Idaho Deer Hunt

[vandeman17]

My buddies and I are thinking about planning a week long deer hunt in Idaho this year. It would be a cool excuse for a guy's week. None of the other guys have hunted Idaho, or out of state for that matter. I have hunted both Idaho and Montana a few times but haven't hunted Idaho for probably 10 years. We are thinking about going back to the area that my dad hunted for years and that I hunted a few times. From looking at google and bing maps, it looks like there hasn't been a bunch of houses built or strip malls where we hunted but only a scouting trip or two would make certain. We aren't set on that area and are open for suggestions for general areas to check out with decent mulie hunting. My plan is to scout at least 2-3 weekends this summer once we decide on a given area. Thanks in advance. Also, we would consider an elk hunt too but neither my dad or I have hunted Idaho for elk so we don't know the first place to start. Suggestions welcome for that too. 

[carpsniperg2]

Just watch your back in that country. To many of those oversized yotes for me

[vandeman17]

Haha, well I am "hoping" that the area that we used to go is far enough south that the wolves haven't totally f'ed it up. I plan on contacting the local biologist and see what they have to say.

[upriver]

I went the week before Thanksgiving this past fall and hunted up north. I had not been there for twelve years and was very disappointed. Deer numbers seemed low and they were very very skiddish. They did not seem to leave the thickets and were hard to hunt. They are probably scared to show themselves with all the wolves. I won't go back for awhile- very different than in the past. Save the money and go elsewhere.

[vandeman17]

How far north were you? The area we used to hunt is just a little ways east of Boise

[Machias]

I have a good friend stationed at Mountain Home AFB.  If you'd like I can send you his e-mail and you can chat with him about it.  He has told me the wolves are moving into that area, but he hunts a little north of there, so they may not be impacting your area too much yet.

[vandeman17]

I have a good friend stationed at Mountain Home AFB.  If you'd like I can send you his e-mail and you can chat with him about it.  He has told me the wolves are moving into that area, but he hunts a little north of there, so they may not be impacting your area too much yet.

That would be awesome! We usually drive through Mountain Home and stop and get breakfast and gas up. I think I still have an old Mountain Home gas station trucker hat from when I was a little kid.

[vandeman17]

I have been talking to my buddy off and on all day and he brought up a good point. If you guys have suggestions for any other states to go check out feel free to throw them out there. I am just looking for an adventure and to have something to look forward to and get me through my work days. 

[MtnMuley]

Spend a little more and go to Montana.  Gobs of public land and quadruple the animals as ID.  Drawing a combo tag has never been easier.  As a matter of fact, it's nearly a guarantee to hunt MT these days. 

[bobcat]

I would have suggested eastern Montana, but with the winter they're having, I'd say definitely don't go there next year. Idaho's probably your best bet. At least you can get otc tags.

[vandeman17]

Spend a little more and go to Montana.  Gobs of public land and quadruple the animals as ID.  Drawing a combo tag has never been easier.  As a matter of fact, it's nearly a guarantee to hunt MT these days. 

I have heard the same thing because of the combo of the increase in prices causing less people to apply and them no longer offering outfitter tags so those are being added into the general draw.

[Machias]

I have a good friend stationed at Mountain Home AFB.  If you'd like I can send you his e-mail and you can chat with him about it.  He has told me the wolves are moving into that area, but he hunts a little north of there, so they may not be impacting your area too much yet.

That would be awesome! We usually drive through Mountain Home and stop and get breakfast and gas up. I think I still have an old Mountain Home gas station trucker hat from when I was a little kid.

I'll send him a e-mail!   

[vandeman17]

Thank you very much. We are open to ANY suggestions at this point.

[jmoyer2]

New Mexico, I just moved down here and I love it. 2b for deer or 52 for elk would be worth your time.

[vandeman17]

New Mexico, I just moved down here and I love it. 2b for deer or 52 for elk would be worth your time.

How does New Mexico work? Is it a draw or OTC tags?

[L8NITE]

I agree with the Idaho comments as far as there being a lot less deer and very skittish...the elk are the same way for that matter and depending on where you go dont blow an elk call are you will be surrounded by those oversize yotes   It just means you have to hunt harder!!! And it is still cheaper than MT.

[vandeman17]

Agreed. We just need to figure it out soon because we are starting to get close to application deadlines in some states so we better make it happen

[jmoyer2]

New Mexico is all draw, unless you buy a landowner tag, which gets very expensive. Unit 52 for elk and 2b for deer have ok draw odds, but like I said it would be worth the trip down here if you drew. Non-residents have a better chance at drawing that residents. Also there is no preference points, which means you have just as good a shot of drawing as someone who has been applying for years.

www.wildlife.state.nm.us

[vandeman17]

I have been doing alot of research and am leaning towards going to Montana with the guys. The unit we wanted to hunt in Idaho has had low success numbers lately for the general season and the late hunt that we wanted to apply for doesn't look good either. The past few years, not a single non-resident has drawn the tag.  So now, thoughts on Montana?