GMU 245,249, or 250.... Which one?

[Maddness1186]

Hello everyone! This is my first real post, besides my intro post. I need suggestions for a first time Washington 4 day backcountry mule deer hunt. Due to my work, I've been away most of the summer, and I won't be back home until the last day of the High Buck Hunt. I have a few days before opening day of the general season to scout. I like 245 and 249 for the challenge of a high hunt, but I want to fill my freezer, so 250 also looks tempting. Between the 3, which would you recommend focusing my scouting on and why? Your help is greatly appreciated!

[ian_padron]

You won't see a soul in 249 during modern, even down low.

If you're OK dealing with some potentially gnarly weather, it's definitely a fun place to be in October.

Hunt the snowline and you'll find a shooter, might take a few days to find a good buck but they'll be up there.

I'm of the opinion that October is a better time to hunt the Alpine than High Buck, just because there are zero people, and the deer that are still up high are usually pretty nice.

I can't overstate the importance of being prepared for some of the *censored*tiest weather you've ever seen though. Last year, opening weekend, the high country in 249 got about 2 feet of heavy snow, covered all the trails above 5500 feet...so if you do go up, BE SMART!

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[Maddness1186]

Thanks Ian!

249 has been the one I've been looking at the hardest on Google Earth.

Aside from the weather, are there any other potential hurdles that I should be aware of?

[ian_padron]

Thanks Ian!

249 has been the one I've been looking at the hardest on Google Earth.

Aside from the weather, are there any other potential hurdles that I should be aware of?

The country is massive. Very rocky, very steep (at least where the bucks are). It's common to glass bucks and goats in the same ribbon cliffs.

Google Earth can be deceiving up there, I've shown up to basins before that I found on Google Earth, thinking thry looked pretty flat, and they are just straight up on all sides, especially if you're off trail (which you should be).

Make sure you let someone know where you're headed that late in the season just in case. I always tell a non-hunter so they don't get any ideas

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