Field checks and hunting reports also indicate a trend toward a higher percentage of adult bucks bearing 5 points or more. More deer with less work appeals to lots of hunters.

In the Blue Mountains, where the topography runs from river bottoms to elevations of 6,000 feet, there have been good reports with a dramatic number of mature bucks in both the mule and whitetail herds.

Couse (GMU 181) and Grande Ronde (GMU 186) both report success rates nearing 40 percent.

But all is not well in Camelot, at least not where wildfires have burned. Two years ago, a really hot fire burned through, followed by last year's Columbia Complex Wildland fire that burned through thousands of acres of wheat field, brush and forest near Dayton, causing short-term negative effects of loss of habitat.

Even with the burn, the Dayton Unit should produce more than 300 animals. On the bright side, McCorquodale anticipates longer-term positive effects for deer and elk habitat.

Before you go, regardless of which area you intend to hunt, check current statewide wildfire conditions at www.dnr.wa.gov/fire/index.html.

So where does the deer and elk specialist McCorquodale hunt?

For mule deer, he would hunt the Chelan herd, particularly if he was seeking a real nice buck. If he were looking to provide table venison, he'd go south to the Klickitat. For whitetails, he would go southeast into the Blue Mountains. For Washington deer hunters, it all sounds like another good year.

Find more about Washington-Oregon fishing and hunting at WOgameandfish.com