Post by: huntnfmly on September 29, 2019, 12:03:10 PM
We are taking my daughters friend out for her first hunt ever not expecting much on the hunt just mostly to get her out.
I have some specific questions on some areas outside of twisp and looking for someone who wouldn't mind answering in pm's and if not no worries.
Thank you
Post by: powderbounder on September 29, 2019, 05:34:52 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on September 29, 2019, 05:47:39 PM
Good luck to you this season
Post by: huntnphool on September 29, 2019, 06:03:31 PM
The area over there has been hit hard with wolves and the other predators. It’s beyond what it use to be. I know lots of people that have stopped going over there. Including myself. Good luck if you go. PB
Not to mention fire.
Post by: bigmacc on September 29, 2019, 07:18:36 PM
Sorry, but I would find another area to take a young hunter. 25 years ago it would have been area number 1.
Post by: bornhunter on September 29, 2019, 07:27:29 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on September 29, 2019, 07:43:08 PM
Post by: wsmnut on September 30, 2019, 03:29:04 AM
Post by: Mr Mykiss on September 30, 2019, 05:59:49 AM
Post by: KP-Skagit on September 30, 2019, 07:38:28 AM
Post by: bornhunter on September 30, 2019, 08:23:10 AM
Post by: BGhunter on September 30, 2019, 05:55:05 PM
Post by: OutHouse on October 01, 2019, 08:24:21 AM
The archery doe season has also had a big effect on that herd in my apinion
I think that's right. My brother has taken a few big does in the latter half of archery season (years ago) but we don't do that anymore. I am to the point where I think the Methow should be shut down for mule deer for at least a season. There are still definitely deer to be had but each one taken means less to be had in the future.
Post by: Fishmaker57 on October 01, 2019, 09:14:50 AM
It is a shame what WDFW has done to the mule deer in the Methow Valley, through mismanagement and not really caring. There should be ZERO doe seasons in that area, regardless of weapon. After the fire, the was many people asking to put up feed stations, some even did it on their own....despite WDFW saying no. Huge winter kill, too many doe tags, predators everywhere....and still WDFW doesn't care.
Post by: OutHouse on October 01, 2019, 10:45:48 AM
I would definitely head somewhere else, as the whole Methow Valley is but a shadow of what it used to be. Yes, there are still some pockets of deer, and if you live in the area and scout hard, you can find them. But for new hunters, who actually would like to see multiple deer, try Douglas County. Not a ton of state land, but quite a bit of permission land, that you can get into if you take the time to call and visit.
It is a shame what WDFW has done to the mule deer in the Methow Valley, through mismanagement and not really caring. There should be ZERO doe seasons in that area, regardless of weapon. After the fire, the was many people asking to put up feed stations, some even did it on their own....despite WDFW saying no. Huge winter kill, too many doe tags, predators everywhere....and still WDFW doesn't care.
Agreed but I will add that the whitetail appear to be doing just fine so allowing any deer for them during archery would not be a problem in my opinion.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 01, 2019, 11:47:24 AM
Post by: meatwhack on October 01, 2019, 11:49:00 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 01, 2019, 11:50:27 AM
Post by: bigmacc on October 01, 2019, 12:22:33 PM
What about wolves in the valley?
Been seeing signs of them in the last 6 months in areas I have not seen wolf sign in before, they are either multiplying or spreading into new areas looking for food, unfortunately, its probably both.
Post by: sidehil on October 01, 2019, 03:07:19 PM
Post by: sidehil on October 01, 2019, 03:13:09 PM
Post by: bigmacc on October 01, 2019, 03:55:26 PM
There are deer to be had...Just got to hunt hard and long.... we been hunting it for 35 years and some years have been very slow in the past
I know exactly where you got that buck, we used to see bucks out there every day, killed 9 out there in one day(sun up till sun down), that was in 1988 I believe, back in the day we used to take em down hill, used to cost us a dollar because we had to buy a jug of cider from the property owner :chuckle:(dad of the fella thats there now, used to be friends of my grandparents back in the 40,s 50,s and 60,s). There are still deer around, don't think anyone is saying they are all gone but its getting closer and closer to that. We used to see over 500-800 come through that area in a 2-3 day period of November, this last year during the same time period my son and I went to do a count and seen 11 over a 3 day period, 2017- 18 and 2016- 9, very sad, in fact we haven't seen more than 100 come through there since 2001, numbers just keep getting worse and worse. Sure you can bump into a deer anywhere, the chances are just diminishing year by year it seems. Thats a nice buck :tup:
sidehil-I sent you a PM, you won't believe this.
Post by: Dick in the Dirt on October 01, 2019, 04:07:16 PM
Post by: no.cen.wa on October 01, 2019, 04:46:37 PM
Post by: no.cen.wa on October 01, 2019, 05:05:17 PM
In 1997 the game dept brought us 3 point or better for mule deer, seemed like a good idea but my hunting buddies and I hunted the first 2 years away from the Methow. We went back on the 3rd year and it was great! I wrote a letter the the to the region 2 Wdfw manager Mark Quinn, I'm sure bigmacc remembers him. I told him it was great hunting but I was really against it to start with. He sent me info from other western states that showed it would hurt the herd over time and he was VERY much against it. And explained with much backup from other state biologist's saying it would be bad for the mule deer herds, but mostly great revenue. I'll have to say, I saw what he said happen, all the wolves, coyotes ect didn't help but it was going downhill already.
I've got the material, maybe I'll dig it out after the season and post it. I posted this info once and was attacked by some, don't care to go back there again.
John G.
Remember the word "revenue" it's all the current WDFW cares about!
Post by: sidehil on October 01, 2019, 05:22:13 PM
Post by: Igor on October 01, 2019, 06:14:01 PM
Don't turn this into another "I remember when there were millions of deer in the Methow........" thread. The last one beat that horse to death..........many times over.
Just my 2¢.
Post by: meatwhack on October 01, 2019, 07:02:36 PM
Post by: bigmacc on October 01, 2019, 07:36:22 PM
Read your reply, your way off and if I had to drag that deer thru private property I would have to hike 10 miles towards Twisp and drop 3k in altitude but nice try:) I shot that 4 or 5 years ago but with all the wolves, cougars and bears there are still deer, just got to get your ass out of your truck...…:)) just having some fun.....
I gotcha :tup:
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 02, 2019, 05:50:17 AM
There are deer to be had...Just got to hunt hard and long.... we been hunting it for 35 years and some years have been very slow in the pastI used to hunt that area quite a bit and the deer numbers there just aren't what they use to be. Speaking of getting off your butt. Igor there's a thread calling your name.
Post by: Igor on October 02, 2019, 06:00:42 AM
I used to hunt that area quite a bit and the deer numbers there just aren't what they use to be. Speaking of getting off your butt. Igor there's a thread calling your name.
Huh ?
Post by: Mr Mykiss on October 02, 2019, 06:42:20 AM
Yard deer: 20ish doe/fawns, 4 bucks (1 legal)
Private farmland deers: 40 doe/fawns, 20 bucks (10 legal, nothing big)
Good old public land: 0
Post by: no.cen.wa on October 02, 2019, 07:59:12 AM
Post by: X-Force on October 02, 2019, 08:24:09 AM
There may not be as many as 20 or 40 years ago but look at winter range, fire development, etc.
Post by: boneaddict on October 02, 2019, 08:48:40 AM
Hey guys my turn I've been doing the search on here and mostly really old info and I know it's not even close to how it use to be.Quite a few years ago we hunted up behind perrygin
We are taking my daughters friend out for her first hunt ever not expecting much on the hunt just mostly to get her out.
I have some specific questions on some areas outside of twisp and looking for someone who wouldn't mind answering in pm's and if not no worries.
Thank you
If you have specific questions Id be glad to help. If the question is where to go, Im not your huckleberry. I have been really sick so my response time may vary, also why I am just seeing this thread. I havnet taken the time to read pages 1-3 yet, so you may have already gotten your answers. If so, goodluck.