Mule deer 5-2

[LYKTOHUNT]

I have been reading some of the comments on mule deer in 7B and was curious about mule deer numbers in 5-2. IN my experience numbers I have and my hunting partners have seen in the last few years are diminishing with last year being pitifull. I have my own thoughts as to why this is but was hoping to hear from others their thoughts whether that be scientific or personal observasion.
It would seem that low numbers are a common thread in many regions.
What do you think it is - predation ,weather,industry etc.

[KB90]

Well I think you and I both will blame it on the same thing, wolves.

I remember driving the nyland lake roads J, A etc. and seeing up to 50 deer a day. Friends of ours had shared moose draws out there this year, and stayed for 2 weeks, In that time we only seen 11 mule deer and 6 whitetails (although we weren't looking for deer), and these were the same deer everyday. One guy shot a 2 point mulie, and you shot a small whitey buck. Out of the groups out there, we know of three wolves that were shot, one shot by a guy with us. Every night in the cabin we could hear wolves howling just at dark.

This winter the couple times I drove out there after fresh snowfall to go coyote hunting I came across numerous sets of fresh wolf tracks every time.

[LYKTOHUNT]

Yes Kyle I do blame it on wolves and We had the same results as you last year actually worse as in our Nov hunt no one shot or even had the opportunity to shoot a buck.
I was reluctant to say it was wolves as on a post some time ago I mentioned my thoughts on the wolf situation and one of the members on here (I think he is banned now)suggested that the problem was I was on my quad to much and wolves cant possibly eat ALL the deer.
Any trips this winter I have made into this area resulted in me seeing many wolf tracks.
I would still like to hear anyone else,s observations or thoughts

[thatskindafunny]

Hunted the Horesfly area for about 14 years since 1994. We would hunt around Lemon Lake, Sucker Lake and our at the time Secret Spot. While out hunting the first 8 to 10 years we would see zero (0) hunters. The only person we would bump into was the guide and a few of his clients. We got our deer every year. They later had a 4 point or better season for 6 years. We saw more deer then than we ever did. We never came home empty handed. They then open it to an any buck in November and mentioned that a certain road was now open. Sucker Lake Road. Bingo, couldn't move for hunters. They have also done a whole wack of logging. I haven't been back for the last 4 seasons. My partner has and said I should try and remember it the way it was. You can see for miles. If I was a mule deer I think I would change my migration route and so should the hunter. And yes there are alot of wolves. They are not to be the only blame. kindasadwhenyouthinkaboutit

[shaner338]

Hunted the Horesfly area for about 14 years since 1994. We would hunt around Lemon Lake, Sucker Lake and our at the time Secret Spot. While out hunting the first 8 to 10 years we would see zero (0) hunters. The only person we would bump into was the guide and a few of his clients. We got our deer every year. They later had a 4 point or better season for 6 years. We saw more deer then than we ever did. We never came home empty handed. They then open it to an any buck in November and mentioned that a certain road was now open. Sucker Lake Road. Bingo, couldn't move for hunters. They have also done a whole wack of logging. I haven't been back for the last 4 seasons. My partner has and said I should try and remember it the way it was. You can see for miles. If I was a mule deer I think I would change my migration route and so should the hunter. And yes there are alot of wolves. They are not to be the only blame. kindasadwhenyouthinkaboutit
X2...
Hit the nail on the head there!

[rocketrob]

few years back mule deer got some type of bug or disease and there numbers started to drop.i know a guy that uses to see few hundred deer migrate out of mountains around horsefly.this year only seen 30 to 40 deer migrate. region 5 moose population is stable.we do have a wolf problem.a pack of wolf have to kill something every few days to kept pack alive.between hard winters,wolf ,cougar and hunters the deer population is going to have hard time getting back to what it use to be 15 to 20 years ago.

[Jelvis]

Since you brought it up ...Mu-5-2 east of the Fraser river...Huge unit north of 70 Mile on Hwy 97 and west to near Dog creek ladies and genteeel men then north to Qwezznel east to the Swift River cuts down by Likely then south side of Quesnel Lake across Horsefly Lake and along Hendrix Creek..Big country
Good places to hunt within are
From Exeter and logging roads extending north and west
Dog Creek - Williams Lake road
Spout Lake road
From Rail Lake
From 111 Mile, the Chub Lake road for east of Hwy 97
from 150 Mile
from McLeese the Likely road east
the Kersley road 20 km south of Quesnel
and the Dragon lake road south east from Quesnel itself or run south from the old Barkerville Hwy 26, which leaves Hwy 97 just north of Quesnel
My hunting buddy loves hunting in on the Likely road east from McLeese Lake 48 km north of Williams Lake big bucks whoa..be there or be totally square..
and the Kersley road 20 km south of Qwezzy nel lol..huge
Don't forget the Dragon Lake road for monsters too ...
One more you want wide racks on the muley kind ..drum rollllllll
..............What is.........Lac la Hache
Jelly Mu 5-2 is all you need to do for big guns .. number 1 Wide and high
On the fly POW! Hey! Got a huge muley buck.... Whoa
Did I miss anything?

[todbartell]

I hunted 5-2 in 2008 for antlerless, in 3 days of hunting there was deer sightings, but not a ton. Seen one fork horn buck and about a dozen does/fawns. No moose

[muledeercrazy]

I hunted the williams lake area for about 5 years in row, and really noticed that several things made a big difference to the number of deer that were sighted. One was the huge number of leh draws for does in the wintering grounds. The deer were pressured alot harder than I had ever seen them. The other thing was the chance to take two 4 pointers in one season. Myself and hunting partner both had several trips into that area where we both took a pair of 4 pointers. I now regret it, I think one good buck in one area is enough..

[srupp]

Lots of cougar
lots of wolves
lots of hunters from Region 3 and Lower Mainland..

The numbers of deer are down BIG TIME...as are the #s of mature bucks..

I have hunted Lemon Lake, Sucker lake Meldrum Creek, Mcleese lake etc etc etc..#s are down easily over 50%...

Steven

[muledeercrazy]

Lots of cougar
lots of wolves
lots of hunters from Region 3 and Lower Mainland..

The numbers of deer are down BIG TIME...as are the #s of mature bucks..

I have hunted Lemon Lake, Sucker lake Meldrum Creek, Mcleese lake etc etc etc..#s are down easily over 50%...

Steven

i have to agree with the cougar numbers being up.. i have been in and out of that area a couple times in the last few years and both times i would have had good chances at decent toms if i had a tag. I stopped at a friends ranch by the fraser river and was also suprised at how many coyotes were around..

The number of hunters probably has alot to do with the leh draws for does. That really turned some areas into blood baths. The places i used to hunt i would never see anyone but the odd local on the weekend, at least untill the last couple of years we hunted there.. By then the number of out of town hunters had gone up quite a bit.

[LYKTOHUNT]

Good points from all, there is one thing in the area I hunt we see very little hunting pressure so in that particular spot I don,t think hunter pressure is very high

[MichelD]

Well, I know hunting ain't a sure thing. At least it's never been for me in 40 years, and I sure learned that last year.

I stopped in to see a friend in 5-2 for a couple days last October on my way to Quesnel moose hunting and we went out to some of his favourite spots for two days and saw very few deer. I managed to catch a glimpse of some does on my own one morning.

We saw very few other hunters.

On the way back south I went up to the same area and spent an evening and morning slowly cruising a huge cut block on foot for no sightings again.

[Jelvis]

Don 4 get fella's and felines ..> Region 5 <...... /// Rock$ On! /// ------>
Cariboo hoo lots a whining want cheese with that Whine?
McLeese is mighty Fine .... >.. All The Time .. friend a mine ..
Highway 20 or Highway 97 there's a seven eleven some where between the boundaries of Mu 5-2=7
East of Willy's Pond .. PBR kinda stuff in the ruff .. Pro Bull Riding ..Ride With Pride..
Reach out and touch a moose or monster muley @ or from McLeese Lake don't hezzi tate .. LEH
150 Mile House, Lac la Hache, Do you know the way of the San Jose ......... River?
From 100 to Willys with the filly's for four pointers and spike- forkage .. bull moose
Up to the Cottonwood River that is..bucks .. bulls ..does and cows ..
Antlerless no less no more put the pedal to the floor let's go!
Or go up the stump at no viagra so climb Niagara, .... Creek I ain't jokin
....Look it up 4 yer self ... on the east end of Quesnel lake and down into?
......> Horsefly River fill your quiver one in the liver ...1234 ABCD ...Yir a leee del greee deee ..lol
ALlllllllll the way down to Dog again the Creek bow-wow doggy doo cariboo
What's your problem I''ll solve it give me the hook the DJ revolves it I jelp you. lol.... or or yah the the ........the Big Valley River .>
MU 5-2 ... Victoria Creek .. Swift .. Quesnel River .. Cariboo River .. Abbou Creek is on the northern line boundary like a fish and a flander a goose and a gander Hendrix Creek with Jimmy .. Purple Haze .. All Along the Watch Tower ..
I saw a humoungus mule buck I jumped out of the Bronco and blew a moccasin ..
Went walkin stopped talkin to my buddy saw a moose up McLeese .. It's cool wear fleece huntin geese?
Jel-Star Production Maps and Logisticks .. don b slow you mi$$ed it .. no lip sticks .. Logisticks only .. No ball loney
Jelly .. Take a walk around this MU to eeeez yor trubbled minds ...
A great net-work of roads inter laces the park lands and ridges remember Bo Bridges?
Lying between Quesnel Lake in the north and Canim lake on the south .. Motor mouth or or .....
Motor Head ..
fair mulies and moose hunting
I'm Spout ... ing off (hint) Lake road ... lol ... gotts b Swift don't Kers me Al
Lee.
111 yes I said one eleven ///
Go north young hunter above Canim Lake fair huntin for swampers ..
Hungry? Want to go for a late night snack? From skinny to CHUB eeeee hint.
Horses can Fly = Horsefly on your neck OUCH! ... I gotta Exeter (ht)..
Jel - Vi$ ...100 Mile .. DO You know the way to San Jose' from 100 Mile to Williams Lake .. ?
Keep yer head up keep yer head up .. Who Dat! ... Doooopid ... lol ... >

[LYKTOHUNT]

All I can say is WOW Jelvis that last post was way out of the park$
you know parkini martini bikini zukini you autta see my nuts out of there,thats what I am talkin about:???:

[betteroffishing]

oh sh-t , its spreading.

[Jelvis]

Pistols and Two Lips or Gunz and Roses .. lol .. They Shoot horses don't they?
Patty Page .. Was the rage .. I'm showing my AGE .. getin older ..
I'm older now butt I'm still runnin against the wind... Chilli for $upper ..
Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band .. Well firm and high .. Night Moves ..
Jelvi$ ... Who's going to ride that chrome three wheeler? Fire Lake

[moose hide]

I've Been Hunting The Gang Ranch For A Few Years Or Two Now. What I've Noticed Is Less Hunters In My Little Spot. Why??? Because Of Of The Wolves. Not Much Left For Deer. 2 And 3 Years Ago The Wolves Were Houling Next To Camp, Make The Hair On Your Neck Stand Up But Was A Real Good Experiance. Also One Of The Buddys Had A Cat Tracking Him, Lucky For Him He Stopped For His Lunch And The Big Cat Was Sneaking Up. He Had The Gun At The Ready But The Cat Relized The Gig Was Up, They Parted Ways.
Now Last Season We Came Across 6 Or 8 Kills From The Winter--just A Pile Of Bones Skattered Around. But No More Wolves Were Heard At Night. I'm Hoping They Have Left The Area. We Did See A Couple Of Deer More Than The Last Few Seasons But Are They Ever Spooky. They Will Come Back.just Needs Some Time. It's Not Always About The Kill Or The Meat. What Counts Is The Great Out Doors And Spending Time With Your Buddy's And Kids.
Moose Hide

[Jelvis]

Gang Ranch is in MU 5-3 quite different genetics and habitat with massive migration towards the Fraser River breaks .. Jake
Jel

[moose hide]

Now The Prince George Area Was A Real Slow Hunt Last Season. Not A Whole Lot Of Game Around. Yes We Have Plenty Of Wolves In This Area. With The Hot Dry Summer And All The Pine Beattle Tree's Taken Down Where Do You Think The Animals Are. Close To Water And Tree's ?? Ask The Buctcher Shops If Lots Came In Or Not. I Know Some Guys Got Their Moose, Right Place At The Right Time. Wasn't Me.
All I Can Say Is Take Your Fishing Rod And Go Fishing When It Gets To Warm . Better Luck This Year Boys...... Moose Hide

[Jelvis]

Prince George is in Region 7

[Hunterguy]

If you have had the oppurtunity to hunt region 5-2 or 3 on a long weekend with a leh for does you will realize that nothing last for ever, total gong show. Sooner than later you will only have stories of the hunt for generations to come, sorta like our salmon stocks.

[LYKTOHUNT]

If you have had the oppurtunity to hunt region 5-2 or 3 on a long weekend with a leh for does you will realize that nothing last for ever, total gong show. Sooner than later you will only have stories of the hunt for generations to come, sorta like our salmon stocks.
I guess we are lucky in our little area of 5-2 in that we dont see many hunters there.

[.330 Dakota]

Don 4 get fella's and felines ..> Region 5 <...... /// Rock$ On! /// ------>
Cariboo hoo lots a whining want cheese with that Whine?
McLeese is mighty Fine .... >.. All The Time .. friend a mine ..
Highway 20 or Highway 97 there's a seven eleven some where between the boundaries of Mu 5-2=7
East of Willy's Pond .. PBR kinda stuff in the ruff .. Pro Bull Riding ..Ride With Pride..
Reach out and touch a moose or monster muley @ or from McLeese Lake don't hezzi tate .. LEH
150 Mile House, Lac la Hache, Do you know the way of the San Jose ......... River?
From 100 to Willys with the filly's for four pointers and spike- forkage .. bull moose
Up to the Cottonwood River that is..bucks .. bulls ..does and cows ..
Antlerless no less no more put the pedal to the floor let's go!
Or go up the stump at no viagra so climb Niagara, .... Creek I ain't jokin
....Look it up 4 yer self ... on the east end of Quesnel lake and down into?
......> Horsefly River fill your quiver one in the liver ...1234 ABCD ...Yir a leee del greee deee ..lol
ALlllllllll the way down to Dog again the Creek bow-wow doggy doo cariboo
What's your problem I''ll solve it give me the hook the DJ revolves it I jelp you. lol.... or or yah the the ........the Big Valley River .>
MU 5-2 ... Victoria Creek .. Swift .. Quesnel River .. Cariboo River .. Abbou Creek is on the northern line boundary like a fish and a flander a goose and a gander Hendrix Creek with Jimmy .. Purple Haze .. All Along the Watch Tower ..
I saw a humoungus mule buck I jumped out of the Bronco and blew a moccasin ..
Went walkin stopped talkin to my buddy saw a moose up McLeese .. It's cool wear fleece huntin geese?
Jel-Star Production Maps and Logisticks .. don b slow you mi$$ed it .. no lip sticks .. Logisticks only .. No ball loney
Jelly .. Take a walk around this MU to eeeez yor trubbled minds ...
A great net-work of roads inter laces the park lands and ridges remember Bo Bridges?
Lying between Quesnel Lake in the north and Canim lake on the south .. Motor mouth or or .....
Motor Head ..
fair mulies and moose hunting
I'm Spout ... ing off (hint) Lake road ... lol ... gotts b Swift don't Kers me Al
Lee.
111 yes I said one eleven ///
Go north young hunter above Canim Lake fair huntin for swampers ..
Hungry? Want to go for a late night snack? From skinny to CHUB eeeee hint.
Horses can Fly = Horsefly on your neck OUCH! ... I gotta Exeter (ht)..
Jel - Vi$ ...100 Mile .. DO You know the way to San Jose' from 100 Mile to Williams Lake .. ?
Keep yer head up keep yer head up .. Who Dat! ... Doooopid ... lol ... >

Does this guy own guns? LOL

[frenchbar]

Does this guy own guns? LOL

no thank god:mrgreen: ..but hes got a juke box:-D:wink: