Unit 73 , Unit 78 feedback

Looking at possibly hunting Idaho next year the following dates and units October 10 - October 16, 2017 (Unit 73) and October 10 - October 31, 2017 (Unit 78).
I've been through the country a little and I know that winter took a bite out of the herd but would either of these be worth a look next year?

I don't know, depends on what's worth it to you. There's some good bucks in 73 even though the units been going down hill. There's many hunters during the 6 day season and now there's late seasons that take out many of the older age class bucks and up and comers. Because of this many tags go unfilled or hung on two points. If you're holding out for a good buck you might be disappointed even if you hunt hard all 6 days. But like most of Idaho there are a few good ones around.
I don't know much about 78.

78 will be bad for years. Hard winter kill. Our family hunted the Utah general season which borders 78 and out of 11 tags we shot Zero bucks. We usually turn down some small bucks and see one or two OK bucks. This year half of our party didn't even see a deer. Two small 3 point bucks was what 11 hunters saw. Very discouraging. Trail cams show lots of predators still, not many deer.

As some one who hasn't spent time in either of those units, but spent a lot of time in that part of the state, either of those units could produce. 78 is trying to work its way back and the genetics are there for big deer. It definitely has potential. There is a big difference in draw odds on those two tags though. 73 is unlimited while 78 had 7% draw odds for non-residents 16% odds overall.

Honestly, if you are for sure planning on hunting Idaho next year I almost think your better off doing your research on one of Idaho's many general season units than just hunting the one week in 73. A general tag gives you a lot more freedom to move to find the deer you are looking for. That way you could put in for 78 and maybe get lucky on that unit as well. I would much rather have the 78 tag than the 73 tag, but that is why one is unlimited and the other has low drawing odds.

My family hunted 73 this year and last year. Last year we saw 5 + or - bucks a day. This year in 4 days and 65 miles on the boots zero bucks. We did see about 25 does. To me the heard was hit really hard by the winter. The pockets of deer seen were mostly on private irrigated fields. I'm sure there are plenty of bucks to be had but I would not use historical data to go off of.

2 cents, DZ

Thanks for the info. Sounds like there may be better units to look at.