High Buck Hunt

[PNW4Life]

I'm just curious, and getting antsy, as hunting season approaches...

How does this hunt shake out for you?
- Daily Mileage
- Elevation Gained/Lost
- Gear Essentials

I have never seen another person in 249 during the High Hunt but after reading through various threads on here, it would seem that's an anomaly. Anyways... just looking for fun ways to pass the time as I count down the days until we're all up there chasing animals =)

[muleracks]

GMU 249 does have some pockets where you can find solitude during the High Hunt.  You need to avoid areas where the elk are attracting archery hunters and avoid the popular trails especially those in Icicle Creek and on Icicle Ridge.   Some big old bucks have come out of the more remote spots in the 249.

 

[Scheindogg]

Last year I was in a specific part of GPW during high hunt and saw 0 hunters. Guess we both got lucky!

[bkaech]

GMU 249 does have some pockets where you can find solitude during the High Hunt.  You need to avoid areas where the elk are attracting archery hunters and avoid the popular trails especially those in Icicle Creek and on Icicle Ridge.   Some big old bucks have come out of the more remote spots in the 249.

Sorry if I’m being nit picky, and you probably know this, but to clarify, there are no GMUs open for the high buck hunt. It is only the forest service designated wilderness areas stated in the hunting regs that are open. I only want to clarify because some people new to the high buck hunt or new to wa regs have been confused about what is open for this hunt.

[jackelope]

GMU 249 does have some pockets where you can find solitude during the High Hunt.  You need to avoid areas where the elk are attracting archery hunters and avoid the popular trails especially those in Icicle Creek and on Icicle Ridge.   Some big old bucks have come out of the more remote spots in the 249.

Sorry if I’m being nit picky, and you probably know this, but to clarify, there are no GMUs open for the high buck hunt. It is only the forest service designated wilderness areas stated in the hunting regs that are open. I only want to clarify because some people new to the high buck hunt or new to wa regs have been confused about what is open for this hunt.

I’m fairly sure there’s no part of the 249 that is outside the alpine lakes wilderness boundaries. In other words, that whole gmu is legal during the high hunt. Disclaimer. Check the reg’s to verify.

[yakimanoob]

I’m fairly sure there’s no part of the 249 that is outside the alpine lakes wilderness boundaries. In other words, that whole gmu is legal during the high hunt. Disclaimer. Check the reg’s to verify.

Almost.  There are a few tiny little pockets and slivers of 249 outside the Wilderness boundary and vice versa.  Because, I mean, how else are cartographers supposed to entertain themselves, if not to break the obvious trends/rules from time to time?

High Buck is defined by the listed Wildernesses, not by GMU.  Thankfully there are a bunch of reliable maps out there.  OnX is a favorite.  TopoMaps+ is MY favorite  . 

[yakimanoob]

Also, back on topic:

Mileage varies, but I try to match mileage and elevation to the idea of hauling a deer out on my own, as I'm typically solo hunting.

Last year I carried my buddy's 1-person ultralight Big Agnes tent, which performed flawlessly.  If it's warm enough, I prefer my hennessy hammock. 

Otherwise, general ultralight backpacking gear, plus my 7mm-08 Savage Lightweight Hunter. 

I'm debating HARD with myself whether I want to bring my little Bushnell collapsible spotter or just use my Leupold 10x42 BX-4s on a tripod and call it good enough.  The spotter is light enough, but it's arguable whether I could pick out any more detail through it than through the wonderful Leupolds. 

I CAN'T WAIT. 

[yakimanoob]

@PNW4Life just out of curiosity, how deep do you typically go into 249 before you get away from other hunters? 

[Colville]

There's no right answer to this question.  Some locations will let you glass huge amounts of space and you could spend days glassing, waiting for a deer to be out where you are looking.... you might not move much at all.  Other places are small and you can pick apart what's there and then you move on.  Some years the rain or fog mean you aren't able to see much at all. Or it's super HOT and nothing moves and no matter the size of your field of view, it appears vacant of life.  I don't think you necessarily up the odds by covering lots of locations.  They are upped by the right locations and being willing to be at glass when the sun first cracks the horizon, and for long enough to be near sure no one's home.  And, anyone who's done it will tell you, just cause you haven't seen them does not mean they aren't there.

[fillthefreezer]

Are you finding a lot of deer in these lonely spots?

[Scheindogg]

Are you finding a lot of deer in these lonely spots?

I personally saw lots of sign but no deer in my lonely spot. But it was my first time hunting, the woods were super dead branchy and I was moving around too often, I bet if I had stayed in one spot longer I would have got my buck.

[PNW4Life]

@PNW4Life just out of curiosity, how deep do you typically go into 249 before you get away from other hunters?

Depends on where I go but 8-10 miles seems to work pretty well, especially if there's significant elevation to be ascended. I've found that where I typically see goats, there's deer around too, but I rarely see other people in these places. I have a dog that doesn't get along with other canines so I have been forced to take the trails (usually bushwacking/game trails) less traveled during scouting season which helps.

[yakimanoob]

Do you typically solo hunt?  I've yet to take a deer on a backcountry hunt, but the idea of packing one out 8-10 miles on my own seems super daunting to me, even boned out. 

[Colville]

It should seem that way yakimanoob.  Unless you are crazy light on your kit, a mature buck boned, antlers, your rifle and kit are not a one trip job. People who make just one trip when 10 miles back solo, are typically not being careful with what went in the meat bag   So, can you make two trips? If not, how low can you go on your kit weight?  Two guys or two trips are probably the answer.

[Bill W]

It should seem that way yakimanoob.  Unless you are crazy light on your kit, a mature buck boned, antlers, your rifle and kit are not a one trip job. People who make just one trip when 10 miles back solo, are typically not being careful with what went in the meat bag   So, can you make two trips? If not, how low can you go on your kit weight?  Two guys or two trips are probably the answer.

A boned out deer and camp will be around 110 lbs.