Solo for high hunt

[WoolyRunner]

How many of you go solo for the high hunt? I’m contemplating going solo.

[RockChuck]

  I really enjoy being there solo!

[cpawlowski19]

How many of you go solo for the high hunt? I’m contemplating going solo.

It all depends on you. Are you the kind of person who can endure days of quiet and stay motivated or would a companion help? I’ve done solo backcountry stuff and, while I was successful and comfortable alone, I felt like it was easier to give myself excuses or reasons to go a different way or head back to the tent a little earlier or maybe not push so deep or so hard. Having a partner I think helps with motivation and embracing the suck. Just my two cents.


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[boneaddict]

Always

[zwickeyman]

How many of you go solo for the high hunt? I’m contemplating going solo.

It all depends on you. Are you the kind of person who can endure days of quiet and stay motivated or would a companion help? I’ve done solo backcountry stuff and, while I was successful and comfortable alone, I felt like it was easier to give myself excuses or reasons to go a different way or head back to the tent a little earlier or maybe not push so deep or so hard. Having a partner I think helps with motivation and embracing the suck. Just my two cents.

Im actually the opposite. When I am solo all the decisions are mine, no one holding me back or changing my mind on what I think is best. I always hunt harder and am more successful alone. No matter how far back I am. For me the best of both worlds is to have a buddy in camp but hunt separately


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[ganghis]

I've always gone solo - though may go with a buddy for the first time this year.  I'd definitely welcome some comradery and sharing the load on the packout. In fact, I'd probably be able to stay an extra day with a buddy because I wouldn't need to plan for the possibility of a two-trip pack-out (or some variant thereof). But, it's also hard to beat going exactly where you want, when you want, and just figuring things out on your own.

[mburrows]

I really enjoy hunting with friends but hunting solo is incredibly rewarding and I’ve found that I’m a lot more in tune with what’s happening.

[h2ofowlr]

I enjoy the solo hunts.  As I get older I am starting to consider a hunting partner.  I am noticing it is becoming harder on my body and I can't handle the pack out load quite as well as I used to.

[jjhunter]

I typically go solo.  Primarily, because finding two big bucks on one hunt is tough.

[Deserthunter2016]

I’ve gone solo. Like said before it depends on your mindset when alone. When I’m solo I hunt better, I notice more, I go slower and am more aware. Try it for a night or two. If you’ve never done it I wouldn’t go 6 miles deep in case you decide you don’t like it, or if you get something you aren’t making multiple 6 mile trips. I always take a book to keep my mind busy in the slow times so I don’t get to talking myself out of being there. Relax and enjoy it.


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[RevJer]

I prefer solo hunts myself but its not for everybody. 

[Stein]

I hunt solo about half the time, will do so again this year on a backpack trip.  It's a totally different experience, likely a love/hate type of issue.

Like was mentioned, being realistic is a good idea, a solo hunter can do about 1/3 the work as a good 2-man team.

[follow maggie]

I’ve never done it anyway other than solo, but cpaw is right. You have to honestly reflect on yourself and make the appropriate decision from there.

[WoolyRunner]

Do you guys hang your food from bears when you’re out hunting away from camp?

[Stein]

I do, all smellables get hung and I cook away from my tent.  It's an old habit I learned when I was a Boy Scout, not sure it's 100% necessary but it doesn't hurt.

[RockChuck]

I’ll usually just tie some cord between 2 trees and hang it to keep it from the rodents. I keep it low so the bears have a quick easy snack!

[Shawn Ryan]

How many of you go solo for the high hunt? I’m contemplating going solo.

Mostly solo on backpack hunts, though, I have a buddy occasionally. No, I don't hang my food.  Solid advice in the answers posted, thus far.

[Colville]

Older you get, it's a distance/time question.  A really big deer will almost put out 100 lbs meat and antlers on your back.  Most guys kit is near 45 when you draw it down to the minimum.  So 2 trips.  If you have no time limit and can make ferry's of the load you are in fine shape.  If you want to get out in a day, 2 guys for one deer is the deal.  I'm not a kid anymore so I'd want at least 2+ days to exfil if I were out there 10 miles with a deer down alone.  That's a 30 mile round trip with one load at 95 ish, leaving some stuff at the car and the next one is closer to 75 ish.  Wish I had my youthful exuberance and legs.

[RockChuck]

Older you get, it's a distance/time question.  A really big deer will almost put out 100 lbs meat and antlers on your back.  Most guys kit is near 45 when you draw it down to the minimum.  So 2 trips.  If you have no time limit and can make ferry's of the load you are in fine shape.  If you want to get out in a day, 2 guys for one deer is the deal.  I'm not a kid anymore so I'd want at least 2+ days to exfil if I were out there 10 miles with a deer down alone.  That's a 30 mile round trip with one load at 95 ish, leaving some stuff at the car and the next one is closer to 75 ish.  Wish I had my youthful exuberance and legs.

Maybe you should just shoot smaller deer?? 

[jstone]

I shot a spike elk by myself. 4 miles round trip. Shot him at 7am complaining the pack out at 5pm. Up hill pack out down hill empty. Had a few bucks like that also.

My problem is I see them and go after them. Kill him then realize how far I am

[bankwalker]

My problem is I see them and go after them. Kill him then realize how far I am

You too huh? 🤣

[WoolyRunner]

How many sets of clothing do you typically bring? I was thinking 2 pair of socks, 1 t-shirt, & 1 pair of undies

[Dalbec0331]

How many sets of clothing do you typically bring? I was thinking 2 pair of socks, 1 t-shirt, & 1 pair of undies

That’s my norm, no need to change pants, shirt, or undies. I do 2 socks that way I can rotate them and was the dirty pair in water up there. You are only as good as your feet are


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[WoolyRunner]

What do you typically pack for lunch? I was thinking salami, cheese, and tortillas for a wrap type. How long will cheese last?

[pianoman9701]

Consider a satellite device like a Garmin InReach. Even a young dude can take a wrong step and end up staying in place.

[highcountry_hunter]

What do you typically pack for lunch? I was thinking salami, cheese, and tortillas for a wrap type. How long will cheese last?

I buy the individually wrapped tillamook cheeses. They’ll last years as long as they don’t get hot enough to melt. The jalapeño jack ones are fantastic!

https://www.safeway.com/shop/product-details.960074319.html?productId=960074319&psrc=g&CMPID=ps_swy_sea_ecom_goo_20200924_71700000073186042_58700007744984933_92700070318260849&gbraid=0AAAAADeuA_jQUYnYB3zbpS4oejvHEjW5-&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvv3A9P2UgQMVkA2tBh2UhAKnEAQYASABEgLk4vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You can also get the packets of best foods Mayo and mustard that are shelf stable at any temp


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[ElkTacos]

I buy the individually wrapped tillamook cheeses. They’ll last years as long as they don’t get hot enough to melt. The jalapeño jack ones are fantastic!

This is a good idea. I’ve been doing big chunks of hard cheese w/salami but it’s a mess carrying it over to multiple meals. I’m going to switch to your method

[ElkTacos]

How many of you go solo for the high hunt? I’m contemplating going solo.

I’m new to the state but that’s not exactly why I go solo, though it’s a big factor. You get to hunt your own way when solo and there aren’t any miscues or issues. There are advantages to having a partner especially if you are stalking in on something with a bow and they can give you some overwatch but it’s hard to get good chemistry with a hunting partner that has your style and level of effort.

The reality for me is that it’s hard to plan and get schedules with buddies. If you really want to hunt a lot and put in a lot of time scouting or get what you can in there, it seems inevitable to me that you’re going to be solo a lot.

[Bushcraft]

Do you guys hang your food from bears when you’re out hunting away from camp?

If this is a genuine concern of yours I submit that you might not be ready for a solo hunt, and all that it might entail.  Nothing wrong with not being ready to go solo.  One eventually might make the leap and try doing it solo, but hanging food away from camp is simply not an issue worthy of experienced consideration in our designated "high hunt" areas.  Mice will reek far more havoc on your gear and food at night than bears.

I've successfully hunted solo and with partners. Both are fulfilling in their own ways. The older I get the bonds with my friends matter FAR more than being a lonely solo lobo mountain ninja doing my own thing.

Good luck.

[pickardjw]

Do you guys hang your food from bears when you’re out hunting away from camp?

If this is a genuine concern of yours I submit that you might not be ready for a solo hunt, and all that it might entail.  Nothing wrong with not being ready to go solo.  One eventually might make the leap and try doing it solo, but hanging food away from camp is simply not an issue worthy of experienced consideration in our designated "high hunt" areas.  Mice will reek far more havoc on your gear and food at night than bears.

I've successfully hunted solo and with partners. Both are fulfilling in their own ways. The older I get the bonds with my friends matter FAR more than being a lonely solo lobo mountain ninja doing my own thing.

Good luck.

I understand what you're saying, but if it decreases my chances of getting mauled in my tent from 0.01% 0.001% I'm hanging my food. Especially if I'm solo and nowhere near anyone else. At minimum I leave it outside the tent.

[Bushcraft]

Do you guys hang your food from bears when you’re out hunting away from camp?

If this is a genuine concern of yours I submit that you might not be ready for a solo hunt, and all that it might entail.  Nothing wrong with not being ready to go solo.  One eventually might make the leap and try doing it solo, but hanging food away from camp is simply not an issue worthy of experienced consideration in our designated "high hunt" areas.  Mice will reek far more havoc on your gear and food at night than bears.

I've successfully hunted solo and with partners. Both are fulfilling in their own ways. The older I get the bonds with my friends matter FAR more than being a lonely solo lobo mountain ninja doing my own thing.

Good luck.

I understand what you're saying, but if it decreases my chances of getting mauled in my tent from 0.01% 0.001% I'm hanging my food. Especially if I'm solo and nowhere near anyone else. At minimum I leave it outside the tent.

100% your prerogative.  Again, good luck!
 

[jaymark6655]

I did once. It gets dark way before "bedtime" and no one to talk to, bring something to do when you can't sleep. I took PB and bacon sandwiches (2 a day) and too much clothing. I don't pack hunt anymore, but backpack. Usually two set of socks, sleep setup, Mountainous, PB, drink mix for electrolytes, trail Mix, dry pudding mix and a water filter, but I cover alot more miles than I ever did hunting so I am constantly eating something to keep energy up.

[R2Rcoulee]

Done both, prefer solo. I see a lot more bucks solo. Plus a partner can ruin your hunt by being out of shape, impatient, whining/complaining about not seeing anything/area, etc.