Who's hunting the high buck hunt?

[JackOfAllTrades]

What Wilderness unit? Horses? Backpack in? Solo? Group? Guided? Drop Camp? How long are you goin? Different gear you're taking that you didn't take last time you hunted in the clouds? What are you leaving behind that you took last time?

-Steve

[couesbitten]

We're finally going to do it. I've been wanting to do it for years, but never really had a hunting partner who was willing or able to. Well, my son and I will be heading up Thursday (16th) and we'll be back home Sunday. Packing in on foot about 6 miles, Alpine Lakes Wilderness, figure we'll have Thursday afternoon, all day Friday and Saturday, and then pack out Sunday. We've already been up there once, saw five deer total, in a very difficult to reach location. Going back up next weekend to check another area near there, and then we'll know which of the two we want to concentrate our efforts on. Should be fun, beautiful country, doing what we love, and doing it with my son, who has become the best hunting partner I could ask for.

[MtnMuley]

Best of luck coues!  Should definately be a memorable hunt for you both.  I plan on going into the Pasayten on foot the 17th and back out the 19th.  Hopefully I can get in to where I want to be in a day.  Have a day and a morning to hunt, then 3/4 day out.   

[huntinluva]

Good luck to you guys, hope to hear of a successful trip.

[robescc]

   Eight mile walk in.

[PacificNWhunter]

5 miles in. Solo for 3 days, walking out to the trailhead to meet a buddy for 3 more days.

[deadyote]

I'm headed up to the Glacier Peaks on the 14th to the 19th.  We shot a dandy bear in there last year and saw 8 the first day.  There'll be four of us this time.  Found a new area that has a couple bruiser bucks a couple weeks ago........see if there still there.  Good luck to you all.

[bobcat]

I'd love to go but I'm not going this year. Just due to a lack of money and time. Staying close to home this year and concentrating on getting a nice blacktail with the muzzleloader. But hopefully I can get something together for next year. Would like to do a drop camp in the Pasayten again. Dang, I can't believe the last time we did that was in 2005.

[merlo105]

Chasing Blacktails in the upper elevations from the 15th-22nd Hope it dont take that long to find a real trophy... Scouted out some no-mans land seen four giants and one bear. So the deer are there.... Just finding the dandy buck.

[Alpine Mojo]

Glacier Peak Wilderness, solo backpack, up to 5 days.  My favorite time of year and I can't wait.

Leaving behind the water filter, replaced by micropur tablets (besides already bringing a stove).  Got rid of the tent for a bivy.  Leaving the ax at home this year too.  This lightens up 4 1/2 pounds and makes room for more food.  I'm still fine tuning my gear list and menu and may shave off or replace other items in the coming days.

[teanawayslayer]

headed to the glacier, hiking in 7 miles on the 13th get the camp set up and pic out the deer for the 15th.  Headed in with two other buddies.  This is my first time going on the high hunt.  I am going with two modern guys.  I still wouldn't trade the old smoke pole for anything.  I've got a lot of deer hunting to do this year. high buck, regular season, and late alta permit.  I am not shooting anything short of a hog.  I am really looking forward to this high hunt though. I am trying to keep my pack as light as possible.  The two guys I am going with have done this hunt for 40 years.  So needless to say they are telling me to pack light for I can put more of there meat in my pack on the way out.  It doesn't always pay to be the young buck.  They have put there time in so I don't mind.  Anyways good luck to all of you.

[mulehunter]

What Elevation is High Buck Area? Heard maybe Elevation 7,000 or above expect to have new SNOW today! 

Mulehunter 

[wannahunt]

I get back from Montana on the 17th so we will probably throw on the packs and go into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness early on the 18th. 7 mile hike to the area we go. I think the elevation is around 6200 foot. It's good to have a 19 and 23 year hold to help back out anything we get.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Oh, if I was up there I'd expect dustings of snow at 7,000ish. Up around 8,000 it's starting.. Yippeee! Like Idabooner said last week with that dusting down around 6,000', this might be starting a little earlier than it has for several years. Those going into the high country need to be prepaired for just about anything.

-Steve

[mulehunter]

Very cool!  Must be excited for Hunters

Mulehunter 

[haugenna]

Just got back from high archery hunt and it was snowing last night and today.  Bring on the cold weather.

[boneaddict]

14 miles in. Solo, 6 nights.    Taking the fly instead of the tent.  haugenna is going to make me question that choice.  Leaving behind the extra flashlight and knife, a second set of clothes and some food and the map and compass.  Taking 4 arrows instead of 6.    Taking another roll of parachute cord, a couple bandaids, and tums this time.  I'm contemplating the camera or not.  I'd rather have a spotting scope, but just not going to do it.   Wish I could take a flask of Jack with me.  This one is going to be tough.

[haugenna]

Bone,

I was going in light and didn't have the appropriate gear.  I sure was cold during the hunt glassing but when i got moving I warmed up fast.  The wind blew and blew and blew.  I bet it was 40-50 mph gusts.  I was around 6'000 feet.  It sure was cold.  I had another coat back at camp but thought I would cover some ground but the beauty of the area made me park my butt and enjoy my surroundings. 

[boneaddict]

Looks like I am in for some fun.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Taking the fly instead of the tent.  haugenna is going to make me question that choice.

That far back in, any weather forcast you have is subject to change. (snow shoes in your pack?) 

I think that for that amount of time, that far back, I'd opt for the tent sans camera gear. (don't get me wrong, we love your photos)  A high resolution point and shoot camera should still capture the moment. A whole lot lighter than your Canon.

But, if that 14 miles is a base camp, then you might also be able to build a pretty good shelter in a few hours. A tent or fly makes you more mobile but a tent makes those cold blustery nights so much easier to endure. 

-Steve

[swanny]

I was going to go for my first time this year, but I couldn't get anymore time off of work. The guy I was going with has horses that they pack in on, but I'm curious...do most of you take little gear so you have room in your pack to haul the animal out? Especially those of you going solo, how do you get animal and gear out? Just one trip or is it multiples? What kinds of packs are you using also?

[boneaddict]

generally I'll drop my sleeping bag and some gear and hand carry it out.  Its packed in one of those waterproof bags and they have a nice convienent handle.  I'll burn a bunch of my inexpensive clothes and food that I have left over.  That gets my pack down in size and weight.  I then use a meat bag I pack to put all the de-boned meat in.  If I take the cape I'll put it in a small bag I have packed for it as well.   I use a pack with the shelf on it and I hog tie the meat and everything on, drape the horns on top with orange tape and off the mountain I come.  (Did I mention this is what has destroyed my knees.)  If I get an excepionally large deer, I just split the load and make two trips.   The last solo packout I had the pack was in the 150 pound range.   9 miles or so of that is enough to make a grown man cry.  It helps I am the size of a moose, but that was nasty.  I hurt for several days after that.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Us little bastads need to make multiple trips!

[wilsongideon]

Going in solo this year about 10-11 miles for 5 days, camping as high as possible hopefully almost 7000 feet. getting all my gear layed out today and going to weight check my bag...hoping to keep it about 45 pounds before my gun. last year it was 58 lbs year before that it was 63 lbs. weather looks unsettled for stehiken and mazama both next 10 days gotta be prepared for wet stuff. never got one up high always figured on two trips

[Buckoholic]

I am heading up to Pasayten with the old man!! We hunt up Harts pass and hike in the morning of!! This year im taking the robinson creek trail from the top all the way back to camp which is around a 11 mile hike!!! Cant wait

[TommyBell]

Three going in for 4 days starting the 14th. I don't have alot of time to commit so just 4 days this year. Going in at the east paysayten area. It should be nice and crappy weather for the first year in a long time. Should be fun.

[SkookumHntr]

-God i wish I was going this year Have fun guys! Going to be a good hunt from the looks of things!

[marmotsafari]

I'll be heading up into the ALW solo w/backpack.. 8+ miles but that depends on how many of you guys are in the neighborhood.. staying flexible.

I've been lurking on here for a long time, think this is my first post! This thread got me excited enough to break the silence I guess 

Good luck guys!

[Alpine Mojo]

Welcome aboard and good luck!!

[MtnMuley]

Lots new snow in the high country this am.

[Mooner]

I am heading up to Pasayten with the old man!! We hunt up Harts pass and hike in the morning of!! This year im taking the robinson creek trail from the top all the way back to camp which is around a 11 mile hike!!! Cant wait

We will be doing a drop camp out of Harts pass.  Getting pretty excited, first time getting packed in!

The hunting has been pretty bad down low for a few years, we are looking to find fewer people and get away from the road hunters.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Damn! Dare I say it might be a little crowded up in the high country?

-Steve

[DeerHarvester]

Going into the Pasayten up high.  Will be packing in on the 19th till closing.   

[Ridgerunner]

Don't expect fewer hunters on the high hunt, in some spots its worse thanthe general season. 

[boneaddict]

Pack your woolies kids.   Its an early one this year.   There are some places that it already dumped a foot of snow.  Most has melted off or rained off, but its a wet one. 

[Mr T]

Last time I was on the high hunt in the ALW there were more hunters and hikers than I could handle.  Set camp up at 8+ miles and each direction I went each day there was always somebody.  Very frustrating     With that being said I will be at next year after taking a year off.  Make it about every two to three years after the aching muscles and frustration wear off.  All it took was for me to do this hunt once and I have been hooked eventhough it is some of the worst weather I have had to endure while hunting.  Always carry a few golfball size rocks in your pockets, they will serve as some good ammunition for taking a dinner of grouse back to camp

[Antlerking]

We will be going with alta lake outfitter and are getting packed in 9 miles in the pasayton. We will be leaving on the 13th

[Mr T]

Used Scott from 3 Peaks Outfitters a few years ago, they were very accomodating and I would use them again. 

[wilsongideon]

Havent seen any hunters in the Lake Chelan Rec Area also havent seen many deer...but the no hunters and few hikers make up for the no deer.

[Mooner]

We just got back from the Pasayten via Early Winters outfitting.  We had a great tme and really appreciate the drop camp service.  No complaints at all, we didn't see even one other hunter.  Unfortunately we didn't find the bachelor herd and came away empty handed with the exception of grouse and fish.  Overall though, it was a great experience.  We had some bad weather that limited visibility for about 3 or 4 days and we were really just figuring out how to hunt it when we were out of time.  The horses were awesome and the guys who hauled us in and out were great as well.

[high country]

this was the first HH I have missed in 10 years. I was fortunate enough to tear my ac ligament which crushed my HH for the year. I will be back at it soon, in better shape then ever!