Post by: Humptulips on October 19, 2023, 06:26:21 PM
I've hunted 6 days and saw 4 deer. 4 days were zilch. I know I'm getting older and don't cover as much ground, but this is ridiculous. Have not seen one buck rub yet, very few tracks but yea, rain so maybe that is to be expected but when you look at cut banks that don't even have an old impression you get discouraged.
North GH County so I hope the rest of the State is better. I have seen fresh cougar tracks though. Different sizes so I assume a female with yearlings. Neighbor came over and was telling a similar story, so I know I'm not alone.
Post by: Mfowl on October 19, 2023, 07:51:49 PM
I only hunted 2 days of this rifle season so far but yielded about the same results. The area I shot a nice buck last year was devoid of sign and life. Adjacent areas were basically the same. I have to wait until Sunday to try again but I am looking forward to it! Good luck out there!
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 19, 2023, 07:57:05 PM
Hopefully late season will be kinder to me.
From the posts on here the Blacktail herd in the south sound area is way better off than up here, but we have at least one wolf pack in our area, but I think more because the deer just aren’t here like they used to be.
Post by: wolfbait on October 19, 2023, 09:08:58 PM
You can thank those running WDFW and you're governor.
Post by: buglebuster on October 19, 2023, 09:41:06 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 19, 2023, 10:33:51 PM
I'm sure weather play a role.
But ya no buck sighted yet for me.
Hopefully something turns around,but I'm not counting on it.
Tracks very little,some doe,and baby is all I've seen.
Can't put a horn on much these days.
Public ground just sucks.
Most of the deer in my area with population so low,they can scratch out a living on private land very easily.
Carrying capacity is not even a thing anymore,we are way below that.
Post by: Sundance on October 19, 2023, 10:55:52 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 20, 2023, 12:28:40 AM
Or might not hunt at all. Haven't decided yet.
I'm gonna spend every second out hunting this year that I have available. Which is probably about the same as last.
Maybe it's what the department wants,maybe it's what the commission wants. I'm not sure.
But lack of game animals to hunt plus tag soup, isn't giving me much incentive to purchase tags next year.
Most likely why hunting is on the decline anyway.
Lord knows I have gave the commission/department suggestions over the years.
I'm just a nobody that keeps buying tags for animals that don't exist on public land during the season.
Post by: MADMAX on October 20, 2023, 05:50:31 AM
and way to many pay to play areas nowadays
Post by: bear on October 20, 2023, 06:07:20 AM
Post by: C-Money on October 20, 2023, 06:10:07 AM
Post by: bearhunter99 on October 20, 2023, 06:23:23 AM
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Post by: Billy74 on October 20, 2023, 06:58:23 AM
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Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 20, 2023, 07:07:02 AM
So far it seems like a great year on the eastside. Plenty of mule deer bucks running around and seems like the whitetail are already making a rebound from the blue tongue
You must be on private property?🤔
Post by: wolfbait on October 20, 2023, 07:58:24 AM
So far it seems like a great year on the eastside. Plenty of mule deer bucks running around and seems like the whitetail are already making a rebound from the blue tongue
You must be on private property?🤔
Or Lala land... :)
Post by: Sundance on October 20, 2023, 08:15:28 AM
Washington is a difficult state, there are so many other states with higher deer populations and better quality animals/hunts. There is something to be said for a person that can consistently harvest animals here, especially on public land. I only know how to grind, it’s been the strategy that worked best for me. Last night I was taking to the boys about my 2020 buck which was my largest deer, taken on the last day of the season after six days of not seeing a deer. We’ll be out there tomorrow, it just takes one.
Post by: vandeman17 on October 20, 2023, 08:31:12 AM
Post by: Pacific Ghost on October 20, 2023, 09:07:50 AM
Post by: pd on October 20, 2023, 09:24:51 AM
This weekend will be slow as well, but it will pick up later next week with more favorable weather and moving closer to the rut. Strictly speaking to the west side with this comment.
:yeah:
This. Exactly that.
I buy the rifle tag every year, but hunt with a bow. I don't even bother to try until the last 3 or 4 days of October. In the meantime, I live on the stories from my hunting buddy above.
Humptulips, you have hunted for far longer than almost any old fart on the forum. You will connect, for sure. Have another cup of coffee, then git out there!
Post by: timberfaller on October 20, 2023, 09:25:27 AM
All my former hunting grounds have gone sour, by way of wolves and at times fires. Fire areas used to rebound after a year or two and some areas during active fires going on(controlled burns).
Have heard from friends who have been successful this season, 95% of them were taken on private property. I have hunted public lands most of my life, the areas have plenty of water and food and wolf tracks but no deer.
Money I've saved on gas and tags will go to buying beef this year!! :chuckle:
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on October 20, 2023, 10:03:57 AM
Priorities!
Post by: Rugsnfeathers on October 20, 2023, 10:38:17 AM
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on October 20, 2023, 12:31:21 PM
Post by: OutHouse on October 20, 2023, 02:50:41 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 20, 2023, 03:06:36 PM
General season tags are mega millions ticket.
Pay to play , odds of winning very low.
Can't win if you don't play.
I think that sums it up for me.
Post by: Special T on October 20, 2023, 04:19:26 PM
Everyone wants to bring some meat home but usually it's the views, friends, and clean air.
Post by: JakeLand on October 20, 2023, 04:46:05 PM
Post by: BigCutty3 on October 20, 2023, 05:23:40 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 20, 2023, 06:53:47 PM
For those of you that are frustrated I get it, but if ungulates numbers are low that means plenty of predators. Try shifting focus to bears and ccats that are plentiful. Rumors are elk will go draw only and they will reduce opportunities for predators so start sharpening your predator skills before the rush.
Everyone wants to bring some meat home but usually it's the views, friends, and clean air.
:yeah:
Great advise, and it keeps you in the field!
I have not hunted black tail since moving south, but after a dry spell in the early 2000s. If I remember correctly, I believe it was one of the Benoit Brothers books on Trophy Black tail hunting, that explained how most Black tail bucks, actually have very small core areas. And finding the core areas, and bedding areas was the key to their Trophy Black tails. I started hunting up fingers instead of clear cuts. I would find a finger in the timber and just hunt up it slowly, glassing constantly.
I immediately saw way more deer then I had in the past.
I never got discouraged by hunting, though I did get thoroughly disgusted by what I saw in some hunters. And I did get very tired of hunting in constant rain at times.
Keep at it, remember being in the woods anytime, is better then working or doing Honey Dos while other are out hunting.
:hello:
Post by: Humptulips on October 20, 2023, 08:10:11 PM
My guess is Humptulips is hunting the same ground he has for many years….familiar ground, areas with lots of memories made and animals harvested. And likely is watching his home ground in a a state of decline. He knows what the ground was capable of producing, what its potential is, and it just isn’t what it used to be. It is discouraging. I can identify as over the years I have watched this same pattern in several of my hunting areas, both east side for mulies and west side for blacktail. I still get out and spend time in the woods, but it is with lower expectations of a harvest. It’s still enjoyable, but it is different. Areas where you used to see 20 deer in a morning, you are happy to see a handful. And I know I’m not the only one, many of my friends who used to hunt the timberlands have given that up and now shoot their deer over feeders or salt in their backyard. That’s just not my gig, but I don’t look down on it.This is exactly spot on. I have been out chasing blacktails in N GH county since 1967. I thought we had pretty good hunting until about 20 years ago but now every year I say it can't get any worse and it does. 7 days hunting and still only 4 deer. It is just so sad what a wonderful area I live in, and it has been run into the ground by poor, dare I say reprehensible mismanagement.
I have killed a buck on the last day of season before so I'm not giving up but it would sure lift my spirit to see a few does. It almost seems like a way of life is coming to an end.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on October 20, 2023, 08:24:02 PM
But I think part of the problem in Grays Harbor County is the way forests are managed, not the deer. For starters, when I hunted up the East Hump in the 70s, the forests were different. Was a good mix of hardwoods and conifers. Now we have industrial mono culture forests for the most part. Plus the forests aren't being harvested at the rate they were back then so there aren't as many open areas or as much feed. Helicopter spraying of generic roundup doesn't help either. Then there is access. In the 70s I could drive/hunt pretty much every logging road on the harbor. That has definitely been curtailed.
If it gives you any hope, I saw a nice fork horn up Donkey creek yesterday, but didn't get a shot at him.
Post by: Humptulips on October 20, 2023, 08:27:02 PM
After the big one you got last year, there is gonna be a let down. Didn't you get him opening day?All of that is true but a far bigger factor is what happened on election day in 1996 IMO.
But I think part of the problem in Grays Harbor County is the way forests are managed, not the deer. For starters, when I hunted up the East Hump in the 70s, the forests were different. Was a good mix of hardwoods and conifers. Now we have industrial mono culture forests for the most part. Plus the forests aren't being harvested at the rate they were back then so there aren't as many open areas or as much feed. Helicopter spraying of generic roundup doesn't help either. Then there is access. In the 70s I could drive/hunt pretty much every logging road on the harbor. That has definitely been curtailed.
If it gives you any hope, I saw a nice fork horn up Donkey creek yesterday, but didn't get a shot at him.
Post by: craigapphunt on October 20, 2023, 09:02:47 PM
For blacktail im excited the last couple days of October everything before that us just bonus scouting time
:yeah:
Post by: Special T on October 20, 2023, 11:07:13 PM
After the big one you got last year, there is gonna be a let down. Didn't you get him opening day?All of that is true but a far bigger factor is what happened on election day in 1996 IMO.
But I think part of the problem in Grays Harbor County is the way forests are managed, not the deer. For starters, when I hunted up the East Hump in the 70s, the forests were different. Was a good mix of hardwoods and conifers. Now we have industrial mono culture forests for the most part. Plus the forests aren't being harvested at the rate they were back then so there aren't as many open areas or as much feed. Helicopter spraying of generic roundup doesn't help either. Then there is access. In the 70s I could drive/hunt pretty much every logging road on the harbor. That has definitely been curtailed.
If it gives you any hope, I saw a nice fork horn up Donkey creek yesterday, but didn't get a shot at him.
Bruce you are the man in every definition of the hunter. I feel your displeasure. We always have a way to push back against this dystopian commission. Take your skills, push back even if it means you have to do so in a way you don't prefer. Your not the kind of guy to cut and run. We are in a fight so take that fight to where the antis dont want it. I am discouraged about the state of hunting but rest assured it doesnt mean I wont fight back. You have the skills that can be employed by tribes, and while I prefer they can be employed by all We can fight against anti hunters in a realm they cannot compete. Dont loose faith, our army is bigger that the 3% in the state!
Post by: dilleytech on October 21, 2023, 06:30:19 AM
Post by: goldenhtr on October 21, 2023, 08:17:01 AM
For those of you that are frustrated I get it, but if ungulates numbers are low that means plenty of predators. Try shifting focus to bears and ccats that are plentiful. Rumors are elk will go draw only and they will reduce opportunities for predators so start sharpening your predator skills before the rush.
Everyone wants to bring some meat home but usually it's the views, friends, and clean air.
I think within the next 5yrs. So I ask, how many from eastside that don't get drawn will hunt the west side for elk?
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on October 21, 2023, 08:18:47 AM
For those of you that are frustrated I get it, but if ungulates numbers are low that means plenty of predators. Try shifting focus to bears and ccats that are plentiful. Rumors are elk will go draw only and they will reduce opportunities for predators so start sharpening your predator skills before the rush.
Everyone wants to bring some meat home but usually it's the views, friends, and clean air.
I think within the next 5yrs. So I ask, how many from eastside that don't get drawn will hunt the west side for elk?
What makes you think that won’t be state wide?
Post by: goldenhtr on October 21, 2023, 08:24:00 AM
And what better way to get rid of those limp footed animals then to have 3/4 of the states elk hunters on the west side. :twocents:
Post by: wolfbait on October 21, 2023, 08:39:57 AM
Not discouraged, just smart! First time since 1972, I've didn't purchase a hunting license or tags.
All my former hunting grounds have gone sour, by way of wolves and at times fires. Fire areas used to rebound after a year or two and some areas during active fires going on(controlled burns).
Have heard from friends who have been successful this season, 95% of them were taken on private property. I have hunted public lands most of my life, the areas have plenty of water and food and wolf tracks but no deer.
Money I've saved on gas and tags will go to buying beef this year!! :chuckle:
16 wolves in the Benson cr pack....
Post by: boneaddict on October 21, 2023, 10:07:08 AM
Post by: timberfaller on October 21, 2023, 10:10:13 AM
The year before that I went up into that area the day after season close, saw a very nice 4 point, always the day after!!! :bash:
Post by: Twispriver on October 21, 2023, 11:01:30 AM
As for my deer season I am seeing does every day. I expect the younger bucks will become more visible in the next few days and hopefully the older class will kick it in sometime just before the last Couple of days of the season.
Post by: boneaddict on October 21, 2023, 11:03:22 AM
Post by: timberfaller on October 21, 2023, 11:40:12 AM
DOT guy said they knew of a person of interest because of a helicopter flying around where the herd was last know to be. The DOT guy was a local hunter.
Had a friend tell me one day that they counted 29 head across the river from the ranch. Not to long after that, they were never seen again except for one cow who stayed on the ranch for a long time afterwards. But then we are talking the 90's.
Post by: GameHunter1959 on October 21, 2023, 03:00:58 PM
My suggestion is to switch areas and scout over the Summer door knocking. It made a huge difference in the quality of bucks we kill each season. We’ve been passing on bucks we would have never passed on prior. Now I won’t shoot a 3 point unless it’s a monster. I’ve pretty much killed nothing but 5-6 point bucks since making the move. Way safer, no discouragement, plenty of shot opportunities, and we don’t have to race 30-40 other hunters to the canyon. I miss my old spot, but when you shoot a 5-6 point monster each season it’s easy put the past behind us and create new memories in a new area. 59 cents
Post by: hunter399 on October 21, 2023, 03:23:30 PM
5 miles in,5miles back out,closed motorized vehicles area, too steep for other hunters.
So it's an area that has very little hunting pressure,even though it is public access timber lands . Because of the steep access to gain access. I'm 100 percent positive nobody is gonna climb in there to poach animals,very few climb it to legitimately hunt.
Freaking zero deer,zero fresh tracks or sign,zero other hunters.
Only thing I can say that is positive is I can check it off the list.
I don't have to wonder the whole year ,that I missed out on a buck cause I didn't climb up there.
With that said , NE Washington is a predator @#$$ hole.
Here is a pic.
Yes I'm slow,I stop and eat,glass areas , generally take my time to look things over. And I'm in my late 40's ,and smoke cigs.
And I forgot to turn on at truck, about a half mile in.
But turned it off at the truck on the way out.
Post by: hughjorgan on October 21, 2023, 05:07:31 PM
Well just got home a bit ago
5 miles in,5miles back out,closed motorized vehicles area, too steep for other hunters.
So it's an area that has very little hunting pressure,even though it is public access timber lands . Because of the steep access to gain access. I'm 100 percent positive nobody is gonna climb in there to poach animals,very few climb it to legitimately hunt.
Freaking zero deer,zero fresh tracks or sign,zero other hunters.
Only thing I can say that is positive is I can check it off the list.
I don't have to wonder the whole year ,that I missed out on a buck cause I didn't climb up there.
With that said , NE Washington is a predator @#$$ hole.
Here is a pic.
Yes I'm slow,I stop and eat,glass areas , generally take my time to look things over. And I'm in my late 40's ,and smoke cigs.
And I forgot to turn on at truck, about a half mile in.
But turned it off at the truck on the way out.
You think some of your spots got hit hard by droughts and disease the past few years?
Post by: hunter399 on October 21, 2023, 06:59:20 PM
Well just got home a bit ago
5 miles in,5miles back out,closed motorized vehicles area, too steep for other hunters.
So it's an area that has very little hunting pressure,even though it is public access timber lands . Because of the steep access to gain access. I'm 100 percent positive nobody is gonna climb in there to poach animals,very few climb it to legitimately hunt.
Freaking zero deer,zero fresh tracks or sign,zero other hunters.
Only thing I can say that is positive is I can check it off the list.
I don't have to wonder the whole year ,that I missed out on a buck cause I didn't climb up there.
With that said , NE Washington is a predator @#$$ hole.
Here is a pic.
Yes I'm slow,I stop and eat,glass areas , generally take my time to look things over. And I'm in my late 40's ,and smoke cigs.
And I forgot to turn on at truck, about a half mile in.
But turned it off at the truck on the way out.
You think some of your spots got hit hard by droughts and disease the past few years?
Just got back from some road hunting,checking out some stateland parcels.
Figured I put in enough boot miles.
Not one deer spotted all day.
My luck is horrible this year.
To answer your question....
Ya they most likely did get that bluetongue.
Alot of people say we are recovering well.
Public land ,I haven't seen much recovery.
So who knows.
But I'll be up a 5 in the morning again.
Heading to some chunk of scab land.
Looking for some dink bucks to harvest.
Which is starting to seem like I'm on repeat. Bad song playing over and over. Cause that's what I do everyday.
Post by: highside74 on October 21, 2023, 07:09:34 PM
Post by: hunter399 on October 21, 2023, 07:17:25 PM
Haven't hunted the 1st week of modern blacktail season in years. Deer movement is sparse at best and the grind would wear on me. By the time the best days of the season would roll around I was already over it and found it hard to even get up in the morning. So now I just wait and hit it hard the last 5-7 days of October. So much more deer activity in the last few days of October I never miss not hunting the 1st week and a half.That's what I need too do.
That's how I feel right now.
Always gets better as season goes along.
Post by: highcountry_hunter on October 21, 2023, 08:09:51 PM
It’s picking up. I saw 4 does opening Saturday-Thursday. Friday I saw 19 muley does and a spike. Today I saw 5 muley does and 3 bucks, including the biggest mule buck I’ve ever had a shot at. Which may I add, I completely blew at 140 yards.Haven't hunted the 1st week of modern blacktail season in years. Deer movement is sparse at best and the grind would wear on me. By the time the best days of the season would roll around I was already over it and found it hard to even get up in the morning. So now I just wait and hit it hard the last 5-7 days of October. So much more deer activity in the last few days of October I never miss not hunting the 1st week and a half.That's what I need too do.
That's how I feel right now.
Always gets better as season goes along.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: pd on October 21, 2023, 08:27:22 PM
Haven't hunted the 1st week of modern blacktail season in years. Deer movement is sparse at best and the grind would wear on me. By the time the best days of the season would roll around I was already over it and found it hard to even get up in the morning. So now I just wait and hit it hard the last 5-7 days of October. So much more deer activity in the last few days of October I never miss not hunting the 1st week and a half.
That's my MO, too. But the guys & gals on the dry side are not so lucky, their season is shorter, and the rut comes later. What a tough hand to play over there.
Post by: jackelope on October 21, 2023, 09:17:36 PM
Well. If it’s La La Land him and his family kill a bunch of deer and elk every year in La La Land. So if it’s really La La Land, I wouldn’t mind traveling there.So far it seems like a great year on the eastside. Plenty of mule deer bucks running around and seems like the whitetail are already making a rebound from the blue tongue
You must be on private property?
Or Lala land... :)
In the meantime, I’m going fishing.
Post by: hunter399 on October 22, 2023, 05:07:19 AM
I'll keep after it.It’s picking up. I saw 4 does opening Saturday-Thursday. Friday I saw 19 muley does and a spike. Today I saw 5 muley does and 3 bucks, including the biggest mule buck I’ve ever had a shot at. Which may I add, I completely blew at 140 yards.Haven't hunted the 1st week of modern blacktail season in years. Deer movement is sparse at best and the grind would wear on me. By the time the best days of the season would roll around I was already over it and found it hard to even get up in the morning. So now I just wait and hit it hard the last 5-7 days of October. So much more deer activity in the last few days of October I never miss not hunting the 1st week and a half.That's what I need too do.
That's how I feel right now.
Always gets better as season goes along.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks for a positive.
I was just explaining that if I do the hard work,get off the road.
Get away from other hunters,into an area that isn't effected by people. Then predators have ate everything.
So I just can't win.
Ohh well, another day starts now.
Post by: hunter399 on October 22, 2023, 05:55:58 PM
You right bro.It’s picking up. I saw 4 does opening Saturday-Thursday. Friday I saw 19 muley does and a spike. Today I saw 5 muley does and 3 bucks, including the biggest mule buck I’ve ever had a shot at. Which may I add, I completely blew at 140 yards.Haven't hunted the 1st week of modern blacktail season in years. Deer movement is sparse at best and the grind would wear on me. By the time the best days of the season would roll around I was already over it and found it hard to even get up in the morning. So now I just wait and hit it hard the last 5-7 days of October. So much more deer activity in the last few days of October I never miss not hunting the 1st week and a half.That's what I need too do.
That's how I feel right now.
Always gets better as season goes along.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree ....
Seen three WT doe.
Ten MD doe today .
Another 8.8 boot miles round trip.
Saturday,Sunday,
I've walked 19 miles.
I'm trying,best hunting day so far
I need some more good days.
Thanks for the encouragement to keep at it.
Post by: pickardjw on October 22, 2023, 06:24:28 PM
Muzzy elk down by St. Helens was the real discouraging hunt for me this year. We honed in on exactly where they were bedding and feeding, got in there before dark to listen for bugles, followed them for miles and miles when they were being vocal, they were uninterested in our bugles and cow calls, tried to surround their bedding area with 4 guys and they still slipped by, threw everything I knew to do at them and none of us even saw one. I'm done with westside elk. Might hunt spike on the weekend but not wasting any PTO on them in this state again.
Wish I hadn't left two cameras down there...
Post by: BigGoonTuna on October 22, 2023, 06:33:12 PM
It really boggles my mind the miles some guys claim to put in while hunting blacktails, if I move around that much I don't seem to ever see anything. Think I maybe went a mile in 5 hours between 2 different spots this morning. The older I get the less of an itch I have to see what's around the next corner when I'm in a productive looking area.
Post by: Humptulips on October 22, 2023, 06:39:59 PM
On the positive side, I've lost 8 pounds.
Post by: Humptulips on October 22, 2023, 06:50:59 PM
I was standing out in the middle of a clearcut probably a mile from any water, bold as brass with my hunter orange pull over on and here comes a flock of geese and sets down right in front of me on the ground.
Never had anything like that happen before.
Post by: hunter399 on October 22, 2023, 07:48:21 PM
Doesn't seem right to me. :bash:
Post by: FreeSkier85 on October 22, 2023, 09:04:43 PM
Post by: Romulus1297 on October 22, 2023, 09:26:22 PM
Post by: mcrawfordaf on October 23, 2023, 07:58:00 AM
Have had a great week chasing around Mule Deer, and have learned A LOT about my area. Hope everyone who's having a down season the best of luck and great times in the woods.
Post by: cavemann on October 23, 2023, 08:24:03 AM
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Post by: Griiz on October 23, 2023, 11:01:28 AM
I shifted to blacktail hunting last Tuesday. The woods have been quiet. No rubs and not much movement. I didn't see a deer until yesterday and I hunt every evening after work on timber lands and hunted all weekend. Again, I am sitting in stands, usually tree stands for blacktail to try and beat their sense of smell. Yesterday, I passed on a couple younger bucks. I spend a lot of time in the woods scouting and have target bucks I am hunting. I'm enjoying every minute I get in the woods listening to the birds and critters, smelling the woods and giving myself a break from the rat race we live in. The hunting on the Westside is just going to get better as we near the 31st. Looking forward to the chess match and hunting these wiley critters. Good Luck and be as persistent as you can. Discouragement is not your friend. I shot a four point blacktail on the last day of late buck one year, the only deer I saw that year. Some years are strange and the predator problem makes it hard not to get discouraged. Good Luck to Everyone. I enjoy seeing your success photos.