Mt. Baker National Recreation Area hunting

[rpm4463]

Every summer I visit family in Bellingham and I've done lots of backpacking and hiking off HWY 542 and the Recreation Area (south side of Baker).  This year I'm interested in hunting in those areas.  I know HWY 542 is National Forest and hunting is allowed, but what about the National Recreation Area on the south side of Baker?  It is still in National Forest, but I'm not sure if hunting is allowed in that specific spot.

I've never hunted in Washington, but most of my hiking has been to mountain meadows, lakes,or the base of glaciers.  I've seen more mountain goats than deer. Do many people hunt in alpine regions?  I suppose deer in the mountains migrate to the lower valleys by october?  Good bear hunting in those same areas?

I also have family that lives near Hobart (Maple Valley).  More elk in that region?

Any advice would be great.

[3nails]

 I hunt almost solely in the alpine regions above 4,000'. Bear hunting is excellent up high and yes the deer are still there in Oct. Best chance at killing a bruiser blacktail, in my opinion.

[Skyvalhunter]

What will you be hunting for?

[rpm4463]

Primarily hunting for deer, but also game for bear or elk.

[Skyvalhunter]

Good for deer and bear but you won't find much for elk.

[bigtex]

Yes you can hunt in the National Recreation Area (NRA). NRA's are operated by the National Park Service (they have the most), Forest Service (a couple) and BLM (one). NRA's are basically operated to allow recreational opportunities, not prohibit them. For example Lake Roosevelt NRA is operated by the National Park Service, but it is one of the few NPS units (most being NRA's) that allow hunting. NRA's usually tend to be reservoirs such as Roosevelt, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, etc.

[Bearhunter]

3nails what do you know about killing big Blacktail??    Lets see some picSSSS, prove it!!!!!!

[rpm4463]

Does the Mt. Baker NRA get much hunting pressure?  I know they allow horses in some areas.

[mattaylor81]

Mt Baker NRA gets lots of hiking pressure.  Schreiber's Meadows, Railroad Grade, Park Butte Lookout, and the climber's camps are all in the NRA you are asking about.

[rpm4463]

I've hiked on all those trails and was thinking about hunting there because I'm familiar with the area.

[Skyvalhunter]

3nails what do you know about killing big Blacktail??    Lets see some picSSSS, prove it!!!!!!

I don't think he is going to take your challenge!!

[alecvg]

No elk hunting, That would still be the Nooksack unit.  Draw only unit.

[Bearhunter]

Im sure hope he will Skyval, he is probably one of the best Blacktail hunters in the state and could keep everyone here entertained for quite some time with his pics! 

[3nails]

 on the right my 2010 high country opening weekend blacktail w/ my buddies buck. second pic 2008 high country blacktail. I'll save my biggest ones for later. This just to show the high countrys' where it's at!

[PacificNWhunter]

Nice bucks!