To Find a Trophy Muley Buck
Washington State’s Chelan County Trophy Class Muleys
When, Where and How To Find a Trophy Muley Buck
By Mike Quinn
GPS 48.174, -121.007
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If you’re anything like me; and you probably are since you’ve read beyond the title, I suspect that like me you may want to know how to increase the odds of harvesting a Chelan County trophy class mule deer this next hunting season. Who amongst us doesn’t?
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Monster Mulie Hunter Colton Graham , October 2009 – All Photos by Mike Quinn
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Considering how infrequent simply observing a trophy buck for most of us is, much less situating one in the crosshair of a scope reticle on opening day, I pay attention when I hear about, or read of a way to increase my odds of taking a trophy class muley buck.
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Admittedly, the cursed problem we all face in our trophy muley pursuit is a basic one that hasn’t much directly to do with our hunting skills, physical abilities or the equipment we use; it’s simply overcoming the staggering odds of finding a trophy mule deer buck anywhere.
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Bath Lakes, High Route – note the Buck on the skyline
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Tying an over-the-counter tag onto the rack of a 170-190+ class mule deer buck, by fair chase methods and on public land each season is a daunting task. So, how do we tilt those odds in our favor? In a word: Knowledge. Knowledge is the foundation that leads to success in tagging a monster Chelan County buck, and knowledge is based in an understanding that we’re going to have to hunt with intelligence, and we have to hunt much harder than other folks. Luck has little to do with the type of mule deer hunting I’m familiar with.
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I’ll be brutally honest: I admit to taking advantage of certain knowledge, techniques and skills that tilts the odds in my favor of harvesting a trophy buck, yet allows me to hunt ethically and lawfully. I also take advantage of special situations that others who are also dedicated to the pursuit of trophy class mule deer bucks either can’t or won’t take advantage of. That’s just being intelligent. Moreover, I dedicate myself to a year-around physical fitness plan that prepares me for the rigors of hunting in Chelan county’s rugged mountains each fall. Hunting knowledge coupled with an ability to hunt harder than everyone else gives you an edge and makes those long odds not seem so impossible to beat.
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Realistic Expectations
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Each spring, just after I purchase my over-the-counter deer tag, my thoughts soon turn to how I can make Lady Luck work for me this season. Sure, the odds are long on taking a monster muley buck every year, or every several years. It’s always been that way. That’s reality.
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In fact, a trophy mule deer buck may be one of if not the hardest big game animal to bag in North America today. It’s not impossible though. But, if you’re an impatient person it’s going to be hard for you to accommodate the reality of harvesting a trophy one season, then possibly spending several years waiting and watching until you see another.
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With realistic expectations you won’t suffer disappointment every year, frequent disappointment is discouraging. You want to be encouraged by the trophy mule deer hunting challenge. That challenge requires many long hours of intelligent research to find a good area within Chelan County to hunt. Then it takes several years’ effort to learn the behaviors of the bucks you find, and the preferred habitats where those deer can be found. The first time you see a trophy buck it will lift your spirits and encourage your best efforts from that point on. I know it did for me.
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Pass No Pass Area
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Since I like an outdoor challenge, placing a tag on a giant buck is something well worth my efforts to achieve because I know it’s within the realm of possibility to accomplish. How do I know? I’ve done it, and I’ve helped others to accomplish it also. So it’s realistic to expect to repeat that accomplishment. Look at the images in this article. These pictures are of the exact place or places where I’ve succeeded in taking a trophy mule deer bucks, assisted others, or both.
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Autumn Colors of Chiwawa Ridge
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Since 1983 I’ve been hunting mule deer on public land on do-it myself terms. I scout for trophy bucks by first backpacking into wilderness areas during summer, and then searching for them later during the appropriate hunting season. I’ve harvested quite a few bucks over the years, but I’ve only taken two trophy muleys since 1983. I’m encouraged by that fact, however, since I’ve seen more trophy bucks than I have taken. A heck of allot more. That should tell you something: either I’m a terrible hunter and very unlucky or magnum mule deer bucks are just plain rare and tough as nails to find once the lead starts flying. I prefer to believe it’s the latter.
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Fog Camp
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Back in 1983 I was twenty years old and had the physical ability to go after trophy bucks in the places I liked to backpack hunt for them; I like to think I still do, but it’s getting tougher at age forty six. In addition, back in the early 80’s I lived in a state (Idaho) that is known for producing monster bucks, but did I ever have a serious lack of knowledge about hunting them there. In the intervening 25+ years I’ve come to realize that a trophy buck, wherever you find him is not like the more numerous younger bucks we commonly associate with mule deer hunting success. Not at all. A trophy class buck exhibits different survival strategies than younger bucks do. It’s also patently obvious to me now that they are extremely rare. So, I’ve learned to hunt harder and more intelligently than most hunters do to succeed.
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Trophy Buck Age
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Based on what I’ve read in books, heard from others and read from the tooth analysis data card that is sent back to me by the game department regarding the age of animals I’ve taken, a trophy class mule deer buck living on public land and in a wilderness area is at least 4 ½ years old and probably closer to 5 ½. He’s learned year around to avoid major predators; bears, lions, lynx, bobcat, coyotes, and wolves where they’re found. In addition he’ll live in places that most humans won’t go to or care to go to in all seasons.
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I suspect that in some crepuscular mule deer way that most bucks, if they survive to the ripe age of 4 ½, figures out that avoiding humans increases its comfort level. Last, a trophy muley has also learned to exploit excellent habitat. Location, location, location, find the good habitat and if there’s a mule deer buck that’s 4 ½ years of age or older, and he has the genetic potential to grow to trophy proportions, you begin to increase your odds of observing, and maybe, just maybe harvesting him.
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High Country Buck hang out
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It wasn’t until 1990 that I observed my first trophy class muley buck. This was in Washington State of all places. Later, in 1993, while hunting in Idaho I observed two more trophy mule deer. One of which I’ll never forget. It just didn’t seem to be from this planet it was so huge. This monster deer’s rack was…out of this world. Two years later, in 1995 hunting a few miles from where I had seen the “out of this world buck” I finally harvested my first trophy buck on a solo hunt at 10,000 feet elevation.
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Not until 2007 did I see or take another giant mule deer. Not for lack of trying. Maybe it has to do with how rare these animals are, or something else. Anyway, trophy mule deer bucks are rare, as in, once-in-a-lifetime rare. Just recently a young hunter I took hunting harvested a brute of a buck. That young hunters accomplishment fuels my excitement for chasing magnum mulies, gives me encouragement that the big bucks are still out there and makes me feel good that passing on the knowledge and experiences I’ve acquired over many years will keep the mule deer hunting tradition alive for years to come.
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Packing the Big Mulie Out
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On most trips that I’ve harvested giant bucks or assisted others with doing so they were taken during general October deer seasons on public land. Indeed, public land in two different western States; Idaho and Washington. So, if I can increase my odds, and take advantage of key basics to help myself and others to be successful, then you can too.
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I’m no expert at judging and scoring trophy mule deer racks, and I make no such claims. In spite of that my idea of what constitutes a trophy class mule deer buck; possibly not the same as yours, goes something like this: I classify a trophy mule deer buck as one that scores anywhere near 170 B&C typical points. Moreover, it’s a buck that I wouldn’t hesitate handing over several hundred dollars to a taxidermist to create a mount of.
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With that out of the way what follows is how I’ve increased my odds in Washington State, where I currently live, for taking trophy muley bucks.
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Chelan County
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First, as the title suggests I concentrate my attention and efforts on Chelan County.
Since those trophy mule deer bucks I go after during summer scouting trips, and then again later during fall hunting adventures live in Chelan County I’ll just mention Okanogan County in passing. Okanogan rates a viable close second, or possibly rivals Chelan. Who knows (grin)?
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Looking for big deer high above the Twisp River
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In addition, trophy bucks could, perhaps, also be found in Ferry and Stevens’ counties. Rather poor odds in both those counties however. I only mention them because the odds are similar to my chances of winning the Washington State Lotto. Accordingly, since I don’t play the Lotto and can barely shuffle a deck of cards, well, I think I make my point.
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Psychological Training and Physical Conditioning
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Now, I’ll let the cat out of the bag –yep we’re well into this scholarly tome and now come the catch: some of my success is largely predicated on increasing the poor odds I face each season. I also have to shoot straight. Truth be told though I sweat allot to increase those darn odds. I realize that to hunt trophy mule deer with any modicum of success that, not unlike Job, I’m going to have to suffer and persevere. This is due in part to an incurable disease I have (trophy mule deer hunting) and I lack the ability to do anything about it. Except, hunt trophy mule deer. Kidding aside, trophy mule deer hunting is just plain tough especially in the places I hunt.
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Author’s Buck from 2007
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I’m afflicted by an outdoor lifestyle, call it a career. Chasing trophy class bucks in wilderness areas is a large part of my career. That means I’m willing to sacrifice allot to achieve my career goals; searching for, finding and then harvesting a trophy buck. Consequently, I’ve sacrificed time scouting and hunting huge mule deer bucks that could have been spent at university or college, partying, or wasted on a mind numbing job working for a large corporation. On the other hand I do regret the time missed with family and friends. During my career, especially the last couple of decades that I’ve pursued muley bucks in the middle of nowhere, it’s been my observation that Washington’s giant bucks have become as rare as a one term Governor around here. The silver lining though is that Chelan County still produces monster bucks. Whew! Nevertheless, they’re as rare as they are elsewhere, but exist they do and you can harvest one. Here’s how I’ve done it, have helped others to do so and plan to do so again in the future.
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Avalanche Chute
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First, I keep and maintain a positive mental attitude and strengthen my will by always keeping my career goals in mind. Strong willpower as well as mental and physical toughness comes from the recognition that my desires and objectives are worthwhile and achievable. Accepting whatever it takes to fulfill them comes next. Yes, sometimes I miss my family and dear friends. Accordingly, because I’m prepared to suffer and sacrifice to achieve my goals, and have been rewarded in the past for my suffering, I relish the challenge of conquering hardships that would crush the average deer hunter. This is the attitude I’ve adopted for the pursuit of trophy class mule deer bucks. I also agree that humor is the lubricant, sometimes the difference, between my aspiration and achievement.
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Second, I get into top physical condition. I mean the kind of condition that makes me as indestructible as possible. I used to solo climb difficult routes in remote mountain ranges. To live long I realized that being in the best shape of my life was life. A good number of my wilderness hunting and fishing trips in wilderness areas are conducted solo. So, coupled along with a positive attitude, being self reliant in wilderness conditions while pursuing mule deer bucks is much less stressful when in excellent health and condition. In other words, wilderness mule deer hunting can make incredible demands on both the body and mind; with sleep deprivation, dehydration, lack of adequate nutrition, being wet and cold affecting willpower and physical ability. Furthermore, without a partner to buoy spirits and share burdens hunting at high altitude is hard. Add energy-and judgment-sapping cross country travel with plenty of climbing up and down extreme terrain and it quickly became clear early on in my career that training my body and mind to adapt to wilderness conditions made sense. Forging physical and mental toughness, or willpower, in the crucible of the wilderness does pay off. That said, around the first of the year I start a physical fitness regimen that conditions my mind, muscles, heart and lungs for spring backpacking trips. In late spring and early summer I grab, among other things my backpack, binoculars and possibly a spotting scope and head straight for the Glacier Peak Wilderness for some early season mule deer scouting. Then, around mid-July I go higher and farther than the spring backpacking trips, I push myself further physically and I begin to concentrate my scouting efforts in burn areas and brush patches at or around tree-line. In my experience Chelan County burns can be found anywhere from 2,500 to the 5,000 foot elevation level.
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Those Productive Burns
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Washington’s wilderness areas, like the Glacier Peak wilderness for example, contain burned over areas of various ages. Some of these burns currently provide excellent habitat conditions for the deer utilizing them. In some of these burns there exists an almost unlimited and ideal food supply. It’s my opinion that the bucks living in and around those burns consume plants at their nutritional best; when they are young, highly digestible and chock full of protein and minerals, that’s also when rapid antler growth occurs. For example, the early part of this decade saw more than just a few wilderness area wildfires that were of small to moderate size and burned with varying intensities. Some of those burned over areas are now producing the high quality forage mentioned above, effecting antler growth acceleration in bucks exploiting them. Two fires (burn areas) that come to mind immediately, both in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, are the Maple Creek and Tinpan fires. The Maple Creek fire occurred in 2003 and the Tinpan fire in 2006. There are pockets within both of these burns that harbor the trophy class bucks I’m after.
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Burn, Brush , Bucks
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Access to either of these two burns involves backpacking from as little as a mile to several miles to get to them, the Tinpan fire being the farther of the two. Once I’ve made it to a burn I look for tall almost impenetrable brush in and around it. Both the burn itself and any heavy brush located near it is the ideal setup for locating an undisturbed mule deer trophy. In the past, collecting a trophy buck during a September High Hunt or the general October season has been as simple as backpacking cross-country one mile off of a main trailhead or trail and finding a pocket of brush in or around a recent burn. At other times it’s been much, much harder. At the risk of repeating myself, I’ll reinforce the concept again that trophy class muley bucks are rare. No matter where they are found.
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Beyond the basics of backpacking and the places that one can enjoy doing it I like the mobility backpacking offers along with the solitude that comes from being way off the beaten path. This combination; mobility and solitude, has increased my enjoyment of hunting monster muley bucks and has also increased my odds of connecting on undisturbed ones.
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Warming fire
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High Camp
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Tips And Opportunities
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When I’m on spring or summer backpack scouting trips I search for moderate to large size burns between 3 and 10 years of age and at and above 5,000 feet of elevation. If there are heavy brush or live timber patches on the edges of, above, or in the burn itself, that’s even better. The following distinct opportunities and advantages are realized when I scout for trophy class bucks in burn areas:
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The opportunity to get back into top shape. Let’s face it, winters are long around here and springs can be also, so it’s hard to stay in top shape year around by backpacking alone. A year round physical conditioning regimen is necessary to prepare for wilderness backpacking. Backpacking when the weather permits in spring and summer provides me the opportunity to get back into top physical condition before hunting season arrives. By late summer and early fall I’m prepared for the rigors of packing heavy loads of meat out of the rugged basins that I hunt in. Make no mistake about it physical conditioning plays a major role in successfully increasing your odds of harvesting a trophy buck. Humpty, hump, hump I love a 100 pound pack! During the summer I also backpack trout fry into alpine lakes, and plant them. I look at stocking those trout fry in high lakes during the summer as a volunteer for the WDFW as another opportunity to stay conditioned, as well as look for those bucks that live near any burns and brush that may be near the lakes I plant.
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Greater Glacier Peak Area
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Long twilight periods. I take advantage before sunrise and after sunset to observe a bucks’ tendency to utilize dim light. He’ll move between feeding and bedding areas during twilight and reverse the movement in the evening after the sun has gone down. I’ve found that twilight (dawn and dusk) periods are hands down the best time to spot a trophy buck moving. I pay close attention to where the buck goes to bed in morning after feeding. Or, conversely, if I spot him coming out to feed in the evening I pay close attention to where he came from. That bedding area he just came from and the area he travels to feed in will be marked on a map of the area. At the very least I relegate those locations to memory.
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Summer is the opportune time of year to take advantage of observing bucks and judging antler growth for trophy potential. Most trophy bucks in Washington show good trophy potential by the 10th of July. I take advantage of scouting for whopper bucks from mid July until the 10th of September. Which is about the time they begin to strip the velvet from their antlers. I’ll continue to observe bucks, as much as I can (sacrifice, sacrifice) through October and even into November weather permitting. Most, years the month of October will see the weather transition suddenly from generally dry, warm summer like September conditions to the wet, cool and often windy conditions of winter. From Labor Day weekend on I bring my cold weather equipment and clothing with me unless the forecast calls for temps in the 80’s and no rain. Chelan County is almost entirely mountainous and beginning in September, above 5,000 feet of elevation, it can snow and the temps can drop to below the freezing point in a matter of hours.
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Proud Colton with his father Ken Graham , October 2009 – Fine Big Buck
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Tyranny of Success
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While scouting these burn areas I make sure to avail myself the opportunity to identify little isolated ridges and pockets. I’ve observed that all deer habitat is not created equal, and certain key areas consistently harbor giant bucks. The key to success and repeating it again and again is simply recognizing that isolated pockets, gully’s and ridges in and around burns are key big buck haunts. These are the places where the odds of observing a trophy buck increases. A burned over basin, ridge or pocket with browse, water and security cover nearby; from a few to several miles from the nearest road or trail, produces the best odds for me on harvesting trophy bucks.
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I hope it will for you. Now, go and get yours, and good luck!
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-Mike Quinn
For more information on Mike Quinn and more photos
10
High Country Buck Hunt
High Country Buck Hunt
Observations from an Outfitter
by Dale Wick
Icicle Outfitters & Guides, Leavenworth
GPS: 48.8234, -120.6686 (the Pasayten Wilderness)
When sitting around the campfire in elk camp, there are few buck hunting stories that are told with more passion and enthusiasm than those told by High Hunters. They often talk about the monster bucks that got away, some that are hanging on the wall at home but most just fall in love with the high country, hunting in solitude or catching a hi-lake trout after the morning hunt. They really do get hooked and spend all winter, spring and early summer dreaming and planning for their next late summer High Hunt in the Wilderness area of Central and North Central Washington State.
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Packing in . – Photo by Icicle Outfitters
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The hunt runs from September 15 – 25 and includes four wilderness areas and one recreation area in the North Cascades and all of the wilderness areas on the east and south side of the Olympic National Park. The most popular are the Pasayten (along the Canadian Border), Glacier Peak (largest of the wilderness areas), the Alpine Lakes (between I-90 and US 2) and the Henry M Jackson Wilderness (north of US 2). Most hunters prefer the east side of the Cascades where the migratory mule deer spend the summer before moving 40 to 60 miles east to their winter range.
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Hunting terrain – Photo by Icicle Outfitters
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Those lucky enough to get a “Special Permit” draw can hunt in November when the big migratory bucks have moved into the more easily accessible (roaded) winter range and have entered the rut. Failing the permit, it is usually necessary to go high to find the big bucks. First shot is the High Hunt. A few also head for the hills with backpacks or on horseback with their pack animals for an October (General Season) hunt for the big bucks.
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My brother & Sister-in-law owns and operates Icicle Outfitters & Guides out of Leavenworth with a packing station and ranch in the less pricey Entiat Valley. During the High Hunt, we pack in about a dozen drop camps and sometimes offer a deluxe camp as well. Our camps are scattered through three of the wilderness areas (Glacier Peak, Henry M Jackson and Alpine Lakes). Most of our clients are perennial; some have not missed a hunt in over 20 years. We usually have a couple camps open up so a few new hunting parties get added every year.
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Three Peaks Outfitters provides High Hunt camps in that part of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness located in Kittitas County.
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Alpine Buck – Photo by Icicle Outfitters
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The Pasayten Wilderness is served by five outfits. They have agreed to divide up the wilderness watersheds so each serves a limited area. That makes it much easier for them and avoid conflicts; no competition for the best camps. Some of these outfitters may also serve the Lake Chelan Recreation Area which is also open for the High Hunt in September.
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For a hunt from the head of Lake Chelan in either the Lake Chelan Recreation Area or the northern edge of the Glacier Peak Wilderness area the hunter should contact Cascade Corrals at Stehekin.
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For more information and contact information for the outfitters in Washington State visit www.woga.org ; the website for the Washington Outfitters & Guides Association.
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I my experience, most of the campfire banter is about outfitted High Hunts but there are many who own their own horses and pack themselves into a High Hunt camp. They are just as passionate about the hunt. The Forest Service is a little nervous about having horse groups camp too long in the wilderness areas because of the inevitable impact stock will have on the meadows and around camps. Most horse/ mule/ goat and llama users take stock management seriously and manage their stock for minimum impact but (zero is impossible to achieve).
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Then there are those who have strong backs and cardiovascular fitness that allows them to backpack to camp and still have the energy necessary to do their hunt. They must love what they do and probably spend all year preparing their body and gear for the hunt. Staying is shape is a very positive thing and adds to any ones enjoyment during the hunt whether they ride to camp on horseback or carry the camp on their back.
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You can surely understand that backpackers are usually trophy hunters; who wants to pack a 130pt. type buck 10 miles back to the trail head. Many of the horseback camps are also, not in a hurry to fill their tags. because that would end their hunting season. Harvest rates from our camps typically run about 35%; nearly all of the hunters would say that the success rate is a perfect 100.
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High Country Scouting – Photo by Icicle Outfitters
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Happy High Buck Hunt; we hope to meet you on the wilderness trails.
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