Idaho 52a muzzleloader

[time2hunt]

Anyone here hunt this unit before I'm looking for any info possible 

Thanks
Brian

[jjhunter]

I have never hunted it, but have considered it and done a bunch of research.   The dates are right, the drawing odds are right. but it just isn't real good deer country.  You are a little too far east to get the big migrators.   That desert country has some giant resident deer, but the same can be said for 53 and 46.   I met some locals when I was hunting 45 and they kill 175-200" plus deer every year on general tags in those three units, but they live there and scout 200 days a year.   I think that those units require that kind of time to find and kill big deer.   That being said, there is always a chance, especially with those dates.
 

[Bigshooter]

I have applied for this hunt once or twice but have never drawn.  Through my research and talking to guys that have hunted it.  I would hunt close to the 52 border and hope for weather and some migration into 52a.  Like JJ said its a little to far east to get much of a migration but some of the guys that I talked to said that it does get some with enough snow.  Let me know how this hunt goes for you and good luck.

[Bigshooter]

JJhunter have you ever hunted unit 46?

[jjhunter]

No, that is low deer density country and wild with all that tall sage.   Biggest archery kills to ever come out of Idaho are killed there (by the same guy) but you are talking about some serious time afield!

All that country has potential, but I don't have the time to scout it.   I think the biggest thing about being local is being able to hunt when you get weather or when the rut kicks in.   I have to drive 10 hours and apply for vacation ahead of time, but it would be nice to step out the front door and say "I need to hunt today" and be in deer country in 30 minutes.  Those are the guys who kill big deer in the that country.

[Bigshooter]

No, that is low deer density country and wild with all that tall sage.   Biggest archery kills to ever come out of Idaho are killed there (by the same guy) but you are talking about some serious time afield!

All that country has potential, but I don't have the time to scout it.   I think the biggest thing about being local is being able to hunt when you get weather or when the rut kicks in.   I have to drive 10 hours and apply for vacation ahead of time, but it would be nice to step out the front door and say "I need to hunt today" and be in deer country in 30 minutes.  Those are the guys who kill big deer in the that country.

I know what you mean when you talk about being local.  But this unit has always interested me.  I know some huge bucks have been killed in it.  I have been trying to come up with a new unit to start hunting Idaho in every year.  And this one keeps stairing me in the face.  But like you said low deer numbers and tall sage have me scared.

[time2hunt]

Thanks guys you are giving me some of the same info I already have and I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible. My Dad drew it and has the whole season off just kind of want to have every thing ready I'm going back in Sept. to scout it and 55 for late archery.

Thanks
Brian

[Bigshooter]

Thanks guys you are giving me some of the same info I already have and I'm just trying to gather as much info as possible. My Dad drew it and has the whole season off just kind of want to have every thing ready I'm going back in Sept. to scout it and 55 for late archery.

Thanks
Brian

I drew a unit 55 oct tag last year.  55 has a ton of deer in it.  I think that late archery hunt could be alot of fun.  Have you ever done the late archery hunt in 55 before?

[time2hunt]

No haven't been able to hunt it yet alway on back burner hunt behind running cats but since we don't get to that I'm going to try to hit it for a week in Dec. and see what I find

Brian

[busterbrown]

time2hunt,jj hunter,bigshooter.

lived in Idaho for many years, hunted just about everywhere.Know 52a, 46 etc. real well.

Contact me if you would like some help.

[NWWA Hunter]

I applied for 52A this year and last and didn't draw.  I heard a little about it that it could be tough but there was a possiility of some bruisers in there.  Never hunted Idaho yet.  My dad used to hunt there a lot years ago and every year I think about it. If anyone has any info on the unit it would be great, I may check it out on my way to Montana this year to get my own info too.  Hope your dad has a great hunt.