Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Backcountry Hunting => Topic started by: Andrew on August 22, 2012, 09:48:53 PM

Title: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Andrew on August 22, 2012, 09:48:53 PM: So with less than 36 hours from my planned scouting trip my buddy tells me that he's not feeling up to it. Now I'm faced with heading out into the back country solo; which my wife is not to jazzed about. My trip was only going to be a one nighter, but it was going to be well off the beaten path.

My hunting partner is my brother-in-law who is coming out from Indiana and buying a $450+ tag which is adding a bit of pressure to make sure I scout and at least get some idea of the terrain before the opener. I'm torn...not sure if I'm making a bigger deal out of this or not. Been in the boonies before alone, just not 5+ hours away.

Go no Go...what da think?
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: washelkhunter on August 22, 2012, 09:53:15 PM: Seen the price of gas lately?
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Andrew on August 22, 2012, 09:56:55 PM: Yeah that sucks too. I'll never understand why the price of gas is so high when we have refineries in our backyards!
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: bobcat on August 22, 2012, 09:57:04 PM: Could you skip the scouting trip and instead schedule two additional days at the beginning of your hunt?
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: buglebuster on August 22, 2012, 09:57:33 PM: i say go, if you dont you will never be able to stop thinking about it :twocents:
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Andrew on August 22, 2012, 10:32:11 PM: I'm inclined to go...I've got maps, compass, gps, bear spray, 9mm...just figure I have to take it slow and be super careful, and now when to not let pride get in the way of reason.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: huntnnw on August 23, 2012, 12:29:02 AM: I soley scout alone..I do not rely on others for that reason anymore.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: 3nails on August 23, 2012, 05:18:40 AM: Just leave directions on where you'll be and a return time. No worries.

You could pm me your location and if you don't pm back when you return I'll come look for you. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: coachcw on August 23, 2012, 06:08:13 AM: let people know where your going and when you will be back then roll . most of my best scouting trips are alone .
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: LabMan on August 23, 2012, 06:57:12 AM: I routinely scout and hunt alone. Print a map, tack it to the refer and leave instructions. When you will be back, when to call for help and who to call. Most of my friends know my hunting areas and know where to find me.

I always make a point to phone home and check in , when I have service or am able.

Cheers

Go scouting have fun
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Atroxus on August 23, 2012, 08:57:58 AM: Depending on when/where you are going I might be willing to go with you. I am a new hunter and am always looking for opportunities to learn from experienced hunters.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: kentrek on August 23, 2012, 09:30:09 AM: just go..dont over think it just do it

going solo is 99% mental..you wana start off on a good foot

formula for success... experience + persistence = killn....dont cut your self short on experience part(esp if youv never hunted spot before) :twocents:
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: pianoman9701 on August 23, 2012, 09:34:26 AM: Options:

1. Have you ever scouted this place before? If so, is this trip necessary?

2. If not, I agree with all of the comments about go for it, just let your wife know exactly where you're going.

3. Bobcat's suggestion of staying home and adding a day or two at the beginning is good.

4. Go get a SPOT today.

5. Drink instead

Have a nice hunting trip!
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Shawn Ryan on August 23, 2012, 03:15:55 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on August 23, 2012, 09:34:26 AM
Options:

1. Have you ever scouted this place before? If so, is this trip necessary?

2. If not, I agree with all of the comments about go for it, just let your wife know exactly where you're going.

3. Bobcat's suggestion of staying home and adding a day or two at the beginning is good.

4. Go get a SPOT today.

5. Drink instead

Have a nice hunting trip!

x2

findmespot.com. Its good peace of mind for your wife and a good extraction tool if you get really stuck.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Skillet on August 23, 2012, 03:38:06 PM: Go prepared, you'll be fine. Just no Bear Grylls stunts and I bet you make it back alright. Wife's afraid of what she doesn't understand. Just like you are afraid when she takes your credit card to go shopping.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Miles on August 23, 2012, 04:31:43 PM: Just go for it. I'm headed to the Yolla Bolly wilderness with gun in hand on the 14th of September for a solo backpacking trip. 5+ hours from the house and never been remotely close to the area before.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: mtman on August 23, 2012, 07:02:18 PM: Let the wife worry. That will never stop. Go do what men are made to do.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: grade-creek-rd on August 23, 2012, 10:23:08 PM: Stay Home...just kidding...get out and scout (you will only regret it if you don't go). and remember, its a scouting trip...if things turn bad (weather, flat tire, etc...) just turn around and go home...no big deal unless you don't go and then find out later that the trail is washed out, road is washed out, or you can't find the turn to the road you need to get to the trailhead, etc when it comes time to hunt.

G-C-R
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: bassquatch on August 25, 2012, 11:24:32 AM: 95% of my scouting and hunting is solo, my wife isn't crazy about it but she knows that's what makes me ME!

Take your wife, if you can't or she's not interested just leave her with as much info as possible and GO! :tup:

Most places in the mountains anymore get at least enough cell signal to squeeze out a text message anyways, it's not that big of a deal. :twocents:
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: GlennGTR on August 25, 2012, 11:30:28 AM: You can rent a Spot locator beacon if you cant afford to buy one. The back country, woods, outdoors, trails or whatever may be are full of risk. If you dont like a little risk in your adventure...take up kite flying.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: Andrew on August 27, 2012, 09:10:16 PM: Two hours before launch I got a phone call from a friend telling me that his son's bear hunting trip was canceled and that he'd like to go with me. Great that I had company, bad that I was not prepared for a 16-year old's metabolism! I knew I was in trouble when we stopped to get lunch and he orders three MacChickens, super sized fries, and a gallon of pop! Within 10 minutes he inhaled everything minus the bag :yike:

I am very glad that I had gone, it proved to be a very worth while trip. Although only two days I now have a better understanding of the terrain, fewer hypotheticals, and more concrete plans for the actual hunt.

...and now for what you really want to know...we saw a total of four shooter bucks. One of which was a really nice 4x4 that was accompanyied by a 3x3 with small crab claws on the back (G2 and G3?) but bigger bodied than 4x4. Spotted a bull moose and a buck the following morning a 150 yards away. Bumped only two grouse (hen and what looked like one of her chicks), had anticipated much more since we covered 17 miles. More than half was off trail bushwacking. Didn't see any bear or sign, seemed odd. Did see a few piles of cougar scat on the trail.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: supagoose on August 28, 2012, 07:07:50 PM: Quote from: huntnnw on August 23, 2012, 12:29:02 AM
I soley scout alone..I do not rely on others for that reason anymore.
your statement is so true im the same. everyone want to shoot an elk but no one wants to work for it. i dont tell my buddies where i find elk anymore and if i do its always where they dont want to go.

for me if its far enough off the path there will be elk there.
Title: Re: Scouting Dilema
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on August 30, 2012, 12:45:08 PM: Cool that you took a youngster with you.
I scout/hike/hunt a bunch solo. Like was said before, 'It's what makes me ME'. I do leave map at home marked with my 'intended route' and 'intended destination', with an expanded perimeter for 'uh, scouting'. If I don't come home, don't send anything more than a plane for a search party. I'm seldom on a trail, but bushwacking, I take very few chances. If I can fall to my death, I'm too close to the edge. I don't carry a SPOT though. My GPS, map and compass are quite handy though. I go prepared for what I don't expect most times. Hiking/scouting/hunting solo just means you have to be a bit smarter about how you do it.
-Steve