Camping accross GMU border

[bigmike86]

Looking at my back country hunt for next season and starting to plan hunting grounds and camping spots. One spot looks awesome to hunt but where I want to camp (near water) would technically be just over the GMU borderline for a GMU that will not be in season. Is this a big  no no? Part of me thinks I'll never see anyone up there, but I'd hate to get caught by someone with a bow in my camp and try to convince them that I'm not illegally hunting.

Again, I am only planning on hunting the legal GMU land (not proposing anything illegal), just worried about camping off legal hunting grounds but still in same national forest.

Thanks

[WapitiTalk1]

Hmm, really good question.  This may be a good question for the law enforcement folks in the WDFW.  Knee jerk response to your question is sure, you can camp in spot/GMU and not hunt there.  Begs the question though, what constitutes hunting in the eyes of the law enforcement?  Is it merely carrying your bow with pack on while walking?  Interesting to hear where this goes. 

[bobcat]

It shouldn't be a problem. That same scenario is very common during the modern firearm high hunt. People camp outside the wilderness boundary and hike in every morning. When I used to do it I would leave my rifle unloaded until I got into the wilderness.

[JackOfAllTrades]

It shouldn't be a problem. That same scenario is very common during the modern firearm high hunt. People camp outside the wilderness boundary and hike in every morning. When I used to do it I would leave my rifle unloaded until I got into the wilderness.

Even while hiking in, My firearms are loaded. Grouse, Kitty and Bear seasons are usually open bordering the high hunt units so 'hunting' while getting to the open land for 'deer hunting' still isn't a problem.  In years past, when I had to cross a finger of National park to get to an open bear area, (clearly marked), I'd unload for that section of the ridge.

-Steve

[bobcat]

I agree you can have your rifle loaded if you wish. I guess mine was unloaded mainly because I hike in and out when it's dark.

[bigmike86]

I plan on bowhunting and the GMU that's not early archery will be in a high buck hunt season, I guess if I get a multiseason tag it'll be a moot point, but if not then I will have to be careful I guess.

I'll contact WDFW and see what they have to say. It'll probably come down to me being able to convince them that I am telling the truth, i.e. not doing shady stuff!

[westsidehntr]

I plan on bowhunting and the GMU that's not early archery will be in a high buck hunt season, I guess if I get a multiseason tag it'll be a moot point, but if not then I will have to be careful I guess.

I'll contact WDFW and see what they have to say. It'll probably come down to me being able to convince them that I am telling the truth, i.e. not doing shady stuff!

Isn't the high buck also open for archery?

[Timberstalker]

I have camped in a closed GMU, while hunting an adjacent GMU that was open, on multiple occasions and never had an issue.

You are camping in the Closed GMU, not hunting in it.

I believe your concern is a good one, but you shouldn't be worried about it.

[bigmike86]

I plan on bowhunting and the GMU that's not early archery will be in a high buck hunt season, I guess if I get a multiseason tag it'll be a moot point, but if not then I will have to be careful I guess.

I'll contact WDFW and see what they have to say. It'll probably come down to me being able to convince them that I am telling the truth, i.e. not doing shady stuff!

Isn't the high buck also open for archery?

IDK, high buck hunts are only listed under the Firearms and Muzzleloader pages in the regs, so I assumed you had to have one of those licenses to hunt it, regardless of whether or not you use archery tackle.

[UBA]

I know the alpine and Clark units are open for archery most of sept.

[Jonathan_S]

Buy a bear tag and when you're out of the high hunt area then you're only bear hunting.

BTW, your first high hunt...don't take it too seriously, not saying you're not capable but it will look vastly different during spring and summer up until that first day of season.  It's just something you'll have to see firsthand.

Good luck 

[Bob33]

I'll contact WDFW and see what they have to say. It'll probably come down to me being able to convince them that I am telling the truth, i.e. not doing shady stuff!

Unless you're sneaking around with an arrow knocked in the closed GMU, I can't imagine anyone questioning you. I wouldn't hesitate to camp in the closed GMU in this scenario but would use common sense.

All WDFW will tell you is that it depends on the circumstances at the time.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Very common for hunters to camp in an adjacent GMU to their hunt area.  You may get a couple more questions from an LEO - they may test you to see if you know where your GMU boundary is, for example.

[bigmike86]

Awesome, thanks everyone. I plan to have the border meticulously plotted on my GPS and maps if I do decided to camp across the border.

Jonathon_S - Totally understand this and thanks for the heads up. I'll have plans B and C on standby in case it looks different than I think once the season actually starts

[Alpine Mojo]

If you are camping where it is legal to camp. and hunting where it is legal to hunt, it is a very simple answer.

[bigmike86]

If you are camping where it is legal to camp. and hunting where it is legal to hunt, it is a very simple answer.

I wish I felt that way. Although I have never dealt with a Washington game warden, all my encounters here in Georgia have been negative. Every time I've been checked the guys were rude and made me feel like I was doing something wrong even though I wasn't. I'm sure it's because they deal with a lot of A-holes down here in GA, but I still have never had a positive encounter with one. And if there's three things that piss me off its being made to feel unwelcomed on the soil that I bled for, persecuted by a uniform/gun empowered jerk that I risked my neck for, and kept from hunting the animals the God put on this earth for man to have dominion over. AHHHHH!!!!!!!

OK Rant complete. I promise I'm not an entitled brat, I follow the rules and don't expect special treatment. Just thought I could vent to this like-minded peer group.

Cheers, thanks for the advice!

-Mike

[follow maggie]

You have nothing to worry about. Its common here to camp close to the border of a gmu and cross into your hunting area. I've not had many encounters with game wardens, but they've always been polite when checking me, even the time i had a tall boy in the cup holder

[JackOfAllTrades]

OK Rant complete. I promise I'm not an entitled brat, I follow the rules and don't expect special treatment. Just thought I could vent to this like-minded peer group.

Cheers, thanks for the advice!

-Mike

Your rant is quite alright. Preaching to the choir though sir.

Most of the WDFW officers I've encountered have been pretty cool. They ask questions while doing their jobs. Some have different tactics to get those that have broken the law to make a mistake with a bad answer. If you're on the level, not breaking the law, I've had great experiences with them.  Save for one National Forest service (Okanogan or Methow ranger district- I dunno and don't care) law officer, (not a WDFW game warden), that disarmed my son and I because he 'thought' I'd committed a crime. It took all of two minutes to prove that I had not. But yes, the tactics of hiding in the woods waiting to ambush you as you return to your vehicle then cast a barrage of questions at you that make a tired hunter rethink why you're even in the woods.... Yeah, those guys are out there. They're ashats... But, if you're camping on the edge just outside just about any of the high hunt units. You won't likely see them. They don't stray far from their vehicles.

-Steve