Post by: Fader31 on May 05, 2022, 03:26:41 PM
I'd like to start getting out to scout by foot as soon as possible. Can anyone recommend a wilderness area that is accessible enough to start checking out now, or do I need to wait until later in the year for enough snow to clear? I don't mind driving so any of the wilderness areas in the state are fair game. I enjoy doing the legwork to find good hunting spots, but I don't want to drive for hours just to find that the areas that looked good on maps are still snowed in. Any help is appreciated.
Post by: Bareback on May 05, 2022, 03:29:19 PM
Post by: ganghis on May 05, 2022, 03:41:22 PM
Or, you could go now and bring crampons and an ice axe :chuckle:
Post by: teanawayslayer on May 05, 2022, 04:12:30 PM
Post by: Fader31 on May 05, 2022, 04:32:30 PM
You should probably be able to start getting into the eastern Pasayten in early June, but in most wilderness areas (up high anyway where you'll want to be anyway) it's not really worth even trying until July.
Or, you could go now and bring crampons and an ice axe :chuckle:
:chuckle: YES! Crampons and an ice axe are true backcountry essentials! :tung: That thread is one I read whenever I need to restore my faith in the internet.
Many thanks for the info all!
Post by: jackelope on May 05, 2022, 04:45:53 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on May 05, 2022, 05:31:24 PM
Post by: boneaddict on May 05, 2022, 07:12:08 PM
In my limited experience, scout to learn the country and know where you're going, but the deer will be in different places come mid September from where they spend their summers. I've seen lots of deer in the summer time that are literally nowhere to be found during hunting season.He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
Post by: jeffro on May 05, 2022, 10:42:49 PM
ExactlyIn my limited experience, scout to learn the country and know where you're going, but the deer will be in different places come mid September from where they spend their summers. I've seen lots of deer in the summer time that are literally nowhere to be found during hunting season.He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
Don’t push a spot you think might hold deer, they will be in the valley and on private before you finish wiping
Post by: 7mmfan on May 06, 2022, 06:28:01 AM
Or, you could go now and bring crampons and an ice axe :chuckle:
Well this would be good practice for the actual high hunt right?
Post by: teanawayslayer on May 06, 2022, 06:41:26 AM
[quote author :yeah:=jackelope link=topic=270543.msg3672610#msg3672610 date=1651794353]He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
In my limited experience, scout to learn the country and know where you're going, but the deer will be in different places come mid September from where they spend their summers. I've seen lots of deer in the summer time that are literally nowhere to be found during hunting season.
[/quote] :yeah: spot on!
Post by: 300rum on May 06, 2022, 07:24:01 AM
He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
Post by: Fader31 on May 06, 2022, 02:41:51 PM
ExactlyIn my limited experience, scout to learn the country and know where you're going, but the deer will be in different places come mid September from where they spend their summers. I've seen lots of deer in the summer time that are literally nowhere to be found during hunting season.He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
Don’t push a spot you think might hold deer, they will be in the valley and on private before you finish wiping
That's a good point, I always try to avoid walking right in where I might spook critters, when scouting I mostly look for places that won't have much going on where I can sit down and glass. I think the big difference here is I want to make sure I've identified a good place to set up camp and will have located a reliable source of water before the season begins. Plus I need to try out my new crampons 8)
Post by: Colville on May 06, 2022, 05:31:05 PM
Post by: jackelope on May 06, 2022, 06:38:41 PM
ExactlyIn my limited experience, scout to learn the country and know where you're going, but the deer will be in different places come mid September from where they spend their summers. I've seen lots of deer in the summer time that are literally nowhere to be found during hunting season.He might be speaking from minimal experience, but it’s pretty much spot on. And I’d like to add that those that scout in August should do so with kid gloves, because once busted, they move to their secondary spots. So many folks blow a sure thing.
Don’t push a spot you think might hold deer, they will be in the valley and on private before you finish wiping
That's a good point, I always try to avoid walking right in where I might spook critters, when scouting I mostly look for places that won't have much going on where I can sit down and glass. I think the big difference here is I want to make sure I've identified a good place to set up camp and will have located a reliable source of water before the season begins. Plus I need to try out my new crampons 8)
This stuff you mentioned should be goal #1 and #2.