North idaho deer?

[jthurs]

Hey guys, posted this in trail cameras on accident. Does anyone know how the whitetails are doing up north idaho around priest lake or around that area. trying to plan a hunt for next year. Not looking for your hotspot, just an idea of deer numbers in general.

[bigcountry]

We hunted up there this year last week of November, it was horrible.  There were a couple days we did not even see a deer.  I will not be going back

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

The locals usually do well.  We hunted the north for of the cda for elk and saw some nice bucks, probably cause we only buy elk tags. Saw a decent mulie out of priest a couple weeks ago while four wheeling.  If you put some time in, you will find nice bucks up there.

[jthurs]

Thanks for the input guys. I knew I was going to have to work for them, but sounds like there are still deer there.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

To say the least!!!  I don't personally hunt it, but my friend and his family grew up in priest river and have taken some amazing bucks,  just gotta figure them out.  The sheds we find let me know there are some monsters up there, I just don't wanna spend the money on a tag yet

[jthurs]

My uncle shot a 170" whitey in naples 3 years ago. 10 points with a drop. Not in the books, as I don't think alot of idaho bucks go in the books. They are there.

[Alan K]

Snow makes a huge difference for us over there. Much easier to spot and they are on the move feeding throughout the day. Rattling can and does work well if you catch it right.  It's different over there than in Washington though, no baiting, so you can't shoot them neck deep in hay piles.  With so much of the land over there USFS, there are endless seas of timber growing bucks that rarely see man.  Of course there are some great bucks there! 

Attached is a map of Idaho with the WT deer densities, straight out of the regs.  You've probably seen it, but as you can see there is no shortage of WT's in the area you're talking about!

[jthurs]

Cool, thanks for the map!

[ANDERWAGON]

My Brother-in-law lives near Twin Lakes and hunt the area pretty hard. He's had a few wolf encounter and believes there's been a decrease in the deer numbers over the past few years. But with all that said he still pulled this buck out of the woods on the last day of the season this year.

[jthurs]

gorgeous deer. love the color of those horns.

[jthurs]

Does anyone know if there are also some nice mulies up high in this area? I would have to think so.

[BOWHUNTER45]

Anderwagon ...thats a fine whitetail .. congrats 

[jthurs]

Was also wondering if there were some mulies in the high ground worth pursuing. I have heard that there are pockets of good bucks if you know where to look?

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I am heading up there next season too... can't wait! 

[elkaholic]

Db, tried sending ur work email pics and your full
Mule deer in pockets ...... Gotta scout alot and the snow gets deep quick up there.