Early archery high hunt

[AKBowman]

I am thinking of heading up to my high hunt wilderness area before the gun hunters get up there on the 15th. Was thinking of heading up there the first week of the season. Anyone ever had any success trying that?

[AKBowman]

Guess no ones hunted up high in early archery?

[MichaelJ]

I know people that do, and the see a lot of bucks, but it hard not having great deer density to allow yourself a few blown stalks and that country can be uber tough to get close too. If I was in WA this year I'd be doing it though thats for sure!

Michael

[boneaddict]

I guess it depends what wilderness you are talking.......I don't think the Pasayten is open for early archery, and thats the only one I am real familiar with...... 

[Bob33]

Pasayten is GMU 203; I don't believe it is open for an archery season at all.

[AKBowman]

The area is open for early season. Skokomish in the Olympics. I agree I think it will be tough to get close. I also agree that generally the deer numbers are not quite as high as at mid-elevation ranges but the deer are comgregated in predictable areas/pockets. It's going to be a great hunt.

[Ray]

I think it would be easiest to shoot a doe up high in September. Bucks won't give it up easy and sneaking on them will be hard. Good luck.

[AKBowman]

Thanks I appreciate the advice. I will make sure to post pics...I think I will pass on shooting a doe up high in the early season. I enjoy hunting in the snow too much to shoot a doe in the early season. That's what I say now, we'll see what happens if an opportunity arrises. Thanks again and best of luck to all hunters!

[Ray]

I have no idea what the terrain is like in every part of the state. However if the terrain is anything like 99% of the wilderness areas near me (steep) it will be a challenge to sneak up and take a buck with a bow but definitely not impossible. If you have located some prospects already then you're probably upping your chances significantly. Good luck.

[Bob33]

Which wilderness areas are open for an archery only early season?  I'm not aware of any.

[Ray]

How about the alpine lakes, glacier peak, and goat rocks for starters? They are open September 1st. in their respective GMUs

[Bob33]

Thanks.  Yes - it appears most of the wilderness areas do open for archery on Sep 1, just a few that don't like Pasayten.

[AKBowman]

Yeah it's kind of an unhunted hunt but I believe all of the Olympic GMU's are open for early season and all of the wilderness areas that land in these GMU's are open as well. I hunted it last year but waited until after the 15th. Ran into a couple of rifle hunters which was fine I just didnt like having to wear hunter orange...now that I think of it I suppose I will have to wear organge becuase of the possibility of running into bear hunters. I dont think it is required but i may be wrong. Either way there I havent seen anyone up in the goat country I hunt so I'm not too worried about it from a safety stand point just want to make sure I am legal. Thanks again.

[andrew_12gauge]

shouldnt have to wear orange as the regs state anyone hunting in an area open to modern firearm deer and elk hunting dont think they say anything about bears, otherwise archery hunters statewide would be required to wear orange during early season

[Ray]

You don't need hunter orange until the 16th of September and even then only where and when the high buck hunts are open for rifle hunters.