Post by: MadMooner on June 28, 2016, 01:44:46 PM
Thinking about getting out for the High Buck Hunt this year. It'd be my first. Just cogitating on which wilderness to check out.
Mule deer would be the focus, not looking at any of the Olympic areas. I'm guessing they all hold a few nice bucks somewhere in there vast expanses. I'd go for quality over quantity.
Anyone want to comment on a favorite wilderness? High country snow pack should be melting off about now, yes?
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2016, 01:50:57 PM
There's still a bunch of snow up high, especially in the trees. I've been watching some of the local hiking pages on Facebook, WTA trail reports, etc. for trail info and updates.
Post by: MadMooner on June 28, 2016, 02:20:42 PM
I've looked at some older threads and have a plan, just haven't decided which wilderness to apply it!
I'm not worried about crowds. One thing I've noticed out here is most hunters don't want to get out of there truck for long and only a very small percentage of the rest that do bother to venture far from it. I'd bet there are hundreds of thousands of acres that go un-hunted.
Just figured I'd throw it out there and see if anyone wanted to join the conversation.
Thanks for the tip on snow conditions!
Post by: grade-creek-rd on June 28, 2016, 02:30:30 PM
Joking aside, check out WTA website...it's a hiker site and they give daily updates on trails and even talk about bears and bucks once in a while...lots of hikers out there during the same timeframe as the High Hunt with lots of road and tail conditions, you can go back several years and look at trip reports and most even have photos!
Grade
Post by: jackelope on June 28, 2016, 02:32:31 PM
Post by: Widgeondeke on June 28, 2016, 03:07:40 PM
Unfortunately with the crowds lately in regard to the high hunt, you won't likely get a lot of people commenting on where to go. You might spend a little time utilizing the search function in this board and you can probably come up with a good pile of info and formulate a plan on where to start. It's probably one of the most tightly guarded secrets people keep these days in terms of hunting in this state if you ask me.
There's still a bunch of snow up high, especially in the trees. I've been watching some of the local hiking pages on Facebook, WTA trail reports, etc. for trail info and updates.
I can show you on a map where Jackelope went :yike:
:bdid: :bdid:
JK
Post by: luvmystang67 on June 28, 2016, 03:20:18 PM
I'd say you're starting off pretty strong. Hunting the olympics would probably be a bad choice. I'm not familiar with any mule deer that winter at the base of that area. For the others... you should make the same determination and then go explore.
Good luck. There's a lot of amazing country up there.
Post by: sumpnz on June 28, 2016, 03:22:00 PM
I'm not worried about crowds. One thing I've noticed out here is most hunters don't want to get out of there truck for long and only a very small percentage of the rest that do bother to venture far from it. I'd bet there are hundreds of thousands of acres that go un-hunted.
I think you'll be surprised how far into the wilderness you really have to go to be alone.
When I lived in AZ and took Hunter Safety they said over 90% of hunters never go more than 100 yards from a road. And that meant one they could drive on, not a road they had to walk or bike in on. Here in WA I'd put that number 80% tops, probably more like 70-75%. Public land has gotten so crowded that hunters that care about having a quality hunting experience and a better than 5% success rate put in the effort to get way back in there. Just a SWAG, but I'd think to get away from 90% of hunters you'd need to be at least 2 miles from any road that allowed motorized vehicles. To get really alone you're probably talking 10+ miles.
Post by: Branden on June 28, 2016, 04:00:45 PM
As for your original question I've scouted all the wilderness/rec areas open for the high hunt that contain mule deer. They all have deer and bear in them. If I was just starting out I would scout the wilderness closest to where I live. Saves time that way.
Good luck,
Branden
Post by: pd on June 28, 2016, 06:43:17 PM
Another thought is to use the PCT to access Chelan county, and then hunt Glacier Peak. Quite a hike in, but you will be nearly alone.
Post by: grade-creek-rd on June 29, 2016, 08:24:49 AM
Grade
Post by: Bushcraft on June 29, 2016, 11:50:32 AM
Pull out a map and take a long hard look at the basins in the headwaters of all the major drainages applicable in the High Hunt wilderness areas, particularly those with trails that are in them or are within a few miles of them. Now, take a look at some of the drainages in the GPW for example. A casual review will come up with White, Indian, Lightning, Thunder, Boulder, Elsey, Napeequa, High Pass, Little Giant, Buck, Chiwawa, Phelps, Rock, Ice, Entiat, Choral, Brushy, Larch, Pomas, Chipmunk, Leroy, Louis, Alpine, Maple, Amber, Papoose, Ibex, Cougar, Cockeye, Twin Lakes, etc. Not counting the little pocket basins that automatically get covered by proximity, that's only 30 or so basins than can easily be covered by good legs, lungs and optics.
Then, take a moment to reflect on how much of those drainages are serviced by outfitters and people that have their own pack stock.
Then, take a moment to reflect on how much of that is pretty easily accessed by seriously fit backpack hunting guys that think nothing of 15+ mile days. Then, there is the swarm of bright colored peak baggers and hikers that get out while the getting is good before the weather turns later in the Fall.
Is it any wonder that the furthest reaches of ALL of the 30-odd GPW basins mentioned are covered given the population of hunters and hikers in this state?
Answer: Nope!
Is it any wonder that the furthest reaches of nearly ALL of the far flung basins in all of the applicable High Hunt units are covered given the population of hunters and hikers in this state?
Answer: Nope again!
If you go into this thinking you are going to hike 10, 15, or 20+ miles into your own private honey hole, you have either been lied to or are lying to yourself. Either way you are likely going to be sadly mistaken and probably wasting not only your time, but also someone else's valuable time.
Post by: Branden on June 29, 2016, 05:25:58 PM
Anyway it is pretty hard to get away from people now days. Just not a lot of area for the amount of hunters. You might find a little side basin, or if you like hunting timber you can have miles to yourself. But most of the good alpine areas are hunted fairly hard year after year.
Post by: Motorjosh on June 29, 2016, 06:09:30 PM
Post by: Bushcraft on June 30, 2016, 03:27:36 PM
That doesn't happen during the High Hunt simply because a) you usually don't have that many hunters to create a "drive" effect, and b) most guys, if they are smart, are just hunkered down behind glass anyway.
What does happen is that guys that want to give the High Hunt a shot look at a map and mistakenly determine that the farthest, most seemingly impossible basins to get into in terms of mileage, elevation gain/loss, obstacles, etc., is the perfect place to go to get away from other hunters (or worse, they are told that that is a good idea! :bash: ) Then, the day before they manage to get in there (without scouting it once!) and set up their camp in idiotic places, maybe sight in their rifles again just to make sure, and then bumble around aimlessly wondering why there are no deer and why they aren't the only hunters in the area (see my prior post).
So, High buck is different. Contrary to what some people believe bucks don't just hang out and wander all around a particular home drainage or ridge network. Instead, they adhere to a home base and they key in on the very best food, water and shelter options available to them. Sometimes, that can be measured in the area the size of a few football fields or it can literally be as small as the size of baseball infield. For example, one of the spots I like typically has a small bachelor group that ranges within an area that is about 1,000 vertical feet by 500 yards or so. Another is a spot where a single buck or two will eat, sleep and drink in a very, very tiny area about the size of a major league baseball infield. The first is what I generally will look over first, and the second is a fall back spot that I can literally glass most any time of day and check to see if the buck or two is still there). But NONE of them will be there if idiots come stomping in and blow them out.
Point being is that for some of us, killing isn't a "bonus"...putting meat in the freezer and on our dinner table is the objective.
Having opportunities to do just that evaporate when a band of fools blindly stumble into some "far flung area that no one would possibly ever go". They just end up blowing the bucks out and down into thick timber for the remainder of the time you've taken off from work is frustrating. I've watched it happen to other people through my spotting scope and it's happened to me.
We can all hike and scout and enjoy the scenery the rest of the year, but we can only legally harvest a certain time of the year. If all someone wants to do is take some time off and go on an armed hiking trip and take in the scenery, hey...more power to them. But there's a ton of scenic places to do that in our state without screwing up other people's hunts and wasting everyone's time.
The bottom line is that if a guy is willing to put the time and energy into pre-season scouting, more power to him if it happens that he ends up targeting the same group of bucks someone else is after. It's entirely possible they could be scouting alternating weekends, each not seeing another soul and coming to the (usually mistaken) conclusion that they'll have it all to themselves come game-time. By the time the season rolls around, they'll probably have the bucks patterned pretty well and know where to set up a small unobtrusive bivy-camp someplace out of the way so as to not disturb the animals, and then put a careful, thoughtful stalk on them to seal the deal. As much as I'd prefer the place all to myself, I can't find fault with a guy that puts in the sweat equity. Conversely, I have very little patience for fools that pick a distant spot on the map and assume that because it's so far back that they'll have it all to themselves (WRONG!) and then proceed to screw it up for the guys that actually put in the work scouting it all summer.
Post by: Tbob on June 30, 2016, 05:31:26 PM
Post by: Bushcraft on June 30, 2016, 05:59:33 PM
The far flung places are already being hunted hard by others. And some are an absolute zoo of people, camps and pack stock. That's just the reality.
...Which begs the question as to why any more people should be encouraged to go there in the first place?
Newbies are far better off either teaming up with existing camps or learning the ropes and paying their dues closer to the rig. That way, everyone's chances at putting tag on something will be better.
Post by: pd on June 30, 2016, 07:51:08 PM
I am one of the "colorfully adorned peak baggers" referred to earlier, although my gear is now so old, there is little color left. See a few of the photos below.
I climbed Glacier Peak this past weekend. I am always worried about leaving my rig at the trailhead, as we head into the wilderness for several days. Amazingly, on the way out (a Tuesday) we saw more parties going in than we saw on the weekend! I passed 6 different groups, some well equipped (and some not so). This should be evidence for the OP that 10-mile hikes in (net gain >5,000'), even with 50# packs, will not deter a lot of hikers.
I cannot speak to finding hunters in all of the basins in the Glacier Peak wilderness, as previously described. But I take back what I suggested earlier---it really isn't that hard to hike 15+ miles, cross the Cascade divide, and hunt the eastern slopes within Chelan county. I will second the advice given, find a spot, go scout it now, and decide what to do then. It would be a mistake to assume "nobody could possibly be in this basin." Best of luck.
Near the Cascade crest, looking NE towards Chelan county.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi63.tinypic.com%2F2pozj2e.jpg&hash=ccb769f8831d24d155d70cf7a139694ca497ae25)
At Glacier Gap, looking north towards Glacier Peak.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi65.tinypic.com%2F29qe3h0.jpg&hash=6dcb4839d9d7a5c60db84c3362cb00a37f46c27a)
Post by: jackelope on June 30, 2016, 08:49:23 PM
...Which begs the question as to why any more people should be encouraged to go there in the first place?
Newbies are far better off either teaming up with existing camps or learning the ropes and paying their dues closer to the rig. That way, everyone's chances at putting tag on something will be better.
I disagree. A new guy out there has just as much right being out there as you or I or anyone else. If he's willing to do the same work as you, then he should have at it.
Post by: Bob33 on June 30, 2016, 09:14:27 PM
FWIW, I didn't mean to come off as harsh, but I did want to spell out the reality of the situation by conveying that some of the information floating around out there is flat out wrong and may be setting up new people for not only their failure, but also the failure of guys that already have considerable skin in the game.Thank goodness when I was a "newbie" I had fellow hunters who encouraged me to explore, rather than discouraged and demeaned those who did.
The far flung places are already being hunted hard by others. And some are an absolute zoo of people, camps and pack stock. That's just the reality.
...Which begs the question as to why any more people should be encouraged to go there in the first place?
Newbies are far better off either teaming up with existing camps or learning the ropes and paying their dues closer to the rig. That way, everyone's chances at putting tag on something will be better.
Post by: JM on June 30, 2016, 09:49:42 PM
I'd find a place that looks like it has deer and focus on that. Not all but most drainages will have them whether you see them or not.
One quick question, have you ever harvested a big game animal?
Post by: Eric M on June 30, 2016, 10:44:56 PM
In the last year, besides Google Earth, I have purchased tons of maps including the OnX map app for my phone. I also think find some spots NOW and get up there and sit still and glass all day NOW. The animals are easier to see and your mistakes, if you make any, won't ruin anyone's day but your own. There will probably be tons of guys there in September, but watch the habits of the animals and practice your own skills. Look for an unobtrusive place to camp away from where you would hunt. You wouldn't camp under a treestand. Finding a beautiful basin to live in the middle of is just not going to work. Learning about the thermals is important too. Also then you will have some frame of reference for what the country looks like for real when you are looking at Google Earth.
Oh and no one wants to talk about it but bury your poop please. Nothing is more disgusting than looking out into beautiful country and stepping into it. Trust me you will smell it all day. haha. Anyway good luck.
Post by: Bushcraft on July 01, 2016, 12:02:18 AM
...Which begs the question as to why any more people should be encouraged to go there in the first place?
Newbies are far better off either teaming up with existing camps or learning the ropes and paying their dues closer to the rig. That way, everyone's chances at putting tag on something will be better.
I disagree. A new guy out there has just as much right being out there as you or I or anyone else. If he's willing to do the same work as you, then he should have at it.
Josh,
You're not actually disagreeing with me, you're just paraphrasing part of what I said or perhaps missing it entirely. So let me rehash this...I'm speaking to the people that don't actually put in the same work as me or the other guys that like to go deep for a week or two at a time. If a guy nuts up and puts in the same pre-season scouting sweat equity on public land, he ABSOLUTELY deserves to be there just as much as myself, you or anyone else does.
Again, for what might me the umpteenth time (trust me, I'm smiling a friendly smile here as I say this man), what I can't abide by is the advice all to often given to newbies (or the advice lazy newbies give to themselves when they don't do any actual boots on the ground research), is to go to what they mistakenly believe are the farthest flung most off the beaten path basins in the High Hunt wilderness areas in an effort to get away from other people. That advice is 100% pure BS since everyone knows those places are already being hunted by crews that have been in there for many, many years. So, the newbies that are being lied to - or are in effect lying to themselves, are screwing not only themselves out of a potential opportunity, they are also screwing the guys that scout the heck out of it all summer long and have staked their proverbial claim on in it, year, after year, after year. That doesn't mean that the most remote basins are the only ones that hold deer. The entire country holds deer. So, instead of messing with the far flung places that everyone knows are already "taken", set up in some good pockets closer to the trailheads.
What pisses me and others off are the bumbling idiots that haphazardly stumble 15-20+ miles into an area only to throw their packs down and screw up an entire drainage with their farm league antics because they are so whooped that they can't even think straight...or simply haven't bothered to do their research on mature mule deer behavior. Is it public land?...Yes. Do they have the right to be there?...Well, that's somewhat debatable depending on whether or not they actually pay anything in taxes to the public coffer. Do they "DESERVE!" to be there when their bodies have failed them and they don't have the <bleeping> foggiest clue what they are doing?...way more often than not the answer is a resounding No.
Switch gears...let's talk elk hunting. I've been hunting a particular area in a particular wilderness area for a long time. It's not often, but I occasionally bump into people at the trailhead, usually before the opener. We don't know each other, but we all exchange pleasantries and all know roughly where everyone else hunts. Some lines are drawn in the sand. It's an unwritten rule or understanding among these men that you don't infringe on the other guys' turf. I know where they generally like to hunt. I nor anyone I've invited to share my camp infringe on their area under any circumstance. And no one from their camps would even think about stepping foot into where we hunt. We don't because we all know we'd effectively be screwing someone else. Heck, the outfitters know the areas are already taken and won't take people in there otherwise they run the risk of having their reputations run through the mud as well as having some very unhappy clients. That's just the way it is. There's a gentlemen's understanding.
My advice stands... 1) if someone doesn't really know what they are doing, try and hook up with an established crew. 2) If that doesn't work out, hike and scout your freakin' butt off, pattern some bucks and damn well earn it come game time. If you're not willing to put in 3-4 multiple long-bomb weekend trips where you show up to the trailhead on a Friday late evening after work and hike through the dark into an area where you can glass the critters up as the sun rises and put them to bed and then keep tabs on them throughout the weekend before bailing for the trailhead to sleep in the back of the rig late Sunday evening so you can wake up early Monday and drive to work in time. (Been there, done that...a lot.) Or 3) don't bother since others are already way ahead of you and you're just wasting your and other's time. Instead, just go hiking some other weekend.
Post by: Bushcraft on July 01, 2016, 12:09:26 AM
There are a lot of guys who know a lot about the high hunt on this forum. I'm not one of them. I'm trying to learn though. A few suggestions before charging out; There is a podcast called hunt backcountry that is a pretty good listen, Several episodes are devoted to the high mule deer hunt . Although not always specific to Wa., I find some gems of information on there. Robby Denning has a good book, "Hunting Big Mule Deer-How to Take the Best Buck of your Life". His Rokslide forum has a lot of good information on it also. He's talking mostly about Idaho, but the book has good information for anywhere.
In the last year, besides Google Earth, I have purchased tons of maps including the OnX map app for my phone. I also think find some spots NOW and get up there and sit still and glass all day NOW. The animals are easier to see and your mistakes, if you make any, won't ruin anyone's day but your own. There will probably be tons of guys there in September, but watch the habits of the animals and practice your own skills. Look for an unobtrusive place to camp away from where you would hunt. You wouldn't camp under a treestand. Finding a beautiful basin to live in the middle of is just not going to work. Learning about the thermals is important too. Also then you will have some frame of reference for what the country looks like for real when you are looking at Google Earth.
Eric,
You are exactly the type of guy I have no problem with if you put in the pre-season sweat equity. You seem to get it. Good luck to you this Fall!
Allen
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 01, 2016, 05:57:42 AM
With that being said chances are your going to have the level of hunters that just go in blow things out for hunters already there by making a bunch of noise, camping in an area where the wind blows their scent all over and thus putting the animals on alert, and etc. It's just like the regular season when on the opener there is a ton of hunters out and on the day after the opener before heading home they want to shoot their guns because they are bored or didn't sight their rifle in. For some its more of an extended way to drink and party but in the woods. Then after the weekend opener it gets quieter.
It's when they start affecting the hunters that take it serious that I have a problem with. Yea everyone has a right to be out there but in the same token need to be respectful of others.
Post by: teanawayslayer on July 01, 2016, 06:25:32 AM
Post by: jackelope on July 01, 2016, 07:25:27 AM
...Which begs the question as to why any more people should be encouraged to go there in the first place?
Newbies are far better off either teaming up with existing camps or learning the ropes and paying their dues closer to the rig. That way, everyone's chances at putting tag on something will be better.
I disagree. A new guy out there has just as much right being out there as you or I or anyone else. If he's willing to do the same work as you, then he should have at it.
Josh,
You're not actually disagreeing with me, you're just paraphrasing part of what I said or perhaps missing it entirely. So let me rehash this...I'm speaking to the people that don't actually put in the same work as me or the other guys that like to go deep for a week or two at a time. If a guy nuts up and puts in the same pre-season scouting sweat equity on public land, he ABSOLUTELY deserves to be there just as much as myself, you or anyone else does.
Again, for what might me the umpteenth time (trust me, I'm smiling a friendly smile here as I say this man), what I can't abide by is the advice all to often given to newbies (or the advice lazy newbies give to themselves when they don't do any actual boots on the ground research), is to go to what they mistakenly believe are the farthest flung most off the beaten path basins in the High Hunt wilderness areas in an effort to get away from other people. That advice is 100% pure BS since everyone knows those places are already being hunted by crews that have been in there for many, many years. So, the newbies that are being lied to - or are in effect lying to themselves, are screwing not only themselves out of a potential opportunity, they are also screwing the guys that scout the heck out of it all summer long and have staked their proverbial claim on in it, year, after year, after year. That doesn't mean that the most remote basins are the only ones that hold deer. The entire country holds deer. So, instead of messing with the far flung places that everyone knows are already "taken", set up in some good pockets closer to the trailheads.
What pisses me and others off are the bumbling idiots that haphazardly stumble 15-20+ miles into an area only to throw their packs down and screw up an entire drainage with their farm league antics because they are so whooped that they can't even think straight...or simply haven't bothered to do their research on mature mule deer behavior. Is it public land?...Yes. Do they have the right to be there?...Well, that's somewhat debatable depending on whether or not they actually pay anything in taxes to the public coffer. Do they "DESERVE!" to be there when their bodies have failed them and they don't have the <bleeping> foggiest clue what they are doing?...way more often than not the answer is a resounding No.
Switch gears...let's talk elk hunting. I've been hunting a particular area in a particular wilderness area for a long time. It's not often, but I occasionally bump into people at the trailhead, usually before the opener. We don't know each other, but we all exchange pleasantries and all know roughly where everyone else hunts. Some lines are drawn in the sand. It's an unwritten rule or understanding among these men that you don't infringe on the other guys' turf. I know where they generally like to hunt. I nor anyone I've invited to share my camp infringe on their area under any circumstance. And no one from their camps would even think about stepping foot into where we hunt. We don't because we all know we'd effectively be screwing someone else. Heck, the outfitters know the areas are already taken and won't take people in there otherwise they run the risk of having their reputations run through the mud as well as having some very unhappy clients. That's just the way it is. There's a gentlemen's understanding.
My advice stands... 1) if someone doesn't really know what they are doing, try and hook up with an established crew. 2) If that doesn't work out, hike and scout your freakin' butt off, pattern some bucks and damn well earn it come game time. If you're not willing to put in 3-4 multiple long-bomb weekend trips where you show up to the trailhead on a Friday late evening after work and hike through the dark into an area where you can glass the critters up as the sun rises and put them to bed and then keep tabs on them throughout the weekend before bailing for the trailhead to sleep in the back of the rig late Sunday evening so you can wake up early Monday and drive to work in time. (Been there, done that...a lot.) Or 3) don't bother since others are already way ahead of you and you're just wasting your and other's time. Instead, just go hiking some other weekend.
I didn't miss anything.
Thanks for the response.
:tup:
Post by: luvmystang67 on July 01, 2016, 08:09:14 AM
When you see me out there I'll lie and say I've scouted the crap outta the area and then you'll think I'm cool 8)
I love all the talk about who deserves what... Its really fantastic. Tell me what else you're entitled to?
Post by: Bill W on July 01, 2016, 09:00:30 AM
I've certainly benefited from having others in the field during general season hunts. It usually entailed running up the side of a mountain in the pre-dawn hours to sit above a natural game funnel and waiting for the hordes of pumpkin colored hunters below to push them up to me. It's basically taking advantage of a game drive.
That doesn't happen during the High Hunt simply because a) you usually don't have that many hunters to create a "drive" effect, and b) most guys, if they are smart, are just hunkered down behind glass anyway.
I finally read there's someone else who subscribes to using other hunters to drive deer to them. In one area we hunted we found the escape route to the drainage on the other side of the mountain. We'd get up there early in the morning and let the hunters who chose to get up at daylight (because they thought they were so far back) drive them to us.
I mostly subcribed to the other method mentioned of hunkering down and glassing a side hill for the whole day. There's deer all over the place for people willing to pick apart the brush and look for movement or other "odd" stuff. It also helps to do some practicing before the season. Practice is more than just making sure your rifle is sighted in.
Walking thru the fields and shooting at rockchucks or prairie dogs if in Montana are excellent practice. If you can hit a prairie dog at 440 or further, any unalarmed deer is easy.
Post by: Bushcraft on July 01, 2016, 09:20:04 AM
There is also a problem in that there are not all the same skill levels out there that hunt the high hunt just like the regular season. Just the same as skill levels there are also those that are more serious than others.
With that being said chances are your going to have the level of hunters that just go in blow things out for hunters already there by making a bunch of noise, camping in an area where the wind blows their scent all over and thus putting the animals on alert, and etc. It's just like the regular season when on the opener there is a ton of hunters out and on the day after the opener before heading home they want to shoot their guns because they are bored or didn't sight their rifle in. For some its more of an extended way to drink and party but in the woods. Then after the weekend opener it gets quieter.
It's when they start affecting the hunters that take it serious that I have a problem with. Yea everyone has a right to be out there but in the same token need to be respectful of others.
Well said Sky.
Post by: Tbob on July 01, 2016, 10:29:05 AM
So maybe there should be an "are you harcore enough" test to hunt the backcountry?!?! No wonder why hunting is dying a slow death!
If I see a new guy "bumbling" around the woods trying to learn the backcountry ropes, instead of being a D$&k, I would rather offer some helpful advise that might make things a little easier on him or her. It's hunting people not brain surgery!
I've had many a run in with other hunters in the backcountry, most are good and people are nice, but then there's the "entitled/elite" guys who think because they scouted "my spot" for a year that they are entitled and I should leave.. Ha! Nice try! Now I'm gonna be a D$&k on purpose! I'm not gonna starve if I don't shoot a buck ya know! So Yep, if you're that guy and you hear some sweet blues harmonica while I'm glassing the same basin as you..... That's me! :-) enjoy the woods all! And let's all try and play nice!
Post by: Eric M on July 01, 2016, 11:03:16 AM
Post by: luvmystang67 on July 01, 2016, 11:53:33 AM
GoHunt had a video on YouTube recently where a couple of guys hiked into the middle of nowhere glassed up a nice buck and then some elk hunters went running through their basin chasing. It's called "Bowhunting at 12,000 feet".
Cool video... too bad they didn't find the buck.
According to this forum, they should've never been there to begin with though, having never scouted it before. The elk hunters probably had their hunts screwed up by those stupid deer hunters who hadn't ever scouted. :sry:
Who is in the wrong here?
Post by: jackelope on July 01, 2016, 11:59:26 AM
I just want to make sure I'm clear the next time I'm only 7 miles from the truck and the real hunters are 15 and some newbie bumbling idiot screws me up.
Post by: luvmystang67 on July 01, 2016, 12:07:55 PM
Everyone else is a bumbling idiot.
You've probably experienced... you are with a buddy looking at someone else hunting and you say "look at those idiots over there" or "what are those morons doing". There's a good chance that someone else is watching you and your buddy saying the same thing at the same time.
No one ever: "Look at those brilliant hunters over there, they're totally doing the most intelligent thing ever."
We're all idiots to someone.
Post by: Bushcraft on July 01, 2016, 12:21:01 PM
I was the newbie bumbling idiot in the back country for a few years.. I had to learn somehow. If I'd have read a few of these posts before I went out, I may have said, screw it! I don't want to be out with these people anyways. Did I walk into my spot in the dark, yes! Was my body so tired from the hike I slept in opening morning? Yes! Did I screw things up for myself? Yes! Did I screw things up for another Hunter posibbly? Probably! But guess what? That's called "LEARNING". We all weren't so lucky to grow up in hunting families and have our dads teach us from an early age how to hunt. Or even be in the backcountry for that matter. I just don't understand how these "claimed" wilderness areas work? I mean, I don't want to hunt where there's a bunch of other people, but if a guy wants to put his camp a hundred yards from mine and hunt the same area, guess what? He's more than welcome. Guess what? If I don't like it, I can leave. It's PUBLIC LAND!
So maybe there should be an "are you harcore enough" test to hunt the backcountry?!?! No wonder why hunting is dying a slow death!
If I see a new guy "bumbling" around the woods trying to learn the backcountry ropes, instead of being a D$&k, I would rather offer some helpful advise that might make things a little easier on him or her. It's hunting people not brain surgery!
I've had many a run in with other hunters in the backcountry, most are good and people are nice, but then there's the "entitled/elite" guys who think because they scouted "my spot" for a year that they are entitled and I should leave.. Ha! Nice try! Now I'm gonna be a D$&k on purpose! I'm not gonna starve if I don't shoot a buck ya know! So Yep, if you're that guy and you hear some sweet blues harmonica while I'm glassing the same basin as you..... That's me! :-) enjoy the woods all! And let's all try and play nice!
We were all newbies at some point, but that's entirely beside the point.
The point...again...is that it is a disservice to recommend to people that are new to the High Hunt that high mileage is the answer for getting away from crowds. It's not. That advice is patently absurd since every single one of those far flung basins in the ALW and GPW areas already have people that hunt them. So, why encourage someone new to the High Hunt to do something that is simply going to set them and others up for failure? It's nonsensical and disrespectful to everyone concerned. There is no "claim" per se since it's public land, but there are elements of basic common sense and gentlemanly respect for others that should be considered before encouraging a newbie or someone new to the High Hunt to go somewhere.
A big part of the allure of hunting the wilderness areas for most folks is not seeing or running into other people. If you know someone else is already going to be there...don't go there. Seems pretty straightforward to me. If you get there and find out that others are already there, either go someplace else or if that's not an option have a polite conversation about how to divvy up the area so you're not screwing up each other's hunts. The vast majority of guys might not be all that excited to see you, but are nice and understand that it's a public land issue during a popular hunt and would appreciate the conversation. There's only so much vacation time, so why not try to make the most of it, right? And sure, a few guys will be standoffish a-holes (and that can't be helped since that's probably the type of people they are all the time), but at least you attempted to have a respectful conversation. Again, seems pretty straightforward to me.
Post by: baker5150 on July 01, 2016, 12:28:23 PM
So if you're sitting on a ridge in the cover of some brush and you're glassing a basin, and 2 hunters walk through said basin, is that the fault of the 2 dudes who walked into your basin? Does that make them bumbling newbies? Or does that make them just 2 dudes walking through the mountains doing the same thing as you're doing who didn't know you were there and didn't realize they were screwing anything up?
I just want to make sure I'm clear the next time I'm only 7 miles from the truck and the real hunters are 15 and some newbie bumbling idiot screws me up.
When I'm sitting on a ridge glassing, and I see other hunters rolling in, I just consider it a part of hunting. It sucks, but it is what it is.
I've been able to hunt and not see another human for days, I've also hunted where I thought I would be alone and ran into dozens of guys.
It's part of the game we play.
NO ONE deserves to be there more than anyone else, regardless or experience, scouting time, shoe size, or hair color. To complain about it is human nature. To discourage others from areas for any reason other than safety, just makes you come across as a selfish jerk.
Post by: Bob33 on July 01, 2016, 12:29:07 PM
If I may offer some advice: the best action to take when in a hole is to stop digging.
Post by: bobcat on July 01, 2016, 12:32:09 PM
I'm the only hunter entitled to be wherever I am in the high country.
Everyone else is a bumbling idiot.
You've probably experienced... you are with a buddy looking at someone else hunting and you say "look at those idiots over there" or "what are those morons doing". There's a good chance that someone else is watching you and your buddy saying the same thing at the same time.
No one ever: "Look at those brilliant hunters over there, they're totally doing the most intelligent thing ever."
We're all idiots to someone.
So true. :chuckle:
Post by: Eric M on July 01, 2016, 12:51:51 PM
Post by: Bob33 on July 01, 2016, 12:53:05 PM
Did anyone ever actually answer the original question? hahaOnly idiots may answer; the wise won't share their secrets lest they get overrun. ;)
Post by: Eric M on July 01, 2016, 12:56:48 PM
Ah yes. Thank you Sensei.Did anyone ever actually answer the original question? hahaOnly idiots may answer; the wise won't share their secrets lest they get overrun. ;)
Post by: ian_padron on July 01, 2016, 04:28:58 PM
Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk
Post by: Utah on July 03, 2016, 05:37:20 PM
Good day all!
Thinking about getting out for the High Buck Hunt this year. It'd be my first. Just cogitating on which wilderness to check out.
Mule deer would be the focus, not looking at any of the Olympic areas. I'm guessing they all hold a few nice bucks somewhere in there vast expanses. I'd go for quality over quantity.
Anyone want to comment on a favorite wilderness? High country snow pack should be melting off about now, yes?
If you've scoured enough maps and google earth you'll know where you wanta go.. Just go do it. Then shut up and don't start high hunt threads.
Post by: jackelope on July 03, 2016, 10:07:44 PM
Post by: bearpaw on July 03, 2016, 10:45:37 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on July 04, 2016, 07:30:53 AM
Post by: Stickerbush on July 04, 2016, 08:55:48 AM
Post by: grade-creek-rd on July 05, 2016, 09:55:22 AM
Grade
PS. I always pack enough to just sit down wherever I am and live a night or two if needed...not survive, but live (and hunt) that makes all the difference.
Post by: Odell on July 07, 2016, 08:09:22 PM
Most of all be safe and prepared. And have fun. Hunting is supposed to be fun. I think half the guys these days hate it and in a way hate themselves. Not even the biggest buck on the mountain will scratch the itch of all that is wrong with them.
Bushcraft gave some great advice, join an established crew that will teach you the ropes. The only problem is, that is almost impossible. It's hard to get in with people, very few are willing to take a chance on teaching someone. He seems pretty passionate about it, maybe you can join him?
Post by: JeffRaines on July 08, 2016, 12:11:21 AM
There is literally no way to know who is hunting where on opening day, even if you lived up there all summer. Find a few spots on a map that look like they hold deer. Go glass them. if you see deer, mark it on the map for a hunting spot and go find another. Be prepared for company on opening day and use it to your advantage if possible. If no one shows up you will be pleasantly surprised.
Most of all be safe and prepared. And have fun. Hunting is supposed to be fun. I think half the guys these days hate it and in a way hate themselves. Not even the biggest buck on the mountain will scratch the itch of all that is wrong with them.
Bushcraft gave some great advice, join an established crew that will teach you the ropes. The only problem is, that is almost impossible. It's hard to get in with people, very few are willing to take a chance on teaching someone. He seems pretty passionate about it, maybe you can join him?
The problem isn't that its hard to get in with people as much as it is there just isn't as many people that do that style of hunting. I know the theme on here is "oh the wilderness areas turn into a pumpkin patch with every hunter in the state" but in reality for every backpack hunter you run across theres 20 more hunters that don't hunt that way. Talk to people at your work and a few might hunt but none do the backpack thing. At least thats my experience.
Post by: Eric M on July 08, 2016, 06:07:41 PM
Spend some real time looking at what you're putting in your pack. I had more than I needed. Make sure you have good boots. My boots were great hiking boots until I crossed a 100 streams and it rained 2 days straight. That is now the next thing on my list to purchase. Pants- your pants are going to get wet. I should've at least had gaitors, but if you are only taking one set of pants (remember it's all WEIGHT) you need a pair that can handle the wet. The one place I did carry weight that I actually needed was in socks. Changing my socks often is the only reason my feet aren't blistered. Take some bug spray. I'm glad I did.
The trails are great to get you up to these spots but the trails may cross directly through meadows that will certainly skyline you. Circumventing these open areas can be challenging. Over 2 days with off and on rain and fog rolling in I saw 6 deer. Wasn't able to tell if any of them were bucks because they were so far away and I need a spotting scope (2nd thing on my list). On the bright side I had the place all to myself. I also know just by looking at this area there is no way a guy would be by himself when hunting season rolls around.
I'm hard headed and learning things the hard way, but I did learn a lot. I won't be up there this hunting year because I have commitments in September. But also I know I'm not ready yet. Be honest with yourself. Hunting in general takes time to get good at. High hunting requires more skills.
Last thing-It's beautiful country. Enjoy it. Hope this helps.
Post by: WA1232 on July 08, 2016, 06:13:16 PM
Post by: Eric M on July 08, 2016, 06:45:42 PM
Beautiful pictures and thanks for the trip report. Sounds like good advice to me.Thanks. It was fun. Hope it helps somebody.