Alpine Lakes High Buck Hunt/Bear

[Buckhunter28]

So, i'm planning on doing a short(4 day) back pack hunt in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness this September. I've been getting geared up, with a proper pack, tent, sleeping bag, etc, as well as training and getting in shape for it. My question is, if anyone is willing to share from their experience, where are some good places to go in at, as well as to hunt? I am by no means looking for anyone's special spot, just a good starting point. I have some weekend scouting trips planned, and have been been looking on Google Earth for some spots. Also, would you guys say timber or meadows is better? Or the rocky areas bordering these, or around lakes? Really, any advice willing to be offered is much appreciated! This isn't my only hunt planned, as I plan to do my normal trip to Eastern Washington, but I'd love to be exposed to high blacktail hunting. Thank you to all in advance for advice you can give about this area!

[dan11011]

Beautiful area! I've backpacked in there and have seen a ton of goats as expected. Can't chime in on deer though. But best of luck!

[Bob33]

You could also consider the Olympic wilderness areas.  They get far less pressure.

[JM]

You could also consider the Olympic wilderness areas.  They get far less pressure.

Especially if you're wanting to hunt Blacktails

[Buckhunter28]

Thank you guys for the input, I'll have to check that out! So the blacktail hunting is better there?

[dreadi]

I've gone in a couple times but didn't have a lot of time like you do. There's some easier and harder places to get in from. Where do you plan to enter from?

[Branden]

ALW is pretty crowded, especially during the high hunt. If targeting blacktails on the west side it probably won't be as bad. Lakes are usually a people magnet whether it's hikers or hunters. So if you want solitude I would not camp by a lake. Thats not to say that there are no animals by the lakes though.

I would find some high alpine meadows on GE that are off trail and hard to access. You should find some animals. It might only be 1 mile in or 5. As long as it's not an easy hike you will probably be the only one hunting it since you are targeting blacktails.

Good luck

[Skyvalhunter]

ALW & blacktail is what you desire to hunt on the high hunt. The areas in the ALW where you might find blacktails is crowded with hikers. Lakes = more hikers. SO access points on the North and South side of the ALW for blacktail have a lot of people. Now if you said Olympic peninsula or GPW area you probably will see less people and more blacktail hunting opportunity.

[trapp01]

I've spent a some time hunting and climbing on the east side of the crest in the alpine. The deer are few and bar between. Lots of bear though. I hunt south facing slopes. Most of the legal bucks I've seen have been in the early morning feeding their way out of drainages up into the high timber pockets. I'd recommend a good spotting scope. Here's some pics in the Ingalls area. I found out the hard way packing a bear out on your back 8 miles sucks donkey balls.

[Skyvalhunter]

Which is why you make sure you have friends with strong backs.

[grade-creek-rd]

The further from the trail, the smaller the bears need to be! Only shoot big bears near the trailhead, even with lots of friends!

Grade

[Buckhunter28]

Thank you all for the advice, it is very appreciated, and great pics @trapp01 and nice bear! I appreciate the info about the lakes, I'd planned on hunting about a mile or 2 off any of the marked trails, but it sounds as though AL gets a lot of pressure, so I'll look for the areas recommended! Also, for Olympic Peninsula, what wilderness area is it that you can hunt in? It looks like the Olympic Wilderness is within the Olympic national Park boundaries. Thank you all again!

[Skyvalhunter]

Buckhorn wilderness, The Brothers Wilderness, Colonel Bob Wilderness, Mount Skokomish Wilderness, Wonder Mountain come to thought

[savagehunter]

No hunting in the national park. If you want less people check out henry m jackson wilderness and go off trail. There are blacktail up there .

[X-Force]

The wilderness in the olympics is along the east and south of the park