Post by: adictd2hunting on February 04, 2012, 09:54:12 PM
Thanks
Post by: jackelope on February 04, 2012, 10:03:35 PM
Post by: bullchaser on February 04, 2012, 10:40:16 PM
Post by: lewy on February 05, 2012, 08:18:32 PM
Post by: hugheshunter on February 05, 2012, 09:07:14 PM
Post by: Bushcraft on February 05, 2012, 10:03:39 PM
Just look for any trailhead in the glacier peaks era their should be five trucks to let you know you are in the right spot.
Or, not. :)
Post by: Miles on February 05, 2012, 10:06:30 PM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on February 06, 2012, 08:25:53 AM
Send a pm to Utah, or Jake_wicken. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Jake better not give out any info :bash: :sry: :bdid: :yike: >:(
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 06, 2012, 08:59:24 AM
Post by: GoldenRing270 on February 06, 2012, 01:35:14 PM
I'm not really sure what miles means by his comment. He sent me a private message a while back asking for information about hunting the high country in washinton. He said he was writing an article. Since I don't know who he is or how he knows me I did not give him any information. I asked how he knows me but he did not respond. I assume that he was just sending out random PM's to people in hopes of gaining information about the high hunt.
But to respond to the original poster of this thread. Any infomation gained about hunting the wilderness areas is very hard earned. People with experience hunting the high hunt are generally going to be very tight lipped. I would suggest as others have said, search this forum using the search tool there is a lot of good information. Get a really good pair of boots, binos, and light weight backpacking gear and start scouting in July.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 06, 2012, 02:34:24 PM
Post by: Miles on February 07, 2012, 12:25:47 AM
I haven't made a post on this site since 2009 but since I happened across a post mentioning my name I figured I better chime in.
I'm not really sure what miles means by his comment. He sent me a private message a while back asking for information about hunting the high country in washinton. He said he was writing an article. Since I don't know who he is or how he knows me I did not give him any information. I asked how he knows me but he did not respond. I assume that he was just sending out random PM's to people in hopes of gaining information about the high hunt.
But to respond to the original poster of this thread. Any infomation gained about hunting the wilderness areas is very hard earned. People with experience hunting the high hunt are generally going to be very tight lipped. I would suggest as others have said, search this forum using the search tool there is a lot of good information. Get a really good pair of boots, binos, and light weight backpacking gear and start scouting in July.
I got so busy that I forgot to write that article...
Jake - A person with such a wealth of knowledge on the high hunt, and the only advice you can give is get a pair of boots, some binos, and get up there in July? Surely you can do better than that.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 07, 2012, 05:16:55 AM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on February 07, 2012, 07:08:48 AM
I am Jakes college roommate and good friend. We have been doing the high hunt together for the past 6 years and we live for it. I knew jake has not been active on this site for a long time, so when I saw his name come up I immediately sent Miles a PM asking how he knew Jake. Again no response.
Now it seems that Miles is messing with Jake. What is your deal Miles??
Post by: Miles on February 07, 2012, 07:49:01 AM
Post by: hillbillyhunting on February 07, 2012, 08:08:45 AM
Post by: rawhide on February 07, 2012, 08:18:13 AM
Post by: Fowlweather25 on February 07, 2012, 08:23:51 AM
Post by: Miles on February 07, 2012, 08:53:52 AM
Every year someone always trys to get info on where to go on the High Hunt. One day our spots will be found!! By someone giving info on web sites like this one.
Boy these high hunt threads sure do bring out some of the lurkers.
I think hunting spots go through cycles. I think some areas are hunted hard by the same groups until they stop producing like they once were. I think those areas then see a break which allows some deer to rebuild, then the spot is discovered and hunted again by other groups.
Post by: JPhelps on February 07, 2012, 07:52:44 PM
Here is my take. Asking questions about specific spots or areas will not guarantee anything. The area or spot is a very minuscule part of being successful on this hunt. I honestly feel the best advice you can give for the high hunt is gear recommendations and strategy.
"YOU CAN NOT CHEAT THE MOUNTAIN/BACKCOUNTRY"
There is no substitute for knowing how to hunt high country muleys. Which involves time, scouting, knowing how to "live" in the backcountry and being in shape.
My advice to anyone wanting to take on this hunt: Get in Shape, pick a couple areas and go scout in the summer (test all your gear), and when season rolls around put one foot in front of the other (straight up off the trail will increase your chance of being successful).
Post by: Blacktail_Fever on February 07, 2012, 08:19:13 PM
Post by: fillthefreezer on February 08, 2012, 07:25:29 AM
Pretty sure I am going to give it a crack this year. I keep trying to talk my buddies into it. After all the success on here I am pretty sure they are convinced.ive given up trying to convince my buddies, all my hunting friends are too soft and dont want to go without a walltent and cot and the other friends that are into backpacking dont even own rifles... :chuckle:
iv come to conclude ill just go solo
Post by: boneaddict on February 08, 2012, 07:36:01 AM
Quote
ill just go soloYou'd be amazed at how many people can't fathom that
Post by: boneaddict on February 08, 2012, 07:36:48 AM
Quote
"YOU CAN NOT CHEAT THE MOUNTAIN/BACKCOUNTRY
You sure can't
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 08, 2012, 12:59:25 PM
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 08, 2012, 01:19:15 PM
Post by: JPhelps on February 08, 2012, 02:00:48 PM
Six years later looking back I now realize that locations of trailheads would not really of helped me out. You mention not wanting to hunt around other people. That will be tough to do, but it can happen. This is how I would approach it now if I was to start over. Pick your wilderness (all of the states wilderness areas can and will produce good bucks).
1)Start looking at Google earth. Find areas that are within your capability (both distance and up).
2)I would probably want five or six different spots that I think would hold deer.
3)Start figuring out how to access the areas you have determined might hold an old buck.
4)List them in order from the hardest to access to the easiest. This is where you will start to separate from the other hunters. Going straight up will do more for you than going in.
5)Plan a couple scouting trips around July 20th to Aug 20th. I would target the harder spots first. While scouting look for other signs of past hunting camps and also scout out water sources. This time of year if there are bucks in the areas they should be pretty easy to find.
6)Once you find the area you want to hunt maybe scout it one more time to check the patterns of the deer.
7)When season rolls around you will want to be there opening day before some of the patterns change. Also don't be surprised if there are other hunters in the area you scouted all summer and never saw anyone.
If you have any specific questions feel free to send me a PM and I will do my best to help you out. As a side note I have a real good network of guys I know that do the high buck and there are big bucks being killed from the Canadian border down to the southern end of the Alpine Lakes. If I was to zoom out on Google earth and look at all the pins I have showing where a big buck was killed there is absolutely no pattern or concentration in one area.
Post by: bullchaser on February 09, 2012, 01:33:46 PM
Quoteill just go soloYou'd be amazed at how many people can't fathom that
Bone... not to sound overly like a girl or anything but that's tuff anyone can get through a day or two then race home, but after multiple days with out seeing game, having bear issues, not sleeping good , being freaked because you keep getting rimmed out , eating crappy food. that takes a lot of mental and physical toughness. i would say less than 5% of the people i know can do that kind of hunt and come out of it strong.
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 09, 2012, 02:18:32 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 09, 2012, 02:28:57 PM
that's what I do. Really a good way to go, a little heavier, but if you want to hunt don't be dependent on others!Pretty sure I am going to give it a crack this year. I keep trying to talk my buddies into it. After all the success on here I am pretty sure they are convinced.ive given up trying to convince my buddies, all my hunting friends are too soft and dont want to go without a walltent and cot and the other friends that are into backpacking dont even own rifles... :chuckle:
iv come to conclude ill just go solo
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 09, 2012, 02:37:54 PM
1)Start looking at Google earth. Find areas that are within your capability (both distance and up).If using this method, enable the pictures options. Then you can view the pictures that people upload to Google Earth of that area, many of which can be more current than the satellite imagery. People will also link to their online galleries of photos not posted on google earth...and may include many more photos. Some of the backcountry photography websites are good to look at for info too.
Post by: fillthefreezer on February 09, 2012, 03:06:44 PM
Thank you thats the kind of info i was looking for. I live in eatonville so i was thinking about trying my luck around the areas close to me that way i could cover more ground and scout alittle more in the summeri also live near eatonville but i dont think any of the units open for highbuck are what id call close...
Post by: summit creek on February 09, 2012, 06:05:00 PM
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 09, 2012, 08:04:15 PM
Thank you thats the kind of info i was looking for. I live in eatonville so i was thinking about trying my luck around the areas close to me that way i could cover more ground and scout alittle more in the summeri also live near eatonville but i dont think any of the units open for highbuck are what id call close...
Isnt there a place around crystal thats open
Post by: Skyvalhunter on February 09, 2012, 08:05:43 PM
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 09, 2012, 08:12:51 PM
Is it a wilderness area?
I think there is. A friend of mine went archery elk hunting. Up around one year. He said it was around seven miles to camp. I will have to check.
Post by: bobcat on February 09, 2012, 08:15:35 PM
Isnt there a place around crystal thats open
No, there's nothing open south of I-90.
Post by: Bob33 on February 09, 2012, 08:17:12 PM
Post by: Andrew on February 09, 2012, 10:32:13 PM
So this past season was my first modern firearm season...and to be honest I was rather discouraged by the 'orange zoo' this state turns into. needless to say I put 35+ miles on my boots within the first 4.5 days of deer season just trying to get away from the crowds and couldn't. Being an avid backpacker I'm entralled with the idea of turning a great back country trip into a deer hunting trip...why the hell not?
I get the concept of earn what you seek, and effort put forth 'might' give you better results. So all of my questions that I have don't have to deal with where, but more or less what and how?
What/How:
-other than back country gear, rifle, bino's, etc. what would you take that you say is a necessity for the deer hunting portion of the trip? Certain type of pack other than an internal frame pack?
-I've experienced weather from 30's to 80, if you do manage to drop a deer what do you do if it is 80 degrees out and you're 10+ miles in the boonies?
-does anyone know of a book or guide that they'd suggest to answer some or maybe all of my questions?
Thanks
Post by: bobcat on February 09, 2012, 10:40:43 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Public-Land-Mules-Bottom-Line/dp/097788371X/ref=sr_1_cc_2?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1328855754&sr=1-2-catcorr
http://www.amazon.com/Hunting-High-Country-Mule-Deer/dp/0965770400/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1328855754&sr=1-1-catcorr
Post by: bullchaser on February 10, 2012, 07:14:00 AM
Post by: Andrew on February 10, 2012, 08:00:02 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on February 10, 2012, 08:09:03 AM
Bobcats 1st book is the best i have ever read.really? i thought it was kind of boring... had good info and i liked the stories with pictures and so fourth but i dont think his writing style is near as interesting as mike eastman or cameron hanes...
Post by: adictd2hunting on February 10, 2012, 09:22:52 AM
Isnt there a place around crystal thats open
No, there's nothing open south of I-90.
I was looking at that lastnight. I also talked to a friend that lives in cle elum and he said he has been riding his horses in by alpine lakes area for the last few summers now. He said he has seen more bear sign the last few years then deer sign.
Post by: Andrew on March 04, 2012, 09:53:34 PM
I'm hoping that the later gets more into the basics. Felt like a 1/4 of the book I spent reading about B&C scoring and G1, G2, G3, and G4 measuring. Got some good ideas of how to and where to look for them. Have even decided on where I'm going to start my 4-year search.
Looking for tactics, field prep/packing out, etc.
Post by: fillthefreezer on March 05, 2012, 07:43:00 AM
"High Country Mule Deer" is done, onto "Public Land Mulies".i think you'll be dissapointed with public land mulies...
I'm hoping that the later gets more into the basics. Felt like a 1/4 of the book I spent reading about B&C scoring and G1, G2, G3, and G4 measuring. Got some good ideas of how to and where to look for them. Have even decided on where I'm going to start my 4-year search.
Looking for tactics, field prep/packing out, etc.
it covers even more scoring with the additon of which western states to choose in depth and even less about the "basics" of hunting the high country.
i think cam hanes' book covered "basics" i would call living in the backcountry the best... :twocents:
Post by: KopperBuck on March 05, 2012, 08:51:59 AM
Post by: fillthefreezer on March 05, 2012, 10:59:55 AM
Is that a book - living in the backcountry? Who is the author?i wish, if it was i would totally read it, i was referring to some of the topics cam hanes covers in his book backcountry bowhunting
Post by: halflife65 on March 09, 2012, 08:49:23 AM
"High Country Mule Deer" is done, onto "Public Land Mulies".i think you'll be dissapointed with public land mulies...
I'm hoping that the later gets more into the basics. Felt like a 1/4 of the book I spent reading about B&C scoring and G1, G2, G3, and G4 measuring. Got some good ideas of how to and where to look for them. Have even decided on where I'm going to start my 4-year search.
Looking for tactics, field prep/packing out, etc.
it covers even more scoring with the additon of which western states to choose in depth and even less about the "basics" of hunting the high country.
i think cam hanes' book covered "basics" i would call living in the backcountry the best... :twocents:
That's probably true. Having said that, maybe because (at least I like to think) I'm beyond basics, I thought Public Land Mulies was one of the best mule deer books that I've read. It's been a couple of years, but I think that the first part is scoring, looking at migration patterns, etc. If that bores you now, go to the later chapters regarding the camping, glassing techniques, etc. - pretty interesting stuff. When you master that, come back and read the first part of the book. And, no, there's nothing wrong with reading it that way (I'm not trying to be patronizing.)
Post by: highhunter on March 09, 2012, 03:03:50 PM
Isnt there a place around crystal thats open
No, there's nothing open south of I-90.
I was looking at that lastnight. I also talked to a friend that lives in cle elum and he said he has been riding his horses in by alpine lakes area for the last few summers now. He said he has seen more bear sign the last few years then deer sign.
I have to comment on the horses thing. In all my wilderness trips, I've seen one set of good size deer tracks that have crossed the trail. Most trails are in creek bottoms so it makes sense to me that anyone will find more bear sign than large deer sign on ALW horsetrails. Sign on trail systems have little correlation to what is present off-trail, of course with exceptions like doe/fawn tracks everywhere in recent burns, natural travel corridor/trail intersections etc.
Also, in my experience it doesn't matter if you are in a great area for a long time camping and hiking. If your not actively looking employing good scouting methods when your in the wilderness, then your not going to see very much of what's actually there.