Rifle mule deer unit 51 & 58?

Solohunter · Sep 19, 2016

I am new this season to hunting in Idaho. I bowhunted 73 west of Malad and was on bucks everyday, some very nice bucks. I just could not get in close enough for a shot.

I do not want to hunt rifle deer in a unit that is too crowded. I have not heard anything about mule deer in units 51 & 58. What is it like in those units for mule deer?

Thanks

BPKHunter · Sep 19, 2016

51 is sparse. I have elk hunted during deer rut 3x and there just isn't that many deer and the size of the few we saw chasing does was not impressive at all. No info on 58.

twsnow18 · Sep 19, 2016

Hunted elk 3 times in the Lemhi Zone. Pretty low deer densities in my experience, did see a couple average 4x4's last year. I saw a total of 10-12 deer on that 5 day hunt. There are units with better mid country deer habitat, but you usually run into more people in those units.

Deepcolor · Sep 19, 2016

Wow Solo, I bet you will get a ton of help on a new area after telling the whole world about the "old" unit.

Come on guys post up all your honeyholes to this guy.

Solohunter · Sep 19, 2016

>Wow Solo, I bet you will
>get a ton of help
>on a new area after
>telling the whole world about
>the "old" unit.
>
>Come on guys post up all
>your honeyholes to this guy.
>

???
Not looking for honey holes, just what the mule deer populations are like in those units.

Thanks

OldBear · Sep 19, 2016

>Not looking for honey holes, just
>what the mule deer populations
>are like in those units.
>
>
I'd suggest that you visit the Fish & Game Web page and look at the harvest statistics.

idhikker · Sep 19, 2016

Not helpful to say he should look at the fish and game website or similar comments. If you aren't going to help, you can keep quiet. Just seems like a nice guy trying to determine if the unit is worth hunting--just what this site is for.

Solohunter · Sep 20, 2016

>Not helpful to say he should
>look at the fish and
>game website or similar comments.
>If you aren't going to
>help, you can keep quiet.
>Just seems like a nice
>guy trying to determine if
>the unit is worth hunting--just
>what this site is for.
>

Well thank you. I believe the man was upset because he felt I spilled the beans on unit 73. However, even more detailed information is found on the Field and stream articles about the unit, but I digress.

I did look at the harvest statistics and that is some good information. I was only asking because I only hear information about the handful of units that are most popular but I am certain these other units are holding big bucks.

What I have noticed is the amount if water in all the units I have been to so far. Does 51 and 58 hold a lot of water?

OldBear · Sep 21, 2016

>Not helpful to say he should
>look at the fish and
>game website or similar comments.
>If you aren't going to
>help, you can keep quiet.
>Just seems like a nice
>guy trying to determine if
>the unit is worth hunting--just
>what this site is for.
>

So you are the moderator? Telling who can post and who cannot. Since when not looking at harvest statistics that the fish and game has, not helpful? I do it all the time. It is great data to use and analyze. If you can't post something constructive, maybe you should be quiet.

HayZeus · Sep 22, 2016

Every unit in Idaho has a lot of water. Even the desert regions.

BPKHunter · Sep 22, 2016

Bickering just gets old on here.

Particularly annoying when a new guy just starts calling people out.

bowhunt · Sep 28, 2016

58 is a beast to hunt! and has damn few deer.
We shot a buck out there 2 years ago. At the check station they said it was the second buck killed in 58 they had checked. YIKES.

I would not count on 58 to give you much of a chance at a buck.

Foxbow · Oct 1, 2016

73 is a controlled rifle hunt only I believe .

tworivers · Oct 2, 2016

Let the lungs, and legs burn...

Ditto on what bowhunt said. RIP Lil Bro' "Huntnfever"

idhunters · Oct 10, 2016

The rifle hunt in 73 is controlled so you can't hunt it with a general deer tag unless its archery. So a crowded unit isn't the issue its lack of the proper tag that will keep you from hunting it with a rifle. If you draw the controlled tag for 73 hunting any other unit is not allowed.

Some good general comments about 51 & 58. My opinion is any unit in Idaho that has a general hunt will be crowded, its all about finding where the crowds aren't.