Gov't Island deer

fishinpox · 11-08-2005, 12:46 PM

Well I was going across 205 yesterday heading towards vancouver with my boss. I happened to look out over the island and saw 3 deer out there. What's the deal with deer on the island? How many? Do they swim across the Columbia? That would amaze me. Just curious about em is all.

Hunt'nFish · 11-08-2005, 01:08 PM

Island deer....yes they swam there. And they swim back to shore as well. I don't think the #'s are great, but you'll hunt by yourself! I recall a conversation w/ the folks that manage GvntIsland (State Parks) saying something about they were working on getting hunting approved, but haven't heard the outcome.
Hunt'nFish

The Overfishin Condition · 11-08-2005, 02:16 PM

I've seen them there, but I'm pretty sure above the high water line is private property, and walking around with a rifle is a surefire (if you will) way to get attention. I'm not even sure if you're talking about it hunting it or not. I do know there are some resident deer there, and on lady island as well!

fishinpox · 11-08-2005, 02:27 PM

had no intentions of hunting it. Just surprised me when I saw deer out there and was lookin for some info.

Lucky one · 11-08-2005, 03:59 PM

I used to hunt that with shotguns, and bows. They made it illegal because some morons would go out there with rifles. Some of the people in the boat houses were awful upset. I don't blame them either. Hunting was good, deer everywhere, even some nice bucks. But you had to be willing to crawl through blackberry patches twenty feet deep to root them out.

Now though I just take pictures of them while I'm fishing.

Catching Nemo · 11-08-2005, 06:43 PM

There are a bunch of cows as well. Government, Ackerman, Lady, McQuire, and Reed Island all have deer on them. The most I've seen on Government, at one time, was 6.

coldwatersteel · 11-08-2005, 10:09 PM

Gov Island and the islands around it are all part of the goverment island complex and are owned by the port of portland who does not allow hunting of any kind or tresspassing on any of their properties. The rest of the island up towards the Sandy are all owned by Metro who also don't allow hunting or trespassing. But yes they do have lots of deer and some really big ones. Allthough you can hunt bellow the mean high water mark on all the islands. Good luck getting a strait answer on what that is! We've tried.