First Mule deer hunt- Soda Springs area 75/76

Hi Folks,

I am pretty new to the forum- and VERY new to hunting Mule Deer. I thought I would post my 'plan' for this year, and any folks who wanted to offer their .02 cents would be much appreciated.

Me, my dad, and 2 buddies are looking into flying out to Idaho to hunt Mule deer for the opening week oct 10-14th. We've looked all over the state, but recently settled on the Soda Springs area. We found a cabin rental in unit 75, on the edge of the Caribou-Targhee National forest just south of town. Our plan was to hunt this OTC unit, and perhaps venture into 76 as well.

I know this area was hit HARD by winter. The Bio's have told me up to 100% Fawn mortality, and estimated 10-30% adult mortality in some areas. That is a real bummer. But, we've also been told deer numbers (population) in that SE corner of Idaho were VERY high going into last season. Were not looking for booners, but we don't want to shoot little fork horns either.

My dad is 65 years old...and although Mule deer hunting requires some big steep country- we'd rather not venture into some of the really rugged stuff like in 39, 43, 48, 49. I am hoping, my research and 'virtual' scouting is accurate- that this area offers a bit more moderate terrain (generally speaking) than central ID.

Welp- thats all I got. Would love to hear any feedback- especially from anyone who is/has hunted that area before. Tips, Advice? Hope everyone else planning season is going well.

Cheers,
Adam

76 had poor numbers last year. It will be worse this year. I hope 75 is better. Thee are easier hunting country in 75 and 76. Good luck.

Thanks! I hope its decent year and glad to hear confirmation its a little easier country- atleast in some parts of those units.

huntin50- I was wondering if you could expand upon your comment '76 had poor number last year'...

Im very new to all of this and could certainly be wrong (I mean no disrespect) but looking at the harvest data for unit 76 shows that the 2016 season was the highest buck harvest on record (since the year 2000) with 1,734 bucks taken.

Thanks,
Adam

Hard to argue with that. Probably Utahrds shooting forkeys.

It's a hell of a year to expect much from our deer herd after this winter.

You won't have to worry about the little forkies, as they would have all been last year's fawns and part of the near 100% mortality.

Agree,

My uncle has a ranch in slug creek in 76. I have hunted 76 and worked cattle in it for 25 years. There are a few good bucks. We saw few deer numbers last year hunting compared to other years. We know the unit well. Even on private land where deer were often seen, there were fewer deer.

I had a friend shed hunt in the 90% range north of Soda. He said there were dead deer everywhere this spring. 200 dead deer in a 300-400 yard area. A lot of the deer from 76 winter in this area.

Don't plan on 76 being very good for deer numbers.

Greg

Damn, I hate to hear that...cant imagine a winter that bad.

I reckon we can always head west into units 74, 73A etc. Thanks for the info Greg.