High Hunt Reports

[Ridgerunner]

Well lets hear all about the crowds, monster bucks and gorgeous scenery up there this year.  Lots of fire closures I imagine pushed the pressure even higher in open areas. 

[Fader31]

I've also been wondering how things are going with the fires. I scheduled time off so I guess I'll just go to whichever wilderness isn't on fire come Friday?

[LDennis24]

Just got a report from my cousin

"Yeah, just got back. My buddy got a tiny buck, we saw 5 really nice bucks but they were too far to make a good shot with the wind we had. TONS of people up there too. Even had a  forest service ranger on horseback checking licenses."

[LDennis24]

Pesayten pics, from last month

[Fader31]

Pesayten pics, from last month

Thanks for the report, that really helps! I saw that the east Pasayten still has trails that aren't closed, but haven't been sure if it's actually huntable with the fires in the west, and it's a six plus hour drive so I haven't made it out there to see. Sounds like there are indeed people there so it can't be completely unbearable.

[jstone]

Is there a fire in that area?

[jstone]

Is the lake Wenatchee area closed due to the fire?

[ganghis]

Is the lake Wenatchee area closed due to the fire?

White River rd and little wenatchee rd are closed

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5308542

You can still get into Glacier Peak wilderness from other access points though (Chiwawa river rd, etc)

[Pacific Ghost]

I logged a lot of wilderness miles this year. Before bear season, during bear season, during archery season ( I have a multi-season deer tag this year) and before the high buck, and during high buck. I did see deer, but the common theme for me was milder conditions, as in warm/hot and dry. There is usually some rainy/stormy weather at some point that helps get animals moving a bit more, but it doesn't look like that is going to be the case this high buck season.

[yakimanoob]

To our utter disbelief, we didn't see even one other hunter in the two areas we hunted this year. Didn't see any legal bucks either, so, you know, maybe that has something to do with it  .

I'm happy as a clam though.

[Pacific Ghost]

Ya, same story for me.

[jstone]

Nice getting rid of those fawn killers

[LDennis24]

Wow, so boring up there all the bears are just taking naps in the middle of berry patches!

[Buck Rub Jr]

Me and my buddy got our peckers kicked on the high hunt. Didn’t get an opportunity to scout out our new spot this summer and just went for it, hiked in on the trail some miles then dove off the trail for a nice leisurely 4,000’ climb. All the water spots we had thought would be there were dried up, didn’t find water until we were over 8 miles in and that was about 1,000’ drop down into a hole to get to it. That was a fun hike to do with only 32oz of water. Camped at the water source and it was a couple miles to the next basins to hunt since we’d blown this one out with our scent. Made the call it wasn’t feasible especially with how steep the face was that we climbed(didn’t want to do that downhill with 100+ pound packs if we killed) and beat feet back to the truck.

[Bushcraft]

I couldn't get out this year. Pinned down at work with this insane stock market volatility.

But, I know where a three year old 127-132" buck is hanging out with a more mature 192-198" buck with nice bases. 

Both have really nice hides if you're looking to do a full body taxidermy mount and willing to wait 5-6 years to get it back, if ever.

$3,528 in hard, cold, non-counterfeit cash to be exchanged in a very public place gets you the info for the former.   I reserve First Shot Rights for the latter.

Requirements:

• A signed NDA (in blood)
• Crampons (duh!)
• Leukotape (ample)
• A sleeping bag with fill that's significantly better than recycled toilet paper.
• Knowledge of how to make a fire with only rocks, wet snow and ancient 4' tall alpine fir that's still alive. (Knowledge only. Ability to actually do so is irrelevant.)
• A strong back lashed to a 15,000 cubic inch pack
• Weak mind. I won't judge you if you bring a dimwitted friend.

A satellite messenger service to help get your *donkey extracted is encouraged.

Not responsible for Acts of God or your stupidity. No guarantees expressed or implied.

PM me for 2% discounts on my online 2022 Monster High Buck locator services.  Due to inflation, please anticipate an additional 15-35% extra for 2023 prices depending on whether or not I like you, which is unlikely.

[Watimberghost]

Bushcraft, I think I meet all your pre-requisites. PM me

[jstone]

Has anyone been in 249? How is the smoke? Might go in and look for a deer and chase a big bear I saw in that unit this weekend.

[Bushcraft]

Bushcraft, I think I meet all your pre-requisites. PM me

No. PM me. But only after I receive confirmation that you subscribed to my Only Fans High Buck account first.

[Shoofly09]

  Due to inflation, please anticipate an additional 15-35% extra for 2023 prices depending on whether or not I like you, which is unlikely.


ok, that made me laugh.    funny stuff....

[yakimanoob]

I've got that weak mind part covered for sure 

[ganghis]

Another sleeping bear during the high hunt!!  Double lunged him but he took off into the brush at dusk and didn't find him til the next AM - never saw any deer, though definitely heard them

[jstone]

Nice Bear. Is that the only bear you saw?

[OPtrah]

The Alpine provides again. My hunting partner is now 3 for 3 on the Hi Hunt. I'm 6 for 10.

[Stein]

Great bucks, congrats!

[hike2hunt]

Great looking animals. Must have been an arduous pack out.

[highside74]

Great looking animals. Must have been an arduous pack out.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. You just can't go throwing big words like that around in here. You might hit Cryder or something. Then what would we do?

[HillHound]

Another sleeping bear during the high hunt!!  Double lunged him but he took off into the brush at dusk and didn't find him til the next AM - never saw any deer, though definitely heard them

How was the meat and hide the next day? I shot one at dusk and didn’t find it till the next morning. It had died on its back. Quarters were fine but the back straps had a funky smell. Fleshed the hide as good as I could and put it in the freezer but I Havnt taken the hide to a taxidermist yet so I don’t know if it’s any good or not. Seems like it will be but I know it doesn’t take much decomposition for the hair to slip when tanning

[OPtrah]

Great bucks, congrats!

Thanks stein!

[OPtrah]

Great looking animals. Must have been an arduous pack out.

Thanks H2H! Eh, wasn’t too bad really. Elmer seems to enjoy his job.

[ganghis]

Nice Bear. Is that the only bear you saw?

Nope, I saw 4.  One a long way away, another in a basin that I tried to put a stalk on but it slipped away, the one I shot, and another - the biggest one by far - I bumped while packing this guy out.  There are definitely places that hold more deer but the spot I went has a really high bear density

[ganghis]

Another sleeping bear during the high hunt!!  Double lunged him but he took off into the brush at dusk and didn't find him til the next AM - never saw any deer, though definitely heard them

How was the meat and hide the next day? I shot one at dusk and didn’t find it till the next morning. It had died on its back. Quarters were fine but the back straps had a funky smell. Fleshed the hide as good as I could and put it in the freezer but I Havnt taken the hide to a taxidermist yet so I don’t know if it’s any good or not. Seems like it will be but I know it doesn’t take much decomposition for the hair to slip when tanning

I didn't save the hide but it seemed to be in pretty good shape.  Meat smells fine, tho I was worried because it's core was still pretty warm the next AM (legs seemed to have cooled down).  It was about 12 hours between shooting and finding him. Not ideal but I think I got away with one... I'm going to turn most of him into sausage though just to be on the safe side

[HillHound]

Great to hear and congrats to all.  Love to see the success up there, wether it’s deer or bears

[sladich88]

I shot a little 3 point and another guy in my camp got a 3 point as well. My other buddy got his first bear. Lots of people

[sladich88]

late on the photos here is 2 of the 3 animals we packed out

[pickardjw]

Nice buck! I think that bear was shot over my buck's carcass 

[cpawlowski19]

This may be a dumb question but does anyone know why the Salmo-Priest Wilderness isn't included in the High Buck Hunt?

[Skyvalhunter]

Perhaps you can find your answer here.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=257827.0

[cpawlowski19]

Perhaps you can find your answer here.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=257827.0

Thanks - I read the whole thread and still no closer to an answer….


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[highcountry_hunter]

Perhaps you can find your answer here.
https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=257827.0

Thanks - I read the whole thread and still no closer to an answer….


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Because there’s only 6 deer left in the Salmo


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[Skyvalhunter]

Seems they have added wilderness areas to the high hunt here and there. But wilderness areas like Wild Sky not fitting the true designation of untrammelled by man and split by a road in the middle will never make the high hunt. Not sure reason for or against Salmo being a high hunt area to answer the OP question.

[cpawlowski19]

Disclaimer: I am not looking for specifics as to locations or specific wilderness - just general info

I’ve been designated as mission planner for our high buck hunt this fall. As I identify areas to scout - would you recommend an out of the way lake off a beaten trail that may not offer as much for opportunities or a well known trailhead to an area that has lots of viable hunting basins? May not is the key word since we know deer aren’t always where we expect them to be….


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[jstone]

Way out of the way hard to get places

[cooltimber]

go where no man wants to go. goggle map.

[cpawlowski19]

go where no man wants to go. goggle map.

I use OnX - I’m trying to gauge between sanity on the hike and getting away from people.


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[cpawlowski19]

Way out of the way hard to get places

That’s my plan. Just trying to balance way hard to get to and sanity for the trip in and out


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