About 70 hunters registered at Island Center Forest during last month’s 21-day deer hunt, a record for the pilot hunting program.

Four deer were taken from the forest during that time, according Dave Kimmett, a natural lands manager for the county Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP). Three hunters contacted King County to report their kills, Kimmett said, while a fourth deer was reported by one of those hunters who knew of another person who got a deer.

This is the fourth year King County has allowed hunting in Island Center Forest for three weeks in October as a part of a five-year pilot project. During the hunt, the popular forest was closed to all other uses, while the Gateway and Natural area properties remained open.

Kimmett said he considers this year’s hunt a success, as there were more reported hunters than ever, four deer taken and no complaints from non-hunters or neighbors of the forest.

“This has been our most successful hunt to date,” Kimmett said.

Last year 58 hunters registered at Island Center Forest and reported taking two deer. The year before, there were just 38 registered hunters, and again four deer taken. But 2011 saw the most deer killed, when about 60 registered hunters reportedly came away with 8 deer.

The 70 recorded hunter visits this year may include multiple visits by the same hunter. Fifteen hunters were from Vashon, and 13 were from other parts of King County. Other hunters came from Pierce, Kitsap, Snohomish and Thurston counties.