| Olympic
Peninsula November Buck Hunts
Greg Schirato, District 15 Wildlife Biologist
In an
effort to look for new and interesting opportunities for deer
hunters, biologists in the Olympic peninsula area initiated
a limited number of buck permits during the coastal black-tailed
deer rutting period. The permits began in 2001 with 10 permits
each issued in four of the highest deer density units, Skookumchuck,
Satsop, Wynoochee and Capitol Peak game management units.
The permits run from the November 1 through the 11th. These
permits are the most popular buck permits in the Coastal Region
and have over 700 applicants in some of the units hoping to
become one of the ten drawn for the hunt.
The idea
of the hunt was to allow black-tailed deer hunters an opportunity
to bag a mature buck during the early November period. The
ongoing rut should make the older bucks more available to
harvest. So in theory this should draw a greater number of
selective buck hunters.
So it
was with great interest, during the first years of this hunt
that wildlife biologist, Greg Schirato checked a group of
young hunters drawn for this hunt. The group of friends had
hoped for the opportunity to hunt together, Kailyn McIrvin
11, Megan Lund 11 were each after their first deer. Allie
Lund 13 and Chase Lund 9 had both gotten a deer prior to that
season. The group of friends did not fit the stereotype of
the hunters that would be applying for this quality opportunity,
which made it even more exciting. The fathers and grandparents
all wished they had been drawn for this opportunity and have
applied every year in hope of having this opportunity.
The girls
had passed up over 70 deer in their quest for the nice buck.
Yes most hunters would be thrilled to have the opportunity
to pass up that many bucks in the entire season. The Dads
had hoped for each to get a buck that was respectable and
score about 90 on the antler scoring. Chase hunted with grandpa
before school and bagged his big buck after two mornings of
hunting. The girls passed up at least 6-branched bucks that
weren’t what they were hoping for. Gradually each hunter
got his or her nice buck.
After
so many passed up bucks, Kailyn decided that her Dad didn’t
shoot that nice of a buck on his first hunt and she was going
to shoot the next branched buck. Finally after 6 days of hunting,
with a nice buck spotted across the canyon two of the dads
debated corrections for the wind and other issues related
to the shot. Kailyn picked out a rest flipped off the safety
and dropped the deer with her first shot while the Dads were
still debating corrections necessary to make the shot. It
too was another nice buck. The hunt was great fun and success
with an unforgettable first deer experience. This year Megan’s
little brother, Zach, 11 was drawn for the hunt he hopes to
repeat in his sister’s success with this quality hunt.
So whether
you are a woods savvy black tailed hunter looking for the
big black-tailed deer or looking for a quality first deer,
this is definitely a hunt that should be considered and should
yield pleasant results. |
