Post by: Ridgerunner on October 16, 2019, 08:04:12 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 16, 2019, 08:08:53 AM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on October 16, 2019, 08:16:32 AM
Temps are rising and rain is expected this weekend... :)
Grade
Post by: vandeman17 on October 16, 2019, 08:21:30 AM
Post by: Ironhead on October 16, 2019, 08:29:36 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 16, 2019, 08:32:32 AM
So far...low harvest and the snow melted on the south facing slopes clear up to 6,000 ft (and above) so the mature deer (both bucks and does) didn't come all the way down. I was "back home" last weekend for the opener, and a full harvest moon lit up the nights sky Friday night, and on Saturday morning it was 17 degrees, which meant the deer bedded down and really didn't get up until the sun came all the way up, as they had their cud to feed on in the morning and didn't want to use up energy (stayed in their beds). We didn't see a lot of deer activity until 9:00 AM and by then a lot of the hunters had given up for the morning hunt...I know of a handful of bucks taken, but no backcountry mature bucks in the lowlands...reports from the backcountry are a lot of deer sign (again, feeding at night, bedding until mid-day) and tough hunting conditions due to the snow (what's left) being super crunchy...One more week and the pressure will be off.
Temps are rising and rain is expected this weekend... :)
Grade
Thats exactly what I was hopeful for. NOAA predicted another whopper to hit us this week. So far it stalled or was delayed and warmer temps look to make it rain instead of snow.
Tough sport or hobby. You want to praise success, but on the other hand, you hope for herd health. They really need to manage better.
Post by: Fatherof5 on October 16, 2019, 09:11:02 AM
Post by: cougforester on October 16, 2019, 09:26:47 AM
So far...low harvest and the snow melted on the south facing slopes clear up to 6,000 ft (and above) so the mature deer (both bucks and does) didn't come all the way down. I was "back home" last weekend for the opener, and a full harvest moon lit up the nights sky Friday night, and on Saturday morning it was 17 degrees, which meant the deer bedded down and really didn't get up until the sun came all the way up, as they had their cud to feed on in the morning and didn't want to use up energy (stayed in their beds). We didn't see a lot of deer activity until 9:00 AM and by then a lot of the hunters had given up for the morning hunt...I know of a handful of bucks taken, but no backcountry mature bucks in the lowlands...reports from the backcountry are a lot of deer sign (again, feeding at night, bedding until mid-day) and tough hunting conditions due to the snow (what's left) being super crunchy...One more week and the pressure will be off.
Temps are rising and rain is expected this weekend... :)
Grade
Lot of does, seen a couple more bears, fresh cat tracks in the snow way up top. Pretty discouraging for me!
Post by: Odell on October 16, 2019, 09:33:05 AM
One mature backcountry buck was taken by our group and it is fat fat fat. Fewer deer but they looked healthy
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Post by: jackelope on October 16, 2019, 09:46:32 AM
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/268febae2f953618e2acd03c92d3ea2c.jpg)
Saw no deer in the snow but didn’t look very hard. Snow was noisy and we didn’t walk much in it. It was 20 degrees or so Saturday morning. Saw more deer down close to conconully on the outskirts of town but didn’t see any legal bucks, Nevermind any mature bucks. Saw a group of at least 5 2 point bucks together and saw 25+ does in 2 days of hunting. That hunting was some hiking, some glassing and admittedly some road hunting. Honestly didn’t hunt very hard and it was my first time ever in that area. Maybe could have seen more deer if we knew where we were going and if we spent some more time in our boots.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/c177b2f8e0c90e7a95a1619dd5386e50.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/03b5b65804e47be2263ddd4440d02e30.jpg)
Post by: borntoslay on October 16, 2019, 10:16:30 AM
5500’ ish in the Pearrygin unit over the weekend.Those crocs are sweet 👌
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/268febae2f953618e2acd03c92d3ea2c.jpg)
Saw no deer in the snow but didn’t look very hard. Snow was noisy and we didn’t walk much in it. It was 20 degrees or so Saturday morning. Saw more deer down close to conconully on the outskirts of town but didn’t see any legal bucks, Nevermind any mature bucks. Saw a group of at least 5 2 point bucks together and saw 25+ does in 2 days of hunting. That hunting was some hiking, some glassing and admittedly some road hunting. Honestly didn’t hunt very hard and it was my first time ever in that area. Maybe could have seen more deer if we knew where we were going and if we spent some more time in our boots.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/c177b2f8e0c90e7a95a1619dd5386e50.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191016/03b5b65804e47be2263ddd4440d02e30.jpg)
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Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 16, 2019, 10:21:20 AM
Post by: sooperfly on October 16, 2019, 10:58:21 AM
In the Alta unit, one of my friends passed up two on Sunday, and took the third they saw. My brother got his, a local buck.
Post by: NOCK NOCK on October 16, 2019, 11:10:33 AM
I covered a ton of ground last weekend of Muzzy just driving the roads, I could go for miles at a time in the snow and never see a deer or track. Very glad my quality permit is in a different area than this.
Post by: Whisker Biscuit on October 16, 2019, 12:34:21 PM
Post by: renewed on October 16, 2019, 03:00:34 PM
At about 2 pm friday saw a legal shooter,if I had a muzzle loader tag.
Saw a bear opening morning.
In total saw more than 10 doe and 4 bucks.
1 buck was a spike with a small split/branch.
1 buck was a nice sized solid 2 point.
1 buck was the legal 3 point on the last day of muzzie Friday.
And the last was another legal 3 point that you will read about soon enough.
The last buck was with the spike and about 3 or 4 does.
Don
Post by: Buckmark on October 16, 2019, 03:08:55 PM
We were in Okanagon County from friday afternoon till yesterday morning when we/I had to come back to work requirements.Muzzy closed on Oct 6th ;)
At about 2 pm friday saw a legal shooter,if I had a muzzle loader tag.
Saw a bear opening morning.
In total saw more than 10 doe and 4 bucks.
1 buck was a spike with a small split/branch.
1 buck was a nice sized solid 2 point.
1 buck was the legal 3 point on the last day of muzzie Friday.
And the last was another legal 3 point that you will read about soon enough.
The last buck was with the spike and about 3 or 4 does.
Don
Post by: grade-creek-rd on October 16, 2019, 03:10:34 PM
Grade
Post by: renewed on October 16, 2019, 03:24:40 PM
Didn'e see a bear that day either. :'(
thanks for letting me know.
Don
Post by: Woodlandbrew on October 17, 2019, 04:01:07 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on October 17, 2019, 04:10:00 PM
We spent a week up at our high camp near Twisp. Didn’t see a single deer until we came into town. Every camp on the road we base camp from had the same report... not looking good up there.Super sad but not surprising.
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 19, 2019, 10:02:06 PM
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Post by: Fatherof5 on October 21, 2019, 08:06:30 AM
Post by: gee_unit360 on October 21, 2019, 08:14:49 AM
We were in Okanagon County from friday afternoon till yesterday morning when we/I had to come back to work requirements.
At about 2 pm friday saw a legal shooter,if I had a muzzle loader tag.
Saw a bear opening morning.
In total saw more than 10 doe and 4 bucks.
1 buck was a spike with a small split/branch.
1 buck was a nice sized solid 2 point.
1 buck was the legal 3 point on the last day of muzzie Friday.
And the last was another legal 3 point that you will read about soon enough.
Muzzleloader closed.... let’s hear that story about the 3 point!
The last buck was with the spike and about 3 or 4 does.
Don
Post by: gutsnthegrass on October 21, 2019, 09:04:30 AM
Post by: kirkl on October 21, 2019, 09:46:28 AM
Post by: sterlryu on October 21, 2019, 10:23:25 AM
Post by: KP-Skagit on October 21, 2019, 11:44:51 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 21, 2019, 11:52:18 AM
Post by: heavyhorned on October 21, 2019, 12:30:39 PM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on October 21, 2019, 03:30:43 PM
Grade
Post by: bucksnort on October 21, 2019, 04:16:07 PM
Post by: bigmacc on October 21, 2019, 04:22:54 PM
Sounds like the doe kicked loose out of the mountains. THat migration was something to behold in the past.
Amen bone, this weather would have produced at least 100 per day in a few of the more popular routes and in another week or two 2-300 a day, even hitting this early. We went into a couple of those routes up north(you know where) and seen very dismal numbers coming through, maybe 10 per day between 5 of us spread through 2 different routes. I don't count pet deer, town deer or deer on private that are there pretty much all year, throwing all those out we seen 78 deer between 5 of us over 9 days, the numbers were flat a## horrible but we knew it was coming, 2 of us didn't even buy deer tags, we were very fortunate and ended up with 2 bucks and 2 bears, with this weather 15 years ago we would have tagged out in those areas we were in with 5 real dandies and would have seen 6-700. We were in a foot of snow all week with temps in the teens-20,s most of the time. Wolf tracks galore in areas I have not seen them before. We seen the "UCAR" vehicles going up and down the north end of the valley all week,, ran into signs in 3 different areas that warned of letting your dogs off leash because traps were in the area and are set to attract canines, the signs said collaring operations were in effect, areas we seen them in were up around Ramsey, up towards 30 mile and up around the old Game Mgr,s place. Herd howling one day while out up the Chewuch. Talked with a fella we know that works for a state agency(won't mention the one), he came to camp and said pretty much what most of us knew, the predator populations are exploding and he sees no relief on the horizon. He said something that made a little sense but also kind of leaves you scratching your head, he said more deer were down lower this year because of cats, they followed them up in the spring and some deer came down earlier to escape(august, sept and some even earlier), some cats followed so more deer were being seen earlier but more cats were being seen earlier also, he said during the summer and early fall lots of cat sightings, with a few who were being shot through the top of peoples porches and decks. He said these deer and this herd is under so much pressure year round from predators its even messing with migrations because deer are trying to find sanctuary. He has asked me to come over and take him into one of the migration routes my family knows of in 10 days and asked if I would be available the week prior to thanksgiving also, I said yes. He knows the route(IMHO one of the top 3 in the valley) but we know of another artery that actually funnels into it and is more concentrated, we have journals showing as of 17 years ago we were counting 300-500 per day over a 4 day span come through, those numbers have dwindled to 20-30 per day over the last 17 years, I will post what we see. Did have some buddies over in the Okanogan valley, 1 camp 6 for 6 and another 3 for 5, all were nice bucks with 4 of them being monsters, not the same issues over the hill like there is in the Methow, at least not yet and not nearly as bad.
Post by: archerykraze on October 21, 2019, 05:22:47 PM
Post by: bigmacc on October 21, 2019, 08:45:53 PM
Post by: bearhunter99 on October 21, 2019, 09:27:39 PM
Post by: WaltAlpine on October 21, 2019, 09:44:55 PM
Few tracks except wolves and moose.
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Post by: zwickeyman on October 22, 2019, 05:35:54 AM
I saw 8 bucks w/ 7 legal and 6 of them past the ears. Only saw 3 does and 2 fawns which really has me concerned. Saw Cat, Wolf and Bear tracks. This area gets very little hunting pressure and numbers are dropping fast
Post by: no.cen.wa on October 22, 2019, 08:39:58 AM
Sad, don't know if herd can survive without high summer grazing areas.
Post by: mitch184 on October 22, 2019, 10:44:23 AM
Didn't see any legal bucks besides some resident deer down low.
Post by: RileyH on October 22, 2019, 11:10:28 AM
Lower deer numbers than last year.
Post by: ganghis on October 23, 2019, 11:34:34 AM
Post by: bigmacc on October 23, 2019, 07:36:19 PM
Spent 3 days camped back on a dry ridge in Winthrop area on the second weekend of modern... maybe saw 12 deer in that time, 3 bucks (2 2 points, 1 likely 2 point but was unable to confirm 100%). The other 10 were 8 does and 2 fawns. Was excited to follow some tracks in the snow but all tracks I found up high in were a day or two old and coming down...
You seen some deer, which is a good thing, wish you, I and others were seeing more, we all should be seeing more, should be especially with the kind of weather that was hitting. Fact is there just isn't/wasnt that many deer in the high country, some say they are moving early to escape cats then are running into wolves at intermediate and lower elevations, they are being pursued 24/7. It used to be said getting a deer was a bonus, its getting more and more that seeing deer is a bonus at least in the Methow. Cant tell you how many folks I have talked to that said they seen a few, heck some didn't see any(throw out the townies). Have a couple folks I know that had camps up in places that are in some traditionally excellent areas, they have been hunting the 2 different areas for over 45 years and know every draw, runway and hideaway within a 10 mile radius, they said the same, very few deer, one camp seen 16 over 8 days between 4 people, the other 10 miles to the north on one of the great ridges in the valley which is usually ground zero when weather hits and you could literaly set your watch for when the deer would start coming through, this year they seen 20 deer total between 7 folks over 10 days and tracks in the snow were few and far between in fact they said cat tracks and bear outnumbered the deer tracks, they heard wolves howling on the next ridge over for 4 nights in a row. My brother talked with one fella that showed him a cell phone picture of a wolf track in the snow that was wider and longer than the dollar bill he layed down next to it, it was huge. Like I said in another post, lots of wolf activity in the north part of the valley now, we seen the rigs and signs out and about warning to keep dogs on leash because of traps in the areas set to attract canines, all around the foothills around Winthrop and up into the Chewuch drainage, yep they are there(up north), they are spreading and they are populating, very sad for those of us that hunt but I'm sure a lot of the antis and yuppies that keep moving in are loving it.....sorry for the rant, its just sickening, just my opinion.
Post by: hal on October 24, 2019, 09:42:18 AM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on October 24, 2019, 10:17:42 AM
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 24, 2019, 11:58:20 AM
Post by: shootingblanks on October 24, 2019, 12:42:38 PM
Hunted high, Chewuck, Pasayten and Sinlahekin, very few deer tracks, many cougar, wolf and bear. Muzzy hunters got caught in snow up high, above 30 mile meadows, 3-4 feet of snow fell around sept 29th, had to have cat to get to them from Long Swamp CG, cost $2500 to get them out. snow was compacted up high, not bad on south slopes. No deer to speak of, saw more predator tracks than deer tracks, suppose some deer had moved down. National forest employee told cousin that predators are forcing deer to move down, no rest from predators 24-7. others in hunting party had cats following them till they stared hunting the cats.
Sad, don't know if herd can survive without high summer grazing areas.
I drove through and saw that plowed out - was wondering why it was plowed.
Also Buddy shot a nice 5x5 above Conconully. We saw more then we have for awhile. 2 points and does.
Oldest son had a cat drop from a tree near him.
Then next day he and his brother saw it again. It walked near them, then layed down.
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 24, 2019, 12:58:16 PM
Post by: shootingblanks on October 24, 2019, 01:18:35 PM
I hope that cat laid down for a final time.
Nope- no one had a tag. Only deer and bear tags.
They will next year.
Post by: HillHound on October 24, 2019, 01:24:07 PM
Post by: cavemann on October 24, 2019, 01:36:53 PM
Post by: shootingblanks on October 24, 2019, 03:22:31 PM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
Post by: vandeman17 on October 24, 2019, 03:34:36 PM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
I can assure you that cougar is some of the best table fare out there. Very similar to pork and super tasty!
Post by: Scuffy on October 24, 2019, 07:03:44 PM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
There are always others who would eat the meat or food banks. But insects and rodents are killed to protect crops, prairie dogs are killed to protect cattle, mice are killed to protect the health of our families. None of them are eaten, but killed to protect our families or natural resources. Our predator populations are out of control and are a direct threat to our natural resources when unchecked and not properly managed. Deer and elk are major natural resources not just as a food source, but for our economies both micro and macro and there are communities in this state that are suffering because of the number of people heading out of state. It is our moral duty as hunters and conservationists to do our part to protect our natural resources and communities every time we step into the woods. That means buying the tags and taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest predators when given the chance. So while the meat should be utilized, the life of one predator is not greater than the lives of hundreds of deer and ungulates that will be taken out of the herd.
Post by: mburrows on October 24, 2019, 07:15:27 PM
Post by: highside74 on October 24, 2019, 07:40:12 PM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
There are always others who would eat the meat or food banks. But insects and rodents are killed to protect crops, prairie dogs are killed to protect cattle, mice are killed to protect the health of our families. None of them are eaten, but killed to protect our families or natural resources. Our predator populations are out of control and are a direct threat to our natural resources when unchecked and not properly managed. Deer and elk are major natural resources not just as a food source, but for our economies both micro and macro and there are communities in this state that are suffering because of the number of people heading out of state. It is our moral duty as hunters and conservationists to do our part to protect our natural resources and communities every time we step into the woods. That means buying the tags and taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest predators when given the chance. So while the meat should be utilized, the life of one predator is not greater than the lives of hundreds of deer and ungulates that will be taken out of the herd.
Well said
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 24, 2019, 08:18:18 PM
Only people I've ever heard say mt lion doesnt taste good are people that havent had the chance to try mt lion.
:yeah:
Some of the best meat I’ve ever eaten.😉
Post by: ghosthunter on October 24, 2019, 08:29:35 PM
Had nine hunters in camp . Saw 2 points and does.
Saw four legal come out in trucks.
Left Oct. 23
Last day got a glimpse of a legal buck. No shot.
Post by: Drlotts on October 24, 2019, 10:23:27 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on October 24, 2019, 10:38:17 PM
I hope that cat laid down for a final time.
Nope- no one had a tag. Only deer and bear tags.
They will next year.
Cool pics and good on you guys for following the law even though I'm sure he was very tempted. Young lion anyways.
Post by: UBA on October 24, 2019, 11:28:15 PM
Post by: bigmacc on October 25, 2019, 05:14:53 PM
I admire you and respect you for following the law but PLEASE put a cougar tag in your back pocket next time, that cat you just let walk will take down 50 deer, I guarantee that you could knock one down, tag it and have many people who would shake your hand and take the meat, in fact you may reach hero status, nothing would go to waste. A couple of us in deer camp this year purchased nothing but predator tags, we don't eat cougar or bear either, just not our cup of tea but there is not a shortage of folks who would appreciate it. Once again, I respect you for following the law and not killing something you won't eat, I am and have been brought up the same way but knowing other folks will eat these deer killers, well, its game on, nothing will go to waste and in my mind we are saving deer and elk, after all, no one else is looking out for our herds so we as hunters need to do our part and do it legally and ethicaly.... :twocents: and :tup:
Post by: bigmacc on October 25, 2019, 05:28:47 PM
Post by: MADMAX on October 25, 2019, 08:46:35 PM
pretty freakin sad
game check was in and they made it like one day and had to take no doze
Post by: Windwalker on October 25, 2019, 09:36:12 PM
Only people I've ever heard say mt lion doesnt taste good are people that havent had the chance to try mt lion.
:yeah:
Some of the best meat I’ve ever eaten.😉
Ditto! :yeah: :yeah:
Post by: Camo on October 25, 2019, 10:48:05 PM
Post by: X-Force on October 25, 2019, 11:28:56 PM
My buddy passed up on 2 bear.
We went 2 for 10. 54 hunting days.
Post by: wolfbait on October 26, 2019, 11:40:52 AM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
There are always others who would eat the meat or food banks. But insects and rodents are killed to protect crops, prairie dogs are killed to protect cattle, mice are killed to protect the health of our families. None of them are eaten, but killed to protect our families or natural resources. Our predator populations are out of control and are a direct threat to our natural resources when unchecked and not properly managed. Deer and elk are major natural resources not just as a food source, but for our economies both micro and macro and there are communities in this state that are suffering because of the number of people heading out of state. It is our moral duty as hunters and conservationists to do our part to protect our natural resources and communities every time we step into the woods. That means buying the tags and taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest predators when given the chance. So while the meat should be utilized, the life of one predator is not greater than the lives of hundreds of deer and ungulates that will be taken out of the herd.
I wish more hunters had your attitude Scuffy!
I admire you and respect you for following the law but PLEASE put a cougar tag in your back pocket next time, that cat you just let walk will take down 50 deer, I guarantee that you could knock one down, tag it and have many people who would shake your hand and take the meat, in fact you may reach hero status, nothing would go to waste. A couple of us in deer camp this year purchased nothing but predator tags, we don't eat cougar or bear either, just not our cup of tea but there is not a shortage of folks who would appreciate it. Once again, I respect you for following the law and not killing something you won't eat, I am and have been brought up the same way but knowing other folks will eat these deer killers, well, its game on, nothing will go to waste and in my mind we are saving deer and elk, after all, no one else is looking out for our herds so we as hunters need to do our part and do it legally and ethicaly.... :twocents: and :tup:
in 2010-2011 when we were chasing wolf kills up and down the Methow Valley, we came across a few cougar kills where the wolves drove the cat off it's kill, which means the cat then has to go kill another.
Post by: boneaddict on October 26, 2019, 12:06:21 PM
Post by: shootingblanks on October 26, 2019, 04:15:02 PM
What the heck! I know it is been said on here before but why do people not buy these cougar tags??? If you just buy the combo it’s hardly anymore and this is the only way we’re ever going to help our deer population out if these people are seeing them actually kill them. But then again I guess the most effective way to not see them for me is to always have a tag in my pocket.
Because if I don't plan on eating it, I wont kill it.
There are always others who would eat the meat or food banks. But insects and rodents are killed to protect crops, prairie dogs are killed to protect cattle, mice are killed to protect the health of our families. None of them are eaten, but killed to protect our families or natural resources. Our predator populations are out of control and are a direct threat to our natural resources when unchecked and not properly managed. Deer and elk are major natural resources not just as a food source, but for our economies both micro and macro and there are communities in this state that are suffering because of the number of people heading out of state. It is our moral duty as hunters and conservationists to do our part to protect our natural resources and communities every time we step into the woods. That means buying the tags and taking advantage of the opportunity to harvest predators when given the chance. So while the meat should be utilized, the life of one predator is not greater than the lives of hundreds of deer and ungulates that will be taken out of the herd.
You all sure like to jump to conclusions and get preachy.
Post by: shootingblanks on October 26, 2019, 04:56:01 PM
I admire you and respect you for following the law but PLEASE put a cougar tag in your back pocket next time, that cat you just let walk will take down 50 deer, I guarantee that you could knock one down, tag it and have many people who would shake your hand and take the meat, in fact you may reach hero status, nothing would go to waste. A couple of us in deer camp this year purchased nothing but predator tags, we don't eat cougar or bear either, just not our cup of tea but there is not a shortage of folks who would appreciate it. Once again, I respect you for following the law and not killing something you won't eat, I am and have been brought up the same way but knowing other folks will eat these deer killers, well, its game on, nothing will go to waste and in my mind we are saving deer and elk, after all, no one else is looking out for our herds so we as hunters need to do our part and do it legally and ethicaly.... :twocents: and :tup:
Thanks but I wasn't even there when the pics were taken. My boys took the pic while I was hunting somewhere else with my daughter. And I am proud of them for not shooting it without a tag. But I'm sure they will buy tags next year.
Post by: bigmacc on October 26, 2019, 06:40:00 PM
I admire you and respect you for following the law but PLEASE put a cougar tag in your back pocket next time, that cat you just let walk will take down 50 deer, I guarantee that you could knock one down, tag it and have many people who would shake your hand and take the meat, in fact you may reach hero status, nothing would go to waste. A couple of us in deer camp this year purchased nothing but predator tags, we don't eat cougar or bear either, just not our cup of tea but there is not a shortage of folks who would appreciate it. Once again, I respect you for following the law and not killing something you won't eat, I am and have been brought up the same way but knowing other folks will eat these deer killers, well, its game on, nothing will go to waste and in my mind we are saving deer and elk, after all, no one else is looking out for our herds so we as hunters need to do our part and do it legally and ethicaly.... :twocents: and :tup:
Thanks but I wasn't even there when the pics were taken. My boys took the pic while I was hunting somewhere else with my daughter. And I am proud of them for not shooting it without a tag. But I'm sure they will buy tags next year.
:tup:
Post by: bigmacc on October 26, 2019, 06:48:18 PM
Just talked with my friend in the Davis Lk. area in the Methow, big family camp(on private land to boot!), 9 tags, 1 buck. He said worst he has seen in over 50 years, 4 of his grandsons even took horses up into higher country, 3 days in seen 8 deer, no bucks. Found 6 cached cougar kills 1-2 months old but did not see the cat.
Post by: Idabooner on October 27, 2019, 07:52:46 AM
March 17 2010 *last day the female was seen (she denned)
More wolves this morning. As the sun hit the hill approximately 7:45, I thought the deer were placed different than normal. My gut told me to grab the bino’s and take a look, soon I spotted #2, #3, and #4 wolves standing together at attention looking into a sharp draw that I couldn’t see the very bottom of. I quickly set up the scope and about that time a cougar came charging out on the tail of #1 wolf, they went about a 100 feet then the other 3 wolves joined in and they put the cat at bay, then circling and charging in at it they made the cat start backing up, about 10 minuets of this they had the cat backed past the kill ( I’m sure it was the cats kill) and it turned and ran with the wolves on it’s tail to a lone pine tree, it treed and 3 wolves kept it up the tree while #1 went to the kill and drug the deer AROUND a very steep side hill for 30 feet (this would have been very hard for a man to do, it took several minuets) the deer rolled once, (I could see it was completely intact) (the only reason I can think of would be to get the carcass out in the open so they could claim it easier) It must have taken #1 about an hour to get her fill and get back so #2 could eat which didn’t take so long until he got back and #3 & #4 could eat together, they didn’t eat long until #1 started to leave, #2 followed her and then #3, they were strung out a mile when they all stopped and the back two come back slowly waiting for #4 which was still eating, #1 continued on around the hill to never be seen again. #2 (a male) took over the kill and soon got a BIG chunk loose and carried it around the hill ½ mile before he was out of sight, soon #3 followed with a big chunk. The three carried meat for an hour (5 loads) always on the same path and always leaving one at the kill so the cat couldn’t get any. A couple times one would make a run at the tree like the cat might have started down. I could only see the cat part of the time in the limbs. Finally the three just lied down near the cat tree watching, once they suddenly made a run at the tree, #2 going clear in while the other two hung back a little. After a long while the wolves just wondered up over the hill out of sight. I put my full attention on the tree for 20 minuets and about decided the cat must have slipped out when I seen a limb move more than the wind, soon the cat jumped out and went to where the kill was then up to where the kill had started from, about that time another cat come out of the tree and joined her, then another cat appeared from some place. It was a mother and two 2-3 year old kittens. There was absolutely nothing left for them to eat so they wondered up over the hill probably to make another kill some place. It was 11:50 when the cats went out of sight so this was a long watch.
Post by: Idabooner on October 27, 2019, 08:02:31 AM
April 24 2010
Seen 2 wolves on the ridge top and very soon seen a very large cougar make a circle from the ridge top down the hill and back over the ridge. (Think they run him off his kill)
Post by: Odell on October 27, 2019, 08:05:49 AM
From my wolf diary!
March 17 2010 *last day the female was seen (she denned)
More wolves this morning. As the sun hit the hill approximately 7:45, I thought the deer were placed different than normal. My gut told me to grab the bino’s and take a look, soon I spotted #2, #3, and #4 wolves standing together at attention looking into a sharp draw that I couldn’t see the very bottom of. I quickly set up the scope and about that time a cougar came charging out on the tail of #1 wolf, they went about a 100 feet then the other 3 wolves joined in and they put the cat at bay, then circling and charging in at it they made the cat start backing up, about 10 minuets of this they had the cat backed past the kill ( I’m sure it was the cats kill) and it turned and ran with the wolves on it’s tail to a lone pine tree, it treed and 3 wolves kept it up the tree while #1 went to the kill and drug the deer AROUND a very steep side hill for 30 feet (this would have been very hard for a man to do, it took several minuets) the deer rolled once, (I could see it was completely intact) (the only reason I can think of would be to get the carcass out in the open so they could claim it easier) It must have taken #1 about an hour to get her fill and get back so #2 could eat which didn’t take so long until he got back and #3 & #4 could eat together, they didn’t eat long until #1 started to leave, #2 followed her and then #3, they were strung out a mile when they all stopped and the back two come back slowly waiting for #4 which was still eating, #1 continued on around the hill to never be seen again. #2 (a male) took over the kill and soon got a BIG chunk loose and carried it around the hill ½ mile before he was out of sight, soon #3 followed with a big chunk. The three carried meat for an hour (5 loads) always on the same path and always leaving one at the kill so the cat couldn’t get any. A couple times one would make a run at the tree like the cat might have started down. I could only see the cat part of the time in the limbs. Finally the three just lied down near the cat tree watching, once they suddenly made a run at the tree, #2 going clear in while the other two hung back a little. After a long while the wolves just wondered up over the hill out of sight. I put my full attention on the tree for 20 minuets and about decided the cat must have slipped out when I seen a limb move more than the wind, soon the cat jumped out and went to where the kill was then up to where the kill had started from, about that time another cat come out of the tree and joined her, then another cat appeared from some place. It was a mother and two 2-3 year old kittens. There was absolutely nothing left for them to eat so they wondered up over the hill probably to make another kill some place. It was 11:50 when the cats went out of sight so this was a long watch.
wow, that would be something to see!
Post by: boneaddict on October 27, 2019, 08:12:40 AM
From my wolf diary!National Geographic from the front porch. Nice documentary. I think Todd and maybe Charlie B got pics of one of those cats shortly after you told them about it.
March 17 2010 *last day the female was seen (she denned)
More wolves this morning. As the sun hit the hill approximately 7:45, I thought the deer were placed different than normal. My gut told me to grab the bino’s and take a look, soon I spotted #2, #3, and #4 wolves standing together at attention looking into a sharp draw that I couldn’t see the very bottom of. I quickly set up the scope and about that time a cougar came charging out on the tail of #1 wolf, they went about a 100 feet then the other 3 wolves joined in and they put the cat at bay, then circling and charging in at it they made the cat start backing up, about 10 minuets of this they had the cat backed past the kill ( I’m sure it was the cats kill) and it turned and ran with the wolves on it’s tail to a lone pine tree, it treed and 3 wolves kept it up the tree while #1 went to the kill and drug the deer AROUND a very steep side hill for 30 feet (this would have been very hard for a man to do, it took several minuets) the deer rolled once, (I could see it was completely intact) (the only reason I can think of would be to get the carcass out in the open so they could claim it easier) It must have taken #1 about an hour to get her fill and get back so #2 could eat which didn’t take so long until he got back and #3 & #4 could eat together, they didn’t eat long until #1 started to leave, #2 followed her and then #3, they were strung out a mile when they all stopped and the back two come back slowly waiting for #4 which was still eating, #1 continued on around the hill to never be seen again. #2 (a male) took over the kill and soon got a BIG chunk loose and carried it around the hill ½ mile before he was out of sight, soon #3 followed with a big chunk. The three carried meat for an hour (5 loads) always on the same path and always leaving one at the kill so the cat couldn’t get any. A couple times one would make a run at the tree like the cat might have started down. I could only see the cat part of the time in the limbs. Finally the three just lied down near the cat tree watching, once they suddenly made a run at the tree, #2 going clear in while the other two hung back a little. After a long while the wolves just wondered up over the hill out of sight. I put my full attention on the tree for 20 minuets and about decided the cat must have slipped out when I seen a limb move more than the wind, soon the cat jumped out and went to where the kill was then up to where the kill had started from, about that time another cat come out of the tree and joined her, then another cat appeared from some place. It was a mother and two 2-3 year old kittens. There was absolutely nothing left for them to eat so they wondered up over the hill probably to make another kill some place. It was 11:50 when the cats went out of sight so this was a long watch.
I found that den. Just out of site from where they hauled the meat.
Post by: Idabooner on October 28, 2019, 07:47:43 AM
March 20 2010
Last night a coyote straight across on the hill was barking funny, since the wolves have moved in I don’t hear the coyotes much any more and it was a different bark than normal so I listened, this morning I learned what the problem was.
First sun this morning I checked the hill, no deer in sight on this end, must be the wolves are around. After 15 minutes with the scope I picked up on a dog two miles north coming this way, soon there were 4 of them and they were slipping up on 7 deer that were feeding just over a raise and didn’t know they were about to be attack. By this time I had decided these were coyotes, they got close to the deer and made a run at them, the deer run a little then turned the attack on the coyotes, this went back and forth 3-4 times then a 5th coyote joined in, he had just been sitting way back. The dogs didn’t like him so they chased him up and down the hillside forgetting the deer, this went on for several minutes before they accepted him. The 5 kept coming closer until they were straight across from me where they circled something in the tall sage, they kept diving in at it and jumping back. One dove in and a cougar come back on his tail, the cat went right back into the bush, the coyotes worked on him for awhile trying to get at his kill, I only seen him move a couple times in the bushes. They finally gave up and drifted back towards where they had come from.
My legs won’t take me there anymore, so I thought about calling Boneaddict but he’s 4 hours away and at a ball game with the girls. So I called for Mountainman1 with his camera, he was not available so after a while Wolfbait showed up with a good camera, I showed him the bushes the cat was in, in the mean time the coyotes had come back and tried again so we knew the cat was still there.
Wolfbait took out to see if he could get some pictures, Mountainman1 showed up so they slipped in on the cat and got some good pictures up real close. The cougar was laying on a deer kill and had time to bury it all except the head. I was watching these guys with the scope to see which one the cat chose, they were smart enough to split apart, the cat bailed the other way when they were less than 100 feet from it.
That makes 4 cougar, 4wolves and 5 coyotes in two days that I’ve watched from the window, anybody wondering where the deer went?
March 21 2010
Next morning at first light 3 wolves were on the carcass, they had pulled it 50 feet and were taking turns on it while fighting off the eagles and ravens, one got a big hunk and carried it a little ways so another could have his turn. The last one was tossing the carcass around getting his chunk (not much left) when all 3 had a big chunk straight up over the hill they went carrying their load, it took them maybe 2 minutes to get over the top, it would take a good athlete at least ½ hour. In a half hour the eagles had got what was left and went away so the ravens and magpies are all over the area looking for scraps. It seems like the birds and coyotes are eating well this spring.
March 22 2010
Watched 3 wolves on the ridge this morning.
Post by: boneaddict on October 28, 2019, 08:01:14 AM
Post by: wsmnut on October 28, 2019, 08:57:28 AM
Not sure where it fits in with this timeline, but I thought it was funny when I finally got up there and we were watching several wolves put a stalk on some deer, and the phone rings.....its the biologist, who admits in the conversation he had never seen a wolf. We were watching 4 or 5 of them from the front window in the living room when he called and as we were talking to him on the phone. :chuckle: :bash:
Would this be the same biologist who has been quoted as saying “as long as there are enough deer for the tourists to see, we don’t care?”
Post by: boneaddict on October 28, 2019, 09:00:31 AM
Post by: bigmacc on October 28, 2019, 09:28:59 AM
Thanks for sharing your diary entries Idabooner :tup:, they paint the picture a lot of us have been looking at.
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on October 28, 2019, 03:30:34 PM
My wife rode her horse up on a toad on the 21st, she said it was the biggest buck she's ever seen. She's seen a 32" buck with mass and trash with me, she was confident it was bigger than that one. She tried to take a picture with her phone but her horse didn't like the buck and she didn't get a photo.
My impression is we hit a low point spring 2017, stayed about steady 2018, and recruited some 2018 fawns and had good fawn production this year. It would take 2-3 more good years in a row to get back to where we were 4-5 years ago.
Post by: Ridgerunner on October 28, 2019, 08:07:27 PM
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Idabooner on October 29, 2019, 08:26:27 AM
Post by: bigmacc on October 29, 2019, 01:15:35 PM
I didn't hunt due to health reasons. I was concerned when the deer showed up in our neighborhood on the 21st, usually they don't come into town until November/December. My impression is Chelan County deer are just above dismal, with 2018 being dismal: areas that had 80-100 deer wintering several years ago had 10-15 last year. Those areas already have more deer than they did middle of winter last year, so that's a little optimistic.
My wife rode her horse up on a toad on the 21st, she said it was the biggest buck she's ever seen. She's seen a 32" buck with mass and trash with me, she was confident it was bigger than that one. She tried to take a picture with her phone but her horse didn't like the buck and she didn't get a photo.
My impression is we hit a low point spring 2017, stayed about steady 2018, and recruited some 2018 fawns and had good fawn production this year. It would take 2-3 more good years in a row to get back to where we were 4-5 years ago.
I have some friends in the Chelan "area" that are basically saying what you are DOUBLELUNG, there does seem to be a few more deer showing this year compared to the last few, they said they are also seeing more spikes and small twos than they have seen in awhile. Have a buddy who lives in Omak and another that lives farther north in the Okanogan Valley, both have said deer are doing good in that Valley, in fact I know some folks who just this last season jumped over into the Okanogan Valley from the Methow, after not seeing many deer in the Methow. Three different camps that have Hunted the Methow for over 35 years, dismal deer numbers, but seen lots of sign of all three predators including wolf sign in areas they had not seen it in before. They went into the Ok. Valley and did fantastic, two of the camps filled up on very nice bucks and the other camp killed a couple real dandys. I,m afraid as far as the Methow goes, the powers to be are in love with their predators too much, seen the trapping/collaring folks(UCAR vehicles) going up and down the Chewuch all week, sometimes 2-3 rigs in a convoy. There are still deer to bump into and I,m sure a few big fellas will hit the dirt during the late hunt but the overall numbers keep sliding in the wrong direction. I will be going into some old areas in the next few weeks to do some counts, I will post what I see and what I DONT see.
Post by: bigmacc on October 29, 2019, 06:07:14 PM
One thing for sure, the predators WILL EAT, be it wild prey, domestic animals, what ever they can catch or each other.
Roger that, I have talked to more than one person who is missing pets OR knows someone who has lost pets in the last couple years, most of the times its been cats with an occasional coyote attack. I talked with one fella that told me a lot of people in the Methow have holes in their porches or decks from cats being shot from the topside. I like the part about the predators eating each other, unfortunately that will indicate that prey animals(deer) have crossed the line and the "predator pit" is becoming empty.
Post by: Idabooner on October 30, 2019, 07:31:06 AM
One thing for sure, the predators WILL EAT, be it wild prey, domestic animals, what ever they can catch or each other.I have witnessed this with domestic cats, which are predators. I once worked at a place that had a lot of cats but they never fed them. There would be smaller ones with big holes in them where other cats had been eating them alive, when they finally died the live cats would eat them completely, it was terrible to see. I finally got the boss to let me thin the cat population but only if his wife didn't know what was happening.
Post by: bigmacc on November 08, 2019, 05:41:57 PM
Got back a few days ago from trip number one, went into 3 areas (north valley, parts of 3 different units, stayed put in staging or migration routes all day, did not move around). Glassed up 158 deer total. Seen 22 bucks with 6 of those being 3 point or better. Perspective and comparison from past trips from 15-25 years ago- 389 deer with 64 of those being bucks with 15 of those being 3 point or better.......429 deer with 61 of those being bucks with 22 of those being 3 point or better......499 deer with 56 of those being bucks with 19 of those being 3 point or better.....Now, 25-35 years ago(be prepared)- 789 total with 168 being bucks with 77 being 3 point or better......778 with 193 being bucks with 44 being 3 point or better.......1089 with 204 being bucks with 101 being 2 point or better(points changed with how we counted).......If you really want to be depressed, 35-75 years ago(here is a few, no points counted)- 1045 with 301 being bucks.......1678 with 336 being bucks......1699 with 343 being bucks......2765 with 388 being bucks......3556 with 426 being bucks.... and one of my favorites, 4012 with 579 being bucks. All counts were within the same time frame(4 days, and done at the same timeframe in November, I used similar temperature ranges and weather conditions)...I have another trip planned in a couple weeks.