good? Oh, you are still going? Yeah, me too.
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: 180-GRAIN on July 13, 2016, 07:00:11 AM: Quote from: Wingin it on July 12, 2016, 08:12:43 PM
Yeah, probably going to be a tough season. I`ll tell you what, I will go check it out this season and see how it goes. Once the season is over I will report what I found and you can make a more informed decision for next year! Sound good? Oh, you are still going? Yeah, me too.

Im only going because my wife drew the late tag :chuckle:
Title: Re: Effects of 2015 Harvest/Winter ?
Post by: HunterofWA on July 14, 2016, 06:09:17 PM: Quote from: NOCK NOCK on July 10, 2016, 06:51:19 PM
Curious if anyone else is seeing a difference in the quantity/quality of deer, either on their trailcams, or scouting this year? I checked several cams this weekend that have been soaking for a month, and there is a big decline in the numbers and quality of the bucks compared to what I normally see. My best cam set usually gets between 15-20 legal bucks, this year so far I got 2, and they are dinks. 3 other cams also showed a decline.
From what I am seeing, its gonna be a tougher year. :(

It could be that there are to many does, which causes the bucks to get to stressed out with the rut.(they eventually die due to the loss of body weight, and being extremely tired)
Probably not enough forage. Plant fall food plots! :) the work!
Maybe it was a really good hunting season for hunters in your area?
Could've been some sort of disease that spread during the winter.