Post by: Duckhunter14 on July 05, 2023, 06:21:37 PM
Been doing a lot research online, studying maps, dropping pins on water and glassing points and reaching out to people who know the area. Still plan on calling the regional bio and am spending 2, possibly 3 weekends scouting prior to the October 5th hunt opener.
I have several concerns so far in my research:
1) A ton of roads. Seems like there are quad/SxS roads all over the units all the way to the ridge tops. I’m finding it difficult to find remote areas of the unit to explore that I can’t drive close to. Obviously I’ve found some roadless areas I plan to scout, but the amount of roads has me nervous.
2.) Hunting mature bucks in October. Due to conflicting hunts I had planned I can only hunt the first week of the hunt and will be hunting during early October. The mule deer no man’s land when the bucks are hiding out and waiting for the rut to kick off and spending little to no time in the open.
3) Amount of tags given, and finding mature deer. It appears they give out a liberal amount of tags. My goal is to harvest a mature deer. The last three deer I’ve harvested have all lab aged 6.5 years old. My goal is to find a mature buck in the 4-1/2+ age class, score is secondary.
My question to anyone who has ever had this tag. Did you find the roads to be a help or a hinderance? By hiking away from the road were you able to avoid the crowds? And were you able to find mature deer in stalk-able/killable areas before they bedded for the entirety of the day in the thickets?
If you would rather private message me that’s fine. I’d be more than willing to exchange info I may have on a number of WA, ID, WY or MT units I’ve hunted.
Thanks for any input.
Clint
Post by: Karl Blanchard on July 05, 2023, 08:51:14 PM
Post by: Duckhunter14 on July 06, 2023, 09:08:16 AM
Amazing year to have a tag down there. Numbers are a lot lower due to extended drought and imo, too many tags but there's still good deer in there. Them NV boys like their quads and seldom leave them.
Appreciate the input Karl. I contemplated turning the tag back since I already have a busy fall with a 10 day caribou trip in AK in August. But we have had an unusually wet spring/beginning of summer and the deer should have some amazing feed. May be some good growth, hoping to get eyes on the unit this weekend. :tup:
Post by: Duckhunter14 on July 16, 2023, 12:36:58 PM
Managed to pull a gentleman out who was stuck (4 wheel drive went out), him and his gf were also scouting for deer. It was his first time in the area and first time ever hunting mule deer. He had the archery tag, hoping he can get his trucks front end fixed and find success come archery season.
Didn’t see any shooters, but really enjoyed exploring some new country and watching the elk calves mow down lush green hillsides.