My first high buck hunt.

[huntandjeep]

Got back last night from my first high buck hunt and what an experience. My buddy invited me to go along with him .Started Sunday morning at 5am loading horses and gear. Left my buddies place at 7:30 for the hunt. Arrived at the trailhead got all loaded up and started up the trail around 12:00. The ride in was the most beautiful area I've ever seen. Got to camp about 8:00. Horses unsaddled and a makeshift camp set up by 10:30 pm. Woke Monday morning and made our way to my buddies " spot" which hes hunted for years. Daylight comes and theres 4 legal bucks feeding on the hill a couple basket racked 3×4's a 3×3 and a decent 4×4 with eye guards . Decide I'm going to take the 4×4. Range him at 520 yards which I felt comfortable at. Got all settled in Behind the gun and my buddy says "holey ****" I say "what " he says "look in the saddle and hand me my rifle". I look in the saddle and two of the biggest bucks I've seen in my life are heading out of the clearing and towards the ridge. One was a BIG 4×4 with eye guards the other a BIG 4×? Non typical. He grabs his rifle from me gets set up on the tripod and I ranged them at 475. By the time he clicks off the safety there skylined and over the ridge. So now its back to me and the 4x4. Find him again and hes moved out to 619 yards which I've made before on paper. Get settled In and just don't fell right about the shot. I let him walk away. The rest of Monday is spent tending the horses and relaxing in the most scenic area I've ever been in.

Tuesday were up early and closer to his " spot" before daylight. Get settled in and minutes after daylight he says " theres a doe " i look and sure enough a doe and a little 3x2 and a 3×3  up on the hill above us . Range them at 230 yards but I pass after seeing the quality of deer this spot holds. Ten minutes go by and he says buck. I put the spotting scope on him and start looking him over a beautiful 4×4 with eye guards , wider than his ears , big deep forks, both sides are perfectly matched. He's asks me" what do you think" " if you don't shot it I will" I tell him. He thinks it over and says " go ahead I've got a buck like that on my wall, that would be a dream first high buck for anyone". So now its my turn, I'm getting the chance at a buck of my lifetime. He ranges the deer at at 350 but I couldn't get settled into a comfortable position from where I was at. OK I'll move a little over here I think he's whispers " hey no pressure but he's at 450 yards now, and not stopping" great I think , OK " I'm ready how far "  520 he says "  "OK I'm on him  you ready?"  He says yep and I squeeze the trigger and nothing happens. I forgot to flip the safety  . OK now I'm starting to get frazzled. We lost him for a couple minutes but theny buddy picked him up again. By the time I found him he's was into the next group of trees. He played peek a boo in my scope for a while hiding behind trees. Found him again in little opening at a little over 700 yards. Told my buddy to far me and watched him walk off. Headed back to camp and loaded the horses and rode out cause the weather the are was going to get today and tomorrow.

 This was by far the best  hunting trip I've ever been on. I seen some beautiful area , had a chance at two of the biggest deer I've ever had in my scope and watched em walk away, and saw 2 bucks that many only dream of seeing in the wild.


 

[jackelope]

Great to hear you had a good time and got into those bucks.

[savagehunter]

Love the high hunt stories can totally feel the excitement and energy. Great write up you'll hit next time

[GUHunter]

It takes a lot of self control to pass on shots you shouldn't take. Good on you! I love the high country in September.

[Watimberghost]

Glad to hear you had a great time. That country in itself is worth the trip, but seeing big bucks will keep you itching until next September. Good luck!

[mtaylor]

Great story! I am new to WA and this forum, could someone explain what they mean when you say " high hunt" is it just referring to back country hunting or is there a special season or unit for it?

Thanks

MT

[boneaddict]

There is a season in September for some of the wilderness areas in the state that you can hunt modern in.  It generally starts about Sept 15th.  Not all wilderness areas have it.

[boneaddict]

Sounds like you had a great hunt.  Thank you for not just winging lead.   

[mtaylor]

Thank you for the info!

MT

[DOUBLELUNG]

It takes a lot of self control to pass on shots you shouldn't take. Good on you! I love the high country in September.

Yes that.  Good on you for respecting the game.  Deer aren't paper!

[huntandjeep]

It takes a lot of self control to pass on shots you shouldn't take. Good on you! I love the high country in September.

Yes that.  Good on you for respecting the game.  Deer aren't paper!

Ya I'm still running it over again and again in my head. I've made shots farther on paper but those were ideal conditions. The way I look at it is I have 365 days left to practice in more hunting related positions = less leadsled, more backpack / tripod.

[Skyvalhunter]

Very nice write up but:

[huntandjeep]

Very nice write up but:

Pictures of what I never took a shot.

[csaaphill]

Very nice write up but:

Pictures of what I never took a shot.

he probably wants pics of camp and scenery i bet.

[Skyvalhunter]

One thing I have learned memories of the hunt can fade and it's nice to pictures to relive that. 

[huntandjeep]

One thing I have learned memories of the hunt can fade and it's nice to pictures to relive that.

. I never even thought of taking a camera with me  and my cell phone died the first night. So I didn't even get pictures of the scenery.

[antlerking]

Probably for the Best, 1 thing I have learned is scenery pics very bad!!! Be careful of what you post!!! We all like looking at the pics but just keep in mind of what you post.

[DIYARCHERYJUNKIE]

Or your buddie who took you up there might not take you again for posting up his spot.  Just be discreet.  Sounds like a blast.