Olympic peninsula high buck hunts

[predatorG]

Going on a high buck hunt this fall. Thinking Brothers wilderness area. any recommendations?

I am using modern firearm (not quite big enough for archery ).

[bowhunterty]

I would look at the Buckhorn or Mt. SkokoKomish wilderness areas.   

[JimmyHoffa]

The Brothers should be fine.  Plenty steep.  Hopefully the Duckabush will be open by then.  The trail crews are trying to clear the dangerous trees along the trail resulting from last summer's fire.  You could access the other rivers.  Try scouting to see if you find what you like.  Mt Juptier and The Brothers are areas you may want to check.

[crazysccrmd]

I'm going to give high buck hunt a shot this year if I can get leave or at least a 4 day during the season.

[sweetlou]

Uneducated question so dont give me *censored* for asking. Is the High Buck hunts for anybody? If so, can you hunt the sept 15-25 be unsuccessful and hunt the general season?

[runamuk]

Uneducated question so dont give me *censored* for asking. Is the High Buck hunts for anybody? If so, can you hunt the sept 15-25 be unsuccessful and hunt the general season?

yes but you must be in the high buck wilderness areas and most are not an easy day hike...

[sweetlou]

Okay cool, thank for the serious answer!

[JimmyHoffa]

Anybody with a Muzzy/Modern/Multi-Season tag can do high buck.  A couple areas are open for early archery, so bowhunters kind of get a two week headstart and can hunt through the first half of high buck.  Like stated, the hike deters many because many of the deer want to be where it requires a little hiking--you only have to be within the wilderness boundary, but most go in farther.

[sweetlou]

How high is considered "High Buck Hunt". Or is it just inside the boundries like you said?

[7mag.]

How high is considered "High Buck Hunt". Or is it just inside the boundries like you said?

Within the wilderness boundary's listed in the hunting regs. Not all wilderness area's are open for high buck.

[JimmyHoffa]

How high is considered "High Buck Hunt". Or is it just inside the boundries like you said?

Just need to be inside the boundaries.  Called the high buck because it is a chance to go after deer at the high elevations.  Those areas can be full of snow by the time the regular season rolls around.  Most go hunt the alpine areas, but it is legal to hunt the forest and rivers leading up to the alpine...which in some areas is maybe 800 feet.

[merlo105]

How about all you guys find somewhere else to wonder around. go hunt col bob or wonder. or just stick with the brothers

[bobcat]

How about all you guys find somewhere else to wonder around. go hunt col bob or wonder. or just stick with the brothers

Why, where are you gonna be?

[merlo105]

Up top looking down on all the idiots. Last few years been seeing more and more people and not a single person has any idea what there doing talked to people up there looking for mule deer have people asking the most retarded questions. I just think dont bother if you dont know what your doing stick to the general season and clear cuts way more deer.

[Skyvalhunter]

sounds like you are getting frustrated with other hunters.

[JimmyHoffa]

I don't think any secret spots have been given out.  Just some general information.  They can get the specifics when they scout.

[7mag.]

Most people that ask these questions, don't have the drive to get in shape, buy the gear, learn how to use it, and most importantly, make the hike, and spend the time. They think that they will see deer in every opening, and they will all be shooters. It has been my experience that most people burn out quickly because of the hard work and lack of animals. It takes a special drive and dedication to hunt the high country.

[merlo105]

Well thats the thing 95% of the people who are thinking about doing it aint gonna scout there gonna wonder up there and walk around clue-less. It gets old running in to them people. I know not everyone is dumb but holly cow when your watching people walk around and push deer and skyline them selves and watch more deer get pushed and these people have no idea whats going on when you see the same people do it three days in a row then they ask wheres all the deer havent seen a thing its funny but also old

[7mag.]

Well thats the thing 95% of the people who are thinking about doing it aint gonna scout there gonna wonder up there and walk around clue-less. It gets old running in to them people. I know not everyone is dumb but holly cow when your watching people walk around and push deer and skyline them selves and watch more deer get pushed and these people have no idea whats going on when you see the same people do it three days in a row then they ask wheres all the deer havent seen a thing its funny but also old

I know what you are saying. I hate going to a new area, I feel like I'm intruding on some body's spot. With all the hunters in this state, it's getting harder and harder to get away from people.

[Chesapeake]

I like it.

A guy comes on here and asks for tips.

Some people say: You wont find help on the net, go figure it out on your own with your boots.

Other people say: If you dont know what your doing, then stay off the hill. Hunt the clear cuts.

Hows a guy suposed to learn, if no one will help him, if not by bumbling around trying to figure things out??

I think the issue is alot of us did the bumbling thing as kids under the guidance of our fathers. No one complains about bumbling kids, its expected. But when a 30 something takes up the hunt, then folks get annoyed by the bumbling from a grown man.

So to the OP:
Take the general answers folks will give and use them to help your research. Do some scouting to give you an idea what your getting into. Get in shape. Give it a go and see if its for you. You'll either love it and become obsessed or hate it.

Ask about gear on here. Folks love to talk gear.

We're all afraid to provide assistance on areas. We dont like company so dont want to roll out the red carpet for company. Dont take it personaly.
 

 



 

[Skyvalhunter]

So in conjunction look at some maps, locate the trail and access points to the Wilderness area. Fly it in Google Earth Then put some foot work in. Sorry I couldnt help you more I don't know the area.

[7mag.]

I like it.

A guy comes on here and asks for tips.

Some people say: You wont find help on the net, go figure it out on your own with your boots.

Other people say: If you dont know what your doing, then stay off the hill. Hunt the clear cuts.

Hows a guy suposed to learn, if no one will help him, if not by bumbling around trying to figure things out??

I think the issue is alot of us did the bumbling thing as kids under the guidance of our fathers. No one complains about bumbling kids, its expected. But when a 30 something takes up the hunt, then folks get annoyed by the bumbling from a grown man.

So to the OP:
Take the general answers folks will give and use them to help your research. Do some scouting to give you an idea what your getting into. Get in shape. Give it a go and see if its for you. You'll either love it and become obsessed or hate it.

Ask about gear on here. Folks love to talk gear.

We're all afraid to provide assistance on areas. We dont like company so dont want to roll out the red carpet for company. Dont take it personaly.
 

Some of us, me, for example, have no problem helping a guy out. But, we get tired of the growing number of people that ask for help with their first post. We are, after all, on the internet, so our comments can be seen by any one. I'm not giving specific locations out to any body on an open forum.

[bradslam]

One of the reasons people are so secretive about their alpine hunting spots is how easy it is to mess up if you don't know what you are doing.  It is a different kind of hunting.  The bucks will be bedded with very good vantage points of the danger approaching from below.  If you just wander about aimlessly in the open you will totally screw up that basin and not just for that day.  My partner and I never saw another hunter in one of the basins we hunt in Wyoming, until one year we showed up and there was a group of guys from the South who wandered around like they were trying to push white-tails.  Needless to say, the hunting wasn't very good with them around.  By the way, there is a book by Mike Eastman, called "Hunting High Country Mule Deer" that is very informative on high-country tactics.

[JimmyHoffa]

Agree with the comment about how is someone supposed to learn.  I don't have any problems helping people get to the legal areas--roads/trailheads/campsites.  Some of these units in particular have a couple of areas that aren't exactly secret, but aren't very large.  But they aren't the only places that have deer.  I would say that more than half the deer spots out there I know of were found by scouting.  Some of which don't match any of the stereotyped high buck advice.

[Chesapeake]

So back to the OP.
I know you must look at this and think "what a bunch of bickering". You'd be correct, but let me try and show you just how informative and helpfull the folks of this site really are. They dispense helpfull info in many flavors and almost constantly, you just got to filter it a touch. We really are a good bunch of guys.

So here goes:

Going on a high buck hunt this fall. Thinking Brothers wilderness area. any recommendations?


 look at the Buckhorn or Mt. SkokoKomish wilderness areas.

The Brothers should be fine.  Plenty steep.  Hopefully the Duckabush will be open by then.  The trail crews are trying to clear the dangerous trees along the trail resulting from last summer's fire.  You could access the other rivers.  Try scouting to see if you find what you like.  Mt Juptier and The Brothers are areas you may want to check.

 high buck wilderness areas and most are not an easy day hike...

the hike deters many because many of the deer want to be where it requires a little hiking--you only have to be within the wilderness boundary, but most go in farther.

How about all you guys find somewhere else to wonder around. go hunt col bob or wonder. or just stick with the brothers  Last few years been seeing more and more people and not a single person has any idea what there doing talked to people up there looking for mule deer  (read between the lines on these two; It gets crowded, he likely doesnt hunt Brothers, and dont hunt mule deer on the peninsula)

get the specifics when they scout.

Most people that ask these questions, don't have the drive to get in shape, buy the gear, learn how to use it, and most importantly, make the hike, and spend the time. They think that they will see deer in every opening, and they will all be shooters. It has been my experience that most people burn out quickly because of the hard work and lack of animals.

Well thats the thing 95% of the people who are thinking about doing it aint gonna scout there gonna wonder up there and walk around clue-less. It gets old running in to them people. I know not everyone is dumb but holly cow when your watching people walk around and push deer and skyline them selves and watch more deer get pushed and these people have no idea whats going on. (a very good list of what not to do's)

I hate going to a new area, I feel like I'm intruding on some body's spot. With all the hunters in this state, it's getting harder and harder to get away from people.

Take the general answers folks will give and use them to help your research. Do some scouting to give you an idea what your getting into. Get in shape. Give it a go and see if its for you. You'll either love it and become obsessed or hate it.

Ask about gear on here. Folks love to talk gear.

So in conjunction look at some maps, locate the trail and access points to the Wilderness area. Fly it in Google Earth Then put some foot work in.

One of the reasons people are so secretive about their alpine hunting spots is how easy it is to mess up if you don't know what you are doing.  It is a different kind of hunting.  The bucks will be bedded with very good vantage points of the danger approaching from below.  If you just wander about aimlessly in the open you will totally screw up that basin and not just for that day.

 there is a book by Mike Eastman, called "Hunting High Country Mule Deer" that is very informative on high-country tactics.

 Some of these units in particular have a couple of areas that aren't exactly secret, but aren't very large.  But they aren't the only places that have deer.  I would say that more than half the deer spots out there I know of were found by scouting.  Some of which don't match any of the stereotyped high buck advice.

Thats a good chunk of advice right there.

[Bean Counter]

Some of us, me, for example, have no problem helping a guy out. But, we get tired of the growing number of people that ask for help with their first post. We are, after all, on the internet, so our comments can be seen by any one. I'm not giving specific locations out to any body on an open forum.

+1

[AKBowman]

Better to ask about tactics of how guys are successful on the high buck OP hunts. IF you put in the time to scout, IF you laid down the $ for the correct gear, IF you were in good enough shape to get there and get a deer out in a timely manner, IF youre willing to dedicate at least 5 full days of hunting. IF you can do all those things but not know the tactics it's still almost a waste of time. 90 / 10. 90% of the deer on those high hunts are probably shot by the same 10% of hunters, especially true on the OP hunts.

You can reduce a lot of the IFs by scouting but read some books on high country hunting. I would recommend the Eastman book or even better Sheep Hunting in Alaska by Tony Russ, pretty much great tactics for hunting high country deer.

Good luck

[fillthefreezer]

You can reduce a lot of the IFs by scouting but read some books on high country hunting. I would recommend the Eastman book or even better Sheep Hunting in Alaska by Tony Russ, pretty much great tactics for hunting high country deer.

Good luck

some of the sheep hunting tactics carry over to high country deer hunting? guess I've added another book to my library list..
 

[AKBowman]

You can reduce a lot of the IFs by scouting but read some books on high country hunting. I would recommend the Eastman book or even better Sheep Hunting in Alaska by Tony Russ, pretty much great tactics for hunting high country deer.

Good luck

some of the sheep hunting tactics carry over to high country deer hunting? guess I've added another book to my library list..
 

Pretty much all of the sheep hunting tactics transfer over to high country deer hunting. I've seen some deer in spot that looked sketchy for goats! Big difference is sheep have better eyes but the book Sheep Hunting in Alaska covers pretty much every aspect of high country hunting from gear to stalking to exercise. Another good book to read that has great tips for high country deer hunting tactics is Sheep Stalking in Alaska-by Tony Russ. That book speaks more directly about the do's and donts when hunting the high country in regards to getting close to your quary undetected.

One thing I have learned over everything else is beware of the thermals and where they carry your scent and most importantly spot your quarry before he spots you...wear out your glasses!

[sweetlou]

Does anyone know if there is a map that specifically outlines the Wilderness areas?

[bowhunterty]

Yes, called custom correct maps. The series covers the whole Olympic National Park and surrounding areas including all wilderness areas.

[bowhunterty]

The website is customcorrectmaps.com.

[Skyvalhunter]

Try a search on the wilderness area in yahoo alot of times they will show a general map of the wilderness area. Or you can go to the forest service office and get a Olympic National Forest topographic map and it will show the wilderness area boundries.

[7mag.]

I believe National Geographic makes maps for all the Wilderness area's. I have seen a few, and they are good maps. About $15 each.

[merlo105]

Like everyone is saying there are ton's of map's out there. Once you find a map you can understand put the boots to work and do some scouting the deer in the high country can be tuff to find and even lay eyes on. Get the best glass you can afford and best gear all around. The best advice anyone can offer is scout scout scout and then more scouting. Lots of walking so be in shape. Good luck to everyone...

[GrainfedMuley]

talked to people up there looking for mule deer have people asking the most retarded questions. 

R U serious? People asking about Mule deer in the Olympics? I wonder what gene pool they came from?

[predatorG]

Everyones commenting on how no one tells specific spot. i aint askin for any. all i want to know  is if there is deer in the brothers.

[JimmyHoffa]

Yes.  There are deer in the Brothers.  It is rather overlooked due to being so steep and having heavy cover by water sources, so you don't hear as much about it.

[CoyoteCowboy]

customcorrectmaps.com looks rad.

wish they had ones for all the state wilderness areas.

[HoofsandWings]

Was it on a trail out of the wilderness in the Olympics or was it over by Lake Wenatchee where anti hunters threw those rocks that hit a kid? It was several years ago.
I know it was during the high buck hunt.

[Houndhunter]

So how big was this fire? Now im kinda interested , I dont know if I could give up the pasyten hunt but I may have to go check this place out since its so much closer.

[sweetlou]

http://www.wilderness.net/map.cfm?xmin=-13539857.6544&ymin=6004016.8322&xmax=-13434030.0867&ymax=6066918.6183
found this map, shows all wilderness areas. Easy to follow!

[oldcamper]

I hunted up there years ago, I think it was something like hama hama road. took it all the way to the end. It crossed a river to a turn around area, about a 3/4 mile hike up the trail from there. The first mile was a serious hike, after that it wasn't to bad. Lots of mountain goat, bear and dear. Good Luck

It's been years though but the best I could say based on current maps is it would be the south end of brothers area.

[oldcamper]

I found it, it was NF-25 in the skokomish wilderness area.