Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 21, 2011, 01:57:59 PM
Post by: AlpineMuley on July 21, 2011, 02:20:34 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on July 21, 2011, 02:28:07 PM
Post by: huntnfmly on July 21, 2011, 02:40:39 PM
jim
Post by: h20hunter on July 21, 2011, 02:41:28 PM
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 21, 2011, 02:57:27 PM
Post by: jackelope on July 21, 2011, 03:01:15 PM
When you say high buck we think the early high hunt in the wilderness areas.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 21, 2011, 03:06:52 PM
Post by: buckfvr on July 21, 2011, 05:19:12 PM
I also know several who have done Pasayten in Sept. SUccess rates are low, and killing an animal must be low on your list, the overall experience and camping much higher. I havent kept up on Okanogan mule deer, but it used to be, if you could get away from others, high up in the Twisp River drainage, someone in camp would get a nice buck.
Post by: GHETTO GUIDE on July 21, 2011, 10:46:23 PM
Post by: Goomsba on July 21, 2011, 11:51:26 PM
North Cacsade Safari. I don't believe Icicle Ck hunts there. Also, the "Okanogan Wilderness" you're referring to is where? Are you meaning solely the Pasayten?
I'd second North Cascade Safari Ryan's a good guy and knows his stuff :tup:
Post by: Bean Counter on July 22, 2011, 12:46:56 AM
This could be a great thread. Keep us posted as you go along and take lots of pics when you are up there. Do it now while you both are able. You can't get the time back.
+1. i will never have that kind of dad. Cash is tight for me right now but I would pay anything to have that kind of an experience.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 22, 2011, 07:53:37 AM
I was looking over some maps with a buddy last night and there is just so much area to cover I'm going to definitly have to talk to an outfitter to figure out what maps to concentrate on. If the Pasayton doesn't do good early in the year how about October? Methow has a good reputation but I'm not sure if it's early or late. I've also heard good things about the Sawtooth. I didn't think about the Twisp area. I'll look into that as well.
One other thing I will have to take into account is my dad is no mountain goat. Are any of these areas Steeper and more rugged then others?
Post by: MtnMuley on July 22, 2011, 08:00:27 AM
Post by: buckfvr on July 22, 2011, 08:51:44 AM
Post by: boneaddict on July 22, 2011, 09:00:22 AM
Post by: bobcat on July 22, 2011, 09:03:35 AM
One other thing I will have to take into account is my dad is no mountain goat. Are any of these areas Steeper and more rugged then others?
For the easiest terrain, you might try the eastern side of the Pasayten. You'll still need to do plenty of walking, but it's not all straight up and down like the other areas. My brother and I did a drop camp with Cascade Wilderness Outfitters (Steve Darwood) in 2005 and had a good time. They do put quite a few camps all in the same general area though, so don't expect to have it all to yourself.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 22, 2011, 03:38:42 PM
I'm having a hard time determining which units comprise the different high buck wilderness zones. Is the Okanogan East unit part of the September High buck hunt or just open for October, looks like October to me?
Post by: jackelope on July 22, 2011, 03:41:14 PM
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 22, 2011, 03:49:27 PM
I think I'm seeing that. The Okanogan East would be an October only hunt. It's hard to get any kind of critter counts for anything other than a GMU or a full PMU. I guess I'm trying to associate the data I'm seeing by GMU with the wilderness areas to narrow down a good general location for a September hunt, while keeping the option open for the October hunt. Not always easy to extrapolate the data.
Post by: bobcat on July 22, 2011, 04:51:11 PM
So for what you're looking for, you'd want to look at statistics for GMU's 203, 244, and 249.
Post by: muleracks2 on July 23, 2011, 06:11:37 PM
The Pasayten Wilderness is divided into regions by the outfitters so the:
Harts Pass area is www.earlywintersoutfitting.com (http://www.earlywintersoutfitting.com)
Tatoosh Buttes area is www.altalake.com (http://www.altalake.com) (Sawtooth Outfitters)
Remmel Lakes area is www.methow.com/c_w_outfitters (http://www.methow.com/c_w_outfitters) (Cascade Wilderness Outfitters)
Little farther east and Lake Chelan Rec. Area is www.northcascadesafaris.com (http://www.northcascadesafaris.com)
It is true that some of the outfitters book up early; especially for the Sept. 15-25 High Hunt. For the pack in October drop camps the outfitters in Okanogan offer Sawtooth Wilderness and Lake Chelan Rec. Area hunts both guided and drop camps. Most outfitters are not that busy packing camps in October. Icicle Outfitters & Guides, south of Lake Chelan is fully booked for the High Hunt but could add a drop camp or two during the General Season.
Post by: Biggerhammer on July 23, 2011, 06:56:02 PM
The comment about not seeing a migrator in October in the high country, is untrue. :twocents:
I completely agree, it made me laugh. No migrating deer, I'm still laughing.
Post by: elkaholic123 on July 23, 2011, 07:32:43 PM
You wont see a migration,
He said migration! FWIWThe comment about not seeing a migrator in October in the high country, is untrue. :twocents:
I completely agree, it made me laugh. No migrating deer, I'm still laughing.
Post by: Biggerhammer on July 23, 2011, 08:57:32 PM
Post by: buckfvr on July 23, 2011, 09:16:29 PM
Post by: muleracks2 on July 23, 2011, 09:35:10 PM
Okanogan is less dependent on the migration because of there whitetail and nonmigratory mule deer.
Post by: Biggerhammer on July 23, 2011, 10:00:40 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 23, 2011, 10:12:23 PM
Post by: MtnMuley on July 23, 2011, 10:57:02 PM
Post by: jackelope on July 24, 2011, 12:57:36 PM
:twocents:
Post by: kbyers on July 24, 2011, 01:42:30 PM
well said jackelope
Post by: boneaddict on July 25, 2011, 05:04:32 AM
Post by: grundy53 on July 25, 2011, 05:48:59 AM
The comment about not seeing a migrator in October in the high country, is untrue. :twocents:
I completely agree, it made me laugh. No migrating deer, I'm still laughing.
You guys can say what you want, but most years, there won't be a true migration in October. Go hang out in the Entiat and wait for those migrators to show up in general season. Good luck.
Except he is talking about hunting the high country. Which is where the migrators come from. So they would be Migratory deer. They just are on the part of the Migration where they are in the high country. He isn't hunting the Entiat, he will be hunting the wilderness.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 25, 2011, 08:35:56 AM
This weekend I was doing some more research and I've been told that there are more migratory deer moving through the glacier peak wildlife areas these days than maybe some of the others. Has anyone else heard anything in regard to this? I'm sure the patterns must change a little from year to year.
Post by: Miles on July 25, 2011, 08:39:34 AM
Post by: jackelope on July 25, 2011, 01:43:54 PM
I'm sure I'll have a great experience wherever we decide to go, but I'm not planning a high priced camping trip. I want to give myself the best shot at both worlds. If after all is said an done, we don't get any bucks then so be it. I will still be happy, but in the planning stages why not try for the best. That's my opinion.
Just making sure you know what you're in for more than anything....
Good luck with your hunt.. Hopefully you have a good time.
Post by: Lunatic Fringe on July 25, 2011, 03:20:23 PM
I hear and understand what you and many others are saying about the experience being more important than the killing. I will agree with you. What you guys are saying is not lost on me. I get a true emotional and spiritual recharge when I'm in the woods. Every close encounter makes life worth living. If we don't get any animals it won't take anything away from the trip. But if I'm going to go to all the effort of planning a big trip like this I'm going to do my best to find animals. I appreciate all advice.
Post by: boneaddict on July 25, 2011, 05:30:54 PM
Quote
But if I'm going to go to all the effort of planning a big trip like this I'm going to do my best to find animals.
Honestly you should think of out of state then. Its extremely hit and miss even for a seasoned vet in the wilderness hunts.
Post by: steen on July 25, 2011, 07:21:25 PM
Post by: vandeman17 on December 29, 2011, 02:00:50 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on December 29, 2011, 03:07:02 PM
Thanks Jackalope,
I hear and understand what you and many others are saying about the experience being more important than the killing. I will agree with you. What you guys are saying is not lost on me. I get a true emotional and spiritual recharge when I'm in the woods. Every close encounter makes life worth living. If we don't get any animals it won't take anything away from the trip. But if I'm going to go to all the effort of planning a big trip like this I'm going to do my best to find animals. I appreciate all advice.
:tup:
:twocents: If you really want to get away from people and enjoy the high county then I suggest you go up in August with a camera. My hunting partner and I have spent the past 6 years in 4 different wilderness areas trying to find a place that holds trophy animals and is unnoticed by other people. It is almost impossible to get away from the people. One year we even hiked in over 20 miles on a trail with lots of blow-downs and still had people up there. Our first year we were after a 30" wide 3x3 and on the way up there were tons of people and everyone was talking about that buck :bash: Additionally, a lot of the people up there do not know how to hunt the high county. We consistently see people blowing up areas we have scouted that hold very nice deer. As soon as Sept comes around the deer know it! As soon as one person blindly walks through the trophy buck's home... they are on lockdown. Anyways, it is tough. You have to outsmart the other hunters. I switched to archery and spent 9 days up in the high country this season and didnt see another person. I didnt shoot an animal but had lots of excitement and got my much needed "spiritual recharge".
Post by: sirmissalot on December 29, 2011, 04:26:37 PM
:twocents: If you really want to get away from people and enjoy the high county then I suggest you go up in August with a camera. My hunting partner and I have spent the past 6 years in 4 different wilderness areas trying to find a place that holds trophy animals and is unnoticed by other people. It is almost impossible to get away from the people. One year we even hiked in over 20 miles on a trail with lots of blow-downs and still had people up there. Our first year we were after a 30" wide 3x3 and on the way up there were tons of people and everyone was talking about that buck :bash: Additionally, a lot of the people up there do not know how to hunt the high county. We consistently see people blowing up areas we have scouted that hold very nice deer. As soon as Sept comes around the deer know it! As soon as one person blindly walks through the trophy buck's home... they are on lockdown. Anyways, it is tough. You have to outsmart the other hunters. I switched to archery and spent 9 days up in the high country this season and didnt see another person. I didnt shoot an animal but had lots of excitement and got my much needed "spiritual recharge".
I know just what you mean. I even had some granola munchers last year yelling and screaming at me across a canyon because they saw I was a hunter. :bdid: That group of young guys were lucky they didn't get more than just an earful.
For the most part its not too difficult for me to get away from other hunters, but away from other people in general can be difficult at times.
Post by: Bean Counter on December 29, 2011, 07:37:35 PM
Quote
... I know just what you mean. I evenhad some granola munchers lastyear yelling and screamingatmeacrossa
canyon because they saw I was a hunter.
Unbelievable! :mor: yelling at a man with a gun.... For no personal reason. Wow
Post by: BENCHLEG on December 29, 2011, 09:50:48 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on December 31, 2011, 10:52:50 AM
Quote... I know just what you mean. I evenhad some granola munchers lastyear yelling and screamingatmeacrossa
canyon because they saw I was a hunter.
Unbelievable! :mor: yelling at a man with a gun.... For no personal reason. Wow
I had a group of them come up to a lake near our camp one year at about mid day. They started yelling dont shoot us we are not bears!! It was the year that young boy shot that lady in the highcountry. We were pissed! Then they got naked and started skinny dipping! We were pretty much on break because it was so warm and sunny but we were sooooo wishing a bear would just walk out in the meadow so we could shoot it in front of them. We absolutely did not want to shoot a bear, but had tags and were seeing about 4-5 a day without looking for them. Thought it would be worth packing the bear that far if we were able to shoot it right in front of them.