Sale me on Unit 73

Mooretitan · Apr 20, 2017

I have an opportunity to hunt a really large piece of private property in Unit 73. It consist of a variety of land from farm land to mountains. The owner is pretty sure that we will not have a problem tagging out. This hunt is mostly for my 10 year old son.

1. My problem is I am not really a drive around in a truck and shoot a deer guy. I like to hike in and push myself and find pleasure in the whole experience.

2. I don't necessary want to drive that far and only look at tiny forks. I don't mind my son shooting a forky but would like a nice solid deer. I myself would like an opportunity at a nicer deer.

3. Would a OTC tag be just as good as a unit 73 tag which would give me a slight almost impossible chance of drawing a better unit.

Trying to balance my hunt with his hunts.

Either way I would be doing a scouting trip or two to get the lay of the land.

Thanks

Weiserbucks · Apr 20, 2017

This is the third thread you've started about the same subject, maybe if you start a few more you'll finally get the answers you want .

broomd · Apr 20, 2017

It's amazing to me how many guys want information just given to them!

It's all hard won with a lifetime of boot leather in some cases, it ain't getting shared.

andrew12gauge · Apr 20, 2017

I think you got about the best advice you are going to get in your first thread. Somebody said that 73 could be a good hunt if you have private land access. It sounds like you do. I would go hunt 73, it will be a good opportunity for your kid and if you don't end up tagging out on a buck you want at least your kid will be hooked for life

dz · Apr 20, 2017

+1 Andrew, If you get a 73 tag you are not held to the Private. It may contain the best deer hunting though. Make the hunt all about the son. If you get a chance to shoot one too, then big bonus. With the mentored price you are getting two for the price of one already. When one of my sons was 12 we shot two forkeys that were sparing. At that time in my life I had shot some nice deer and was realizing that shooting two together like that was way better then me shooting a 180 buck out by myself. Be okay if he misses or doesn't get a shot off. Make it all about him and keep that perspective throughout the hunt.

2 cents from DZ

Cooper · Apr 20, 2017

Best hiking area around, full of huge bucks, it's great!!!! Don't shoot the first 200 in buck that you see, there is some monsters if you hike far enough

Homer · Apr 20, 2017

"sell"....not "sale"

Deerlove · Apr 21, 2017

Apply for a good unit and take the kid OTC that way he has more time.

andrew12gauge · Apr 21, 2017

>Apply for a good unit and
>take the kid OTC that
>way he has more time.
>

Or this but if they are coming from out of state that may not be an option

buckhorn · Apr 21, 2017

Not sure which large chunk of private ground you have permission on but generally speaking it is almost impossible to get permission to hunt on private in unit 73 unless of course it is in the access yes program . I would say if in fact you do have permission to hunt some private you should go for it it may be a good experience for your boy if there are any bucks on it.

DeerMadness · Apr 22, 2017

If it's mostly for your son it's great because he is 10 and you were told he would have the opportunity.

Mooretitan · Apr 23, 2017

Thanks for most of the advice. Yes I have posted this before. This will be my 1st big game hunt out of state in 20 years and I will be doing all of the planning on this one. I am a father of five and a limited budget and time so I am trying to make the most of it for my sons 1st hunt.
More than likely I will give 73 a try and hope for the best. I have never had the opportunity to hunt PP and the person seems pretty sure that we get on bucks.

I was mostly worried about the fact that it's a limited time frame to hunt. I would be missing out of the slight chance at a really good zone and with the rough winter how deer hunting would be next year but I guess for one year maybe it's worth the try. Maybe I will stumble onto something worth while.

Thanks everyone and any other info is appericated.

crownroyal · Apr 27, 2017

Its not a for sure deal yet that you are guranteed a tag.. In the new Idaho Book its says "Nonresident tags may be limited see page 108"

There it says

"Attention: The Idaho Fish and Game Commission may limit nonresident tag numbers in the unlimited controlled hunts before the May controlled hunt application period. If limits are set they will be posted on our website"

Might wanna look at that too

Mooretitan · May 18, 2017

Well pretty sure that I am going to give 73 a go. Waiting to see what happens with Utah but more than likely Idaho it is. With a start date of Oct. 10th it really works out well for us coming from out of state. I don't have to waste any vacation days driving out. Leave Friday, scout Sat-Monday and then 4.5 days of hunting, back to work Monday. I think with 3 days of scouting I should have the unit figured out a little.

Its a gamble hunting a unit that I have never been to but maybe it will grow into something great for my family. If not its only one year.

Thanks for the people that are willing to help others out on here. It does help people who have limited time and resources but are willing to hunt hard.

Thanks