Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 12:07:53 PM

Title: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 12:07:53 PM: I'm not sure if this is posted in the right place, but here goes. In Douglas County there is an area next to the road where the local apple sheds have their apple culls dumped. At times there have been multiple piles 40 or more yards long and several feet high. Lately there has been just one smaller pile, size of a couple dump truck loads. The older fermented piles from this fall have been tilled in with some type of white powder on top. This dump goes on year round. Yesterday I counted 130 deer in a couple minutes within 10 acres. I have seen well over 200 some mornings even during hunting season. Yes it's posted and private land around. Today, I went back and about every 5 minutes there would be horns honking from people driving around on a semi blind corner with groups of deer crossing. Saw one hurt doe. I imagine there are plenty of accidents involving them. There is a fence on their entrance to keep people out, but deer go in anywhere. Some just live there. Does anyone know what they put on these apples? I see deer pawing and licking at the black dirt and rotted apples. it can't be good for them to be feeding on this year round. It also sucks that all these deer are there and not in the hills during hunting season. Would like to know what other members know or think of this. Seems like it should be fenced off.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 12:15:44 PM: Picture
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 12:17:42 PM: Pic
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: jrebel on February 08, 2018, 12:21:02 PM: Been that way for as long as I can remember. Lots of deer get smacked there by vehicles.....I know of a couple salvage deer from this stretch of road.

I wonder how this plays into the "BAIT" rules and laws??
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 12:22:08 PM: It's hard to see but there are probably 120-140 deer in those two pictures on the black rotted apples and hillsides there is one pile of apples by the equipment in second pic
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on February 08, 2018, 02:21:34 PM: It's been that way since at least 2001 when I moved to Wenatchee.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 02:46:06 PM: But that does not mean its good for the deer or vehicles--is it legal? What is the white stuff they dump? Something from apple sheds? is it safe to eat?
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: bigdog2u on February 08, 2018, 05:55:17 PM: Yes it is completely legal. Call WDFW if you want, but they have already talked to the land owners and confirmed that everything is legal. No hunting has been allowed there since the baiting laws changed last year so nothing illegal there either. The apples are culls from local warehouses and the white stuff is just lime to help the pH level to help with decay. While the apples aren't ideal food, there is nothing harmful from the deer feeding on it. Too many people speed on that stretch of road so if people are worried about hitting a deer. SLOW DOWN. Are you really worried about the deer eating apples or are you mad because you can't hunt them on that property? :dunno: :dunno:
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 08:11:03 PM: Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Dan-o on February 08, 2018, 08:17:12 PM: Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 08:11:03 PM
Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.

That might be some mighty sweet mash. :dunno:
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Romulus1297 on February 08, 2018, 09:22:12 PM: A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it. :dunno:
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: crazywednesday on February 08, 2018, 09:59:28 PM: Quote from: Romulus1297 on February 08, 2018, 09:22:12 PM
A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it. :dunno:

Interesting, isnt that harassing wildlife?

Justin
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 09, 2018, 05:29:43 AM: Guess its no different than Oak Feed station except that its private land.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: sooperfly on February 09, 2018, 10:31:49 AM: Quite common around the NCW. Here's one due to a bumper crop a couple years go. 80+ acres when it was all filled in, and those rows are deep! The tonnage total was astounding.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4631/40138929202_71c2c3f379_c.jpg)
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: jackelope on February 09, 2018, 10:33:37 AM: Quote from: crazywednesday on February 08, 2018, 09:59:28 PM
Quote from: Romulus1297 on February 08, 2018, 09:22:12 PM
A helicopter was trying to chase them away the other day. Probably a waste of fuel but the pilot surely enjoyed it. :dunno:

Interesting, isnt that harassing wildlife?

Justin

Wildlife agencies use helicopters for all sorts of things from hazing to capture and relocating wildlife.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Eric M on February 09, 2018, 11:06:32 AM: Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 08:11:03 PM
Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.
I wish I had somewhere better to hunt than a place where 100 deer are just standing there. I always have to work for mine.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Wood2Sawdust on February 09, 2018, 02:47:54 PM: you can't hunt there-- posted and private around there, besides that's not really hunting.
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Eric M on February 09, 2018, 02:58:35 PM: Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on February 09, 2018, 02:47:54 PM
you can't hunt there-- posted and private around there, besides that's not really hunting.
I know. I was kidding
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: NOCK NOCK on February 10, 2018, 06:01:00 AM: Quote from: Eric M on February 09, 2018, 11:06:32 AM
Quote from: Wood2Sawdust on February 08, 2018, 08:11:03 PM
Most of the cars I saw were going fairly slow under 30. No, I have better places to hunt, but like to look at them there a couple times a year when I work in that area or visit family. Just seemed weird seeing them licking the black and white rotten stuff.
I wish I had somewhere better to hunt than a place where 100 deer are just standing there. I always have to work for mine.

Every where that I hunt there are wayyyyyyyy more than 100 deer, and yes they are all just standing around,

until they move

or bed down

:chuckle: :chuckle:
Title: Re: McNeil Canyon Apple Dump Deer
Post by: Stein on February 10, 2018, 08:12:27 AM: All I can add is that deer that have been feeding heavily on apples are might tasty.