Long time outdoorsman, new hunter...
Right off the bat: I'm not asking for anyone's secret spot. I have a lot of years hiking and fishing the backwoods around the northwest and am confident that I can put in the miles and elbow-grease to find big game, or will at least enjoy the challenge of trying to find them on my own. My questions are far more naive than that
I'm getting familiar with the GMU maps and rules, and I'm well aware to stay clear of private land and state/national parks, but I want to double-check: are federal wilderness areas generally fair game when the unit is open? That sounds like a dumb question, but I ask because I've literally never seen hunters or heard a shot in the mountains except when driving in to trailheads; guys in the low-lands. I had no idea until recently that there was such a thing as a "high buck hunt" in September or that black bear hunting opened in August as I've never seen hunters out there. Maybe y'all are just really good at hiding from granola crunchers like me!
I'm aware of the USFS "safe discharge" rules and have no interest in hunting anywhere near developed campgrounds, high-traffic trails, or roads, but am I reading all the regulations correctly that generally speaking I can head off into the back country wilderness in August with a bow and try to fill my bear tag? (Or any other respective season in the GMU)
Any tips for a beginner in terms of avoiding conflict with the vegan crowd that you tend to find up there (very familiar with them as a hiker)? Do you use the main public trailheads or go for a more obscure off-trail entrance? Pack out after dusk?
Thanks for any tips! Hoping to get out next fall with my son.
