Idaho deer general help

[adamR]

Just looking for some opinions on idaho mule deer next year.  It will most likely be general any weapon in central idaho.  Every time I think I find an area to put some effort in I read a new thread on some forum where a group of people is telling someone else its a waste of time.
Originally I was thinking flying in to unit 26 but I don't think ill logistically be able to make that happen this year.  Then I was looking at unit 16a and finding a trailhead to walk away from but I saw some bad reviews on forums.
Here's what I'm looking for...  I want to hike 3 to 6 miles back (more if necessary) and set up a tent to hunt from for 3 to 9 days (planning two trips, one at 3 days and one as much as 9 days).  It will either just be myself or myself and one other person, not sure yet.  I don't expect to kill a giant, I want the experience and will probably shoot the first 140" 4 point I see.  I don't mind seeing other people but I certainly am looking for solitude.  I want to hunt either sage brush or broken timber, I hate thick stuff!
Just wondering if anyone wants to give me some general ideas where most of my expectations could be met so that I can start looking at a specific area instead of being indecisive on multiple units.

Thanks in advance, pm's welcome.  If you get drawn for bethel or goose prairie bull tags I'd be happy to return the favor.

[Muleyslyr]

Just because you read on a thread somewhere that somebody said don't waste your time or unit sucks just remember people don't just spill good spots on public forums, so doesn't necessarily mean it's true. I personally have zero experience in Idaho but my suggestion would be to call a biologist or game department in a specific area you're interested in. Research has gotta go deeper than threads on a forum.

[lord grizzly]

Don't waste your time in Idaho, the whole state sucks

[Mtnwalker]

You will read that about any and every unit out there, all the way up to the big draw units. Lots of guys have unrealistic expectations and get disappointed and others just flat out lie to try and protect their areas. Harvest statistics, public land percentage and google earth are a good start. Find the type of country you want to hunt, make sure there is ample public land and decent harvest rates and go make er' happen!

[elksnout]

Don't waste your time in Idaho, the whole state sucks   Priceless....

[SemperFidelis97]

Unfortunately some of the reports coming out of Idaho aren't just people throwing you off of the trail of a great unit.  A good portion of the better mule deer areas were hit with a very hard winter last year some areas lost almost 90% of the fawns.  I spent the better part of 9 days in central Idaho last season most of which was several miles deep with not another hunter in site.  We literally saw zero deer we covered a pile of miles between walking, and glassing.  I wouldn't let that discourage you I would just pick an area, and maybe spend some time there this summer.  Backcountry hunting is a great experience, and even without filling a tag we had a great time.

[brokemillwright]

this was my 3rd year going back, I was fortunate enough to get a decent  buck with alot of hard hunting but this year I definatley noticed the massive winterkill and just odd season. I was kicking does out of their beds in the trees just before sunset when they'd normally be out feeding. next year I might pass in hopes of it recovering quicker

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[actionshooter]

Unfortunately some of the reports coming out of Idaho aren't just people throwing you off of the trail of a great unit.  A good portion of the better mule deer areas were hit with a very hard winter last year some areas lost almost 90% of the fawns.  I spent the better part of 9 days in central Idaho last season most of which was several miles deep with not another hunter in site.  We literally saw zero deer we covered a pile of miles between walking, and glassing.  I wouldn't let that discourage you I would just pick an area, and maybe spend some time there this summer.  Backcountry hunting is a great experience, and even without filling a tag we had a great time.

Lots of truth here, had the worst trip in 10 years of hunting Idaho's back country.....I believe I'll be looking elsewhere for a few years.

[jrebel]

Unfortunately some of the reports coming out of Idaho aren't just people throwing you off of the trail of a great unit.  A good portion of the better mule deer areas were hit with a very hard winter last year some areas lost almost 90% of the fawns.  I spent the better part of 9 days in central Idaho last season most of which was several miles deep with not another hunter in site.  We literally saw zero deer we covered a pile of miles between walking, and glassing.  I wouldn't let that discourage you I would just pick an area, and maybe spend some time there this summer.  Backcountry hunting is a great experience, and even without filling a tag we had a great time.

Lots of truth here, had the worst trip in 10 years of hunting Idaho's back country.....I believe I'll be looking elsewhere for a few years.

Pretty much sums up my experience....

[andrew_in_idaho]

I killed my best buck since moving to Idaho this past season, that being said if I don't draw in a particular draw only unit I'll be applying for this spring, I will be whitetail hunting most likely next fall. The mule deer seemed to be missing an age class for sure this past year and I don't want to add any undue pressure


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[Skyvalhunter]

So what's your advice to the OP

[adamR]

Thanks for the responses.  Typically, my research starts by picking a range of country that looks fun to hunt.  I'll check the regs and adjust to individual units based on seasons.  Then I started checking harvest stats.  I am attracted to units that keep the amount of hunters under 500 and still have above 35% success.  I realize the lack of pressure is because of difficulty and I'm ok with that.  Then I make the mistake of searching out more specific areas like trailheads, towns or major landscape items.  That's usually what leads me to forums where people say those areas are garbage; while I realize that I have to account for people trying to pursuade you to go elsewhere, that information becomes frustrating because there has to be a small amount of truth once in awhile.  At that point, I start over.

[fishngamereaper]

I would wait for the draw only tags to show up after the winter/spring fly overs. That will tell you a lot about the health of the herds. It still surprises me they set the elk tags so early in December not knowing what winter kill will be like.  As for hunting the church, your rolling the dice by not flying in for the Nov hunt. I heard there is more than one truck stuck for the winter up over the hill from Yellow Pine.

[2MANY]

I can tell you that Idaho right now is the fastest growing state in the nation.
It's only a matter of time until it is screwed up like the rest of them.
I would find a remote spot where the timber gives way to sage brush and you will find what your looking for.

[Skyvalhunter]

I thought Wa was the fastest growing state!!

[andrew_in_idaho]

So what's your advice to the OP

Generally, avoid Idaho mule deer hunting for the next couple of seasons while the herds recover, unless you draw in certain controlled hunt only areas, many of them are in parts of the state that simply were not hit as hard by the winter of 2016/2017. Also keep your fingers crossed because our winter is shaping up to be a good one to jumpstart that recovery.


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[andrew_in_idaho]

I would wait for the draw only tags to show up after the winter/spring fly overs. That will tell you a lot about the health of the herds. It still surprises me they set the elk tags so early in December not knowing what winter kill will be like.  As for hunting the church, your rolling the dice by not flying in for the Nov hunt. I heard there is more than one truck stuck for the winter up over the hill from Yellow Pine.

The tag numbers and seasons are set on a 2 year cycle, so we won't get updated numbers until 2019. The only elk tags available in early December are the general otc zones to non residents and they rarely change any numbers on those anyway.


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