Whats the general consensus on Deer numbers in Reg. 3?

[bosca]

Hello All...
Have been out a few time to one of my regular spots doing a little scouting for hunting trip Late Sept/early Oct. Covered ground from 3000 ft up to about 5500 ft...some new and some tried and true spots. At this point I have to say I am not as optimistic as I was starting out this year. I have seen 9 or 10 does... a few with no other deer around.

I know in the big scheme of things the area i have covered is tiny and not necessarily a good indicator. I also know from past experience that this can all change in a matter of a week but I am curious what the general consensus is out there on deer numbers in our area (Region 3)...let alone mature bucks.

[brewski]

been out a few times myself and havent seen anything

[adriaticum]

Shitty.
I've driven 1000s of km on FSRs and saw a few does.
Other than a few select spots that hold deer I haven't seen anything.
Logging and cattle are doing a number on deer.
Frankly, cattle grazing shouldn't be allowed on crown land.
Some private ranches have millions of acres of land and still graze their cattle on public land and compete with deer for food.

[Pangaea]

Spent a long day on the Region 3/Region 8 border yesterday and last weekend. total of 8 does and 3 bucks; 2&3 pointers. This is my first season hunting, but by no means my first in the woods looking for wildlife. I'm kind of surprised, but it was pretty hot...

[Grousedaddy]

Went hunting friday saturday with the family and seen lots of deer all before 11 am nothing bigger then a 3pt also seen a few moose there out there

[Darksith]

there are no more deer left in region 3...the wolves and jelvis have got them all! Its freakin hot out too though...

Realistically though, in one of my favorite cutblocks I am still seeing lots of deer, just nothing mature. I see way less driving than I do in a couple hours of walking

[Fisher-Dude]

Weather
Time of year
Moon phase
Feed availability
Predator presence

and lots of other factors.

As stated in the OP, a small sample isn't indicative of overall populations.

[russm86]

Well, I don't know what to tell you, I honestly think I have seen more deer, including bucks, this year than any other so far. I have seen 4 different 4 points, as well as dozen or so other smaller bucks, since the start of bow season in one new area I found. Unfortunately I just haven't been able to make things work out on one yet for various reasons (one was an absolute monster I had at 20 yards with my bow that I don't really want to talk about, basically I had no cover and he was staring straight at me and I was facing the wrong direction so I couldn't move).

[showtimebc]

I think its just fine...

http://s4.postimg.org/ngc2qace5/PICT6987.jpg

[Grousedaddy]

Id be stoked with those cam pics gives me hope haha

[wicket]

Regarding the cattle grazing......I have hunting region 3 under permit to accompany and was surprised by the cattle grazing in what to me looked like nice habitat. Setting illegal and just wrong I wonder how many head of beef get killed by folks. I will admit I threw a rock at one after an amazing display of co ordination ending up on my ass after slipping in a fresh pile of shit. I missed the presumed culprit and hurt my shoulder trying to huck a huge rock without warming up my throwing arm...... best part was my brothers belly laugh that seemed like it lasted 15 mins after he watched the whole thing. After I changed my shitty pants and drank a beer to help my ailing shoulder I chuckled to myself for pitching a fit......I miss hunting BC......good times

[wsm]

All it takes is a few wolves to make a deer herd nocturnal . This does not mean there are less deer , just less deer during hunting hours/

[Steelpulse]

I think there are tons of deer around, haven't been out for deer yet, to distracted by ducks but, last year was a high harvest year for mule deer and this year iis supposed to be the same for mule deer hunting in reg 3. The 4pts are there just need to go deep in the woods to find em, ill be pounding greenstone soon to get my 4pt

[Darksith]

I think there are tons of deer around, haven't been out for deer yet, to distracted by ducks but, last year was a high harvest year for mule deer and this year iis supposed to be the same for mule deer hunting in reg 3. The 4pts are there just need to go deep in the woods to find em, ill be pounding greenstone soon to get my 4pt

you and everyone that doesn't go up jameson lol

[Sofa King]

the #'s are way down.
I haven't seen a damn deer this season.

[ruger#1]

Regarding the cattle grazing......I have hunting region 3 under permit to accompany and was surprised by the cattle grazing in what to me looked like nice habitat. Setting illegal and just wrong I wonder how many head of beef get killed by folks. I will admit I threw a rock at one after an amazing display of co ordination ending up on my ass after slipping in a fresh pile of shit. I missed the presumed culprit and hurt my shoulder trying to huck a huge rock without warming up my throwing arm...... best part was my brothers belly laugh that seemed like it lasted 15 mins after he watched the whole thing. After I changed my shitty pants and drank a beer to help my ailing shoulder I chuckled to myself for pitching a fit......I miss hunting BC......good times


Ha Ha. That was wicket. LOL. To bad no youtube.

[Sofa King]

I think there are tons of deer around, haven't been out for deer yet, to distracted by ducks but, last year was a high harvest year for mule deer and this year iis supposed to be the same for mule deer hunting in reg 3. The 4pts are there just need to go deep in the woods to find em, ill be pounding greenstone soon to get my 4pt

huh?
just a gut feeling I guess?

[Lillypuff]

Been out twice and have seen lots of mules! Few small bucks as well as a batchelor herd of 6bucks with a couple of dinky four points

[horshur]

deer numbers are doing just fine ..........

[Sofa King]

Princeton and tunkwa.
only places in region 3 with any deer left.
is Clearwater still in region 3?
the bucks are so big up there they should call it alberta.

[dana]

Region 3 deer herds are in great shape. I'm seeing a lot more deer this year than I have for years from Kamloops to the Shuswap to the North Thompson. Here are a few I've managed to take pics of recently.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg5_zpse530c421.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg5_zpse530c421.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg6_zps5ae68ce9.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg6_zps5ae68ce9.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg7_zps7020d40a.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg7_zps7020d40a.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg8_zps9e44e4fc.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg8_zps9e44e4fc.jpg.html)

[dana]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg14_zpsac29d9bf.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg14_zpsac29d9bf.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg13_zps1e2a11f7.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg13_zps1e2a11f7.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg15_zpsdc19f434.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg15_zpsdc19f434.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg1_zps06fd16e3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg1_zps06fd16e3.jpg.html)

[dana]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg1_zpsa7536633.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg1_zpsa7536633.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg3_zps4ccb6c8c.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg3_zps4ccb6c8c.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg4_zpsf37c242d.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg4_zpsf37c242d.jpg.html)

[dana]

I've seen a ton of these little guys this year too. Very encouraging.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg4_zps5fc764f3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg4_zps5fc764f3.jpg.html)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v145/BCBOY/2014/imagejpg5_zps63f28fd3.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/BCBOY/media/2014/imagejpg5_zps63f28fd3.jpg.html)

[sapper]

Princeton and tunkwa.
only places in region 3 with any deer left.
Nothing left in those areas. :wink:
Actually Princeton is MU8.

[Steelpulse]

Spend most days in the bush, duck hunting, grouse rabbits, always looking for every game animal, we See lots of deer, just haven't hunted them yet, saw lots all winter, saw lots last year, gut feeling and evidence of deer say good year this year

huh?
just a gut feeling I guess?

[Bugle M In]

Don't think there are any problems with the deer #'s in 3.
Seemed good last season, late Nov, Dec ish.
Wolf increase will definitely affect how the deer move.
Popular spots where one may have seen good deer #'s in the past may be shifted to another spot if wolves are around.
Seemed like the presence of a good # of wolves where I hunted last fall made the deer stick close to Roads.
My thought was that maybe the wolves don't want to get too close to the roads do to hunters driving up and down,
so possibly the deer to more refuge in those zones.
Just my opinion on what it looked like to me, as I never saw so many deer on the roads....just no shooters!
But winters seemed to be mild, and the logging everywhere seems to give feed for the deer, so #'s should be fine.
I will definitely pound some wolves if the chance arises, as before I never had the interest. ( I owned huskies, so a little hard for me when I see a wolf I guess )
I do hope R5 opens up again soon, just to decrease the amount of traffic hitting the roads in 3.
Can't believe how busy it has become ever since 5 closed off from the 10th to 20th.

[adriaticum]

If there were lots of deer and the herds were doing well we would see deer where ever we go. The truth is when I get on top of a mountain and see logged mountains as far as the eye can see and the odd patches of bush like on an Italian woman, I see no deer after hours of glassing. So maybe that the deer have moved out to where they can hide. I have driven up and down 5 fsr s last weekend probably in excess of 200 km and saw 1 buck.

Actually i should clerify this was in region 8.

[4 point]

Lots of mule deer in Reg 3. A 4 point a year is all I'm after. Been traveling so haven't been out yet but will get at out soon. I'll look for an imy as well come that seasons opening day. Good season to all.

[lovemywinchester]

There are a definitely a few less deer in 3 than when I moved here.:)

Lots of deer around the Loops as usual. Seeing them all over. Bucks and does. No big bucks except a fat pig of a three point living in the farmers field by the Roche turnoff. I rarely see big bucks anyway and its still to hot out as well. The 5a is covered in grease marks from hit deer so it looks like business as usual.
My buddy smoked a nice 4 point on Saturday. Deer are dropping.

[Steelpulse]

I'm with you, find an immy, tracking in the winter, only 4pts there's some beast deer out there Just gotta find them,

Lots of mule deer in Reg 3. A 4 point a year is all I'm after. Been traveling so haven't been out yet but will get at out soon. I'll look for an imy as well come that seasons opening day. Good season to all.

[OutWest]

If there were lots of deer and the herds were doing well we would see deer where ever we go. The truth is when I get on top of a mountain and see logged mountains as far as the eye can see and the odd patches of bush like on an Italian woman, I see no deer after hours of glassing. So maybe that the deer have moved out to where they can hide. I have driven up and down 5 fsr s last weekend probably in excess of 200 km and saw 1 buck.

Actually i should clerify this was in region 8.

The answer to your problem is within your post. Logging isn't it.

[Steelpulse]

I'm guessing it's the driving part, and they are hiding not on the road or near it, just joking around here

[boxhitch]

Full moon on the 8th , and daytime temps into the mid 20's , and many bucks protecting their velvet ........
gee , wonder why no sightings ?

[adriaticum]

I'm guessing it's the driving part, and they are hiding not on the road or near it, just joking around here

It's not necessarily all driving.
I walked into a bunch of cut blocks and glassed areas far away.
All I was looking for is to spook a deer or two.
At least I would then know they are there.
I've spooked more deer on the paved roads in Chilliwack when I go fishing.

[250 sav]

In pringe george very few, but did a evening chicken hunt north of the Loops in reg 3 and saw a batchler group of 5 bucks in a old cut at dusk, numbers appear ok

[Fisher-Dude]

It's not necessarily all driving.
I walked into a bunch of cut blocks and glassed areas far away.
All I was looking for is to spook a deer or two.
At least I would then know they are there.
I've spooked more deer on the paved roads in Chilliwack when I go fishing.

The ones you fired warning shots at don't count? :p

[adriaticum]

The ones you fired warning shots at don't count? :p

Lol that was the one place worth exploring, but it ain't mine.
I'm sure Sofa King will make him pay for his sins :mrgreen:

[Whonnock Boy]

The numbers are fine.

[HarryToolips]

The muley numbers in a general area in region 3 that I frequent seem to be doing OK..one very interesting find that I had this year though: a big area that I've gotten to know and hunt the last couple years always had muleys and moose, that's all I had ever seen in this area, including quite a few muley bucks..no whitetail at all..until this year..first day of bow season I spook up a whitetail, and I had setup my T cam a few weeks before, I check it, sure enough, lots of whitetail, more than mulies, including quite a few nice WT bucks..I'm guessing the WT have put a bit of pressure on the muleys in this area??

[caddisguy]

It's not necessarily all driving.
I walked into a bunch of cut blocks and glassed areas far away.
All I was looking for is to spook a deer or two.
At least I would then know they are there.
I've spooked more deer on the paved roads in Chilliwack when I go fishing.

Isn't it better to walk the tree-lines and ridges just above the cut blocks? I find coming in from the top, deer will stand up, move down into the open and then stop to think of a way to get around you before they bolt back up.

Best part is you are within 30 yards instead of 200 ;-P

Just watch out for guys at the bottom of the road... a human in that treeline is beyond comprehetion to most guys parked glassing it from the bottom all day... let alone there might even be another road running just beyond those trees.

[bosca]

That is what i like to see!!

[bosca]

I get the general impression that things are pretty much staus quo out there. I'm going to guess that the deer are spread out over a larger area right now. Some of your posts are very encouraging....
Dana...your shots are awesome and those animals look to be in fantastic condition.
good luck everyone.

[adriaticum]

Isn't it better to walk the tree-lines and ridges just above the cut blocks? I find coming in from the top, deer will stand up, move down into the open and then stop to think of a way to get around you before they bolt back up.

Best part is you are within 30 yards instead of 200 ;-P

Just watch out for guys at the bottom of the road... a human in that treeline is beyond comprehetion to most guys parked glassing it from the bottom all day... let alone there might even be another road running just beyond those trees.

Yes you are right when you know there are deer in the area. I am still scouting and trying to find a sign of them. Once I do I wouldn't drive into the area. But when there are deer in the area you have to bump into one somewhere. I have seen zip.

[Salty]

The chances of 'bumping in to one' from your vehicle and considerably lower than if you're on foot particularly on FSRs with a lot of traffic. However, road hunting can and does produce results too. Its not a great way to estimate deer numbers in a given area though.

[Grousedaddy]

Thats what happens when you live in the city compared to us locals ..... There out there man park the truck and take a hike i see deer every spot i got to no crankers but theres deer everywhere






Yes you are right when you know there are deer in the area. I am still scouting and trying to find a sign of them. Once I do I wouldn't drive into the area. But when there are deer in the area you have to bump into one somewhere. I have seen zip.

[Fisher-Dude]

The muley numbers in a general area in region 3 that I frequent seem to be doing OK..one very interesting find that I had this year though: a big area that I've gotten to know and hunt the last couple years always had muleys and moose, that's all I had ever seen in this area, including quite a few muley bucks..no whitetail at all..until this year..first day of bow season I spook up a whitetail, and I had setup my T cam a few weeks before, I check it, sure enough, lots of whitetail, more than mulies, including quite a few nice WT bucks..I'm guessing the WT have put a bit of pressure on the muleys in this area??

WT don't "pressure" mule deer. WT do support artificially high cat numbers which can have a detrimental effect on mule deer.

Read this: https://www.panthera.org/sites/default/files/Robinson%20et%20al%202002%20-%20cougar%20predation%20and%20deer.pdf

[adriaticum]

The chances of 'bumping in to one' from your vehicle and considerably lower than if you're on foot particularly on FSRs with a lot of traffic. However, road hunting can and does produce results too. Its not a great way to estimate deer numbers in a given area though.

Sure I agree but I would expect that if there are deer in the area that I would see one at least from a mile away with my binos or see some sign. I sat under a tree for 3 hours well hidden on the edge of this deciduous patch with a lot of grass around hoping to see something.

[Darksith]

Its really early in Region 3 still...the mule deer can migrate 100's of km's, and I bet they are starting to at least think about moving...yes there are resident deer, but there are also big migrations that happen. Its so warm they don't want to leave the timber, and the deer I am seeing are feeding at first light and moving off by 9:30 or so...always a few stragglers, but I see 15-20 deer in a block some mornings and they are all gone by 9:30...you won't see much after that until they get up for lunch, and even then they might still stay in the timber if the grasses are good still. That being said if I don't get out of the truck and walk the block edges, Im not seeing much of anything honestly. They are sticking close to the timber due to the warm temps I am sure.

[Fisher-Dude]

Sure I agree but I would expect that if there are deer in the area that I would see one at least from a mile away with my binos or see some sign. I sat under a tree for 3 hours well hidden on the edge of this deciduous patch with a lot of grass around hoping to see something.

Deer don't usually graze on grass. Might want to find an area with browse and forbs instead, as that could increase your chances of seeing something other than cattle.

[caddisguy]

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/nodeer_zpsed4c17a2.jpg
Hunter A: I've been driving and glassing these cut blocks for miles. One guy even walked up the cut block! Haven't seen a thing. What about you?
Hunter B: There's no deer anymore because of all the wolves and lower mainlanders.
Hunter A: Yeah those damn coasters and 604's! Well good luck! (sound of big engine) vrooooom!
Copyright 2014, caddisguy

[Fisher-Dude]

^^^ Now that is a thing of beauty!

[caddisguy]

I have full size wall hangers available. 8'x8'... perfect for the living room or master bedroom. Only $8000 per copy or $150k for the original.

[JAFA]

I do walk tons, have not seen a deer this year yet, been out 3 times full days. Left BBY at 2:30 typically home at Midnight.

Saw a small bear though...

Question, where and how do you decide when to stop and park? I do, but my lack of seeing deer vs what others see make me think I am not recognizing prime spots and stopping at the dead zones.

Help a brother out and educate me :) LOL.

[Fisher-Dude]

Adriaticum should buy a poster - he's in the pic, glassing in the grass.

We were in region 3 on Sunday, and despite the hot as hell/clear day conditions we saw a dozen deer, 2 bucks but they were short a point or two to chuck some lead at 'em.

[adriaticum]

That looks like bench road to me.

[Bugle M In]

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/nodeer_zpsed4c17a2.jpg
Hunter A: I've been driving and glassing these cut blocks for miles. One guy even walked up the cut block! Haven't seen a thing. What about you?
Hunter B: There's no deer anymore because of all the wolves and lower mainlanders.
Hunter A: Yeah those damn coasters and 604's! Well good luck! (sound of big engine) vrooooom!
Copyright 2014, caddisguy

Now all u forgot was to make the pic a little larger, so you could draw in the hunter with a truck parked where the hunter is a mile away from truck and there is a buck standing by that truck!
That seems to happen to us, walk all day, come back, and there is sign fresh sing all around the truck!! I kid you not.
Nice picture there Rembrandt!!lol

[caddisguy]

I do walk tons, have not seen a deer this year yet, been out 3 times full days. Left BBY at 2:30 typically home at Midnight.

Saw a small bear though...

Question, where and how do you decide when to stop and park? I do, but my lack of seeing deer vs what others see make me think I am not recognizing prime spots and stopping at the dead zones.

Help a brother out and educate me :smile: LOL.


I'm no expert. I'm more of an artist than a hunter as you can see by my work. Most of my time in Region 3 and 5 has been spent with road hunters, but during the time I had to wander off a little on my own, I managed to surprise a number of deer--though no 4 pointers--by just walking down deer trails. I see the matted down vegetation and walk... see poop that is fresh... still soft while everything else is frosted... keep walking hey deer tracks, moose tracks and moose crap too whataya know... keep walking and *surprise* deer... down a little further... wow cow and calf! Also check out the places your driving on google earth. You'll find some roads that your driving are above cut blocks with only 50-100m of trees in between. Walk down through that treeline to the top of the cut block. My artwork is based on real life. There's deer in there! You'll end up pushing them down just below the treeline and while they figure a way to get around and back above you. I think it would be accurate to say there are 500x more animals out of sight within 100m from the road than there are within sight 1km from of the road. Walking up a cutblock, the deer in the treeline wont be there by the time you get to them. You can sit there all day and glass and maybe get a 300m shot from the bottom of the cut. Or you could come in from the top, surprise them and engage in close combat.

I finally convinced my road hunter companions to do a little hiking, but sure enough they insisted on walking up the cut block. I gave up. Not sure why some guys are scared of stomping around in the bush a little or going any place they can't see the truck from. Walking through forest in Region 3 / 5 is a picnic. It's not like the Fraser Valley where climbing up a steep mountain, snagging on everything and trying not to get ripped apart or tumble to your death is status quo.

[caddisguy]

Now all u forgot was to make the pic a little larger, so you could draw in the hunter with a truck parked where the hunter is a mile away from truck and there is a buck standing by that truck!
That seems to happen to us, walk all day, come back, and there is sign fresh sing all around the truck!! I kid you not.
Nice picture there Rembrandt!!lol

Happened to me Spring bear hunting. While we were trying to track him down, he was leaving paw prints on my dusty soft top jeep windows, deciding whether or not to break in to look for snacks. I ended up getting a shot at him from 7 yards in a small meadow later that day. Unfortunately the factory winchester 30-06 powerpoint misfired. Never a dull moment!

[adriaticum]

I'm no expert. I'm more of an artist than a hunter as you can see by my work. Most of my time in Region 3 and 5 has been spent with road hunters, but during the time I had to wander off a little on my own, I managed to surprise a number of deer--though no 4 pointers--by just walking down deer trails. I see the matted down vegetation and walk... see poop that is fresh... still soft while everything else is frosted... keep walking hey deer tracks, moose tracks and moose crap too whataya know... keep walking and *surprise* deer... down a little further... wow cow and calf! Also check out the places your driving on google earth. You'll find some roads that your driving are above cut blocks with only 50-100m of trees in between. Walk down through that treeline to the top of the cut block. My artwork is based on real life. There's deer in there! You'll end up pushing them down just below the treeline and while they figure a way to get around and back above you. I think it would be accurate to say there are 500x more animals out of sight within 100m from the road than there are within sight 1km from of the road. Walking up a cutblock, the deer in the treeline wont be there by the time you get to them. You can sit there all day and glass and maybe get a 300m shot from the bottom of the cut. Or you could come in from the top, surprise them and engage in close combat.

I finally convinced my road hunter companions to do a little hiking, but sure enough they insisting on walk up the cut block. I gave up. Not sure why some guys are scared of stomping around in the bush a little or going any place they can't see the truck from. Walking through forest in Region 3 / 5 is a picnic. It's not like the Fraser Valley where climbing up a steep mountain, snagging on everything and trying not to get ripped apart or tumble to your death is status quo.


You are absolutely right that it pays to hike when the deer are around.
One place where I saw deer last year I parked 4km away from the general area and then bushwacked to the area.
But unless I know there is deer around I prefer to cover as much ground as I can by truck.
I'm fishing for steelhead basically. There is one fish in the 200m stretch of river.
I better cover all of the water to find it.
Yes a good vantage point from the top is good but it depends on the direction of the wind too.

[adriaticum]

Happened to me Spring bear hunting. While we were trying to track him down, he was leaving paw prints on my dusty soft top jeep windows, deciding whether or not to break in to look for snacks. I ended up getting a shot at him from 7 yards in a small meadow later that day. Unfortunately the factory winchester 30-06 powerpoint misfired. Never a dull moment!

There was a story of a grizzly in Alaska ripping up a guy's truck for a reeses peanut butter cup 100 miles away from any roads.

[Sofa King]

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t644/vaporeyes/nodeer_zpsed4c17a2.jpg
Hunter A: I've been driving and glassing these cut blocks for miles. One guy even walked up the cut block! Haven't seen a thing. What about you?
Hunter B: There's no deer anymore because of all the wolves and lower mainlanders.
Hunter A: Yeah those damn coasters and 604's! Well good luck! (sound of big engine) vrooooom!
Copyright 2014, caddisguy

someone needs to make that the homepage for "huntingbc".
get that copyrighted before some art dealer steals it.

[ruger#1]

someone needs to make that the homepage for "huntingbc".
get that copyrighted before some art dealer steals it.

Hey, Thats not nice. To some people that are heavy drinkers It's a masterpiece.

[caddisguy]

someone needs to make that the homepage for "huntingbc".
get that copyrighted before some art dealer steals it.

It is copy-written, but HBC has my permission to use it as long as credit is given to the author. The name of the piece is "October Any Buck". I am also available for contract graphic design gigs. $150/hour... 80 hour minimum. This one took 120 hours to get the textures and 3rd perfect. Even though I created it, it still jumps right off the page at me every time I look at it. The longer you look, the more you will appreciate.

[Sofa King]

It is copy-written, but HBC has my permission to use it as long as credit is given to the author. The name of the piece is "October Any Buck". I am also available for contract graphic design gigs. $150/hour... 80 hour minimum. This one took 120 hours to get the textures and 3rd perfect. Even though I created it, it still jumps right off the page at me every time I look at it. The longer you look, the more you will appreciate.

so true, so true.

[Cookie1965]

I was out in region 8 a couple of weeks ago. I drove way up a FSR in the dark and parked the truck I walked down the hill through the bush and sat leaning against a stump looking down into a cut block. I was only about 350 yards from my truck, looking down I could see the road I'd just come up below the cut block. I drank some coffee, watched a nice sunrise and had about a dozen does walk past me up the hill. No bucks that time, but eventually they'll be trailing behind when I'm there. As I sat there a truck came by the bottom of the cut at about 40 km/h pulling an empty trailer. Sounded like a brass band. I stood up and walked back to the road, guy jammed on the brakes when he saw me - "seen anything?" he asked. "Naw, nothing" I replied, "There's no damned deer left"
I'm not much of a hunter, but I kinda know what not to do.

[adriaticum]

I was out in region 8 a couple of weeks ago. I drove way up a FSR in the dark and parked the truck I walked down the hill through the bush and sat leaning against a stump looking down into a cut block. I was only about 350 yards from my truck, looking down I could see the road I'd just come up below the cut block. I drank some coffee, watched a nice sunrise and had about a dozen does walk past me up the hill. No bucks that time, but eventually they'll be trailing behind when I'm there. As I sat there a truck came by at about 40 km/h pulling an empty trailer. Sounded like a brass band. I stood up and walked back to the road, guy jammed on the brakes when he saw me - "seen anything?" he asked. "Naw, nothing" I replied, "There's no damned deer left"
I'm not much of a hunter, but I kinda know what not to do.

Sounds like you and I were in the same area.
Crazies zipping up and down the lower end at 100 kmh. Dirt bikers and campers.
I was up at the end of the FSR where I saw a spike fork moose and that was it.
There was nobody around at the end in the morning until about 10 am.

[Cookie1965]

From your earlier posts and pictures I think we were close, I was a little farther north

[Bugle M In]

I think the real picture inside that picture is something no one noticed.
All the hunters are standing in the open clear cuts.
The deer are moving across the road where the forest still meets the road.
That was the hint!
You see how true it is the next time you drive around.
You're better off sitting in those spots waiting for the deer to cross, if ya don't like to walk.

[caddisguy]

I think the real picture inside that picture is something no one noticed.
All the hunters are standing in the open clear cuts.
The deer are moving across the road where the forest still meets the road.
That was the hint!
You see how true it is the next time you drive around.
You're better off sitting in those spots waiting for the deer to cross, if ya don't like to walk.

Yep there's usually fairly obvious trails with matted down vegetation from deer and moose. In a lot of areas you just have roads weave through from cut block to cut block with little patches of forest in between. There are tracks on the road, matted down vegetation in bush on either side of the road. No deer on the road, no deer in the cut blocks. Wonder where they are? You come in up to the bush from the bottom, they move up to the next patch. You come in from the top, they usually spook down into an open area, determine the threat, pick a route to get around you and then up and off they go. Assuming a guy on the road 400m down the cut block doesn't shoot it first, that deer will stare at you for a little while at 30 yards away. Deer be like... what the heck? That a human? Never seen those stinky things walk down in the bush from above me... let me think about this for a minute. Then it will snort at you and take off. That has been my experience with mule deer.

I've road hunted with guys completely uninterested in tracks, trails, poop, etc. Just wanna get back in the car and keep driving. I just never understood. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I am pretty sure I'll be taking a Region 3 buck this year. It will probably be out of sight, 100-200m from a road in an area I've never actually scouted.

[adriaticum]

Poop is good. Its a sign of life.
So caddisguy you are saying that I stink?
Ok I will take a shower before I leave next time.

[caddisguy]

Naw I'm sure you smell very pretty.

But I think we all smell like garbage to deer though.

My last shower before I hit the bush I try to use only a small amount of natural soap/shampoo. Vanilla/honey for deer and mint/honey for bear ;-P

On trips I chew mint nicorettes instead smoking, wear different clothes around the fire. For some reason I don't get BO in Region 3 or Region 5. After a few nights in Region 2 on the other hand...

That concludes my personal ad.

[Darksith]

Sure I agree but I would expect that if there are deer in the area that I would see one at least from a mile away with my binos or see some sign. I sat under a tree for 3 hours well hidden on the edge of this deciduous patch with a lot of grass around hoping to see something.
shit I have a hard enough time picking up deer browsing at 300 yards sometimes...I couldn't imagine spotting them at a mile unless they were skylined or moving quite a bit this time of year...once the snow hits its a different story, but they sure are good at blending in with just the smallest of shrubbery around

[Jedcote50]

With all this prolonged heat this year I'm amazed that we see any wildlife at all. I'll share a little secret with you guys that no one has mentioned yet. When you are out walking around pay extreme attention to the direction of the lay of the land you're checking out. Find the food first and then you'll find the deer. In the heat of the summer the most succulent forage will be found on the North and East face exposures, South and West facing slopes will have wilted and dry vegetation, not exactly the preferred food when it's hot. Once the fall weather sets in and the first frosts kill off some vegetation then you will see more activity on the southern slopes. Also take note that does and fawns will inhabit the best habitat and the big guys hang out in the fringes of the lesser habitat. There are always exceptions to this theory, but it's worked for me for years.
Another consideration has to be the increase of the wolf numbers. In the last couple years I have come across more canine scat and tracks than I have ever seen, although I haven't actually seen one, but given a chance I'm sure I'd pop one if I could.
I don't have the great photographic evidence like Dana, but I've seen a ton of great deer this year, but it's just been too hot to squeeze the trigger.

[Fella]

Hmm the last time I was in region three I counted close to 30 mulies over 3 days, all in different spots.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

During the youth/bow season my daughter and I would see 20-25 deer every morning and evening including 6-8 bucks. Mind you we didn't see as many bigger bucks as last year. Lots of spikes and deuces. Once she tagged out on a 3x2 we saw a few solid four pts but didn't manage to get close enough to let a shaft fly.

SSS

[lovemywinchester]

It's not necessarily all driving.
I walked into a bunch of cut blocks and glassed areas far away.
All I was looking for is to spook a deer or two.
At least I would then know they are there.
I've spooked more deer on the paved roads in Chilliwack when I go fishing.

You don't see deer anywhere,
Duallie guides you into a nice buck at 100 yds and you can't kill it,
You hijack a Region 3 thread to blabber on about how many animals you don't see in Region 8.
Do us all a favour and turn off your computer and go hunting. Take pics and vids and report back in a month.

[Bugle M In]

You don't see deer anywhere,
Duallie guides you into a nice buck at 100 yds and you can't kill it,
You hijack a Region 3 thread to blabber on about how many animals you don't see in Region 8.
Do us all a favour and turn off your computer and go hunting. Take pics and vids and report back in a month.

:biggrin:.............................:biggrin:

[adriaticum]

You don't see deer anywhere,
Duallie guides you into a nice buck at 100 yds and you can't kill it,
You hijack a Region 3 thread to blabber on about how many animals you don't see in Region 8.
Do us all a favour and turn off your computer and go hunting. Take pics and vids and report back in a month.

Chief, if you keep humping my leg you might wet my shoes and I just polished them.
Granted, talking about region 8 in a region 3 thread doesn't make sense.
But I mentioned it because I was on the border between the regions and switching back and forth.
But to keep you happy I will tell the deer in region 3 not to mix with deer in region 8 so we can keep the two separate.

[Fisher-Dude]

shit I have a hard enough time picking up deer browsing at 300 yards sometimes...I couldn't imagine spotting them at a mile unless they were skylined or moving quite a bit this time of year...once the snow hits its a different story, but they sure are good at blending in with just the smallest of shrubbery around



I have a vortex scope and bios, 2 seasons on the bios now, 4 on the scope...no issues at all


I've diagnosed your problem for you. The good news is, there is a solution.

[Whonnock Boy]

I've diagnosed your problem for you. The good news is, there is a solution.

Bahahhahaha!!!

[alpinetreker]

That's awesome. Where is it?:-D

[howa1500]

This has to be top ten best threads ever!

[OutWest]

Less computer and more hunting might help.

[BigfishCanada]

My buddy smoked a nice 4 point on Saturday. Deer are dropping.

Hmmm, thought you didnt have any buddies anymore, heard you fell in love........

This year it took my son a whole 6 hours to tag his deer and right before he shot it he said i quote "There are no deer this year???"

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10479911_10152385031681523_9185629163057560542_o.j pg

[bosca]

Less computer and more hunting might help.
I'm with you....
See ya...

[OutWest]

I'm with you....
See ya...

Wasn't directed at you.

[lovemywinchester]

Hmmm, thought you didnt have any buddies anymore, heard you fell in love........

This year it took my son a whole 6 hours to tag his deer and right before he shot it he said i quote "There are no deer this year???"



Love is a beautiful thing. I love my new 270 Ruger Hawkeye. It works pretty well! Used it yesterday morning to kill this fat, region 3 mulie. We saw 15 bucks yesterday. Only two 4 points and the one was pushing it. Deer were all over the place in the afternoon and I got some good vids of bucks scrapping. The deer were all huge bodied so I think they had a great summer of stuffing their faces. Looks like the deer are doing ok in the areas of 3 where we were.

http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l573/zippogold/14mulie_zps59545ec3.jpg (http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/zippogold/media/14mulie_zps59545ec3.jpg.html)

[Stone Sheep Steve]

Hmmm, thought you didnt have any buddies anymore, heard you fell in love........

This year it took my son a whole 6 hours to tag his deer and right before he shot it he said i quote "There are no deer this year???"

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t31.0-8/10479911_10152385031681523_9185629163057560542_o.j pg

Congrats!!

Took my daughter longer this year to fill her Reg 3 muley tag. Last year she was tagged out by 6:28am opening day. This year it took her until 6:40am opening day.
Effin youths are shooting all the deer! :mrgreen:

SSS

[Husky7mm]

Shitty.
I've driven 1000s of km on FSRs and saw a few does.
Other than a few select spots that hold deer I haven't seen anything.
Logging and cattle are doing a number on deer.
Frankly, cattle grazing shouldn't be allowed on crown land.
Some private ranches have millions of acres of land and still graze their cattle on public land and compete with deer for food.
Cattle actually open up the Forest and keep the grass trimmed so it's always lush and green instead of coarse and seeded out. Outside of winter range I think its impossible to run out of feed, it will be buried under 2-4 ft of snow long before it is consumed. Buffalo did that before cattle and deer and elk followed. Cattle should not be allowed at large on winter range.

[russm86]

A buddy and I saw well over a dozen bucks in 2 hrs last night and probably 30 to 40 deer maybe more in total. We got sick of counting so just checked number of points on the bucks and moved on... We were hunting private land though that he has permission to hunt...

[BearStump]

ive seen a few dandy bucks taken out of really high pressure areas in reg 3 already. Imo if buck like that are coming out of really busy high pressure areas, there must be alot more back a little further from the traffic.

[Kami]

Well this is the start of year 4 for me trying to find a 4 pt in Region 3. Year one barely counts, pretty green, just getting out there learning. 2 more seasons behind me, still trying to hook up with a 4 pt. Have caught 1 on my trail cam. And it sure ain't from lack of effort. I get out of the truck every day I hunt. I walk, follow game trails, bait them. I walk the dark timber. Walk 50 yards inside edges of cut blocks. I hunt right up to closing day, quite regularly. As an example been out 4 times so far this year. I go extra hard in Nov and Dec pulling pre-dawn to dusk hunt days in the snow. I drive the extra 1/2 hour past where others go. I stay away from busy areas like Jamieson and Tunkwa. See a ton of does. Some days I see upwards of 40 does and no bucks. Yes they are out there. I have just not been able to hook up personally with one. It will happen and I am not giving up or whining about it. Like the past 2 years, I start out saying, this is my year. I have seen a few bucks 3 points and less but nowhere near the does I see. Less than 1% bucks I'd say compared to does I see out there. The stuff I read on here, that others are seeing. I shake my head and wonder. Where the heck do I have to go to see 12 bucks in one evening out hunting? Private land? I know you can't believe everything you read on here, but if the photos and stories in this thread are true, and all from region 3, that's awesome! There's hope for me!

[Grousedaddy]

Kami theres nothing wrong with hunting jamieson that fsr leads to so many other places.... Yes its busy but theres a load of deer up there my first year hunting only deer me and my partner said we will hunt jamieson exclusively for the year because we know there are bucks there.. Well it was oct 30th last day of any buck and we dropped a 4x3 around stuart lk.. We seen prob 20 hunters that day and hundreds all season but we connected in the mist high pressure area of kamloops on a 4x3 to boot.. its a great area that hold hundreds of deer and 90% of the ppl that hunt jamieson road hunt so right there that puts you at an advantage.. Good luck and hope you connect this year if you have any ?s pm me

[Darksith]

I've diagnosed your problem for you. The good news is, there is a solution.

haha, I also have a swaro spotting scope...so now whats the diagnosis doc?

I think last season I posted 2 moose and 2 mulies that went down in our group, how many animals down did FD post? Or how about 2012, or 2011, or 2010? Has he posted one ever?

[Fisher-Dude]

The search function is your friend. Hope you don't look for it with your Vortex eyeglasses though. ;)

[Darksith]

The search function is your friend. Hope you don't look for it with your Vortex eyeglasses though. ;)

me vortex glass spots em just fine tanks...all in good fun, and I did search threads started by you...maybe it got lost in the sea of hockey and open chat threads

[russm86]

This is in response to Kami's post, for some reason the reply with quote didnt work.

That's all you can do, and the 12 bucks in a single 2 hr evening is rare for me, though this was my first time hunting private land so maybe it is normal for that. On crown land I do usually see at least one buck every outing, whether it is even in season or not or I actually have a chance at it is another thing. I was just making a point to this thread that there is still lots of deer around in Region 3 is all. Sounds like you are doing everything right, just need to keep at it, maybe get out a little more, it's all about time in the bush. The more time in the bush the more you will see and find all which increases your chances. No matter how good a hunter you are, there is still a huge amount of luck that is required, all you can do is spend as much time out there as possible and try to increase your odds by spending that time in areas the deer seem to have higher numbers. I have been hunting locally in region 3 for 18 yrs and I have been out probably a dozen times this month already compared to your 4 so don't get discouraged because you haven't been seeing as much as myself or any other hunters.

[Fisher-Dude]

I get out of the truck every day I hunt.


So do I, but just to take a leak, then it's back to being a road hammer for me!

[adriaticum]

Well this is the start of year 4 for me trying to find a 4 pt in Region 3. Year one barely counts, pretty green, just getting out there learning. 2 more seasons behind me, still trying to hook up with a 4 pt. Have caught 1 on my trail cam. And it sure ain't from lack of effort. I get out of the truck every day I hunt. I walk, follow game trails, bait them. I walk the dark timber. Walk 50 yards inside edges of cut blocks. I hunt right up to closing day, quite regularly. As an example been out 4 times so far this year. I go extra hard in Nov and Dec pulling pre-dawn to dusk hunt days in the snow. I drive the extra 1/2 hour past where others go. I stay away from busy areas like Jamieson and Tunkwa. See a ton of does. Some days I see upwards of 40 does and no bucks. Yes they are out there. I have just not been able to hook up personally with one. It will happen and I am not giving up or whining about it. Like the past 2 years, I start out saying, this is my year. I have seen a few bucks 3 points and less but nowhere near the does I see. Less than 1% bucks I'd say compared to does I see out there. The stuff I read on here, that others are seeing. I shake my head and wonder. Where the heck do I have to go to see 12 bucks in one evening out hunting? Private land? I know you can't believe everything you read on here, but if the photos and stories in this thread are true, and all from region 3, that's awesome! There's hope for me!



Sounds like you and I are rowing the same boat, lol.
I think the key is to find the right habitat and store that in your memory banks.
I would think most folks here were bull shitting if Sofa King didn't take me to one of his honey holes and showed me that deer do in fact exist.
And in great numbers in some areas.
The timber up there is not as thick as it is down here on the coast. You can actually walk through it.
We saw deer and moose sign in every little patch of timber.
But it is completely different habitat than I have spend most of my hunting in.
And no wonder I didn't see a whole lot.
Because of all the logging and access to almost everywhere down here deer must be crowding in a fewer number of good areas.
So now I'm driving around looking for this kind of habitat.

[brig]

Deer are everywhere in region 3 but there's always small pockets in every area that have greater concentrations of deer. Aka 'honey holes'. If you spend enough time in an area you will find these pockets and you will see your success go way up. It took me 5 years of hunting to get my first deer and now I have no problem getting 1 or 2 deer every year. Just get to know a small particular area very well instead of covering hundreds of km of area and not know any of it well.

[Darksith]

Deer are everywhere in region 3 but there's always small pockets in every area that have greater concentrations of deer. Aka 'honey holes'. If you spend enough time in an area you will find these pockets and you will see your success go way up. It took me 5 years of hunting to get my first deer and now I have no problem getting 1 or 2 deer every year. Just get to know a small particular area very well instead of covering hundreds of km of area and not know any of it well.
great post...

I have several spots that I hunt deer annually. Some are early season spots, others are late season spots. I have spent a ton of days (over 50) in each spot. Most are simply a burn, a block or 2, etc...nothing that you can't hunt on foot 100% in a day. These are the areas I am most successful in, and they are my "go to" spots when the freezer is looking pathetic.

Other types of spots for me are a network of roads that are in say a 10km square area. I know each block intimately, I know when one needs to get out and walk over a little rise, or where there are hidden swamps that everyone else simply drives by. But either way I have spent so much time in that area I know it better than most. This is the way to success hunting, its great to see new country and learn new areas, but just driving through somewhere doesn't allow you to really understand how the animals interact with that area. You gotta get your boots on the ground to understand how the animals utilize the country side.

[horshur]

so there are 52 weeks in a year that is 52 weekends at 116 days a year but how many of those days are useful? probably the last few weeks of August till Christmas which will be about 36 days for useful scouting in a year for deer to pattern and hunt... for hunting season the average working stiff if he spends time on moose or sheep it is time not hunting deer so deduct from the above...lets say a real avid deer hunter could tie up 20 days a year for deer..... now we are getting into the meat of things.
Lets say you have five good spots you spent 50 days each in prime time....20 divided by 5 is 4....4 days a year you have to each spot in order to dedicate 50 days per honey hole it is going to take 12 years.....hmmm? how much will a cutblock change in that time??? think about it???

I have felt for some time that you start to get a feel for things in a area after twenty years....I think I just proved it. Most of us work for a living, our hunting is limited to the weekend... and we are further restricted by regulations.. most avid hunters in BC have and average of 12 days a year to hunt deer or less........

it is wonder any deer are killed really......

[4 point]

Out yesterday in Reg 3. Raining most of the day but saw 12 mule deer (no shooters), some grouse, rabbits etc. The deer are there if you look in good deer habitat. Hours in the field and basic knowledge of dear goes a long way to ones success. Oh yah get out there early and work hard at it will get results.

[curt]

I would venture to say the deer in region 3 hell the animals in ever region will be acting differently and changing their patterns lots as the pressure of predators increase and they are increasing large in many area's so seeing them in the typical spots year after year may just be changing just a thought

[Sofa King]

I would venture to say the deer in region 3 hell the animals in ever region will be acting differently and changing their patterns lots as the pressure of predators increase and they are increasing large in many area's so seeing them in the typical spots year after year may just be changing just a thought

very true.
add to that the increasing clear-cuts every year.

[RebuiltMosin]

Haven't seen that many bucks but seen a ton of does recently, and the way I figure it keep track of the does the Bucks will appear I mean how many dudes do you know who avoid bars with women? Then again been chasing fowl mostly with the dogs just been marking down signs and sittings.

[Darksith]

so there are 52 weeks in a year that is 52 weekends at 116 days a year but how many of those days are useful? probably the last few weeks of August till Christmas which will be about 36 days for useful scouting in a year for deer to pattern and hunt... for hunting season the average working stiff if he spends time on moose or sheep it is time not hunting deer so deduct from the above...lets say a real avid deer hunter could tie up 20 days a year for deer..... now we are getting into the meat of things.
Lets say you have five good spots you spent 50 days each in prime time....20 divided by 5 is 4....4 days a year you have to each spot in order to dedicate 50 days per honey hole it is going to take 12 years.....hmmm? how much will a cutblock change in that time??? think about it???

I have felt for some time that you start to get a feel for things in a area after twenty years....I think I just proved it. Most of us work for a living, our hunting is limited to the weekend... and we are further restricted by regulations.. most avid hunters in BC have and average of 12 days a year to hunt deer or less........

it is wonder any deer are killed really......
You assume that moose and deer don't inhabit the same area's in region 3. Also you assume we hunters must not live close to hunting grounds, and that our trips only produce one species...Last year for our Moose LEH we also bagged 2 mulies. It all happened in a day and a half. I have a honey hole that holds both, and thats where we were. Also a block will change yes, but there are always new blocks, and they don't change that quickly. The burn I hunt is from '03...a lot of that area doesn't really hold any deer, but there are a few spots there, and I have been hunting those spots for 6 years now. I hunt deer way more than 12 days a year, thats for sure. No LEH for moose or other specials, so I hunt deer and immy bulls out my back door. Pick a spot, you don't need to be told where to go, just pick one, if you see deer, go back, hunt it exclusively for the season, if you don't succeed then don't go back next year

[horshur]

You assume that moose and deer don't inhabit the same area's in region 3. Also you assume we hunters must not live close to hunting grounds, and that our trips only produce one species...Last year for our Moose LEH we also bagged 2 mulies. It all happened in a day and a half. I have a honey hole that holds both, and thats where we were. Also a block will change yes, but there are always new blocks, and they don't change that quickly. The burn I hunt is from '03...a lot of that area doesn't really hold any deer, but there are a few spots there, and I have been hunting those spots for 6 years now. I hunt deer way more than 12 days a year, thats for sure. No LEH for moose or other specials, so I hunt deer and immy bulls out my back door. Pick a spot, you don't need to be told where to go, just pick one, if you see deer, go back, hunt it exclusively for the season, if you don't succeed then don't go back next year

that is a nother thing...it is kinda hard to wrack up the days in a spot if it is a good one.cause you are succesfull eh???

sorry I am being a bit of an asshole here just threw some numbers out there.. we are all hunters and like to "Draw the longbow".

[Sofa King]

that is a nother thing...it is kinda hard to wrack up the days in a spot if it is a good one.cause you are succesfull eh???

sorry I am being a bit of an asshole here just threw some numbers out there.. we are all hunters and like to "Draw the longbow".

not quite true.
I'm in my areas all throughout the year.
on a fishing trip, i'll take a boo in an area to see what's happening in it.
a free day when doing nothing else, i'll whip up and go for a big hike.
and even after I've gotten my animal, or the season has even ended, I'm still out hiking it.
every minute spent in an area teaches you more about it.

[Ltbullken]

I think they are healthy. Every time I went out last year I had my choice of mulie bucks. Eventually took one with a big body. Went out yesterday for a couple hours for some fartlek scouting and scoped up on a couple spikers waiting for them to turn to see if they were whitetails, which I didn't think they were...and they weren't! I've seen more deer in the last 2 years than I have previously so I'd say they are doing well in Reg 3. At least in my local area.

[keithb7]

Re region 3: Well I drove a little farther today than I have been. I parked, got out and walked. Came up real close to 2 does on foot. Saw 3 moose, if you can believe it. 1 mature bull and 2 cows. Fairly close to each other too, so I wonder if the bull was kinda hanging around checking out the chicks? Saw another 5 mule deer and 1 monster #$#-ing buck. I don't normally curse too much on here but I could not believe the size of the sum biyotch. I had hiked up a hill and then on too a clear cut from above. Looking down glassing I saw a deer. Thought it was a doe at first. Leupold range finder measured it at 658 yards. It took some time to see the rack. He was in among some branches from fallen trees. My heart beat elevated. Indeed it was a buck. Biggest one I have seen in person. I decided to sneak in closer. Now at 450 yards crawling on my stomach I saw the rack. OMG! Still, 450 yards is too far for my 270 win. I was hunting alone today. I texted a buddy to be sure he was around to help with extraction if I dropped this beast. He gave me the thumbs up. It was time to duck in closer. I hit the dark timber on the edge of the cut and slowly, quietly walked closer. When I got to where I expected the buck to be, he had vanished. Gone. Nowhere to be seen. Wind was in my face too. He must have heard me somehow and bolted. I spent another hour in the area trying to spot him again. No luck. Holy crap that was an exciting morning. I will be back there soon. It was an area with only foot access.

Yes Virginia, there are big bucks in region 3. I would have been screwed to get him out of there, but would have found a way. It's true, you gotta get out of the truck and off the FSR's. On foot. You gotta work for them. Tunes cranked with the heat on in your 4x4 is not working for them.

[Darksith]

you can always get them out...thats the last thing I worry about, don't put the cart before the horse, although in the heat without a pack I get it. Anyway, was out myself again today, same general area that I always go...still not sure why I keep going back there, right now...its way further than other deer spots for me, but its where we camp every year looking for immy's. Found a pretty big moose, seen bigger in that area, but hes top 10 anyway and he was with a cow. Also found 10 or so does, no bucks, lots of ravens...its still too hot out. Hopefully the deer don't move out of that area in the next 3 weeks and the rut can happen up on my plateau rather than down the valley. Sorry no pics, left the phone at home, and the vid cam had a dead battery...I did attempt to get some footage of the big moose.

[tomcat]

Whats the general consensus on Deer numbers in Reg. 3? (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?110500-Whats-the-general-consensus-on-Deer-numbers-in-Reg-3)


They are much better tasting recycled through a cougar.

[Darksith]

Whats the general consensus on Deer numbers in Reg. 3? (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?110500-Whats-the-general-consensus-on-Deer-numbers-in-Reg-3)


They are much better tasting recycled through a cougar.
you eat cougar scat?