Deer Numbers Down

Started by recoil junky, July 24, 2017, 06:34:02 PM

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recoil junky

I'm not sure of the cause, but deer numbers on RJ's Deer Ranch seem to be down. I've only seen one set of twins hanging around with 8 - 10 does and a couple 2 points.  I usually see a bunch more by now. Maybe they are too hot, maybe not enough feed. I don't know, but I'm going to fill a water tank for the ones that are here in hopes word spreads that there's free water for all.

There is one dandy (in velvet) buck hanging around across the road where HB got his last year and he happens to be shading up in the same bed used by "Brutus" :jumpingsmiley: I will try and get a picture better than the one I sent HB and Bug.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Hunterbug

Hopefully more show up. Bug has a buck tag and Pea and I have PLO tags for either one. The girls both want bucks and I don't care.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

recoil junky

#2
Quote from: Hunterbug;148429The girls both want bucks and I don't care.

Yeah RIGHT!!!

Here's the fawns playing by the drain field:



HB, do you or Bug still have the picture of "Bug's" deer I sent you? If so can you post it here so "everyone" can see?

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

gitano

Yeah RIGHT!!!

Correct response!:biggthumpup:

Paul
Be nicer than necessary.

sakorick

If there be does around there will be Bucks at rut time and that's a fact!
Talk to yourself. There are times you need expert advice.

recoil junky

There be bucks!! This 'un we will call  "Bug's Buck" :antlers: and HB's doe because he doesn't care what he shoots. One for gGrampa Dale too!!!





and a couple more  two and three points.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Elkhamr

Hello all, perfect timing for this topic. RJ and I have been talking for about a month about how we were seeing a bunch of does but no fawns yet. Then on July 4th, the first set of fawns appeared with a doe that hangs out in my yard all day. After that for about 2 weeks there were about 7 does and all had fawns with 2 of the does having twins. Since then I've been seeing the does daily but have not seen a fawn in at least a week. All the same does are in my yard everyday but what would they have done with their fawns? This is not normal as I watch them every year and normally once the fawns,are strong enough to walk, they are with the does constantly laying in my yard. I've walked around the field across from my house and have found no fawns laying in the deep grass or signs of predation. It's a complete mystery to me!

sakorick

Not to worry.....she's got them hid close by and goes out to eat then goes back to nurse them. They still have spots right?
Talk to yourself. There are times you need expert advice.

Elkhamr

Yes they still have spots and were nursing right in the middle of the street last time I saw them. It's been awhile and I was curious why they would bring them out for a few dats then hide them again? In the past, once they were out they stayed out playing and romping around in my yard. They were chasing eachother like puppies last year around my neighbors old run down car.

gitano

I think that's a "bad sign". Once the fawns start showing up with the doe, they usually don't hide much after that. They are only 'odorless' for a few days, and "hiding" when your predator can smell you is a "bad plan". Once they get their 'deer smell', "hiding" isn't a viable anti-predation option. As for the spots, white-tail fawns keep those into the fall. I don't know about mulie fawns.

I suspect coyotes got 'em. Predators can do A LOT of damage to young ungulate populations. In Alaska, brown bears can take 100% of the dall sheep lamb production in a given locale. When black bear populations are up, they can take 80 to 90 percent of the moose calf production. One coyote can make a BIG dent in local fawn numbers.

Paul
Be nicer than necessary.

Elkhamr

I live in a residential area so there's no predators like coyotes, fox, lions etc. Every other year once the fawns were out they stayed out. They're all mule deer too so they're really domesticated to living in town. I can see the does still have full milksacks too so I'm hoping that's a sign the fawns are still suckling. Maybe they've turned them nocturnal for some reason? Possibly the heat is keeping them down during most daylight hours? I sure hope it's something like that because the mule deer here are really struggling. Mismanagement is mostly to blame but getting the FW&P to admit that will never happen.

recoil junky

Sackwatches . . . . . . . has t be. Good thing I have my 35 Whelen loaded for sackwatches.

It's a conundrum is what it is. I've NEVER EVER not seen does and fawns literally running amok at this time of year. I have had them in the yard for Pete's sake. IN THE YARD and Paul you know how big my yard is!!! Even on the irrigated alfalfa on the way to town there are very few fawns and way fewer deer in general than normal.

I wonder, could it be something like distemper? Maybe chronic wasting disease but that would be in the paper maybe, but like Hamr said the CDOW wouldn't admit to that either. Just sell more tags .. . . . . . . . . Antelope fawns are non-existent as well. Plenty of those maggots, just no fawns.

:end:

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

gitano

Let's hope they show up in droves when the weather cools.

Paul
Be nicer than necessary.

Elkhamr

I sure hope so because there were 7 does and 9 fawns all romping around in the small empty lot across from my house 50 yards away. Now it's just big fat old does grazing most of the day. RJ might be on to something with the Bigfoots running around...better load up a big gun and keep watch in case one comes after my little kitty cat.

Elkhamr

Has anyone been out knocking around checking out elk calf numbers this spring? I have not, and have not seen the big herd of cows that valve out close to town on a closed section of FW&P ground. They moved off early because of wolves I suspect and I wasent able to track then again.

recoil junky

That has me more worried than deer numbers really. Elk numbers were just starting to come back here after the winter of '07-'08.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Elkhamr

It worries me too, they're so stressed and on edge from wolf pressure that breeding is interrupted  and I think alot of cows abort from stress.

Elkhamr

The other situation that's very upsetting, is the shoulder hunts for cow elk before and after the general season. They're being hunted when they're calves are 5 months old, then run to death during the general season and yet again into late January when they're pregnant again. They never get to rest and anyone that's spent anytime viewing elk can see the damage it's doing. My son and I have quit hunting Elk as of this year, I quit 4yrs ago. My 14yr old son can see where Elk hunting is headed and wants no part of it. On one hand, it's better people are eating the Elk instead of them becoming Wolf poo, but it's another stresser, at extremely sensitive times in their lives they can't handle!

sakorick

So what's the bounty on Wolves?
Talk to yourself. There are times you need expert advice.

recoil junky

Quote from: sakorick;148504So what's the bounty on Wolves?

Satisfaction? Like shooting feral cats?

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Elkhamr

That's the kicker, every piece is wildlife management area and winter range is closed to wolf hunting. The FW&P let's the wolves have free reign on the stressed out Elk on winter eanges etc. They've lost complete control of managing wolves. All the activists get in the way of any kind of legislation that would allow wolves to be shot on sight like a coyote or other predator.

Hunterbug

I may have to take a trip to RJ's and make the coyotes feel unwelcome. Bug will take that buck and I'd be happy for her, as long as it's smaller than the one I got last year.:D
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

recoil junky

As I texted HB, I had the Super Binoculars out a couple nights ago and with careful glassing :rolleyes: I was able to spot 6 fawns with four does and a NEW larger buck hanging out with them on huntable property. Deer are still scarce as hen's teeth and had I not been "whistle bit" last night at work I would have stopped to get water and fill a couple tanks to "slake" their thirst. I'm sure water is a problem and they are drinking out of the large pond a half mile or so up the road. Not that that is "far" for a deer to hike for water, but I'm sure it tastes nasty about now in the August heat.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

gitano

Be nicer than necessary.

Elkhamr

Yes good you're seeing deer. The mature does are not coming to my yard anymore daily. Not sure where or why they've moved? Maybe they didn't like me calling them "Fat Momma" when they had their fawns down here?

recoil junky

Maybe they would like a more politically correct term like "Phat Momma"?

:MOGRIN: :MOGRIN:

Or some "bait" The Phat Mommas here like a mix of rolled oats, barley, corn and molasses for dessert after munching on my ASPEN TREES or a quick nip on my expansive yard. They were quite put out after I put the (4 foot) chain link fence back up and the (then two) fawns couldn't join them. Since the recent rains I've noticed (even though it might be my imagination)  the grass has greened up some.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Elkhamr

They were old bags with split ears, sides bulging like Hefers . They were FAT...not PHAT...lmao!!!

recoil junky

Quote from: sakorick;148476 They still have spots right?

Yes they still have spots but in another month they will begin to fade and by late October they will be totally gone as their winter hair grows in.

I will definitely miss Grampa Dale this year. His sharp wit and hunting stories are always entertaining.





Next year he will draw a tag .

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Hunterbug

Quote from: recoil junkyI will definitely miss Grampa Dale this year. His sharp wit and hunting stories are always entertaining.
 

 

 
Next year he will draw a tag .
 
RJ

 
We were all pretty bummed that he didn't draw. The girls were looking forward to hunting with him.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

recoil junky

These guys showed up and have been hanging around since hey have "fresh city water" to drink.



A "nothing fancy" 4X4 and a WIDE and HEAVY 3X2.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Elkhamr

Good to see bucks with a few years age. Hope they can survive another 2yrs and blow up into their full potential.

Hunterbug

Good to see, RJ. Now as long as they're there in October.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

recoil junky

AS per Elkhamr's request (and my needling) he wants to share these pictures of deer in his yard in Anaconda MT.

I like the Ramcharger!!! Wonder if it has a Hemi?









Thanks Hamr!!

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

gitano

Be nicer than necessary.

recoil junky

From last night. They were checking out the bird feeder/anti ring neck dove attachment.



The fawns are just starting to lose their spots Paul.
 
RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

JaDub

Am I looking at a MOWED yard RJ ??

Elkhamr

Glad someone is still seeing deer, I think I mentioned to RJ that I haven't seen a single deer since the daily deer parade came and went last week. The weather has been in the low to mis 70s with a breeze everyday and smokey so I don't think the heat could have driven them away. Thank you for posting those pics buddy, prior years we would have had a handful of fawns with those does.

recoil junky

Quote from: JaDub;148705Am I looking at a MOWED yard RJ ??

Not in that picture, but I mowed it this morning. The lawn is so huge you know ;)

Elkhamr, I hope the deer come back in your area. Not seeing fawns now is just odd.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

recoil junky

HOLY :cens:



This bruiser was on the hill North of the house last night just before dark. I didn't know I got the rest of the Three Stooges in the picture until I downloaded them just now. LUCKY shot.

HB, make sure the girls see these?

Yes, the bruiser is the same buck as in post #6.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Hunterbug

Nice! Payton is excited. She's already said that she's not shooting a doe.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

Hunterbug

Payton said that Hunter has to shoot faster and straighter than she does.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

Elkhamr

Wow...that is a bruiser. Nice work RJ

recoil junky

I CAN DRIVE!! So yesterday after therapy I drove up the road to look for deer etc. No guns, but the deer don't really pay much attention to shooting anyway. I saw plenty of does and fawns but no bucks. NONE, NADA, ZIP, ZERO. Nope, not even a forked horn. I want to sit on the deck and really glass the sage but my deck chairs are too low to comfortably get out of yet. I know  Brutus is still hiding out either on my property or Chuck's.

Nearly a month ago I did have a run in with a bow hunter who I let hunt last year. Chuck alerted me to his activity and he was saying he had permission to hunt my place, Jim's and Kevin's. I said no, Jim died, so you evidently can talk to th dead. Maybe I should get a deputy over here and you can tell your story to them. He claimed he shot a big buck on Kevin's and was just looking for it but I knew better.

RJ
When you go afield, take the kids and please......................................wear your seatbelts.
Northwest Colorado.............Where the wapiti roam and deer and antelope run amuck. :undecided:  
Proud father of a soldier medic in The 82nd Airborne 325th AIR White Falcons :army:

Hunterbug

Quote from: recoil junkyNearly a month ago I did have a run in with a bow hunter who I let hunt last year. Chuck alerted me to his activity and he was saying he had permission to hunt my place, Jim's and Kevin's. I said no, Jim died, so you evidently can talk to th dead. Maybe I should get a deputy over here and you can tell your story to them. He claimed he shot a big buck on Kevin's and was just looking for it but I knew better.
 
RJ

Even if he did, you still have to get permission from the land owner. Period. End of story. That one I got last year had been laying low since archery season then he popped up in the middle of the season. The girls and I will be up a week from Friday. We are all excited to see you and have a good time.
Ask not what your government can do for you. Ask how your government can go away and get out of your life.
 
 
The unarmed man is is not only defenseless, he is also contemptible.
Niccolo Machiavelli

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