How to pick a unit for out of state hunting?

[nw_bowhunter]

I never hunted out of state but always had the desire. Lately I have been pouring through past issues of Eastman Hunting magazines and wonder how you go about picking an out of state place to hunt? 

My main interests is to bow hunt but would consider rifle as well for mule deer.

Anybody share with me what the terrain is like in units 55 and 44 in Idaho. I'm realling looking for the open terrain and with timeber pockets.

[Chesapeake]

For terrain visuals look to hiker/ backpacker sites. Also look at google earth and any counties with online GIS maps. If there are hiking trails in the area hikers will put up scenery pics on the web. They also often pin them on google earth.
Eastmans is good for rounding up all the harvest stats, draw odds,
 trophy potential ect... In an easy read format.  You can often get all that and more from the state fish and game sites.  Hunting fool has similar but with more of an eye for trophy hunting. Also search the chat boards, ect... You could start with just a google search of "Idaho unit 55" ect... Also look up all the outfitter websites for the outfitters in the area. They will often have scenery pics as well as picks of the better animals they've taken over the years.
Order BLM and USGS quad maps ect. Make a scouting run or two if you can. Then make a choice and go hunt. You will learn and see some surrounding areas and expand on you learning.

[MTMule]

Well without getting to complicated. If you are looking for the best units. Choose the one that is hardest to get. Everyone already knows the best units.

Might take some time to actually get it, but that's how it goes if you want a trophy.

Either that or go to Idaho or Montana, check the harvest statistics and try to find your own honeyhole. Both states can produce big public land deer contrary to what a lot of people say.

[furbearer365]

Believe it or not but the people who work at the fish and game in other states know what they are doing and usually are great to talk with.  What i did when trying to learn Montana was started with talking with a biologist and letting him know what i was looking for and if he could get me started in the right direction.  He was eager and more than willing to help.  Keep in mind that asking them where the giants are with no people probably will get you nowhere.  Remember, they see deer all the time and see good ones, a big deer to them and a big one to you are probably not on the same level.  My dad shot a buck last year that would probably take you 10 years of points and the locals called it a "good" deer.  If they give you a couple of units to check out, get of google and start the work.  Good luck

[boneaddict]

Huntinfool magazine is a good source if you have the cash.   Pretty cheap scouting tool if you are serious

[jjhunter]

Those are both great units in Idaho, the problem is, you may never draw them.   Since Idaho has no bonus/preference point system, it really only makes sense to apply for LE tags there if you plan on hunting on OTC tags if you do not draw.

That being said, there are some awesome OTC hunts available.   Idaho has a bunch of steep, nasty country that is conducive to growing large critters.   Apply for the LE tag of your choice and if you don't draw, have a backup OTC hunt lined up. 

Like anything, your success will be a function of the time/effort that you put into the hunt.   

HF is good starting point, but you need to know enough to "read between the lines."  By the time they post an area, it has already reached it's peak.  By the time that you hunt it, it will be on the way down.    Also, they lost Adam and Jason, the real core of that operation!

[grundy53]

Marking this thread.

[elksnout]

The following has worked well for us hunting Oregon for approx. the last ten plus years. (rifle)

Research harvest statistics on their game department websites. This will give you a good starting point to compare units.
Research buck/bull ratios for the unit (s) you are looking at. We usually are looking at more than one unit at this point.
Look at how many tags are issued and how many guys put in for them. This will give you a pretty good idea on how long you might have to wait until you are drawn. Keep in mind things change from year to year.
Read everything you can about your chosen area. Keep an eye on the news for how hard the winter was prior to going into the draw. Oregon normally does a field survey in late March. So before we put in for the draw we call that area's biologist.
Once we draw we get decent maps. Then we call the bio again for starting points.
About June or early July we make a 3-4 day scouting trip. Then another call to the bio. Usually at this point he knows we've done our homework and is very helpful.
Arrive for your hunt early.

Sure I'm missing something. Half the fun of the hunt is just getting ready!

[Killmore]

Don't worry about picking a bad unit, the worst unit in most other states is probably better than most in washington.

[nw_bowhunter]

Okay JJnunter- "it really only makes sense to apply for LE tags there if you plan on hunting on OTC tags if you do not draw." Does this mean the units I was suggesting aren't LE? I tried to send you a PM but your inbox is full

Please explain. I know how green I sound here.

All good suggestions and I will start making some calls to inquire.

[BULLBLASTER]

I am opposite in thoughts to the le and no points. With no points your odds of drawing early are far greater that with points and starting.late in the game. Heck I drew a good Idaho muley tag my first year ever applying. I now apply every year aether or not I am planning to hunt Otc in Idaho. You never know when it will be your turn to draw. For le units I worry about pulling a tag before scouting. I don't want to waste time and money scouting an area I won't even be able to hunt. But for Otc I try and scout a fair number of times. After a few years in an area you figure put animal patterns.

[jjhunter]

Okay JJnunter- "it really only makes sense to apply for LE tags there if you plan on hunting on OTC tags if you do not draw." Does this mean the units I was suggesting aren't LE? I tried to send you a PM but your inbox is full

Please explain. I know how green I sound here.

All good suggestions and I will start making some calls to inquire.

My point was, in other states that require a substantial (costly) non-refundable license to be purchased in order to apply for LE permits, you will receive a bonus/preference point.  This will
"guarantee" or substantially increase your odds of drawing a tag down the road.  In Idaho, although the odds are good (relatively speaking) on some of the better hunts, you could potentially never draw a tag in a lifetime of attempting to do so with the lack of a bonus/preference pt system.   I have personally drawn 2 deer tags in Idaho's #1 deer unit and one of the better Idaho elk tags - all within the last 3 years - it is possible.   I not trying to deter you from applying in Idaho.  If your financial means allow, definitely do it.  If you have to be choosy with time/resources, there are much better options available.
 
If you are willing to bow hunt or muzzleload hunt, your odds of hunting big deer every year increase substantially.  Colorado would be my #1 choice as a bowhunter as with just 0-5 points you can be on giant bucks, in velvet, batched up, and in their summer patterns.  The same goes with a muzzleloader.

Good luck on your quest.  I have spent tens of thousands of dollars and years just going out and doing it.  That time/money is just now starting to pay off.   If you want some specifics, I'll clear my PM box.

Good luck, again.

JJ

[nwhunter]

I agree its a big learning process and you need to know going in its gonna cost some money and take some patience. Huntin Fool is a great start to ease the learning curve of what the costs are and app. dates etc. I am a member and have plenty of sign up applications and can get you signed up with them asap. Send me a pm. nwhunter

[boneaddict]

you just want the free cookies.

[kramer]

wyoming is nice becuase you can buy points. utah is cheep . you only have to buy your license every other year. colorado you front the money and get most of it refunded. colorado is nice becasue you can draw a second choice unit and not waste points. also the worst unit in colorado you still will have more sucess and better odds of a bigger buck then here.