Washington State High Buck "guidance"

[JeffRaines]

Long time lurker...
I'm currently planning my first high hunt for next year. Seeing as I have almost an entire year to prepare I should be able to make it awesome. I am already experienced with backpacking so the gear aspect I have mostly covered, just need to get a larger hunting-oriented pack. I just have a few questions regarding scouting/pre-scouting...

I know a lot of people(myself included) use Google Earth to pre-scout areas. While I kind-of know what to look for with BT deer, when it comes to mulies and high country I'm completely lost. I have read enough to know that you're looking for basins, but beyond that Theres tons of basins! So, what constitutes a good basin? What do you look for on Google Earth/topos that makes you go "WOW, I've gotta check there!"?

I'm going to start burning boot leather probably around June or so, but I'd like to have 5 or so likely areas narrowed down by then.

Anything else I should know? Are there any books I could pick up that might be relevant to the areas I'll be hunting? I've seen a few high country mule deer hunting books but from what I've read those books are mostly centered around CO/WY which is different from here.

Thanks guys!

 

[HighHunter1232]

I have hit my WA wilderness area hard for five years now, and learned a few things. I think the most beneficial thing I can share with you is to find an area that is not accessible by trail. Find that ridge on that map with no easy access for anybody. I am sure you will find more deer and far less people.

 

[dirtytough]

2 of the biggest bucks I've seen in Washington high country you could of shot from a trail. So don't discount areas with trails. You will just have more competition.

If its an average snow year a lot of areas are hard to get into until late June. I would bring a spotter if you have one. Look for open meadows with krumholtz in them. That's where you will find the bucks. If it's bad weather on the west side unless you are half mile or more from the crest a lot of times it's hard to glass because all the clouds backup.

 

[JeffRaines]

2 of the biggest bucks I've seen in Washington high country you could of shot from a trail. So don't discount areas with trails. You will just have more competition.

If its an average snow year a lot of areas are hard to get into until late June. I would bring a spotter if you have one. Look for open meadows with krumholtz in them. That's where you will find the bucks. If it's bad weather on the west side unless you are half mile or more from the crest a lot of times it's hard to glass because all the clouds backup.

Thanks for the advice guys!