Autumn hunting seasons are on the horizon, and in some cases already underway, so it’s time to share state Department of Fish and Wildlife biologists’ expectations for the 2014 harvest.
Generally, the outlook for this fall is pretty good. Several mild winters in a row have done good things for both birds and game animals in the state, providing positive nesting conditions for game birds and waterfowl, and survival of young deer and elk.
Here’s a look at how selected hunts are shaping up.
Okanogan mule deer
Okanogan County boasts the largest mule deer herd in Washington, and biologists say prospects are rosy, despite this summer’s wildfires. The buck-to-doe ratio is excellent, there has been a good carryover of older bucks (if winter weather comes soon enough to push them down from the high country) and fawn survival has been at or above average for five years in a row.
But yes, fires burned 270,000 acres on the west side of the county this summer, and while mule deer populations have probably not been impacted significantly, their distribution most likely has.
Most affected by fire were game management units in the Methow Valley — GMUs 239 (Chiliiwist), 242 (Alta), and 224 (Perrygin) — where the bulk of winter range was burned. Biologists say hunting could actually be better in green areas adjacent to burned range, and particularly in older burns (including the 2006 Tripod fire) where abundant forage has grown up.
In 2013, the Okanogan County general season harvest success rate was about 14 percent, and the best rates came, in order, from GMUs 204, 215, 218, 224, and 233.
Next year, consider entering your name in a permit drawing for GMU 290 (Desert) in Grant County. It’s a quality mule deer hunt and it holds big racks, but preseason scouting and landowner permission is critical.
Okanogan County also has one of the top turkey populations in the state, with best hunting prospects expected to be units 231 and 242. Fire impacted the southeast portion of 242 this summer, however. The total spring and fall harvest in 2013 was 1,659 birds, down from the five-year average, but the days per kill figure has held steady at 10.
Northeast Washington
Noted whitetail and turkey hunting in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille counties, with the best whitetail populations found in GMUs 101 (Sherman) and 121 (Huckleberry). A step behind would be GMUs 105, 108, and 111. Top mule deer numbers are found in the Sherman unit.
Biologist Dana Base says recent moderate winters have provided a boost for area whitetail herds, and both harvest and population have been increasing for the past two seasons. That trend is expected to continue, Base said
The fall turkey harvest in northeast Washington last year was best in units 105, 111, and 117.
Elk
The best elk hunting in the state is found in Yakima and Kititas counties and, if the weather cooperates, this should be an excelent season. The Yakima herd numbers are about 18,000 animals, and the Colockum, north of Elensburg, about 6,000 animals. Biologists say that a mild winter and low harvest last year mean an increased population this year, and that both herds are well above management objectives.
Elk managers have noticed an increasing tendency for hunters to fold up camp and head home before the second weekend. However, good opportunity exists for those who hunt the last two or three days of the season, away from open roads. Rifle hunters might also consider GMU 342, which is new this year to the late general season.
More than 1,000 bulls are taken annually in southwest Washington, and prospects are good for the 2014 season. Best bets include GMUs 520 (Winston), 506 (Willapa Hills), 530 (Ryderwood) and 550 (Coweeman), according to biologists.
Pheasant
Grant County, at 8,300 birds, was the top pheasant producer in 2013 with the best wild-bird populations found in the Desert Unit, between Potholes Reservoir and the town of George. A good mix of wild and pen-raised pheasant was available in Lower Crab Creek, Gloyd Seeps, Quincy, and Dry Falls units. Try for wild pheasant in dense Russian olive thickets and cattails around Winchester and Frenchmen wasteways and ponds. These are also good areas, biologists say, to load with non-toxic shot and combine a waterfowl/pheasant hunt.
A mild winter and dry spring resulted in an excellent upland bird hatch, and should result in increased populations of both pheasant and quail (same areas as for pheasant, above).
For more info, visit the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website, then click on “Eastern Washington Pheasant Enhancement Program” for release sites (non-toxic shot required).
Waterfowl
Grant County, again, was number one in 2013 for both ducks (56,000 birds) and geese (13,000). Prospects for 2014 are excellent, based on a large production of ducks and geese in Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories breeding areas this spring, including a 72-percent increase in mallards.
Locally hatched birds traditionally carry the early season until the arrival of northerns in late October or early November, and this year will probably be no exception. Opening weekend (Oct. 11-12 this year) usually produces good hunting in the Basin, normally about three-plus birds per person.
Better spots include the islands and shallow water on the north end of Potholes Reservoir, but lots of hunting pressure. Winchester Lake also gets plenty of pressure, but is a very good bet.
Field hunting on private grain fields in the state Hunter Access Program, and the Regulated Access Areas (limited access by reservation) Program offer public opportunity. Call the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Ephrata Regional Office at 509-754-4624.
Blacktail deer
Southwest Washington boasts several GMUs which, every season, are tops in the state for blacktail deer. In Lewis, Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties, check out best units 530 (Ryderwood), 501 (Lincoln), 520 (Winston) and 505 (Mossrock). Results are generally better toward the end of the general season, when wind and rain have improved hunting conditions.
Unfortunately the entire area is a confusing mix of private, Washington Department of Fish and Wildife, national forest, anad Department of Natural Resources land. The only answer is research by calling timber company access hotlines or by going to their websites. Obtain a map, if possible.
Weyerhaeuser is a major owner, and sells access to much of its land, including the popular St. Helens Tree Farm, for $150. A few areas are also free to the public, but to obtain details, call Weyerhauser at 1-866-636-6531, or go to its website.
Other timber owners land has been generally open to the public, but there might be limited motorized vehicle access. Major players include Hancock Forest Management, Port Blakely, Sierra Pacific, Green Diamond, Olympic Resource Management, West Fork Timber, and Weyerhaeuser’s Columbia Timberlands, formerly Longview Timber.
For scattered public lands check out Washington Department of Fish and Wildife’s “Private Lands Webpage,” and “Go Hunt” mapping site. Also call the Forest Service Cowlitz Valley Ranger District at 360-497-1100, and the Castle Rock Department of Natural Resources office at 360-577-2025.
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