Post by: Ajj828 on June 01, 2017, 04:28:57 PM
Post by: X-Force on June 01, 2017, 04:55:00 PM
There is lots of backcountry areas in the Gifford Pinchot NF or you can look at one of the wilderness areas but unless you get above the tree line visibility can be pretty limited.
http://www.wilderness.net/map (http://www.wilderness.net/map) isn't a bad place to start and has TOPO and Image layering.
Good luck.
Post by: bobcat on June 01, 2017, 05:16:37 PM
Post by: Old Man8383 on June 01, 2017, 05:51:26 PM
Stop watching hunting shows and get out of doors and do some scouting of your own. If you don't want to hunt in managed forests then don't. Since you claim esthetics of the hunt are important to you, don't let kill statistics be your guide either. You might try:
1. Buy a USFS map of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Look at the WDFW wildlife area maps. Some of the game ranges have roadless hunting opportunities. Washington DNR's maps can also show you where there are roadless hunting opportunities. All these sources are public lands.
2. Look on Google Earth for natural openings (wetlands, riparian areas, south facing slopes, open ridge tops, alpine areas, burns ect....). Plot these on your maps.
3. Go to a USFS district office and ask them to show you where recent fires and logging areas are that wouldn't show on Google Earth. These are high quality food areas. Plot these areas on your maps also.
4. Buy a compass. GPS doesn't work well in dense timber and thick underbrush.
5. Learn how to use the compass and map before bushwacking it in the PNW dense brush and timber. Getting lost is real...
6. The USFS has great main trail systems to get you back into roadless areas. From there on it's game trails and your good sense.
7. If your hunting the modern fire arm seasons be prepared for snow. It can snow inches per hour in the SW high Cascades any time from Oct 1 onward.
Summers here, pick some likely areas on the maps and go exploring to find your fall hunting area. Good luck.
Post by: kselkhunter on June 01, 2017, 05:54:19 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 01, 2017, 05:57:49 PM
Post by: kselkhunter on June 01, 2017, 06:31:32 PM
Post by: Alchase on June 01, 2017, 06:49:55 PM
And as X-Force said, you won't get close to many without using the access "gravel roads" provide.
Trail heads are a great starting point as well. Take a "good" GPS a compass and know how to use both.
I think you will find hiking "off trail" in SW Washington is not for the faint of heart.
Most of the country is very, very, thick, and you will be bushwacking.
I would suggest you make a few trial runs and camp trips during the off season.
Trout Lake is a good starting point. lots of trail systems, ORV areas, and campgrounds near.
If you really want to test yourself, hit Goat Rocks Wilderness, Vanson Lake area, or Admens Lake near Goat mountain or Strawberry Mountain.
Have a good supply of Deet, LOL.
Post by: 7mag. on June 02, 2017, 08:19:48 AM
Post by: DOUBLELUNG on June 02, 2017, 09:40:10 AM
Post by: Tbob on June 02, 2017, 07:34:55 PM
Post by: Shawn Ryan on June 02, 2017, 11:16:43 PM
Post by: NW SURVEYOR on June 03, 2017, 06:31:37 AM
Your "Wilderness" is 1 mile or more from the road.
You want to shoot a decent 3 point or better buck during modern rifle deer.
You're in real good shape.
You have 4 days off to consecutively hunt.
You're in SW Wash. with a decent truck/SUV.
Open up Google Earth and start looking for areas within GPNF which provide a means of accessing remote areas away from the roads.
These may not all be designated "Wilderness" areas.
You are going to be looking for steep ground where no logging has occurred.
I prefer up from the road rather than down.
This results in an easier pack out.
Also, I have had good luck up high along steep ridges.
Now, the problem is this, you need to scout these areas first, don't go in blind.
If you're alone, be damn careful that you don't break a leg.
You had better be in GREAT shape, not just OK.
Get near timberline, which does not have to be alpine, just rocky enough to minimize the timbers growth.
Have a GOOD binocular and start glassing.
Having grown up in Kelso, we hunted the Lewis River and Suixion (sp?) Units and shot deer and elk.
I was 20 -30 years old at the time and we had no trouble getting away from people.
We would look at the FS map and draw a circle where there were no roads and get at it.
It was nothing to come in and out a mile or so every day.
Staying out was to much trouble, but we did not have the synthetics we have now.
We wore wool pants and jackets with a nylon day pack and got wet.
But we shot deer.
We preferred a camp at the end of the road which allowed us to access different ridges.
Also, a hot meal and the ability to dry out.
Plus it's hard to carry enough beer for 3-4 days.
If staying out, watch the weather and be ready to vacate as things can change quickly.
Good Luck!
Post by: kball4 on June 06, 2017, 07:11:35 AM