Getting Away From Hunting Pressure

My Dawning Awareness

Over twenty years ago, as we ground up a steep mountain in the predawn dark, I noticed a pair of headlights behind me that weren’t there a moment ago. Chagrined, I knew I could finish in low-range up this steep grade before that person caught me. It wasn’t even a minute later; I knew I was wrong. This truck was advancing on me like his tail was on fire, and before I knew it, he dodged off the road into the sagebrush and blasted around me! Now, I would have let him by as we neared the top, but he decided instead to blaze a new trail around me.

Although trivial, this is one of many hunting pressure stories that each of you likely have as well. Horror stories abound. Especially with the advent of ATVs and UTVs, it seems as if hunters are everywhere. The extra traffic tears up roads and near-road cover is routinely thrashed and picked-over. There is no doubt the trend has been toward greater hunter density. With shorter seasons and expanding opportunities we are packing hunters in tight, especially in roaded areas. Thus, the recent rise in popularity of back-country hunting.

Backcountry Hunters

Hunting the backcountry and wilderness areas of the western US isn’t a new thing. Hunters have been doing this since time immemorial; however, as hunting pressure has increased, the rise in popularity of backcountry hunting has accelerated. There are TV shows, podcasts, websites, and organizations like the Backcountry Hunters and Anglers that are dedicated to the concept of getting deeper into the untracked country for successful hunting and fishing opportunities.

I’ve often romanticized about packing my gear deep into the backcountry to open up a cornucopia of hunting opportunities. I started into ultralight backpacking with this very intention. Finding and packing into a brilliant hunting area is such a rewarding experience. My willingness to put camp on my back and go has opened up so many wonderful scouting and hunting opportunities. This same idea I’ve used to bivvy out of the back of my truck in remote areas that see very little hunting pressure. Both techniques have upped my opportunities dramatically.

The Most Important Point

So exactly why do we hunt the backcountry? Well, for sure it is a beautiful and awesome personal experience. For most of us, the primary point is to get away from hunting pressure and find better animal density and age class. Whatever your reason, it is important not to lose sight of it. For me, the biggest point to backcountry hunting is to make for better hunting opportunities. But, when I reflect on this goal, I’ve found that backcountry hunts don’t always measure up.

The best part of backcountry hunting is the relative solitude. Yeah, you will run into other hunters with a similar mindset, which can be frustrating. But overall, you are going to achieve your goal of having areas to yourself, with minimal adjustment. It’s always important to have a plan B and a plan C, but that is true of all hunts. There is a big downside to backcountry hunting though as well. Mobility. Once you invest in an area, that’s the area you get to hunt. If the animals aren’t there, you may be in a bit of trouble and it is hard to undo your plans at that point.

Refocus: What is Important, Really?

My hunting goal is really simple: I want to see as many age-class animals in a day as possible. The only Boone and Crockett animal I’ve personally harvested was a 238-inch mule deer. I had a day planned to get away from the competition. Unfortunately, locked gates and No Trespassing signs ruined my morning….or so I thought. As the sun rose and we retreated, I opted to set up my spotting scope in the middle of everywhere. I was on a good road near a county road where lots of people camp. Still, I set up my scope and my dad started glassing out of the passenger window of my truck. It wasn’t long before Dad exclaimed, he’d found a buck and sensed it was a big one. I got the scope on him and almost wet my pants! After hours of planning, stalking, waiting, and more stalking I had him on the ground…that is a story for another day.

The point of my little story here is that I killed that monster buck less than two miles from the main county road. He was in a sagebrush micro-wilderness between two well-travelled loop roads. I don’t know if he just moved into the area due to regional fires, hunting pressure, or if he had been there all season. What I do know is he was in a very unlikely spot, if traffic was the main consideration. I’m finding as time goes on that hunters often bypass bucks and bulls as they aim for the sexy high country. I use this to my advantage now. What I now realize is that I’m not hunting big game; I’m competing with other hunters.

Hunter Density and Hunting Pressure

Outhunt the other hunters by using your brain. You can (and probably should) put the odds further in your favor by checking into the hunter numbers in previous years. Whether over the counter (OTC) or draw tags, you can get a great idea of hunter density by looking at the damned data! I love to pick hunting areas that don’t draw too much attention. If I do a good job scouting, I can usually find a little hidey hole that gives me a personal and successful hunting experience.

I always consider the number of hunters in an area. Take some time to look for areas that just do not see a lot of hunting pressure, but still produce. This sounds remedial, but people really do overlook this process. Too often, we check out hunter surveys and look for areas where the greatest number of mature animals are being taken. Worse yet, we look at Boone and Crocket results when we choose a state or area to hunt. Try my idea and select a hunt that might be a little tougher but has fewer interested hunters!

Overlooked Areas – Dodge Hunting Pressure

Think about where big game might go to escape pressure. Do they run out onto the desert? Do they find dense tree stands overlooking a paved highway? Or do they use willows on private land? There are an amazing number of animals that are within a literal stone’s throw of habitable buildings and paved highways. In fact, I don’t believe for one minute that a successful western hunter even needs a four-wheel-drive (let alone a UTV!) to be successful.  A low-clearance car can get you close to some of the best hunting in the west!

I recall hearing a podcast by some famous elk hunters. Apparently when they were young, they were in McCall, Idaho at a gas station and were approached by an old-timer. The local asked them if they were hunting elk and he had it right. He offered some free advice…something to the effect of “if you want to kill big elk, be sure you can still see the highway from where you are hunting!” They laughed at the advice, but then went on to kill two bulls from within a mile of the highway on that trip! Do not overlook opportunities that other people drive by!

Gimmicks and Tricks

So, if we combine low hunting pressure with areas that are overlooked, perhaps that is enough answer? I think so, but if you want to take it to another level there might be a couple of cards left up your sleeve. The first thought is to check your hunting areas to see if maybe a mountain bike would make a difference for you. In places where motorcycle and ATV access is limited but you can still bring your bike, this could be the very way you add efficient miles to your trip and see more country. Seeing more country matters, and that is one of the shortfalls of true backcountry hunting. Use the bicycle to improve your mobility and cover more country.

One tool I’m experimenting with this year is the packraft. I’ve always dreamt of an October paddling chukar hunt! Exploring the rivers of the west with a lightweight packraft can open up a new world of possibilities. There are so many big creeks, rivers, and lakes that isolate hunting lands from others. Whether it is a roadless river or a mountain lake with no trail to the other side, the packraft can help you get to unhunted country. What about a local reservoir that isolates micro-wilderness? Could a packable or at least inflatable boat be the key to unlock some additional low-pressure space? Hint: yes!

Personal Choices

You can see I haven’t covered everything here. Llamas can pack your gear and let you hike/walk farther every day. Fly-in camps can give you an advantage too. The important thing here is to seek good habitat that gives you low hunter pressure. Think hard about what circumstances turn off other hunters and see if you can figure out a way to crack that nut. There are some ideas that I have that I’m just not quite willing to share yet…maybe another day. But the process I’ve used to arrive at them is all right here. The concept are where you start.

Remember to first keep in mind your basic goal as you sleuth out your strategy. Do you want meat for the table? Perhaps it is a backcountry experience above all else. Maybe you are after age-class animals, or maybe you want to harvest an animal you drag whole to the truck so it can be chilled and hung whole. Whatever the goal, just write it down. Brainstorm the reasons you hunt and what makes a perfect hunt, then use these ideas to fit your goals. Make a plan that gives you the edge against other hunters.