Unit 1 deer hunting

[j_wellock]

Hi everyone, so I went over for whitetails this year we started down south then towards the end of the week went up north to see a friend of my dad's and while I was up there seen some killer high country north of sandpoint and was thinking it looked like it could be really good for mule deer I was just wondering if anyone had some info on it. I know there are good whitetail number for unit 1 but was wondering how mule deer numbers are and if any of you have hunted up on the tops. Looking to go scout it this summer and check out the area that I found but any info helps thank you!

[jackelope]

I spent almost a week there earlier in November. I think mule deer numbers are not very high. I did a big hike one day in fresh snow and cut maybe 3-5 sets of deer tracks. I hiked ~12 miles that day from approx. 2k' to just over 6k' elevation. For what it's worth the weather was crappy that day. High winds and snow, thick fog so it's possible that the deer were just not moving. It did look like  great mule deer country.
We saw a few mule deer in the lower elevations but not a lot. Only 1 buck and it was a small 3 point. Maybe 10 does.

 

[The scout]

I've hunted up there a few times, I have never seen a mule deer up in the woods. I'm sure there are some up there but almost seems opposite of what you would think the whitetails are up high and mule deer are down in the fields

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

Looks can be deceiving.  Some good bucks get killed up there every year, but you dont see alot of them.  The mule deer populations arent very good up there, they used to be bot not anymore.

[j_wellock]

Yeah the one thing I was worried about was how late the hunt is. It doesn't start till November 1st might be to late to hunt high there probably all pushed down into the thick brushy bottoms by then

[idaho guy]

 ]
Looks can be deceiving.  Some good bucks get killed up there every year, but you dont see alot of them.  The mule deer populations arent very good up there, they used to be bot not anymore.
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  You can definitely find some mulies but the numbers are not that high. There is some nice bucks up there but you really need to put some time in or get lucky!

[boneaddict]

I've killed a couple.   Tough hunting.   

[j_wellock]

Well thanks for the info guys I'll definitely do some scouting at least try to go a couple times it's a drive so hopefully I can find a good spot up there in little scout time

[jjhunter]

I used to hunt it quite a bit - the main issue that we had was that the snow was too deep on November 1st to get to the big boys.   Most of the big bucks will stick it out in some pretty deep white stuff.

In 2005 or 2006 I had the early rifle tag and was able to get up and hunt them - small pockets of deer, but I saw one giant typical.   One of the biggest bucks I have ever seen.   I was in the Navy at the time and had no time to hunt.   A couple more days and I think I could have killed him.

Would like to have that tag again...