Is "High pressure unit" relative?

[grundy53]

So I'm bored and doing out of state research. I always wonder when I see someone say there is a lot of hunting pressure in a unit if it could possibly be worse than most units in Washington? I'm not that experienced in the out of state game. Started putting in for tags/points in several states a few years ago. I've been hunting whitetails in a "high pressure" unit in Idaho for close to 10 years and I've drawn 1 Nevada deer tag that was considered high pressure by Nevada standards. But honestly neither were even close to what Washington's rifle deer seasons are like. I've heard unit 39 in Idaho has the most hunters in the west hunting it. Which makes sense since it's over the counter and right next to Boise. So it's probably a mad house. And Colorado seems to be the destination spot for most of the east coast. What has your experience been? Any good stories?

[DOUBLELUNG]

My first day checking archery elk hunters in Washington I contacted more archery hunters than I had across all species in 8 years in Wyoming.  I believe that was also, at the time, the most hunters I had ever checked in a day.  Yes, high pressure is definitely relative to the state average in each state. 

[Karl Blanchard]

I've never had anything resemble WA general season.  CO I see easily as many hunters as wa.  The difference is despite the number of hunters, the came numbers are there so it's a non issue.  I've been to 39 in idaho and if you plan on day hunting from a truck camp expect to have company.  If you tackle the elevation and get away from where most will go, then you'll have a more peaceful experience.  Never had an issue finding solitude.  Great thing about the Rockies is they are the great equalizer.  Out work the next guy and you will be rewarded 

[Bigshooter]

Outside of unit 39 in ID nothing compares to WA.

[Bigshooter]

Outside of unit 39 in ID nothing compares to WA.

I take that back unit 62 in CO is a mad house from what I have been told.  62 is number 2 after 39 as the most hunted units in the west.

[MtnMuley]

I've easily seen as many or more hunters in several states in high pressured areas as I've seen in WA.  Karl's advice of outworking the next guy is the best advice I can think of in those situations and or any situations in any state.

[Bigshooter]

I've easily seen as many or more hunters in several states in high pressured areas as I've seen in WA.  Karl's advice of outworking the next guy is the best advice I can think of in those situations and or any situations in any state.

That's the no duh answer .  But I will say in the last 10 years it's a different breed of hunter that is out hunting.  Lot's of guys are trying to go deeper than anyone.  It used to be get a mile from the road and you will get away from 99% of the hunters.  Now I would say it's a lot more than 1 mile.

[idahohuntr]

It's tough to beat the crowds of WA...but mix general season, game, public lands, and easy access...you will likely have crowds.  This can be mitigated by avoiding opening day/week and of course...going to places that are hard to reach.  I agree with the above...the days of getting a mile from the road and losing hunters is a thing of the past.

[MtnMuley]

I've easily seen as many or more hunters in several states in high pressured areas as I've seen in WA.  Karl's advice of outworking the next guy is the best advice I can think of in those situations and or any situations in any state.

That's the no duh answer .  But I will say in the last 10 years it's a different breed of hunter that is out hunting.  Lot's of guys are trying to go deeper than anyone.  It used to be get a mile from the road and you will get away from 99% of the hunters.  Now I would say it's a lot more than 1 mile.

Absolutely.  The day and age of the internet and google earth.  I don't feel it's as "deep" as one can get, but more so, how "remote" can I get in areas that really hold deer, not just look like they hold deer.  First hand knowledge and experience trumps any set of legs.

[jstone]

My family has hunted the northern part of 39. Bike in and stay away from the road. Only people we saw where within a mile of the road. Always got into deer elk and bears.

[JimmyHoffa]

Alaska has some caribou seasons that are pretty wild.  People all over, waiting around revving engines for the start.  Then they all take off like a mad max movie.  (This is what I've been told.)

[idahohuntr]

Alaska has some caribou seasons that are pretty wild.  People all over, waiting around revving engines for the start.  Then they all take off like a mad max movie.  (This is what I've been told.)

The 40 mile herd...up out of Fairbanks?  I've seen some of the aftermath there and it sounds like what you describe 

[Stein]

In general, I would say a high pressure unit in WY or MT would look like a top end general season spot in WA.

I was in MT one year hunting a single section (1 mile x 1 mile) piece of public that had 13 trucks.  There was no access to any other public huntable land and the surrounding landowners don't allow hunting.  That's the worst pumpkin patch I have ever seen although I did shoot a bull.    I was the second truck in and happened to be in the right place at the right time when the sun came up.  Two other bulls were shot and I probably heard 50 shots. 

There are places outside of WA that get hammered.  Look for units with general tags that are within an hour or two of a major population center and have good road access and try those on Saturday and Sunday.

BUT, even those units will be mostly vacant come Monday and certainly by Tuesday you will have them to yourself.

With as many hunters in WA and general elk tags and a short season, the chances of finding a spot with little pressure is very low the entire season.  In other states, you can easily do that in many, many places.

[cbond3318]

I've easily seen as many or more hunters in several states in high pressured areas as I've seen in WA.  Karl's advice of outworking the next guy is the best advice I can think of in those situations and or any situations in any state.

That's the no duh answer .  But I will say in the last 10 years it's a different breed of hunter that is out hunting.  Lot's of guys are trying to go deeper than anyone.  It used to be get a mile from the road and you will get away from 99% of the hunters.  Now I would say it's a lot more than 1 mile.

It’s the dang Mt OPS and cross fit.

[Karl Blanchard]

I've easily seen as many or more hunters in several states in high pressured areas as I've seen in WA.  Karl's advice of outworking the next guy is the best advice I can think of in those situations and or any situations in any state.

That's the no duh answer .  But I will say in the last 10 years it's a different breed of hunter that is out hunting.  Lot's of guys are trying to go deeper than anyone.  It used to be get a mile from the road and you will get away from 99% of the hunters.  Now I would say it's a lot more than 1 mile.

Absolutely.  The day and age of the internet and google earth.  I don't feel it's as "deep" as one can get, but more so, how "remote" can I get in areas that really hold deer, not just look like they hold deer.  First hand knowledge and experience trumps any set of legs.

this.  Hiking a trial is easy.  Climbing a ridge is easy.  Its dropping off that ridge and going up the next that guys refuse to do.  I prove it in 4 or 5 states every year.  Like I said, I've been all over 39 and 43.  Never an issue finding solitude.  As MtnMuley said, first and experience and knowledge of game trumps stout legs 100% of the time.