How much time is necessary for the "High Buck" hunts?

[copasj]

I hope this is the right forum for this, if not please move it. 

I was thinking of trying the high buck hunt eventually, but after reading a recent thread about it a few bits of advice came up that basically said it would be pointless for me to even try.   

One piece of advice was that you need to be able to dedicate 5 straight days to hunting, and plenty of pre-season scouting.  Is that an accurate assessment?  I will not ever get 5 days of hunting or a real opportunity to scout those areas much.  Between a Monday-Friday job, and if I take a week of leave the company has to fly in a back fill from the east coast for the time I am gone.  So taking multiple small "vacations" throughout the year is just not possible.  Plus we have 2 young kids in school, no family close by, and no one that could watch them for a week.  Best I would be able to do would be 2.5 days, a late start on Friday after dropping the kids off with grandparents in Portland.  (I.E. hit the trail head at something like 9 pm) and be back on the trail out by noon on Monday to pick the kids up.  With that little time to devote, is it even worth attempting?

Even if it's not, I am enjoying day hiking into the wilderness area's.  We've made a few this summer but not in shape to hunt it.  We hiked up to the top of the "Big Hump" in the Brothers last weekend.  Some nice views from up there over the valley.  First time I've ever had the opportunity to see what I wildfire does as well.  Somehow impressive and anti-climactic at the same time.  I was surprised by the amount of traffic on the trail, at least until we got to the bottom of the big hump.

[JPhelps]

Heck yeah.  It only takes one deer, not to mention you will be out hunting (what else could you want).

Chance of success will be low but that's hunting.

[Miles]

There's no set requirement for time spent scouting or hunting.   If you are a hunter, you can go anywhere and use your skills to bag a buck.   You could spend a week in the lowlands and not get a buck, or you could spend 1 hour and notch a tag.   The same thing applies for the high country.   Like Phelps said, get out there and go... at least you'll be hunting.

[Bean Counter]

I have done my share of backpacking in Washington's wilderness areas. I haven't killed a deer in one, but it sure looks like it would be fun. I'm no expert in this topic.

That said, if my time was short, like yours is, I think I would focus on killing an animal in the season best favorable. If you do want to go, just keep realistic expectations. If you look at it as a backpacking trip--going for a walk in the woods with a gun--you will likely have a good time. Just know that your odds are going to be lower than low without good scouting, horses to get you in deep, etc.

[luvmystang67]

More days is always going to increase your chance of success.  I think you just have to get in and start doing it (even if you dont have many days) to see how far in, how high, and where you might want to go in the future.  Every day in the high country adds about 1 year to my life (i'm fairly certain).  As I go further and further in, I want to stay more days to hunt to get more benefit from my long trek in.

Scouting trips are just camping trips... I just make sure to camp places I can hunt.  I even take the girlfriend (I don't think she realizes they are scouting trips).

On one scouting trip this year I hiked in and spent the night, woke up, and 3 hours into my bear hunt/hike/scouting trip in the morning (basically the first day) I came across the buck in the picture...

I think you'll find that for the effort you'll want more time in the future, but just get started, its a blast and incredibly addictive (and healthy).

[copasj]

Yeah, we tried archery last year because of the longer season.  Unfortunately my hunting partner/wife was in a car wreck this spring and has been unable to pull her bow due to some of the injuries.  The walk up the Big Hump and to Lena lake were just barely doable for her this year as well.  Hopefully things will get better over the next few years.  But we will most likely be staying local and hunting Veil Tree Farm this year.  The good roads behind the gates makes it lot easier on her.  We are thinking of heading up the peninsula this weekend and hiking the Upper Dungeness trail sense that one seems easy enough for the kids. 

P.S.  I have realized that Hiking/Camping/Berry Picking does seem to get a more favorable response than calling it scouting.   

[Watimberghost]

This will be my sixth year hunting the high hunt. 4 of those hunts were weekend trips. If you're up for cramming a bunch of miles into a few days then you should absolutely go for it. It'll be a great workout, untouchable scenery, and if you're lucky you could land a nice buck. I say do it, just not where I hunt

[Hunter mike]

Go for it!  I'm assuming you won't have much more time during any of the other seasons - so do a couple of days during each.  For me it's mostly about enjoying the backcountry experience.  There are deer in my front yard, but I want the adventure of finding one in the wilderness (not eating my fuschia ).

[wilsongideon]

I have went on 4 high buck hunts starting in 2008. The first two I spent the full five days each, but the last two years I only spent 5 days total. Last year I took a deer on the first day 1 1/2 into the hunt, after hiking in the day before. the year before I took a shot at a deer on the 2nd day and found out my scope had come loose so I cut my trip short. So I would not be afraid to go in for 2.5 days period. It can happen for you! I would just not go in as far so you can spend you energy hunting not hiking.

[boneaddict]

Its what you make of it, just like any hunt

[huntnnw]

Cant kill a buck at home

[Kowsrule30]

Went on a few high hunts and usually tagged out the first day or two..... Just remeber if you do tag out you will be a lot heavier coming out... Specially by yourself.... One time it took my Dad and I almost 2 days to get back out.... We both shot deer in opposite canyons minutes apart... Was cool.... But not fun....