North Idaho?

[Lapua07]

I know there’s a few of the Idaho guy’s hiding in here and quite a few Washington locals that hunt or have hunted North Idaho. Seems like 90% chase whitetail during the later end of the season when ours closes. I’m usually in Montana chasing mule deer this week but with moving into a new place and some other less then enjoyable expenses this year I didn’t get to go  That being said I’m already lining out next season and have been in debate on throwing together some information on where to get my feet into some mule deer country in the panhandle. I’ve got some decent advise on a few areas already from my Montana buddies since I’ll be throwing a week into Montana already and likely another week into Idaho depending on what I turn up this summer. Anyways thanks in advance.

[idahohuntr]

If I were going to focus on Mule Deer in Idaho - it would not be the panhandle...even with the November general seasons.  I suspect you are interested because you could hunt N. Idaho as you head over to (or back from) Montana...but honestly, I'd rather lose 2 days driving and hunt any number of areas down south in October if you have a week to commit to ID. 

[Lapua07]

I hunt western Montana. Hence the interest in the panhandle. Not all that far into Montana.

[Jimmy33]

I hunt unit 1 in idaho. If youre already hunting the cabinets on the montana side then you will use the same tactics on the idaho side...get high and you’ll find mule deer.


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[JM]

North Idaho gets hammered by hunters anymore. Needle in a haystack for mule deer and whitetail areas are getting overcrowded as well. Waiting for another down turn in the economy to cut down on hunters that have $20,000 side by sides with tracks.

I agree with idahohuntr on driving south to hunt some quality areas for mule deer

[Lapua07]

North Idaho gets hammered by hunters anymore. Needle in a haystack for mule deer and whitetail areas are getting overcrowded as well. Waiting for another down turn in the economy to cut down on hunters that have $20,000 side by sides with tracks.

I agree with idahohuntr on driving south to hunt some quality areas for mule deer

I don’t have 20k for that crap. I have horses and mules. Save all year for these out of state hunts. I used to hunt Idaho for elk every year but got tired of seeing idiots from Washington. This is my final year hunting in Washington. I haven’t killed a mule deer in this state for about 8 years now. The quality and numbers are gone in the areas where I used to hunt. I worked in Idaho and Montana for a few years falling timber. The country in western Montana and North Idaho is very much the same in the sense of what I hunted here in Washington. Steep high country is my MO for mule deer. Just have to treat it as a high buck hunt knowing numbers are low and the chance at a big mountain muley will always be my holy grail. I’ve shot far more whitetail then mule deer. Generally because I’ve always opted to let the smaller bucks walk. Now I’m lucky to have even seen a doe. I’m not even planning on applying for the OIL tags here anymore. I’m not after anyone’s spot. I’m plenty good at finding my own. That being said the Cabinets are about as rough as it gets for mule deer hunting. The bucks I’ve killed in there virtually live in sheep country. The weather is generally your worst enemy. Between snow and fog. Idaho’s side of the cabinets will likely be where I’ll be. Just wondering what the # of people are like in there? Deer numbers? The big bears are thick in parts of Montana I hunt I’d imagine Idaho is no different. 3 guys and 6 animals. I’ll likely be the only one with a tag for Idaho.

[theleo]

North Idaho gets hammered by hunters anymore. Needle in a haystack for mule deer and whitetail areas are getting overcrowded as well. Waiting for another down turn in the economy to cut down on hunters that have $20,000 side by sides with tracks.

I agree with idahohuntr on driving south to hunt some quality areas for mule deer

I don’t have 20k for that crap. I have horses and mules. Save all year for these out of state hunts. I used to hunt Idaho for elk every year but got tired of seeing idiots from Washington. This is my final year hunting in Washington. I haven’t killed a mule deer in this state for about 8 years now. The quality and numbers are gone in the areas where I used to hunt. I worked in Idaho and Montana for a few years falling timber. The country in western Montana and North Idaho is very much the same in the sense of what I hunted here in Washington. Steep high country is my MO for mule deer. Just have to treat it as a high buck hunt knowing numbers are low and the chance at a big mountain muley will always be my holy grail. I’ve shot far more whitetail then mule deer. Generally because I’ve always opted to let the smaller bucks walk. Now I’m lucky to have even seen a doe. I’m not even planning on applying for the OIL tags here anymore. I’m not after anyone’s spot. I’m plenty good at finding my own. That being said the Cabinets are about as rough as it gets for mule deer hunting. The bucks I’ve killed in there virtually live in sheep country. The weather is generally your worst enemy. Between snow and fog. Idaho’s side of the cabinets will likely be where I’ll be. Just wondering what the # of people are like in there? Deer numbers? The big bears are thick in parts of Montana I hunt I’d imagine Idaho is no different. 3 guys and 6 animals. I’ll likely be the only one with a tag for Idaho.

You're going to run into even more idiots from Washington hunting deer in North Idaho than you did hunting elk. If you've got stock head south, the I-5 crowd gets pretty scared if they have to get out of their pickup to hunt.

[Lapua07]

North Idaho gets hammered by hunters anymore. Needle in a haystack for mule deer and whitetail areas are getting overcrowded as well. Waiting for another down turn in the economy to cut down on hunters that have $20,000 side by sides with tracks.

I agree with idahohuntr on driving south to hunt some quality areas for mule deer

I don’t have 20k for that crap. I have horses and mules. Save all year for these out of state hunts. I used to hunt Idaho for elk every year but got tired of seeing idiots from Washington. This is my final year hunting in Washington. I haven’t killed a mule deer in this state for about 8 years now. The quality and numbers are gone in the areas where I used to hunt. I worked in Idaho and Montana for a few years falling timber. The country in western Montana and North Idaho is very much the same in the sense of what I hunted here in Washington. Steep high country is my MO for mule deer. Just have to treat it as a high buck hunt knowing numbers are low and the chance at a big mountain muley will always be my holy grail. I’ve shot far more whitetail then mule deer. Generally because I’ve always opted to let the smaller bucks walk. Now I’m lucky to have even seen a doe. I’m not even planning on applying for the OIL tags here anymore. I’m not after anyone’s spot. I’m plenty good at finding my own. That being said the Cabinets are about as rough as it gets for mule deer hunting. The bucks I’ve killed in there virtually live in sheep country. The weather is generally your worst enemy. Between snow and fog. Idaho’s side of the cabinets will likely be where I’ll be. Just wondering what the # of people are like in there? Deer numbers? The big bears are thick in parts of Montana I hunt I’d imagine Idaho is no different. 3 guys and 6 animals. I’ll likely be the only one with a tag for Idaho.

You're going to run into even more idiots from Washington hunting deer in North Idaho than you did hunting elk. If you've got stock head south, the I-5 crowd gets pretty scared if they have to get out of their pickup to hunt.

My experience with hunting mule deer in the areas that aren’t know as high producing muley country (I.E. NE Washington is well known whitetail country. As is N. Idaho. N. Western Montana is about a 50/50 split seems to me as the potential of a big whitetail is as possible as a big mule deer.) This all being said many have continued to express the urge to deter my interests to southern Idaho. I’m not interested in anything south of CDA. I’ve hunted out of St. Marie’s seen a few muleys while elk hunting. Hunted the CDA’s. Few muleys in there too. Worked up around Priest, Sandpoint, Bonners, and Moyie. There’s deer there. A lot like some of the skirts of what I’ve hunted in Montana the last 4-5 years. If I wanted easy deer I’d hunt the wheat country here in Washington. With easy comes over populated hunters.

[7mmfan]

It sounds like you've done the homework and made up your mind. What exactly are you hoping to glean from us here? In your own words, not many guys hunt there because the density is low. My experience in places like that is that people keep their mouths shut.

[2MANY]

Before I offer up anything I would have to know if you fell with a Stihl or Husky, Drive a Ford or Chevy, Ride a horse or mule.

[7mmfan]

Before I offer up anything I would have to know if you fell with a Stihl or Husky, Drive a Ford or Chevy, Ride a horse or mule.

Lapua, consider yourself lucky if he swipes right after those answers. 

[Jimmy33]

Deer numbers in the Cabinets on the Idaho side are low compared to other parts of the state. I would imagine its fairly close to the Montana side. Pm me and ill send you my number and we can exchange some info. And yes, bear poukstion is high.


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[Jimmy33]

North Idaho gets hammered by hunters anymore. Needle in a haystack for mule deer and whitetail areas are getting overcrowded as well. Waiting for another down turn in the economy to cut down on hunters that have $20,000 side by sides with tracks.

I agree with idahohuntr on driving south to hunt some quality areas for mule deer

I don’t have 20k for that crap. I have horses and mules. Save all year for these out of state hunts. I used to hunt Idaho for elk every year but got tired of seeing idiots from Washington. This is my final year hunting in Washington. I haven’t killed a mule deer in this state for about 8 years now. The quality and numbers are gone in the areas where I used to hunt. I worked in Idaho and Montana for a few years falling timber. The country in western Montana and North Idaho is very much the same in the sense of what I hunted here in Washington. Steep high country is my MO for mule deer. Just have to treat it as a high buck hunt knowing numbers are low and the chance at a big mountain muley will always be my holy grail. I’ve shot far more whitetail then mule deer. Generally because I’ve always opted to let the smaller bucks walk. Now I’m lucky to have even seen a doe. I’m not even planning on applying for the OIL tags here anymore. I’m not after anyone’s spot. I’m plenty good at finding my own. That being said the Cabinets are about as rough as it gets for mule deer hunting. The bucks I’ve killed in there virtually live in sheep country. The weather is generally your worst enemy. Between snow and fog. Idaho’s side of the cabinets will likely be where I’ll be. Just wondering what the # of people are like in there? Deer numbers? The big bears are thick in parts of Montana I hunt I’d imagine Idaho is no different. 3 guys and 6 animals. I’ll likely be the only one with a tag for Idaho.

You're going to run into even more idiots from Washington hunting deer in North Idaho than you did hunting elk. If you've got stock head south, the I-5 crowd gets pretty scared if they have to get out of their pickup to hunt.

My experience with hunting mule deer in the areas that aren’t know as high producing muley country (I.E. NE Washington is well known whitetail country. As is N. Idaho. N. Western Montana is about a 50/50 split seems to me as the potential of a big whitetail is as possible as a big mule deer.) This all being said many have continued to express the urge to deter my interests to southern Idaho. I’m not interested in anything south of CDA. I’ve hunted out of St. Marie’s seen a few muleys while elk hunting. Hunted the CDA’s. Few muleys in there too. Worked up around Priest, Sandpoint, Bonners, and Moyie. There’s deer there. A lot like some of the skirts of what I’ve hunted in Montana the last 4-5 years. If I wanted easy deer I’d hunt the wheat country here in Washington. With easy comes over populated hunters.

I love hunting north idaho and i dont see hardly anyone where i go. In fact, i have never seen another human being in the woods except for people i go with.


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[Lapua07]

Before I offer up anything I would have to know if you fell with a Stihl or Husky, Drive a Ford or Chevy, Ride a horse or mule.

Lapua, consider yourself lucky if he swipes right after those answers. 

Hahaha I have done a few years of homework on this and you are correct about the ones that do not talking... biting my tongue already for posting this. I know there’s deer there just a matter of what area I plan to put my homework into this summer.

Idk if I’m lucky either way he swipes. Lol
But as for your questions 2MANY...Husky.. Dodge... and I ride both. Won’t on a critter I can’t ride. . As far as shooting off them.. sure you can.. once lol

[Chesapeake]

Please explain how you can own stock animals but cant afford a side by side? $20k for something that only needs fed when you ride it, uses a cheaper trailer to move it, don't need a barn, doesn't have vet bills, gets shoed but once every 5+ years or so, doesn't need a barn or hay storage, pasture, fencing, ect......

Aint no way stock animals are cheaper than a side by side.

[bobcat]

Please explain how you can own stock animals but cant afford a side by side? $20k for something that only needs fed when you ride it, uses a cheaper trailer to move it, don't need a barn, doesn't have vet bills, gets shoed but once every 5+ years or so, doesn't need a barn or hay storage, pasture, fencing, ect......

Aint no way stock animals are cheaper than a side by side.

Just the fact that he owns horses is a likely reason why he can't afford a side by side. Probably prefers the horses.

[idaho guy]

Deer numbers in the Cabinets on the Idaho side are low compared to other parts of the state. I would imagine its fairly close to the Montana side. Pm me and ill send you my number and we can exchange some info. And yes, bear poukstion is high.


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  It will be similar to what you are hunting on the Montana side. I have hunted both sides of cabinets(mt and Idaho) I think the deer density is lower for sure on the Idaho side. You can totally get away from people and you will find nice deer if you hunt the way you described. I don't think I would do anything other than hunt the Idaho side of what you have been hunting in Mt. You can defintiely find some good ones but I would echo looking southern Idaho for the muleys because I enjoy that a lot more now days. I understand the desire to chase those old mountain bucks though    Just hunt the Idaho side of the cabinets you have been hunting from montana I think for best success   

[Lapua07]

Please explain how you can own stock animals but cant afford a side by side? $20k for something that only needs fed when you ride it, uses a cheaper trailer to move it, don't need a barn, doesn't have vet bills, gets shoed but once every 5+ years or so, doesn't need a barn or hay storage, pasture, fencing, ect......

Aint no way stock animals are cheaper than a side by side.

Tell my ole lady that... done deal lol

[Lapua07]

Deer numbers in the Cabinets on the Idaho side are low compared to other parts of the state. I would imagine its fairly close to the Montana side. Pm me and ill send you my number and we can exchange some info. And yes, bear poukstion is high.


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  It will be similar to what you are hunting on the Montana side. I have hunted both sides of cabinets(mt and Idaho) I think the deer density is lower for sure on the Idaho side. You can totally get away from people and you will find nice deer if you hunt the way you described. I don't think I would do anything other than hunt the Idaho side of what you have been hunting in Mt. You can defintiely find some good ones but I would echo looking southern Idaho for the muleys because I enjoy that a lot more now days. I understand the desire to chase those old mountain bucks though    Just hunt the Idaho side of the cabinets you have been hunting from montana I think for best success

I will be hunting in or near the Cabinets in Idaho. Regardless of the numbers it’s the country I like to hunt. I heavily dislike whitetail. I think a big portion of that has come from growing up around Colville when late buck rolls around and 395 is bumper to bumper traffic with westsiders dressed up in camo and hunter orange. I have never in my life figured out how a 140-160 pound animal on average could pull so much revenue to a community. Yet every year Any piece of public ground gets beat to death by campers/road hunting/ 4 wheelers (those 20k$ side by sides). Don’t get me wrong I have met some good honest guys beating the brush. Helped a guy out years ago now him and about 10 guys come over and slaughter every deer with horns.... so there’s always the bad. I’ve taken friends from here with me to Montana and they can’t cut it. Don’t want to hike. Can’t glass for more then 5 mins. My GF went one year. Told me she’ll never hunt Montana again. Couldn’t tell her there’s easier ground to kill deer. 😃

[2MANY]

Please explain how you can own stock animals but cant afford a side by side? $20k for something that only needs fed when you ride it, uses a cheaper trailer to move it, don't need a barn, doesn't have vet bills, gets shoed but once every 5+ years or so, doesn't need a barn or hay storage, pasture, fencing, ect......

Aint no way stock animals are cheaper than a side by side.

Tell my ole lady that... done deal lol

Hard to tell the ole ladies from the girl friends in this post.

Regardless it's funny how people always discuss cost when they discuss horses.
It's always the ones that don't have em too.
Who cares?

It's a family lifestyle choice just like the folks that load up their toy-haulers and go to the dunes.
Everything I do costs money and plenty of it.
Hence I work hard and do my best to make good choices.

Perhaps most horse guys are worried about their Carbon Foot Print???

[Lapua07]

Please explain how you can own stock animals but cant afford a side by side? $20k for something that only needs fed when you ride it, uses a cheaper trailer to move it, don't need a barn, doesn't have vet bills, gets shoed but once every 5+ years or so, doesn't need a barn or hay storage, pasture, fencing, ect......

Aint no way stock animals are cheaper than a side by side.

Tell my ole lady that... done deal lol

Hard to tell the ole ladies from the girl friends in this post.

Regardless it's funny how people always discuss cost when they discuss horses.
It's always the ones that don't have em too.
Who cares?

It's a family lifestyle choice just like the folks that load up their toy-haulers and go to the dunes.
Everything I do costs money and plenty of it.
Hence I work hard and do my best to make good choices.

Perhaps most horse guys are worried about their Carbon Foot Print???

She’s a a pain just as much as the horses. I was content without either a side by side or horses before we got together. Had a lot more money too. But part of me enjoys them unit it’s 5 degrees and I have to keep water thawed and everything fed. It’s a hobby I can incorporate into my style of hunting which is just fine with me. She gets to ride... occasionally shoot. I get to spend time in the mountains and look for big mule deer. Win win

[idaho guy]

Deer numbers in the Cabinets on the Idaho side are low compared to other parts of the state. I would imagine its fairly close to the Montana side. Pm me and ill send you my number and we can exchange some info. And yes, bear poukstion is high.


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  It will be similar to what you are hunting on the Montana side. I have hunted both sides of cabinets(mt and Idaho) I think the deer density is lower for sure on the Idaho side. You can totally get away from people and you will find nice deer if you hunt the way you described. I don't think I would do anything other than hunt the Idaho side of what you have been hunting in Mt. You can defintiely find some good ones but I would echo looking southern Idaho for the muleys because I enjoy that a lot more now days. I understand the desire to chase those old mountain bucks though    Just hunt the Idaho side of the cabinets you have been hunting from montana I think for best success

I will be hunting in or near the Cabinets in Idaho. Regardless of the numbers it’s the country I like to hunt. I heavily dislike whitetail. I think a big portion of that has come from growing up around Colville when late buck rolls around and 395 is bumper to bumper traffic with westsiders dressed up in camo and hunter orange. I have never in my life figured out how a 140-160 pound animal on average could pull so much revenue to a community. Yet every year Any piece of public ground gets beat to death by campers/road hunting/ 4 wheelers (those 20k$ side by sides). Don’t get me wrong I have met some good honest guys beating the brush. Helped a guy out years ago now him and about 10 guys come over and slaughter every deer with horns.... so there’s always the bad. I’ve taken friends from here with me to Montana and they can’t cut it. Don’t want to hike. Can’t glass for more then 5 mins. My GF went one year. Told me she’ll never hunt Montana again. Couldn’t tell her there’s easier ground to kill deer. 😃

 

I wasn’t trying to sound discouraging on numbers you will have no problem finding mule deer but as you know there’s not large numbers. I get where you’re coming from it’s fun but can be hard work chasing mulies in the cabinets. You could find a giant 👍 I will probably spend a few days in there next year it’s cool country. Those mountain mule deer can get in your blood and it’s hard to shake off. It gets easier as you get older