High Buck...ALW, Glacier Peaks, or.....?

[bearpaw]

I think with the limited access on private timber lands there is going to be increased pressure on all public lands. We just have to share and maybe offer advice on being courteous and looking for a different hunting spot if you see other hunters hunting a specific area. It's especially important that we help newer hunters, they are our future! 

[Stickerbush]

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[Stickerbush]

I'm by no means an expert on this type of hunting. But I want to be, it appeals to me and what I want to accomplish. The few times I have hunted the high hunt, I haven't found it to be overun with hunters or backpackers, but I never saw animals either. I think this type of hunting is getting more popular and glamorous. And our state is very much a hiking/ backpacking mecca. So I can only imagine it will get tighter. I'm optimistic still, just need to spend some time and get after it!

[grade-creek-rd]

I'm going to concur with Bushcraft on this topic...and what I have found in the High Hunt, or for that matter in the "backcountry" in general is hunters that either don't know how to manage the backcountry and are overwhelmed with it all, or those that fully understand how to be in the backcountry...this means being mentally fit more than physically...honestly, anyone who has ever met me would think there is no way I could be in the backcountry, then I strap on a pack with all my gear and an 80 pound bear hide and simply walk until I get to my destination. More than once I've showed up back at camp several hours late and everyone was worried simply because I stopped on the trail and ate my dinner while star gazing...my point is, "home is where you are" and you will never be overwhelmed with all this hype of getting far back as you can. As far as the hunting goes, I've watched guys blow right by me to get to some far off basin, and they also blew right by some nice bucks and bears too! We killed a nice 3x4 one year in the middle of the day right below a main FS trail simply by glassing the shadows a 1,000 feet below us. All of the "hunters" where hauling ass to their secret basin and we only hiked a 1/4 mile from camp...there is a lot to learn to hunt the high hunt, and sometimes we overlook the obvious.

Grade

PS. I always pack enough to just sit down wherever I am and live a night or two if needed...not survive, but live (and hunt) that makes all the difference.

[Odell]

There is literally no way to know who is hunting where on opening day, even if you lived up there all summer.  Find a few spots on a map that look like they hold deer. Go glass them. if you see deer, mark it on the map for a hunting spot and go find another. Be prepared for company on opening day and use it to your advantage if possible. If no one shows up you will be pleasantly surprised.

Most of all be safe and prepared. And have fun. Hunting is supposed to be fun. I think half the guys these days hate it and in a way hate themselves. Not even the biggest buck on the mountain will scratch the itch of all that is wrong with them.

Bushcraft gave some great advice, join an established crew that will teach you the ropes. The only problem is, that is almost impossible. It's hard to get in with people, very few are willing to take a chance on teaching someone. He seems pretty passionate about it, maybe you can join him?

[JeffRaines]

There is literally no way to know who is hunting where on opening day, even if you lived up there all summer.  Find a few spots on a map that look like they hold deer. Go glass them. if you see deer, mark it on the map for a hunting spot and go find another. Be prepared for company on opening day and use it to your advantage if possible. If no one shows up you will be pleasantly surprised.

Most of all be safe and prepared. And have fun. Hunting is supposed to be fun. I think half the guys these days hate it and in a way hate themselves. Not even the biggest buck on the mountain will scratch the itch of all that is wrong with them.

Bushcraft gave some great advice, join an established crew that will teach you the ropes. The only problem is, that is almost impossible. It's hard to get in with people, very few are willing to take a chance on teaching someone. He seems pretty passionate about it, maybe you can join him?

The problem isn't that its hard to get in with people as much as it is there just isn't as many people that do that style of hunting. I know the theme on here is "oh the wilderness areas turn into a pumpkin patch with every hunter in the state" but in reality for every backpack hunter you run across theres 20 more hunters that don't hunt that way. Talk to people at your work and a few might hunt but none do the backpack thing. At least thats my experience.

[Eric M]

   Having just completed a couple day scout to the high country I have several suggestions for any fellow "new to it" people considering the high country. I'm not new to hiking but it's been 25 years since I went out and did a serious multi day hike. Make sure you are in shape to do it. I exercise 3-4 times a week and that level of fitness with a pack going up above 6000 feet was barely enough for a 49 year old with too much crap in his pack.
   Spend some real time looking at what you're putting in your pack. I had more than I needed. Make sure you have good boots. My boots were great hiking boots until I crossed a 100 streams and it rained 2 days straight. That is now the next thing on my list to purchase. Pants- your pants are going to get wet. I should've at least had gaitors, but if you are only taking one set of pants (remember it's all WEIGHT) you need a pair that can handle the wet. The one place I did carry weight that I actually needed was in socks. Changing my socks often is the only reason my feet aren't blistered. Take some bug spray. I'm glad I did.
   The trails are great to get you up to these spots but the trails may cross directly through meadows that will certainly skyline you. Circumventing these open areas can be challenging. Over 2 days with off and on rain and fog rolling in I saw 6 deer. Wasn't able to tell if any of them were bucks because they were so far away and I need a spotting scope (2nd thing on my list). On the bright side I had the place all to myself. I also know just by looking at this area there is no way a guy would be by himself when hunting season rolls around.
   I'm hard headed and learning things the hard way, but I did learn a lot. I won't be up there this hunting year because I have commitments in September. But also I know I'm not ready yet. Be honest with yourself. Hunting in general takes time to get good at. High hunting requires more skills.
Last thing-It's beautiful country. Enjoy it. Hope this helps.

[WA1232]

Beautiful pictures and thanks for the trip report. Sounds like good advice to me.

[Eric M]

Beautiful pictures and thanks for the trip report. Sounds like good advice to me.

Thanks. It was fun. Hope it helps somebody.