Why the "High Buck Hunt"??

[pd]

A buddy (SunkHat) and I were discussing this topic today, and I have pondered the meaning of this all evening long.  I might be terribly mistaken about this, so please give me some input.

Why do we have a High Buck Hunt in Washington?

As far as I can tell, all of the federally designated "Wilderness Areas" are designated for a high buck hunt, which runs from September 15th to 25th.  Over here on the Olympic Peninsula there are several areas that can be hunted with modern firearms during that period.

I was always under the impression that the high buck hunt was designed for those areas with significant elevation (e.g. 7,000'), where the deer (mostly Mule deer) would have to move down when an early snow came.  However, over here on the very wet side there aren't any wilderness areas much above 3,000', and they certainly do not get snow in late September.

I doubt there are early rutting issues with a mid- to late-September hunt.  I think this is all about snow, and the lack of access during a normal modern rifle season.  So which is it?  Was the high buck hunt established because of early snows in the very high elevations (think Boyd Iverson and Colorado Mule deer migrations), or an early rut??

By the way, I haven't lived in Washington long enough to know when the high buck hunt was first started.  Please comment on that, too.

[bobcat]

I don't know when it started but it's been around as long as I remember, which would be back to about 1983 or so. I don't really think there's any biological reason for having an early hunt like this, but I'd guess it's simply to provide hunting opportunity in areas that would be almost impossible to get into if you had to wait until the general season in mid-October.

Oh, and there are actually quite a few wilderness areas that are not open for the high hunt, such as William O. Douglas and Norse Peak wilderness.

[JimmyHoffa]

I heard that like bobcat said, it was due to snows in the Pasayten.  Guys were going way back in mid October and getting snowed in.  Then the Forest Service had to deal with coordinating rescue efforts.  Heard that the high hunt was brought to WDFW from the packers and USFS to have an earlier hunt.
There is some snow in the westside areas in that time frame, but nothing to preclude one from breaking trail.  Last year snowed about an inch above 5500' during the last few days.  Then it melted and the heat wave/drought began. 

[pd]

Thanks, BobCat and JimmyHoffa.  I hope others chime in as well.

I wasn't aware of other wilderness areas not being part of the High Buck Hunt.  In my limited experience on the Olympic Peninsula I haven't seen significant snowfall in the wilderness areas during September (actually, in the 2013/2014 winter season we didn't get serious snow until late January, 2014).  I just don't see why there is a High Buck Hunt here.

Believe me, I don't want to take away any opportunities for anybody.  I just am not convinced the High Buck Hunt on the Olympic Peninsula wilderness areas have much meaning, because the lower elevations don't seem to cause any early rutting behavior.  Perhaps some expert hunters could comment on this theory?

[Ridgerunner]

Bobcat hit it, been around dive the. 60's I believe.  Olympic areas only since the 90's I believe.  Opened them up to provide more opportunity primarily, it's not to significantly increase the harvest.

[JimmyHoffa]

Some years, there is considerable snow in the Olympics in mid October.  October 2010 had a big storm mid-month.  The higher trails were buried for the season.  The snow was down to about 3,000 feet and melted out to ~4,500 feet by the end of the season.

[boneaddict]

Pretty much as stated, Opportunity and access.  Works well for outfitters too to extend their season and their economy. 

[pd]

Good information. Jimmy, is there a lot of Olympic high buck pressure?

[Skyvalhunter]

Why because it's the only gig going at that time of the year, Crowded yes.

[JimmyHoffa]

Good information. Jimmy, is there a lot of Olympic high buck pressure?

I have only tried three of the units during high buck and go in on weekdays--don't see too many, but if leaving on a Friday have seen quite a few headed in.  Buddies that go on weekends have pumpkin patch stories, but the section they go to is well known.

[savagehunter]

I do not think rut has anything to do with it . But it is one of the most rewarding hunting experience a person can have.

[Axle]

Why do we have a High Buck Hunt in Washington?

And I ask - why not? 
Our ancestors (regardless of race or creed) have hunted them up high for many-a-millennia. 
Don't limit your options my friend. Enjoy what God has blessed you with and give Him the thanks He deserves for blessing us with yummy meat.   

[JackOfAllTrades]

I just am not convinced the High Buck Hunt on the Olympic Peninsula wilderness areas have much meaning, because the lower elevations don't seem to cause any early rutting behavior. 

The high hunt has been around well before the 80's. 'The Peninsula' wasn't to be left out, as it was seen as a financial hardship for people of say.. Forks, to travel to the eastern Cascades for an early season hunting opportunity. For a long time, that was the only Blacktail early season. The latest addition of a Blacktail high hunt now the Baker unit. -I actually don't know why..  Double Cougar tags and use of hounds would allow more Blacktail in this unit. Right now.. There's a lot of competition for the hunter. And since the Baker unit can get a dumping of snow in September, it really doesn't make sense to get people stranded up there. It is truly a back pack hunt.  That said, there are seasons in the Pasayten in September that do get snow, but for the last five years, I've been hunting in shorts because it's been so darn hot! And.. These hunts/times do not occur during/or produce rutting behavior.  Not at all. Elevation and weather have nothing to do with when that happens.

-Steve

[muleracks]

Took my first High Hunt buck in 62.  Was in the North Fork of the Entiat River (not wilderness but open).  That area was removed from the High Hunt in the mid-80s.  Saw that buck during a summer hike so went in with horses with my uncle and got the buck bedded in the same spot it was a month earlier. Uncle missed an even bigger one.

Don't know when the hunt started but its sure fun hunting the high country.

[fillthefreezer]

As far as I can tell, all of the federally designated "Wilderness Areas" are designated for a high buck hunt, which runs from September 15th to 25th.  Over here on the Olympic Peninsula there are several areas that can be hunted with modern firearms during that period.

there are many wilderness areas in way not open to the high hunt. more than are open actually.
william o, norsepeak, clearwater, goat rocks, mt adams, indian heaven, salmo-priest, wenaha, boulder river to name a few