Where to camp for high country muley hunting?

[BSLugnut]

In my scouting for an upcoming archery mule deer hunt, the nearest tree could be 2-3 miles south of the area. And sometimes those pockets of trees are in the bottom of the basin.
For those of you more experienced high country (10-12k' elevation) hunters, where do you typically camp in relation to hunt at these elevations?

 

[cloan11]

Lee side of any ridge, and if possilbe anywhere near large rocks and especially large enough that you can get under if a lightning storm decides to join you.

 

[TaperPin]

Down wind, out of the lightening, and as high as possible. I camped out on the windward side of a big open slope above timberline one year, where we could glass from the tent in one direction, have a short walk over the ridge in the other direction, but we were clobbered by lightning. That was an education being out in the open as a storm rolled through at midnight, the highest thing around with aluminum tent poles as lightning rods, and the worst side of the hill. The leeward side of a mountain or big ridge gets much less lightning, so we moved to a nearby drainage and had a little more of a walk.

 

[Poser]

Find a bench or flat area that is reasonably protected and close to water.

 

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

Water is usually my #1. I don’t want to be dropping 1k to haul water up every day. I rather camp close to water and climb up every morning. Generally end up somewhere on the backside of the basin/face I’m interested in.

 

[shootnrun]

All the above. But for the love of God, dont camp in the basin.. I wish there was some sort of PSA I could put out to everyone in WA because it happens ALL THE TIME

 

[ProStaffSteve]

All the above. But for the love of God, dont camp in the basin.. I wish there was some sort of PSA I could put out to everyone in WA because it happens ALL THE TIME

Quick question, so where I’m hunting I just camped windward side of a hill side and my back up was in a basin with a lake on the leeward side… break it down further so I don’t kill myself

 

[shootnrun]

Camping in the basin isn't going to kill you. It will severely limit your odds of seeing any animals as your stench blows up and down the whole of the drainage, scaring off any animal in the vicinity.

 

[ProStaffSteve]

Ahh that makes more sense, it’s tough figuring out how close or far from a MD spot to camp. That high country mule deer book by Eastman’s says to camp in sneaky areas right over top of them, where I hear lots of guys discussing what you pointed out.

I kinda feel if you camp near where people already go sometimes/act like a hiker they might not totally ditch an area.

In general, it’s freaking hard to find good MD habitat that doesn’t intersect ample trails and forest roads.

 

[ianpadron]

Ain't that the truth

All the above. But for the love of God, dont camp in the basin.. I wish there was some sort of PSA I could put out to everyone in WA because it happens ALL THE TIME

 

[shootnrun]

Ahh that makes more sense, it’s tough figuring out how close or far from a MD spot to camp. That high country mule deer book by Eastman’s says to camp in sneaky areas right over top of them, where I hear lots of guys discussing what you pointed out.

I kinda feel if you camp near where people already go sometimes/act like a hiker they might not totally ditch an area.

In general, it’s freaking hard to find good MD habitat that doesn’t intersect ample trails and forest roads.

It isn't easy to find a good spot. I like to be on the opposite side of the ridge of my target area, but close-ish. (I'm not a morning person and like to max my sleeping time and get to the glassing spot quickly). Wind and weather in general can be an issue. Which brings in the conversation of shelter selection. Smaller footprint makes life easier in some regards. Til you're stuck in it for 24+hrs.


Im also in WA, where water isn't usually a big deal. But I have packed 2 gallons of water 3k ft just to prolong a stay and not have to repeat the journey. And if you're in a spot where you need to drop 1k ft to get water, bring some drom bags and get yourself a stockpile back to camp in one go with an otherwise empty pack.. But I'm also the guy that would rather split an elk between 2 guys and make 1 trip before I'd consider going in and out twice. So take my advice for what its worth...