Olympic peninsula high buck hunts

[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?