What do you guys look for?

[MLHSN]

I have a few questions.  I'm new to hunting.  In fact, I just finished hunter safety.  Felt a little weird at 30 years of age.  Anyways, not unfamiliar with carrying a firearm for long distances (spent 4 years in the Army).  I also do a lot of backpacking.  My biggest hobby is fishing the high-lakes.  I spend a lot of time looking at maps,  researching routes, etc.  I've got maps all over my office.  I'm always looking at for blue spots and guessing at what might be there. 

Anyways, my question is: What do you guys look for?  I'm not asking for specific spots.  I'm just asking what type of terrain, etc piques your interest when searching for spots to scout out on a map.  I'm most interested in the high-hunt because I'm constantly running into guys doing the high-hunt when I'm out fishing and that is what interests me the most.  I've noticed people talking about saddles as high traffic areas, etc.  What about slope directions, recent burns, types of feed I might have seen on other hikes?

Thanks a bunch for any input.  Here are a couple of my favorite backcountry trophies so far, all caught in WA at close to 7k' feet.


DSCN2195 by mlhsn1, on Flickr

DSCN1843 by mlhsn1, on Flickr

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/20209691@N05/3963268570/]
DSCN1125 by mlhsn1, on Flickr

[csaaphill]

Nice fish. sorry no comments for ya though. Nice fish however. Love the pics.
I'd say hunt the same spots you fish.

[Maverick]

I've never hunted the high hunt. My advice would be to scout while you fish in the summer. Beautiful fish!

[MLHSN]

Thanks csaaphil and Maverick. 

I wasn't asking for specific locations.  Let me clarify.  When looking at maps, what kind of topography do people look for?  Saddles, south facing slopes, etc.  Any good books people would suggest?  I've already got a list of places that I've seen a lot of deer or elk sign while backpacking but I would like to explore those same areas more and I'm curious what types of terrain to best look for in planning scouting trips.

[DoubleJ]

I have nothing to offer except nice fish!  There are more than a few high hunt specialists on this forum.  Hopefully they chime in soon for you.

[h20hunter]

Sorry that I don't have to much to offer but I wanted to also say nice pics. You may be able to answer this for yourself but how far back do stocking records go? One thing that might be cool is to research old stocking records to explore places that haven't been stocked/fished in the last however many years....maybe find some untouched gems that way.

[jackmaster]

what type of critters are you lookn to hunt, all 3 deer types we have here in washington have their own set of terrain that they seem to like, as far as direction of slopes and saddles, i have always noticed that a slope with a southwest exposure are pretty damn good, and for blacktail which is the only deer that i think i know  well lets just say that there aint no guarantees with those deer, just when you think ya got them even a little figured out they up and warp your mind again.......speakn of high mountain lakes though, have you ever hiked and fished blue lake up out of cyspus out of randle? you want to talk about some of the prettiest rainbows and they have some of the best meat...i take tinfoil with garlic, pepper and butter wrapped up in it and then i cook some of the trout in the foil right over a little fire up there, damn its fine eatn and a good time....it is only a 2 or 3 mile hike to...

[fillthefreezer]

i like basins. high basins with some ribbon cliffs, patchy timber, a creek through the middle is nice, hell to get into. way off trail. steep. glaciers that melt late so theres green late into the year. etc

pick up mike eastmans and david longs mule deer books, you will learn an infinite amount and find more deer

[shootnrun]

i like basins. high basins with some ribbon cliffs, patchy timber, a creek through the middle is nice, hell to get into. way off trail. steep. glaciers that melt late so theres green late into the year. etc

pick up mike eastmans and david longs mule deer books, you will learn an infinite amount and find more deer

  Solid gold

[bobcat]

This is the book you need:   

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0965770400

[Heredoggydoggy]

Nice figure, good job,  doesn't care how many guns I buy or how often I go hunting......OOPS! Wrong answer--sorry!   

[Kola16]

No help, but love those fish  And near 7000' 

[300rum]

That spot just to the right of your left ear in the first pic.  I would pull the spotter out for that. 

[fillthefreezer]

That spot just to the right of your left ear in the first pic.  I would pull the spotter out for that.

i would go to the top of that ridge and look down. easier on my neck

[Jburke]

Trying to plan a trip this year with my brother.  Need to pick up a book or two.  Are the above mentioned the best of the best?  What others should I look for?