Deer Hunting Looking Good
Most deer populations in Washington are looking good, thanks largely to mild winter conditions. Given the right weather conditions and sufficient pre-season scouting and access arrangements, deer hunting should also be good.
In the northeast, another mild winter means the deer population continues to build. Expect good hunting for young bucks one to three years old. In some specific lowland valley or agricultural areas of Stevens County, white-tailed deer numbers have declined due to an outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) last fall. While the impacts from this were only in localized areas, it was enough to warrant reduction in antlerless permit levels. Many adult bucks were lost in these areas as well. Special either-sex white-tailed deer hunting opportunities continue for Youth/Senior/Disabled hunters during the general buck season.
Mule deer hunting will be best in the Roosevelt unit of northern Lincoln County. Mule deer in northeast Washington have not recovered from the 1996-1997 winter as fast as deer in other areas and chances for success will again be poor.
A new opportunity for Advanced Hunter Education graduates is a white-tailed deer antlerless only season in the central district of the eastern region. Whitman County Game Management Units 139 and 142, including the area around Colfax, are especially in need of deer harvest to alleviate damage problems; WDFW’s Spokane regional office will have a list of southern Whitman County landowners willing to allow access not only for AHE hunters, but also archers, youth, seniors, and disabled hunters.
In the southeast, the Almota unit in southern Whitman County will be good for mule deer bucks, all on private land. Further south in the Blue Mountains, the best mule and white-tailed deer populations occur along the Snake River breaks and in the foothills (which is mostly private land). Hunters can expect comparable success rates over the last ten years. Deer populations in the mountains have declined significantly over the last five years. Remember, there is a 3-antler-point minimum for both mule and whitetail bucks in units 145 thru 186.
Deer numbers are up in most areas of the northcentral region this year. Post season surveys run in December of 1999 indicated exceptionally good buck escapement and ranged from 25-30 per 100 does throughout the region. Spring surveys run in April, 2000, were over 60 fawns/100 adults indicating excellent fawn survival through the winter.
In Chelan County, total deer numbers still appear to be depressed when compared to other areas in the northcentral region. Winter range in Chelan County remains in relatively poor condition for deer due to the loss of shrubs (winter browse) from fires several years ago.
Although 1999 deer harvest figures were not available at this writing, hunter success at the Chewuch check station near Winthrop was up significantly last year compared to 1998. Mild winters the last three years, antler restrictions, short hunting seasons, and relatively low participation by hunters means that deer numbers and hunting opportunities will be good in the fall of 2000.
In the southcentral region, deer herds have had good production and survival, although total deer numbers are still below the long-term average. The set-back was the severe winter of 1996-97, from which herds are still re-building. Hunter success should be much improved over the last two seasons, but still below the long-term average.
Hunters can expect a quality experience with limited competition for the 3-point-or-better animals. The brightest prospects will be in the limited entry units (329/330, 342, 371) where modern firearm permit holders usually score success rates of 60 to 70 percent. The best success has been in units 329 and 330. This year hunters drawing a permit for one of these units can harvest any buck. With the high post season buck ratios, a mild winter, and the change in regulation, these success rates should increase. Hunters should note that units 329, 330, 342, and 371 are limited entry by permit, and do not have a general deer season.
In the north Puget Sound region, black-tailed deer hunting occurs mostly in the general season since much of the late buck season are now closed.
Private industrial timberlands provide the best black-tailed deer habitat because the harvest of timber results in clearings and improved forage conditions. Many of these areas have road closures, but hunters can use bicycles, horses, or walk. Hunters can check with landowners about recent timber harvest and locate the 2-to-10-year-old clear cuts for hunting.
GMUs 407 and 410 are island and coastal areas with high human population and little public land so firearm restrictions apply in many areas.
In the eastern portion of the southwest region, spring surveys in western Klickitat County indicated 46 fawns per 100 adults. High fawn-to-adult ratios in Klickitat County usually equate to good hunting in the fall. Much of Klickitat County is in dryland wheat production and privately owned so permission to hunt should be obtained well ahead of the season. Gifford Pinchot National Forest, the Klickitat Wildlife Area, and industrial timberlands offer public hunting in western Klickitat County. Both antlerless and buck hunting opportunities have been extended in this part of the region. Deer populations are healthy and deer damage is becoming a problem in some areas.
On the west side of the Cascades in the southwest region, deer numbers are average and hunter success rates are down from past years. The hair loss syndrome continues to cause concern in southwest Washington. Reports of affected deer continue to be widespread. In response to the present uncertainty regarding the ultimate effects on the deer populations, antlerless harvest has been curtailed in several units. Several other units that also have been widely affected by the syndrome will continue to offer antlerless harvest opportunity. The units providing best hunter access, as well as good deer cover and forage, are units 550 (Coweeman), 501 (Lincoln), 505 (Mossyrock), and 530 (Ryderwood). The best areas are lowland wet areas near small clearcuts less than 10 years old. Unit 564 (Battleground) is an either sex unit, but modern firearm restrictions in urbanized area require more planning to find suitable places to hunt.
In the coastal region, deer populations have also experienced the hair loss syndrome the last three years. Buck to doe ratios are good throughout the region, particularly in the 2-point antler restriction areas and in areas that roads have been closed and re-seeded after timber harvest.
One of the best units is the Skookumchuck Unit, which includes the Vail Tree Farm. This tree farm typically closes all access roads except weekends during the modern firearm season and this past year during the late archery season. Hunters can walk the roads, but logging traffic can be hazardous and hunters are urged to avoid active logging areas. On the Olympic Peninsula, the Pysht Tree Farm will offer some good opportunities for those willing to pay a modest access fee. The Satsop(651), Capital Peak(663) and Minot Peak(660) units should offer good deer hunting in areas of recent logging. In Pierce County, the White River (472) and Mashel (478) units should provide good deer hunting. Champion’s Kapowsin Tree Farm has good opportunities for those willing to pay a modest access fee.
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