2019 deer hunting prospects in the Columbia Basin

This is the fourth of several columns containing 2019 hunting prospects.

Today we offer this condensed version of this year’s prospects for Grant and Adams counties, also known as District 5 by Fish and Wildlife.

Deer

Many hunters don’t think about the Columbia Basin as a deer hunting area, but deer inhabit this area and some grow to become trophy size. Read on.

Game Management Unit 272 includes approximately 53,000 acres of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area (Gloyd Seeps, Banks Lake, Sun Lakes, Billy Clapp and Quincy Lakes units), most of which is open to hunting.

The number of deer hunters in the general seasons (includes multi-weapon permits) within GMU 272 since 2001 ranges from about 1,100 to 1,700. The reported antlerless permit success rates for youth and disabled hunters were 77 percent and 63 percent, respectively.

Those are excellent success rates. Remember these percentage rates when it is time to submit next year’s special permit applications.

The Lakeview Unit second deer antlerless permits typically see variable success rates, from 27 to 91 percent, with 44 percent occurring last year.

The success of this Deer Area is most likely due to weather. With bad weather, cold and snowy conditions, the deer are more dependent on agricultural lands, so they head to the areas, such as orchards, in order to find food.

Fish and Wildlife actions are to keep the deer out of these areas.

GMU 278 includes approximately 36,000 acres of the Columbia Basin Wildlife Area, the Lower Crab Creek Unit. Numerous parcels within DNR and Federal ownership also exist in this GMU. Harvest in this unit generally falls between 20 and 90 deer. The number of general season deer hunters within GMU 278, including multi-weapon permits, ranges from about 150 to 310.

GMU 284 is predominately private property, so hunters should plan to seek permission to access private lands and/or plan on hunting lands enrolled in the Fish and Wildlife Access Program. There are some public lands scattered throughout this GMU, but they tend to be scattered and small, less than 640 acres.

The number of deer general season hunters within GMU 284 ranges from about 650 to 1,100. The reported Benge Deer Area and Washtucna antlerless permit success rate for youth hunters was 91 percent and 64 percent, respectively.

GMU 290 is a Quality Hunt permit only unit, thus all hunting opportunities are provided through a public draw. Post-hunt ratios have remained consistent at approximately 50 bucks:100 does, with the majority of bucks being classified as greater than 2.5 years old during aerial surveys.