HUNTING -- Fewer hunters turned in to hunter check stations north of Spokane over the weekend compared with last year, but the ratio of deer taken during the late whitetail buck season appears to be about the same.

Some hunters reported the cold snap that clicked in last week coupled with the upswing of the rut had deer moving.

It's not clear whether the cold weather had something to do with the lower turnout of hunters.

Here's the check station report from Kevin Robinette, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife regional wildlife manager:

The final Northeast Washington Deer Check Stations concluded this weekend with voluntary check stations at the Chattaroy weigh station on Saturday and at the Deer Park weigh station on Sunday.

Weather was sunny and cold.  WDFW Biologists Dana Base and Annemarie Prince  led the efforts with assistance from other agency staff and a cadre of volunteers.

At Chattaroy (Nov 15) the crew interviewed 52 hunters and inspected 11 white-tailed deer (2013 numbers were 88 hunters with 22 whitetails).

At Deer Park (Nov 16) 93 hunters were interviewed with 25 white-tailed deer (2013 – 134 hunters with 30 deer).

Eastern Washington's late buck hunt continues in selected units through Nov. 19.

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