Archery or Rifle?

4KnHorns · Jan 13, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Jan-13-16 AT 12:27PM (MST)[p]Crunching some data to find a good place to start scouting for our fall hunt. I'm taking my son for his first deer hunt. Looking at harvest stats and draw odds for non-residents.

Most controlled hunts have low draw odds for non-residents so OTC is more probable but some archery only hunts have better odds.

For those who hunt with both, what are your thoughts on strategy for weighing out whether to put in for an archery hunt or a rifle? Success is the main goal. I would be happy with a nice 3 pointer. I'm sure he'd be exstatic with any buck.

Also, can we purchase a OTC tag and still put in for the controlled and if we get drawn, the OTC tag is void?
Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Kevin

ldjbuff · Jan 13, 2016

I have drawn a nice archery controlled hunt tag 3 years out of 6.

So not too bad at all

YZF_88 · Jan 13, 2016

If you draw a controlled tag after buying an OTC tag, you exchange it.

No doubt the NR odds for rifle tags are tough. The tag I drew last year only had 1.8% odds. My season lasted about 6 minutes.

4KnHorns · Jan 13, 2016

You are an ID resident?

4KnHorns · Jan 13, 2016

That's what I thought. OK, thanks. 6 minutes huh? Were they trying to jump in your truck? Haha

twsnow18 · Jan 14, 2016

3x3's can be found pretty easily in any OTC unit, doesn't matter what time of the season.

My usual strategy is to put in for one of the premier rifle tags
(<10%). But bank on the general rifle in October and the late archery hunt during the rut in a few units. You can hunt all of September, 3 weeks in October and 3 weeks in November, all with the same general tag.

If your not concerned with antler size, I'd put you and your son in as a party for one of the fairly easy to draw rifle buck tags in southern ID. Odds are between 15-30% for residents, not sure for non-residents though. If you don't draw, just hunt OTC.

elkboy32 · Jan 15, 2016

I agree with TW. Idaho is a great opportunity state. Put in for one of the easier hunts, and if you don't draw, find an OTC unit and go for it. With a bit of work I am sure you can find some bucks that will make both of you happy.

4KnHorns · Jan 15, 2016

Thanks everyone for the comments. Just picked up my Hoyt Powermax last night. Time to practice. It's my first bow and my son will get his in about a week.

trophyhunter · Jan 24, 2016

PM sent

trophyhunter · Feb 19, 2016

Another PM Sent

4KnHorns · Feb 20, 2016

Update:

My son picked up his Hoyt Ruckus last week. He got grounded for being a butthead to his little brother so he didn't get to touch it all week. We'll finally get him some practice today though. We also both got our bow hunter certification last Saturday so we're good to go with that.

I appreciate all the comments guys! Still looking at a few units. 36b, 66, 30 for OTC. 54 for a youth hunt. 40 on a Hail Mary draw chance. Still a little time to decide.

Thanks again.