2005 Pasayten Buck

[bobcat]

My brother and I did a drop camp in the Pasayten Wilderness in September of 2005, and this is the buck I ended up with...

[billythekidrock]

Good buck Bob!

[boneaddict]

Nice one for up there.  They are harder to come by than most think.  I shot onw very similiar in genetics up there,not quite as big but I can't remember what year.  I think it was 2003.  I'll see if I can drum up a pic.  You said drop camp, who did you use?

[bobcat]

Cascade Wilderness Outfitters, Steve Darwood.

[boneaddict]

COOL!  My Dad is his neighbor.  He used to pack for him a ton.  I think he was done by then, or for the most part.  He probably had his mule though.  I've watched Jess grow up.  He has turned out to be quite the packer.  I'm glad your trip turned out positive.  They didn't quite have that success this year.

[boneaddict]

Here is a picture of that buck I was talking about. I guess it was 2001. Man how time flies.

[Ridgerunner]

Keep those high country bucks coming, I love seeing them.

[wannahunt]

Those are both nice bucks. I've never been on a drop camp hunt. About how much does it cost a person? Also how much do they pack in for you? Do they pick spots for you or can you pick a spot based on some map research.

[boneaddict]

I'm not sure how to answer that question.  I'm always a DIY hunter.  I think Ridge did a drop camp last year in the alpine.  Maybe Idabooner knows.

[Ridgerunner]

Price is outfitter dependent but generally about $650 per person.  Some let you pick the camp, others do it for  you.  Last year we each got about 150# of gear, more than enough.  IMO it is a great way to get in deep.

[Ridgerunner]

Bone -

Are you sure that was 01, you look pretty young in that picture, lol.

[boneaddict]

  Amazing how time has that effect.  It feels like it was last year. I didn't even have time to let the dust settle on that one.  He almost snuck out of his hidey hole before I made a miraculous off hand shot.  Idabooner hadn't had time to even get settled into camp. Talk about weather conditions.  It was hot as hell that day.  We wanted to hang the deer for a day or two and enjoy ourselves, but we had to beat it off the mountain.

[bobcat]

If I remember correctly, we paid $550 each for our drop camp. There was only two of us, sometimes outfitters charge less per person if you have a larger group. We used our own equipment...tent, stove, cots, etc. and it's less money if you do it that way too. If I did a drop camp any later than September, I'd pay the extra money for a good wall tent and wood stove. We lucked out and it only snowed one night when we were in there. It can be quite a hassle having wet clothes and no way to get them dried out. That's where the wall tent w/wood stove would come in handy. 

[wannahunt]

Thanks for all the info on the drop camps. I'm gonna have to give that try one of these years soon. So far I have been going shanks mare for the high buck hunts. I think it would be a nice change of pace to get further in with out so much effort. I agree with having a nice wall tent also. Last year on opening day Sept 15th me and my two daughters got hit with 2-3 inches of snow in the Alpine Lakes.