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.

[Jonathan_S]

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.

I was at about 130 last long hike out with a muley buck. It’s doable but it ain’t fun

[fishngamereaper]

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.

I was at about 130 last long hike out with a muley buck. It’s doable but it ain’t fun

I was about 150 last time I packed a buck out of the Alpine.  8 miles ish.... couldn't take the pack off cause I wouldn't get it back on... bruised my shoulders....man that was fun.

[Jonathan_S]

One step at a time

[jjhunter]

I’ve done it a couple times.  Builds character.   

[savagehunter]

My son and i both killed bucks last year right around 140 pounds of meat and head each I killed mine solo and it was a define two trip proposition. Like I said we took head horns heart liver and I really scrounge all the meat except ribs. 60 lbs of gear 140 pounds of deer. You do the math . I did get it all in one pack and tried made it about 70 yds before I decided I wasn't superman.

[teanawayslayer]

I’m a one trip guy. I don’t care how heavy the pack is or how long it’s takes to get where I’m going. I would rather it hurt once and be done! In fact I’m headed up in the am to go look at the buck I’m going to shoot this year 

[Bill W]

Back when I went on the high hunt I learned one doesn't eat bones nor hide. Also carry a lightweight saw to cut the skull cap off.  Also choose your hunting gear carefully to minimize weight.  A deer with live weight of 250 lbs will bone out around 75 lbs of meat.  A reasonable pack weight with freeze dried meals (and rifle) should come in around 60 lbs.    It took a number of trips in with pack weights of 85 lbs and carrying a couple field dressed deer and hides out to learn how to minimize weight.

[7mmfan]

My son and i both killed bucks last year right around 140 pounds of meat and head each I killed mine solo and it was a define two trip proposition. Like I said we took head horns heart liver and I really scrounge all the meat except ribs. 60 lbs of gear 140 pounds of deer. You do the math . I did get it all in one pack and tried made it about 70 yds before I decided I wasn't superman.

I want to hunt where your hunting. I take the rib meat too and the most I've ever gotten was 90# of a big animal. I suppose you add head/horns, heart, liver that adds 15 or 20# but still, those are big animules.

[Colville]

The one in my avatar was all two guys with kit could manage. We were packed way in and so we always knew it was a 2 guys 1 deer hunt, but that deer was a load, i'm closing on 50 so perspective will vary with age.

[X-Force]

The one in my avatar was all two guys with kit could manage. We were packed way in and so we always knew it was a 2 guys 1 deer hunt, but that deer was a load, i'm closing on 50 so perspective will vary with age.

That buck looks like a toad. Congrats on pushing your limits.

It’s hard to find a hunting buddies who will hit the hills with a trip goal of 2 guys 1 deer.

[zackmioli]

60lbs of gear is way too much stuff. Keep your pack around 40lbs and you’ll be much happier on the way in and on the way out with your deer.

[PNW4Life]

I keep my pack under 40 pounds with rifle included on the way in. Thankfully, some of that weight goes away before I head out. I’ve got ultralite gear which helps keep weight down. I backpack all spring/summer. I don’t typically pack water in with me.
Here's a few items everyone can usually cut weight on...
Water filter - Sawyer Micro Filter
Sleeping pad - Thermarest NeoLite
Sleeping bag - Mountain Hardwear 30 degree bag
First Aid Kit - Make your own
Tent, Bivy, Hammock, Tarp - REI tent footprint works very well for me and is super light
Bringing along a lot of extra clothes can add up too.
I use a Sawyer Micro that screws onto cheap water bottle or fits to my water bladder, but also has a straw to drink straight from a water source. There are lots of ways to shave ounces here and there. Ounces turn into pounds and extra pounds make me tire faster. I also try to keep extra weight off by exercising year round. (I’m a roofer by trade)
With a boned out deer on the pack out, I’ve never been over 115 pounds. It sucks but I’m with a lot of y’all in thinking I’d rather cry once than twice lol

[PNW4Life]

The one in my avatar was all two guys with kit could manage. We were packed way in and so we always knew it was a 2 guys 1 deer hunt, but that deer was a load, i'm closing on 50 so perspective will vary with age.

That deer is a monster! Any guesses on weight?

[Colville]

I've shot a pile of two to four year old whitetails. Netting betseen 40 and 60lbs, between 125 and 180 live weight.  That deer easily net 100+. I know guys love to stretch a story, but he was in the area of 300 on the hoof. We were over 100 each for load out. No scales, just plenty of loads to judge by. That deer was about 160 antlers and trying on twice that in lbs. I've never seen bigger on the ground. I have shot two better antler sets on smaller deer.

[fillthefreezer]

Every time I see people talking about these 40# packs, typically it adds up to them not counting something the guy packing 50# is. Binos? Well, those aren't in my pack.. rifle, bow? Well that's in my hands sooo... 😂👌

[Skyvalhunter]

 

[7mmfan]

Oh I think it's totally doable, it's just a matter of how much you're willing to do without while out there.

[X-Force]

I’ve done it a couple times.  Builds character.   

That's a fact.

[ctwiggs1]

Every time I see people talking about these 40# packs, typically it adds up to them not counting something the guy packing 50# is. Binos? Well, those aren't in my pack.. rifle, bow? Well that's in my hands sooo... 😂👌

Not everybody packs a case of wine into the back country

[jackelope]

Every time I see people talking about these 40# packs, typically it adds up to them not counting something the guy packing 50# is. Binos? Well, those aren't in my pack.. rifle, bow? Well that's in my hands sooo... 😂👌

Not everybody packs a case of wine into the back country

Box. Not case.

[X-Force]

Every time I see people talking about these 40# packs, typically it adds up to them not counting something the guy packing 50# is. Binos? Well, those aren't in my pack.. rifle, bow? Well that's in my hands sooo... 😂👌

Not everybody packs a case of wine into the back country

Box. Not case.

That's a dang good idea... I must have missed it in the goat thread.

[PNW4Life]

Every time I see people talking about these 40# packs, typically it adds up to them not counting something the guy packing 50# is. Binos? Well, those aren't in my pack.. rifle, bow? Well that's in my hands sooo... 😂👌

Not everybody packs a case of wine into the back country

Box. Not case.

  hilarious!