Prospects Good for Deer Hunting Statewide

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 be good. High wildfire danger may mean both public and private land closures, however, access may be limited.

In the northeast, the white-tailed deer population continues to build while the mule deer populations have improved, but are still at relatively low levels. Special either-sex white-tailed deer hunting opportunities continue for Youth/Senior/Disabled hunters during the general buck season. This, along with the increased number of antlerless permits, is a great opportunity to take advantage of the growing whitetail population. Mule deer hunting will be best in the Roosevelt unit of northern Lincoln County. This years dry conditions could lead to an out break of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) or otherwise known as blue tongue. This disease is fatal to deer but doesn’t affect humans.

Further south in southeast Washington, the Blue Mountains area, best mule and white-tailed deer populations occur along the Snake River breaks and in the foothills (which is mostly private land). Deer populations in the mountains have declined over the last five years.

Northcentral Mule deer buck escapement, recruitment, and overwinter survival are excellent in Okanongan County. Post-season surveys last December yielded a ratio of 27 bucks per 100 does. About 30% of bucks were mature animals. Spring surveys this year showed an after-winter ratio of 44 fawns per 100 adults. Given the unusually dry conditions, deer will likely be concentrated near areas that retain green forage late into the season. This will include irrigated pasture in the valley bottoms, but get permission from private landowners first. Many bucks are likely to remain at higher elevations during the early high hunt, and potentially on into the general season. Mule deer opportunity is greatest in those GMUs west of the Okanogan River. Whitetails are generally most plentiful east of the Okanogan River.

Douglas County should be excellent this year and better than last year in Chelan County. The deer population in Chelan County is increasing but is still only 25-50 percent of what it was prior to the winter of 1996-97. The 2000, post-hunting season ratios were 92 fawns and 21 bucks in Douglas County and 78 fawns and 24 bucks per 100 does in Chelan County.

In the southcentral region, deer herds have had good production and survival, although total deer numbers are still below the long-term average. Hunter success should be much improved over the last two seasons. 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. With the high post season buck ratios, a mild winter, and the change in regulation, hunter success rates should increase.

In the north Puget Sound region, black-tailed deer hunting occurs mostly in the general season since much of the late buck seasons are now closed. Biologists are continuing their investigation of the impact of the hair slip syndrome and possible reductions in deer populations. Hunting season formats differ between individual GMUs based upon geographic variation. GMU 460 Snoqualmie has one of the higher success rates in the region during the general buck season. This unit was re-opened in 2001 for a limited permit only late buck season. One of the more popular areas for hunting is the Weyerhaeuser Company Snoqualmie Tree Farm, which requires a fee access permit for entry by vehicle, although walking or bike access is free.

In the southwest region, 2001 spring surveys in Klickitat County indicated good recruitment with 54 fawns per 100 adults. This is the third highest ratio seen here in the last ten years. High ratios usually equate to good hunting in the fall. Hunters should be aware that much of Klickitat County is in dryland wheat production and privately owned so permission to hunt should be obtained in advance. 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.

Perhaps the most significant event to affect Southwest Washington deer hunters this year is the decision by Weyerhaeuser Company to restrict access into some of their lands to weekends only, see the article on page 4. Other private timber owners have been gating roads, many open only during hunting seasons. On the bright side the closures have provided better conditions for wildlife, including better buck escapement, which should mean greater hunting success for those willing to walk behind gates.

In the coastal region, buck to doe ratios are good throughout the region, particularly in the 2-point antler restriction areas and in areas where 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. On the Olympic Peninsula, the Pysht Tree Farm will offer some good opportunities for those willing to pay an access fee.