Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: pips4bucks on October 10, 2011, 11:04:19 PM

Title: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 10, 2011, 11:04:19 PM: So I'm thinking of putting together a high country archery buck hunt for next year. I figure if I get a start now I'll be ready by next season. Problem is, I've never been up there so I've got a lot to learn.

I already have the get in shape thing going, I train for triathlons every year. What I need is the knowledge, what to look for, where to go, etc.

Anyone have any suggestions for some good books, magazines, etc?
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: bobcat on October 10, 2011, 11:08:27 PM: Here's a good one, and it's only $15.

http://www.eastmans.com/shop/books/hunting-high-country-mule-deer.html (http://www.eastmans.com/shop/books/hunting-high-country-mule-deer.html)

Another really good one, although it is written for bow hunting, most of it applies to rifle hunting as well:

http://www.cameronhanes.com/store/backcountry-bowhunting-a-guide-to-the-wild-side/ (http://www.cameronhanes.com/store/backcountry-bowhunting-a-guide-to-the-wild-side/)
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: muleracks2 on October 11, 2011, 03:35:12 PM: Pips, If you are a triathlon athlete, you have the legs to get into the most remote places on day hikes (runs). Take a Saturday or Sunday in August and run up there to see the country; look for game trails and other sign. Spend the night in a good spot and you will be kept awake by does and small bucks hanging around where you left some urine.

Near the Cascade Crest south of Lake Chelan would be my suggestion but only because I know GMU 244 and 245 better than other spots.
Good Luck.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: sirmissalot on October 11, 2011, 03:38:18 PM: Definitely read and watch some stuff on high country mule deer hunting. Its pretty basic stuff, toughest part is getting up there. Some good glass and a gun your comfortable shooting and you'll have a great time.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: Eli346 on October 11, 2011, 03:38:36 PM: You really ought to take a weapon of some sort if you'll be hiking or running in the high Cascades cuz ya just never know.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 11, 2011, 04:02:49 PM: I should probably have mentioned that I'd like to hunt it with archery tackle. Without looking, I think that limits me a bit to which wilderness areas I can hunt, but I may be wrong.

Quote from: muleracks2 on October 11, 2011, 03:35:12 PM
Pips, If you are a triathlon athlete, you have the legs to get into the most remote places on day hikes (runs). Take a Saturday or Sunday in August and run up there to see the country; look for game trails and other sign. Spend the night in a good spot and you will be kept awake by does and small bucks hanging around where you left some urine.
That sounds like an awesome idea! I could turn it into a bit of a training tool as well.

Quote from: Eli346 on October 11, 2011, 03:38:36 PM
You really ought to take a weapon of some sort if you'll be hiking or running in the high Cascades cuz ya just never know.
Oh yeah, I never head into the woods without something. The 4-legged critters I'm not too worried about, it's the 2-legged ones. ;)
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: bobcat on October 11, 2011, 04:04:36 PM: Oh, I guess you DID say "archery" in your first post. I just skipped over that part I guess. So the Cameron Haines book is definitely the book for you.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: 75johndeere on October 11, 2011, 05:13:52 PM: Quote from: bobcat on October 11, 2011, 04:04:36 PM
Oh, I guess you DID say "archery" in your first post. I just skipped over that part I guess. So the Cameron Haines book is definitely the book for you.

Thats a great book even if you dont archery hunt that man is a animal when it comes to training
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: JimmyHoffa on October 11, 2011, 05:42:37 PM: Are you wanting info for wilderness units for mulies or blackies?
Quote from: pips4bucks on October 11, 2011, 04:02:49 PM
I should probably have mentioned that I'd like to hunt it with archery tackle. Without looking, I think that limits me a bit to which wilderness areas I can hunt, but I may be wrong.

Only if archery tackle also means archery tag. You can buy a modern tag and hunt up in the wilderness areas during the high buck hunt. Or you can have an archery tag and hunt in at least two wilderness areas for most of the high hunt and not have antler restriction.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: NW-GSP on October 11, 2011, 07:01:55 PM: I am also wanting to do a high alpine hunt but I will be using modern firearm
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 11, 2011, 11:23:42 PM: Quote from: JimmyHoffa on October 11, 2011, 05:42:37 PM
Are you wanting info for wilderness units for mulies or blackies?
Only if archery tackle also means archery tag. You can buy a modern tag and hunt up in the wilderness areas during the high buck hunt. Or you can have an archery tag and hunt in at least two wilderness areas for most of the high hunt and not have antler restriction.[/quote]

I'd like to go for mulies. Never really hunted them before so it would be a new adventure. I know a couple guys that could help me out with blackies. That's on my list of things to do also.

Now if I can just figure out a way to take the entire hunting season off without going broke...
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: Co on October 12, 2011, 08:18:40 AM: get in shape to run a half marathon in under 1 hour 20 min. and you will be close to being in proper shape, Include 3 days a week weight training, You should be able to put in 15 mi hikes like its no prob //spend about 3k in good gear.. and you will feel ready.
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 12, 2011, 08:25:09 AM: any suggestions for good gear? Packs, tents, sleeping bags, etc. I could go bombing out like I used to do in the ARMY and just take a sleeping bag, a poncho, some bungee cords, and a few necessities. As bearhunter says, "go in light, come out heavy!"
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: fillthefreezer on October 13, 2011, 10:04:19 AM: ive been thinking of doing a hunt as well. so far im thinking in the pasayten with rifle, any good info and possibly stuff i have not considered?
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: Vees on October 13, 2011, 11:36:11 AM: Bobcat made a couple of great suggestions. Thought I'd share another good book...it lays out great advice from top to bottom, including gear.

http://www.eastmans.com/shop/books/public-land-mulies.html (http://www.eastmans.com/shop/books/public-land-mulies.html)
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 13, 2011, 11:04:30 PM: Quote from: Co on October 12, 2011, 08:18:40 AM
get in shape to run a half marathon in under 1 hour 20 min.

Holy Crap! That's a 6:15 mile! :yike: I haven't ever run that fast. My best 20 years ago was a 6:30 mile. If I could get to that fast again that would be sweet!

Thanks everyone for the input! Hopefully it'll work out and I'll get to post my story with a great buck!
Title: Re: High buck hunting literature
Post by: pips4bucks on October 15, 2011, 11:52:41 PM: Quality optics is high on my list. The binos I want are $2600 and the spotting scope is $3000. So it looks like a bunch of overtime for me!