High Cascades Unit

Jeremy · 06-23-2003, 12:45 PM

Has anybody hunted the high cascades early season deer tag? i got the tag just to get a little hunting in before the general season since this is my first year hunting. Any info or tips you wanna pass on would be greatly appreciated.

Boedy · 06-23-2003, 03:19 PM

Always hot and dry at that time of year so stay close to water and as far off the road as you can get.

LIMIT LANDER · 06-23-2003, 05:39 PM

If you can withstand getting away from the other hunters and you can follow compass bearings and a topo map and dont mind sleeping out at night under the stars, and your not afraid of getting lost. I would say hunt the MT.Jefferson or Mt.Washington wilderness areas,with your high cascade tag. and then dissapline your self only to shoot a hugh 3pt or larger 4 pt. the animmals are plentiful in these areas but you do have to hunt.Back in the early 70,s i had a friend who showed me the area he killed some "huge" mule deer and Blacktail Muledeer cross. he also took 2 real nice blackbear. the first time i was in there. i missed a big mule deer nontypical that i still cry about today. i was so, upset that i went hell bent back to camp jumping up another big buck. the following summer i went back and scouted for approx 2 weekends. and got to know the area fairly well. i havent ben back there much only 3 years ago i was able to draw a tag. It can be hot and dry the mule deer like to winter there, in fact i have hunted that area if the weather is good, up untill it closes nov 5th or so. a lot of beautifull high lakes and streams that the deer hang around close to. but you must be in good shape and have good woodsman sence about you. i have spent a couple of nights in the wood because i taken the wrong turn. but i have always got out the next morning. i always get a weather report before i went. i never went up when a storm was going to blow in. it can change real quick up high, so bad you cant see your hand in front of your face.....give it a chance it can be a very beautiful hunt.

Jeremy · 06-26-2003, 02:26 PM

bump

Land Shark · 06-28-2003, 07:51 AM

I hunted the Dinger Lake area a couple years. That would be just a bit north of Timothy Lake. Pretty hot and dry during that time of year so I usually scout for a good spot for a tree stand during the day and stand hunt the morning and late afternoon. The one buck I did get was while I was hiking down to set up my tree stand . Jumped it just off the same trail I had been on that morning. If you can find the roads that run above , overlooking Dinger Lake there are a couple nice clear cuts that run right down almost to the lakes edge.It might be pretty grown up by now though. I think if you stay near some kind of water source you will have better luck.

[ 06-28-2003, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: Land Shark ]

Hawg Caller · 06-30-2003, 09:28 AM

WE HUNTED DOWN BY WALDO LK. LAST YEAR,SAW ALOT OF SMALLER BUCKS AND DOES, NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT...
LIKE EVERYONE ELSE SAID PLAN FOR HOT AND DRY.

pdxkevin · 06-30-2003, 12:03 PM

This is my third year up there for this tag. Each year has been drier, hotter, and louder. Got to the point last year that there was no way to stalk hunt without sounding like you were walking on potato chips - no moatter how slow or quiet you tried to be.

I think the ticket for this tag is tree stand or blind. Get there hours before you need you plan on shooting.

GutshotApe · 06-30-2003, 12:11 PM

I had a high cascades tag one year and know others who try for one every year. One way to hunt the area is to find a vantage point overlooking a big clearcut or two...if you can find any 10 yrs old or newer...especially clearcuts across a canyon facing your spot. Glass the clearcut esp. around the edges early & late. When you see a buck then plan an approach within shooting range. If not disturbed, bucks will often use the same area at the same time each day...

Lovestafish · 06-30-2003, 12:39 PM

Boedy hit it right on the head; stay away from the roads. I'd include major trails too, like into Marion Lake, Pamelia Lake, etc. The animals know where they are - we humans make sooooo much noise it's not funny. Also, if you're going to sit on a stand, I'd suggest you go in about now, find your spot(s), trim whatever you need to for shooting lanes & remove the debris. If you do it during or just before the season, it seems to stand out. It's like moving the couch in your living room & thinking no one will notice. Good luck!