OTC Idaho Mule Deer Tags

[Cougeyes]

Interested with the experience some on here have had hunting Idaho for mule deer.  I have never hunted it but am Tentatively planning on doing an over the counter mule deer hunt this fall in Idaho and looking for general tips on what unit(s) people have hunted or recommend not to hunt.  Just looking for a fun hunt and an area that isn't too overrun with people.  I am in good shape so getting away from the roads and crowds shouldn't be a problem.  Thanks for any info i may receive. 

Got some info on unit 27 for the november season but its draw only; however it looks like there are unlimited tags given out.  Assuming due to the remote and rugged country and low density of hunters.  Might go that route, but everything i've researched talked about flying into airstrips and taking off from there. I dont think there are many roads in this unit which is somewhat enticing to me, but i'm worried about decent access to get into an area i could then take off on foot.   

[Bean Counter]

Tagging

[huntnphool]

Whitetail or mule deer?

[Cougeyes]

Mule Deer

[huntnnw]

27 is the Frank church and most fly into one of the airstrips and hunt out from there...it can get pretty crowded from what I have read at these airstrips and not the remote wilderness type experience you may want. Better be in the best shape of your life to hunt here. The trophy quality is not here, there are some nice bucks taken. There are a few on here that have done this hunt hopefully they will chime in.

[actionshooter]

27 is the Frank church and most fly into one of the airstrips and hunt out from there...it can get pretty crowded from what I have read at these airstrips and not the remote wilderness type experience you may want. Better be in the best shape of your life to hunt here. The trophy quality is not here, there are some nice bucks taken. There are a few on here that have done this hunt hopefully they will chime in.

I have done this hunt a few times and you pretty much nailed it. I have yet to take a really good buck in there.

[Bigshooter]

27 is the Frank church and most fly into one of the airstrips and hunt out from there...it can get pretty crowded from what I have read at these airstrips and not the remote wilderness type experience you may want. Better be in the best shape of your life to hunt here. The trophy quality is not here, there are some nice bucks taken. There are a few on here that have done this hunt hopefully they will chime in.

I have done this hunt a few times and you pretty much nailed it. I have yet to take a really good buck in there.

I've done this hunt a few times.  Quality is not great but you will see a lot of deer and a lot of small bucks, with that said.  The last 3 years I have seen pics of some very nice deer coming out of the Frank.  And I know guys that fly in every year and someone always kills a 180+ buck so there is always a chance of a really nice deer.  If you are going to do this hunt you better be in great shape. 

[Cougeyes]

Friend's friend took a nice 170" buck out of there last year.  Dont think he flew in.  Saw some pictures, looks extremely rugged country.  Anyone know how much a flight into the airstrips costs?  Thanks.

[grundy53]

Tagging

sent from my typewriter

[fishngamereaper]

I flew in a few years ago. McCall Air was like $350 round trip. You give them the dates and hope they can drop you off and pick you up within a few days either way. Weather and Fires are the big factors. My flight was delayed two days because of fire smoke and our pick up was a 2-3 day window so we had to hunt near the air strip.

Ive taken other trips into the church on foot. Check out the area around Big Creek, north of Yellow Pine. Lots of jump off points up there. Big country for sure. Havnt been back since the wolves moved in so not sure how the quality of game is now. On average we where seeing tons of elk, a few deer and about 4-5 bears a day.

There are some roads into the area from Stanley to. Drove up from that direction about 15 years ago. Seems to be more deer in the eastern half of the chucrh than the west. At least used to be. I have thought about the Nov rut hunt. Just havnt pulled the trigger yet. Would seem to me to be a good migration rut hunt, kind of like washingtons prime units.

[boneaddict]

I like to hunt Idaho, but recently I have picked up the camera so I havent spent the cash.  I had a rebellion when they cranked the fees, so I pulled the plug.  Personal boycott so to speak.   Dont need a permit to take pics. 

[Cougeyes]

Well Washington wont give me my dang later permit after 15 years of applying so i gotta plan on having fun elsewhere.  Although i'm hesitant to plan out of state until i draw Washington given i have limited vacation leave at work. The year i draw or plan an out of state hunt will be the year i draw Washington.  Guess i'll cross the bridge when it comes, can't keep putting all my eggs in one basket (i.e. washington) since we all know how the draws work here.  Just looking to have some fun elsewhere for a change.

Per the wolf conflict in the Frank Church, sounds like there may be less there this year since Idaho hired that professional trapper to eradicate them in there. 

[woodywsu]

I think a scouting trip is needed for the first weekend in August to good ole yellowpine. Ever heard of the harmonica festival?

[300rum]

Plenty of big bucks and bulls in the Frank.  Plenty of room to find them too. 

I know there are a lot of strips and all but it is amazing how many flights are going in there every day, flying right by some great spots, like the one I am sitting at.  Either way you are going to want to get in deep either at the trailhead or at the strip.   

[Killmore]

Even though the wolves are there I think the hunting is still OK, We have friends that run a ranch\outfitter business (shepp ranch) and they still manage to take some nice animals out of there every year.There right on the salmon river I think units 19-20??

[boneaddict]

I would suggest hunting it prior to becoming old and fat.   That country will eat you alive, and then the wolves will chew on your carcass

[Killmore]

Boneaddict  is correct, Everything is strait up and down, not a old mans place to hunt.

[300rum]

The only good thing about that country is that once you are on top (much easier to say then do) and away from everything you should be in some pretty good country and can stay on top or on top of the fingers, big advantage perfect for spot and stock. 

The bad thing and I mean the bad, bad thing is that it can be very hard to find water on top of anything up there.  For the animals it is no big deal to bust off the top and hit the small creeks and springs in the draws.  What makes you pull your hair out is to "find" a spring on a USGS only to not be able to find it for real.   

[actionshooter]

I would suggest hunting it prior to becoming old and fat.   That country will eat you alive, and then the wolves will chew on your carcass

That's a fact, now that I have the old and fat thing down, its getting tougher....

[YoterHunter]

Boneaddict  is correct, Everything is strait up and down, not a old mans place to hunt.

.     Just what are consederring is old.