Post by: WAcoueshunter on August 31, 2017, 03:07:05 PM
"Surveys flown returned a population estimate of roughly 15,000 deer in Chelan County south of Lake Chelan in spring 2016. These numbers aligned with our previous population estimates of 15,000 and 18,000 deer in the same area. Spring flights were flown again in 2017 and results showed a decline in the herd size. Winter is the dominant factor affecting population size in the district. Over the 2016-17 winter, snow covered a larger portion of the winter range in Chelan County, snow depths were greater than in previous years, and the duration of snow cover extended farther into the spring. Those factors combined to reduce the population by 25 percent, down to an estimate of roughly 11,000 deer across the same area."
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/prospects/2017/district07.pdf
Post by: muleracks on August 31, 2017, 03:26:35 PM
Post by: cougforester on August 31, 2017, 03:28:53 PM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on August 31, 2017, 03:48:17 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on September 06, 2017, 09:22:52 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 23, 2017, 08:59:36 PM
Post by: kellama2001 on October 24, 2017, 08:36:58 AM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on October 24, 2017, 08:53:11 AM
Grade
Post by: crankin04 on October 24, 2017, 09:03:42 AM
I will say that I did see about 10 bucks, 7 legal all on Private lands in the Swakane Unit during pre-season scouting and during the season... Of course, the people are anti-hunters and the thought of you coming around their property in orange and a muddy truck seems to bother them.
I think 25% is a BIG Understatement. :bash: :(
Post by: heavyhorned on October 24, 2017, 11:27:34 AM
Post by: crankin04 on October 24, 2017, 12:34:02 PM
went out almost everyday sun up to sun down. saw just eight bucks. two on privet land both were legal, five on public land(spikes and two points),and one really big 4x5 inside city limits. saw about 25 doe's on public land. i think the numbers are way off from the 25%. i know of 15 deer killed,9 on privet land or just above orchards and 6 in the mountains. three of the six were taken high and far from any roads. i know of two cougars taken,one in the mountains and one above a orchard. i will bet when the harvest reports comes out for this unit it will be way down,and if this early snow is any indication of whats to come for winter i bet the herd numbers will be really low. might be a few years of hard hunting.
Few years of "hard" hunting? More like a few years of NOT hunting these poor Chelan deer for me... I'm both frustrated and saddened to be honest
Post by: timberfaller on October 24, 2017, 12:43:45 PM
Wonder what the character who told the news "our three point or better system is working" is at!?? :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: howlow on October 24, 2017, 07:22:36 PM
Post by: cryder on October 24, 2017, 07:56:38 PM
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 24, 2017, 08:01:59 PM
I talked to a biologist the other day on the low buck to doe ratio He said the bucks are the first to go in a bad long winter due to them being exhausted from the rut. So I'm guessing it will take 3 years of mild winters to get the bucks back to legal shooters
Yep, that’s what I saw where I hunt this year. Lots of young bucks, does, but low on mature bucks , and fawns. :twocents:
Post by: Romulus1297 on October 24, 2017, 09:19:18 PM
Post by: heavyhorned on October 25, 2017, 06:15:40 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 25, 2017, 08:38:12 AM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on October 25, 2017, 10:21:16 AM
Post by: jstone on October 25, 2017, 02:34:35 PM
Post by: Dick in the Dirt on October 25, 2017, 04:01:07 PM
Just ask the biologist Fitkin he will tell you there's good numbers and the doe to buck ratio is at objective levels. The area couldn't possible sustain any more animals.They have to sell tags,think he is going to tell the truth? All the local have been saying how the #s are down but not Fitkin. The Methow is in great shape according to him. I think he doe's his survey in Twin Lakes by drive through.
Post by: bigmacc on October 25, 2017, 05:12:17 PM
Just ask the biologist Fitkin he will tell you there's good numbers and the doe to buck ratio is at objective levels. The area couldn't possible sustain any more animals.They have to sell tags,think he is going to tell the truth? All the local have been saying how the #s are down but not Fitkin. The Methow is in great shape according to him. I think he doe's his survey in Twin Lakes by drive through.
I remember in the 60,s and 70,s (in the Methow and I,m sure things were done the same in Chelan county) they used college students who were studying game biology, game management etc. They had their butts parked on rocks, stumps etc.etc. along migration routes armed with clickers, pencil and a clipboard for days just counting deer and noteing bucks, does, fawns and yearlings. My dad and I stopped and talked to a gal parked along a road that was a known route, the day we talked to her it was about 11 A.M and she had counted about 400 deer with about 70 of those being bucks, she started at about 7A.M that morning! Yes I know, I,ll say it again, those were the good old days. I think now they do a drive through town, count the town deer, or do a fly-over of a field of locals and count deer with horns and deer with no horns, put a quick pencil to it, say their are lots of deer and the buck to doe ratio is perfect :chuckle:, the whole process takes a 15 minute car ride and a 5 minute flight, done........at least thats what it seems like because their numbers are not close!