Idaho Unit 51 Late Muzzy Hunt

kalielkslayer

Active Member
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After a very frustrating draw season, I applied for long shot Elk and antelope tags in Idaho. BUT I put in for a deer tag with reasonable draw odds (1-5), and drew.

Don't know much about the hunt but I do know it's a muzzy hunt (11/1-11/30), only 11% private, success last 15 years runs high 30% to 60% but % of 4 point bucks run 40% to 88%. This tells me the unit has potential.

Anybody have any experience with this hunt?

I plan on doing 10-14 days so which is the best? I've observed outstanding rut activity in Nevada and Oregon the week of Thanksgiving. I'm thinking the 12th thru 24th would be best.

Your thoughts?
 
Congrats Hunter don't know anything about the unit but those are some very good dates should see rut activity.
 
should be a fun hunt and you'll see plenty of bucks. I had the late elk tag in the unit a few years back and saw a lot of different bucks, nothing huge but some nice ones. Remember to check Idaho regs for muzzleloaders if you aren't already familiar with the restrictions on them. They are more strict than most states, no scopes, no sabots, and might not even allow pellets, it's been a while since I've muzzleloader hunted there so not sure on that last one.
 
Dan,

Thanks for that. I knew my Accura wasn't legal.

A Idaho buddy who drew a Nevada muzzy elk tag, is buying an Idaho legal muzzy. He researched extensively including talking to several locals that mostly just hunt muzzy. His gun is on the way. I'm gonna follow his lead.
 
As your research pointed out seems like a decent hunt with good odds. First hand knowledge trumps internet knowledge everytime though. It doesn't have high deer densities and is tough country to hunt with a muzzleloader. It will be a tough hunt if you are looking for a high scoring buck. Not a lot of groceries (nutrition) for bucks to put on horn growth there. If you are looking for a mature buck that doesn't score much more than 150 you should be happy. It is a fun hunt though.
 
Pooner,

Thanks for the reply. Looking for a fun hunt, I really like watching deer during the rut.

I've put in for the late rifle hunt in Unit 40 about 15 times since the early 90s, nada! With that tag I'd be picky. With this tag any 150 type buck will be seeing a puff of grey smoke.

So after 2 years of no tags for me or the wife, I just wanted to hunt.

If you have some ideas you'd like to share, PM me.
 
Good luck on your hunt. I put some general information on unit 51 in the Idaho forum and I'll send you a PM.
 
Sounds like about the right time. I haven't hunted it before but I sent you a pm with some sheds I found there and a little bit of what I seen while I was there looking for horns.
 
Brian/Half/Canyon,

I replied to all three of you and appreciate your comments/info.

If you didn't get my reply, let me know. After I hit the send button, I didn't see my reply???
 
Hunter,
EMD is correct on the smoke pole regs. Also, "loose black powder" only no pellets Black powder substitute may be utilized such as pyrodex or triple7, again in loose form only.
JG's rifle is shooting great. If you have not talked to him give him a call. Hope we can hook up when you come up for your hunt or earlier if you and the misses can get away. I was at Glenn's for a couple of days during the second week of July. You were down south.
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
NORKAL,

I'm gonna tag along on JG's hunt. Over Labor Day weekend and hopefully again from 9/09 through whenever he kills.

Boss will be gone until 9/13 but I'm sure I can leave someone else in charge for a couple of days but gotta run it by the boss. Gawd knows, there are several competent folks that can handle it.

Probably the best time to hook up this year. I didn't purchase the ID deer tag. With the boss retiring this year, he isn't around much and I've had to take time off due to my Mom being in the hospital (NC). I'm there now.

I'll have plenty of time in the near future. Plus the ability to get ID resident tags too.

So try to get away for a portion of JG's hunt.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-06-17 AT 06:10PM (MST)[p]Hunter,
Planning on spending as much time down there with JG as I can. Hope he downs Mr. Big early as I want to be chasing bulls mid month with Caleb and hopefully JG. Lance will probably come down with me and will also be hunting with us during bow season.
Resident tags?
Brother, you've got at least four more years before you start talking resident tags! Like, you need to max out on this last promo and also on the next one before you even think about throwing in the towel!
Resident tags....PlanePleez? You and the Misses decide on hanging your hats up here in the Free State?
All joking aside; GET YOUR ARSE OUT OF THERE AS SOON AS YOU CAN! (Smartest thing I ever did next to hooking up with the wife!) WE AIN'T GET'N ANY YOUNGER BROTHER! ENJOY IT!
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
Brother,
Sorry to hear your Mother is in the hospital.
We have reached the age where we and our loved ones, especially those older than us seem to have more and more medical issues. It isn't easy. I guess that is the price we pay for being human and caring for others.
Have you any updated info on GB? I have had numerous folks contact me in regard to him being in a really bad way.
PM me if you have an update.
Say hello to your Dad.

Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
Thanks for the weather warning!
Guess I might need an extra bottle or two of Jack!
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
Puffy,

I don't really enjoy cold (below 0 weather) but we get it here every year.

Coldest hunt I ever had was a mid-Nov archery hunt in the Ruby Mountains. 0 or lower each night in Elko, -3 in Ely. Being in between the two, and at higher elevation, not sure what the temps were but I know it was cold enough pulling the bow back with fingers was a chore. Went to a release after that hunt. But 10 days solo, in that weather , was a great time chasing rutting bucks.

NORKAL,

Doing an allnighter here at the hospital. Mom's been in ICU since Sunday the 29th. At least one of us stays 24/7 cause we don't trust the staff. Just tonight the respiratory guy turned her oxygen down 20%. I had to talk to the nurse who corrected it based on the doctor's orders. A shame it's gotta be like that but the family takes turns on the graveyard shift.
 
Hang in there Brother.
Prayers sent!
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 
At the airport, flying home.

She had a very positive turn for the better yesterday. Not out of the woods yet, but we can see the meadow beyond.
 
Outstanding!
Prayers answered!
North home or South?
Norkal

"One can take my life but not my faith or my
confidence. I fear none and respect all."
 

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