Another Southeast Idaho Question...

[Tejas]

What is your opinion of Idaho's Southeast Deer Tag (I have searched the archives)?

Was this tag a waste of money? If you hunt hard can you be successful? Is is possible to get away from the crowds?

I appreciate any response. Thanks.

 

[idhunters]

In my opinion its over rated in that the tag usually sells out in december of the prior year while general deer tags for the rest of the state go under subscribed. This shows a much higher demand for this area than other area's of the state. I don't think the area is that much better than anywhere else in the state but it sure has the reputation!

The tag cost is no more than either the general deer tag or the white-tail only tag, and there are certainly deer in SE Idaho.

One other item to note is that while the general deer seasons in southern and eastern Idaho end 10/31 the "southeast" area closes a week earlier (10/24). The last week is better than all the previous weeks combined.

And yes, if you hunt hard you can be successful and there is plenty of country to get away from the crowds if your willing to hike. In most area's of Idaho, the later in the season the less pressure you will find.

 

[Tejas]

Thanks for your positive response, I'm really looking forward to this hunt.

Do you have any advice, I have hunted Wyoming twice, but this will be my first Idaho hunt.

Thanks again.

 

[elkaddiction]

This is the first year in several years that I am not hunting SE Idaho. There are big deer--but they are tough to find. Several years ago, one member of our party took a 30" 4 pt. Most seasons, if you hunted hard, you would have the opportunity at 31/2 year old or better bucks. Filling a tag isn't a real challenge if you have time, particularly during the middle of the week. As with most areas, if you are willing to hike the steep stuff, or simply get a 1/2 mile from an ATV trail, the growds are not really a factor. I didn't put in this year because most of that country had a hard winter--a bunch of deer literally spent part of it down along the highway. This country does not have great deer numbers to begin with--the numbers are good enough, just not great. Will I put in again next year? I'll see how the deer weather between now and December. The county is pretty, only 2 hrs from home, and scouting trips are combined with family camping trips. One nice thing to remember is if the tags do not sell out, you can purchase a second deer tag if you are willing to shell out the $. Be careful to watch the weather patterns and consider how high you camp--I've been snowed in before up in that country.

 

[Tejas]

Elkaddiction thanks for your adivce. I enjoy hearing success stories. I don't need to take a 30", but I would love the chance at decent buck.


Who else has been successful in Idaho's southeast corner? Who will be hunting Idaho units 75 - 78 this year?


Thanks again for any response.

Colin

 

[BrianID]

I think SE Idaho is overrated by some hunters but deservers the attention it gets. The quota for the nonresident tag was under subscribed again this year and the left over tags took several months to sell out. The winterkill was bad in small area close to Montpelier and Bear Lake (Unit 78 and south half of 76). Unit 75, north half of 76 and unit 77 saw close to average winter kill.
If I had to choose between a tag for units 75-78 or a tag for every other general season hunt in Eastern Idaho I would choose to hunt the other general season units. I've killed a couple bucks in the SE tag area. If you are a better than average hunter I don't think you will have any trouble finding a 3 1/2 year old buck but you will have to work for him.
The F&G has restricted the use of ATVs for hunters in units 75, 77 and 78. If you see a "hunter" that isn't following these rules I hope you turn him in.