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Author Topic: Methow Deer Forecast  (Read 8119 times)

Offline boneaddict

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Methow Deer Forecast
« on: March 23, 2008, 08:18:51 AM »
If anyone cares to hear what Boneaddict has to say.......

I finally went shedding yesterday in one of my favorite areas.  I've been waiting for it to open up and also to give the deer a break.  I saw 152 deer in a basin I usually count 400-600.  I have been to this area for about 20 years running.  year before last I found 26 sheds, last year 16, this year 3.
HERES THE BAD PART
152 live deer, 87 dead deer.  Thats right, a HUGE winterkill.  About 20 of those were cogar kills, but there were dead bodies everywhere.  That was just in the normal path I take looking for sheds.  think of all those I did not see.  We are talking almost %50 mortality in just the area I was in.  The deer that I did see ranged from being in excellent shape to bare bones, counting ribs.  I would bet we will loose a few more before its said and done.  Not to mention the *censored* that was still working the area.  I saw 7 confirmed bucks, one of which would have been a trophy for sure.  He was a huge mountain buck.  DWARFED all the others.
     I honestly don't know if I want to be drawn this year.  The hunting in the Methow is going to be PITIFUL.  The NE corner didn't fair well either.  I hope the Entiat faired much better.  It sounds like it might have. 
 

Offline actionshooter

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2008, 08:22:32 AM »
Thats not good   :(

Online bobcat

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2008, 08:32:36 AM »
Thanks for the report. No surprise, really. I won't plan on hunting mule deer this year, that's for sure.

Offline Red Dawg

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2008, 08:36:32 AM »
I went shed hunting up the road from your house bone and I did not even see a deer track. WE saw to dawgs though and about 300 elk. But it is pretty bad when you see more dogs that deer.

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2008, 08:42:03 AM »
Basically Bobcat, I'd plan to camp and if you get a deer, be damn happy with yourself.  I obviusly won't skip the season, but will go into with a different attitude.  I sure don't want to waste my points this year though. 
Here is one that made it.  He should be a legal buck this year.




Online bobcat

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2008, 08:52:18 AM »
Wha'd you do, get a shot of his pecker?  :chuckle:

Well, this year I think I will spend most of my time chasing blacktails and elk. I don't wanna go on a camping trip during hunting season.  ;)

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2008, 08:54:22 AM »
.

Offline Red Dawg

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2008, 08:55:49 AM »
what a shame. that is such a great area to hunt. But i guess that is the way it happens. Nothing we can do about it. I dont hunt that area but I'm sorry ahead of time for the guys who hunt there every year. But if you hunt hard I'm am sure you wont have a problem. I have a hard time shooting "legal" bucks ( I wont do it anymore). Hopefully it wont start raining and snowing on them now. I heard this type of weather in the spring is what is hardest on them.

Offline boneaddict

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2008, 08:58:13 AM »
nah Bobcat I'm not as perverted as longtat or Coasthunter.....

Offline WDFW-SUX

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2008, 09:35:24 AM »
The overall deer numbers are very concerning.............

I wonder if they cut back all of the extra opportunity in the Vally this year............I cant see a need for 300 antlerless permits + September archery doe tags and 100+ November tags...........
« Last Edit: March 23, 2008, 03:05:09 PM by Passion »
THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SUCKS MORE THAN EVER..........

Offline SuperDave

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2008, 09:47:30 AM »
Thankyou for the update bone!  More informative than WDFW!  Hopefully the tag numbers are reflective of the situation at hand.  I will be saving my points as well!

Offline jae

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2008, 09:56:54 AM »
Very sad! thanks for the update.

Offline Skyvalhunter

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2008, 10:02:34 AM »
Going to be a sad state of affairs in the valley for sure!!! Might be a good year for points only.
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2008, 02:59:00 PM »
I have never hunted the Methow but that sucks. Hopefully WDFW cuts tags way back.

Offline Wea300mag

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Re: Methow Deer Forecast
« Reply #14 on: March 23, 2008, 03:14:29 PM »
That blows!!! It's going to make selecting permit areas tough. The Desert sucks, big kill in Methow, leaves Entiat or points only as options.
Keep your nose in the wind and your eyes on the skyline

 


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