Free: Contests & Raffles.
@Boneaddict your last couple posts pretty much summed up a successful management plan that's being operated by the Colvilles. It would be nice if a similar structure were in place somewhere else for the good of the species for future generations to enjoy.
Spent the last 50 years or more running around in that country. Don't get me wrong, that is an awesome animal, but not all that unusual for that country. Have seen one very similar and a couple pretty close to it during the 90s in October and early November on what is considered the north half. Even with the deer population being what it is now, those older bucks that can actually get to that 6/7 year old get really smart and really nocturnal. Once a buck gets to that age, he's big enough and tough enough to make predators think twice, that's "if" they actually ever see him. If things haven't changed over the years, there is one place on the rez for sure where you can find a deer that has had the opportunity to get that old. Don't quote me on the specifics here, but I've heard Whitmore Mountain in the Southern Central portion of the rez is closed to hunting for up to 8 years at a time. Because of this, the bucks in this area could get the chance to be 8, 9, 10 years old. That "Rez buck" based on that mass, has got to be an 8 year old or older deer. Because we're right in the middle of the Mule deer rut, those bucks will roam 10-15 miles and then even if Whitmore is closed, he could end up down along the river, thus not too far of the highway through that area. If you ever want to photograph or just see big mature Mule deer during the rut, there is a road that goes up the west side of Whitmore Mountain. It's worth the trip just to see what the country is actually capable of producing.
First of all, their herd numbers are way down as well, but as testament to papa they look to be responding. They are aggressive at predator management(hounds). They have reasonable harvest limits and reporting of harvest. Real game management. They brought in elk that thrive in that terrain. They manage them as a sustainable way to feed their people. They self regulate, meaning they go after abuse unlike others.... Trying not to be political.... They have the terrain and escapement. They also manage their forests. I think they have gotten a little greedy in some places, which has negatively impacted their herds in localized spots, but in reality, they have avoided catastrophic fires, and it doesnt take long for the feed and brush to actually help game. Their forests are 10x healthier than off rez. The genetics are there, and the hunting pressure is relatively low. I suppose thats the short version. Some shout outs to game management. They transplanted sheep into country that can sustain them. They are doing well! They brought in elk, they are doing beyond well, and now they have brought in Antelope. Fingers crossed.Wolves are severely impacting their herds. I'm looking forward to their response.
Incredible buck. It makes me wonder though why the colville res keeps pumping out monsters even when the rest of the state is so far down.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
