Idaho next year?

[Hunter mike]

After getting skunked this year, I'm thinking about branching out a bit for my hunting next year.  If I'm not successful, at least I'll learn some new country (and I can still hunt around home anyways).  I know a whole mob from WA heads over there, but hoping for an idea or 2.  Not looking for a trophy or honey hole - mostly a meat hunt/adventure for me.

I'm thinking of doing a Whitetail hunt.  I really have no idea where to start - been looking at St. Joe National Forest, some of the Potlatch lands maybe.  Haven't looked into the state lands yet.  I'm a pretty hardcore boot hunter and don't mind some hiking.  I don't have an ATV, so anywhere they won't be whizzing by would be best if possible.  I'm willing to do what it takes to get a little bit of solitude.  Other than driving through, I don't know much about the area.  I may or may not get a chance to scout ahead of the hunt... just hoping to at least see some animals and have a chance!

I'm planning on car camping and maybe possibly a bivy camp out if it makes sense. 

Any ideas appreciated...

Thanks!

[WA hunter14]

alot of people hunt off of 4wheelers here! and alot of roads are gated off so they are only open to ATVs, but if you can find a area near farmland with not so many atvs then you should have higher concentrations of deer. Atleast around me when you get away from the farmland you really lose deer numbers, still definately can be good and its easy to get away from people just wont see as many deer a day. do you rifle or bow hunt?

[grade-creek-rd]

Maybe go south...look to the foothills north of Boise/Mt. Home area....House Mountain or Trinity area...its mule deer country, but less atv's.

Grade

[jackelope]

We spent a week in the north panhandle. Didn't see a single quad. All national forest.

[3nails]

 Don't let the ATV hunters deter you a bit. Those same gated roads they are using are open to you walking in. It's been my experience in Idaho that the ATV hunters ride right past the best areas. Look into a mid to late November hunt in the panhandle or 10A. Temperatures can be bitter cold so you'd need a place to stay or a wall tent/trailer.

[Hunter mike]

Thanks for the info guys 

Didn't want to seem anti-ATV - I would have one for sure if you could ride around gates here!  I would also probably bring my mountain bike in case I need to cover a bit of ground.  From what I'm reading, I should expect heavier cover/timber hunting in the panhandle and more open country as you go south.  Google Earth is helping out a bit.  I just don't know exactly what to look for as I've never hunted whitetail.

[JLS]

You don't necessarily have to be 10 miles from the gate to find deer.  I killed a mature buck this year less than 1/2 air miles from a gate.  Get away from the big clear cuts that attract hunters like flies, and hunt the small corners and the timbered ridges adjacent to these.

[Hunter mike]

I was reading on the state website about possibly buying a second deer tag when non-resident tags don't sell out.  Are these frequently available?

[WA hunter14]

yea i dont think they have sold out in years, everyone i know including myself waits until you shoot one before buying another usually in november

[WA hunter14]

you can call F&G and they can tell you how many tags are left i think there was 4000 in november this year when we were buying second ones

[theleo]

Helps to know what weapon you prefer (archery, modern, muzzle...) to help get more specific ideas on areaes.

[Hunter mike]

Helps to know what weapon you prefer (archery, modern, muzzle...) to help get more specific ideas on areaes.

Rifle

[grundy53]

yea i dont think they have sold out in years, everyone i know including myself waits until you shoot one before buying another usually in november

My dad did that a couple of years ago. Saw a huge buck on the way to get a second tag.... I always buy my second tag in August.

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[andrew_in_idaho]

The non resident quota on general deer tags sold out this year and the whitetail only tags were very close to selling out last I heard and may have sold out. The advantage to buying early on the second tag is they do a sale for $200 in August

[WA hunter14]

didnt even think about the regular deer tags

[andrew_in_idaho]

Here is the page that shows availability. Looks like the non resident quota was cut by a few tags for next year. Also note that the full quota is regular or whitetail only and then there is an additional 1500 whitetail only quota. Looks like they came close this year. Also 1 elk zone has already sold its nonresident quota for next year
https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/license/nonresidentTagAvailability

[theleo]

I'd go more south than north. Some good friends of mine took some excellent muleys in the southern end of the Sawtooth's this year. There was a big die off in the 90's  but the quality bucks have been really coming back in the past 5-10 years. I'm biased though, I like open country  mule deer hunting.

[Hunting7mm]

Don't let the ATV hunters deter you a bit. Those same gated roads they are using are open to you walking in. It's been my experience in Idaho that the ATV hunters ride right past the best areas. Look into a mid to late November hunt in the panhandle or 10A. Temperatures can be bitter cold so you'd need a place to stay or a wall tent/trailer.

Wall tent or trailer. Got down to 7 degrees on us. This was my first year over there and I will take my atv next year.  Had to borrow an atv to get my deer out.  I did see several side by sides and atv's daily.

[grundy53]

I sleep in a regular tent every year. It's gotten down to around -12 and I've been fine. A buddy heater and a good sleeping bag goes along way.

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[deerhunter_98520]

We hunted unit 14 and all got our deer...i will definetly be getting my second tag next year for sure and going later in the year...I slept in a wall tent and as long as the fire was stoked We stayed pretty toasty but I will be getting a Mr buddy heater next year for sure    quads are nice to have over there but not necessary just makes it easier 

[3nails]

I sleep in a regular tent every year. It's gotten down to around -12 and I've been fine. A buddy heater and a good sleeping bag goes along way.

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You're tough! 

[3nails]

 I'm sticking to my guns on the ATV thing. Quite honestly I believe they are completely unnecessary. Also too much grief to lug around.

[kentrek]

I'm sticking to my guns on the ATV thing. Quite honestly I believe they are completely unnecessary. Also too much grief to lug around.

  I still use them but hate hunting off them

[7mmfan]

 

I'm sticking to my guns on the ATV thing. Quite honestly I believe they are completely unnecessary. Also too much grief to lug around.

   I've got 2 strong legs and a pack frame Plus the fuel savings alone hauling one all the way over there make up for it.

[bigjohn98591]

We hunt unit 6 out of the Santa, Fernwood, Clarkia area for White tail. We take quads with us but I usually use it as a means to get from point A to B, then find a place I think looks good and walk a big loop. We stayed in a regular tent this year it was large enough that I slept on my cot and my B.I.L. slept on a double height queen size air mattress. We had a buddy heater(the kind that runs on 1# propane cylinders) and it didn't do much especially on the nights that it was in the low teens. I bought a new sleeping bag that was rated for -35degrees, and I stayed toasty.

[grundy53]

I sleep in a regular tent every year. It's gotten down to around -12 and I've been fine. A buddy heater and a good sleeping bag goes along way.

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You're tough! 

Not really, I'm kinda a baby when it's cold

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[wazzu17]

I also hunt unit 6 and mostly on foot. I really like it and haven't had much trouble with quads buzzing around. Actually when there are quads around it seems like they ride right past the deer.


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[Hunter mike]

I'm sticking to my guns on the ATV thing. Quite honestly I believe they are completely unnecessary. Also too much grief to lug around.

I'd rather spend the money on a boat - not too many places to use one around where I live, although that seems to be changing.  I like the quiet of the woods.  I hear and see so much hiking that I don't even ride my mountain bike that much anyways.  I always have a backcountry mindset even when I'm not really in the backcountry.  I have a tendency to take off cross-country for half the day!