Hey Kicker,
I'm from Meridian also. I was up in unit 39 on the 13th and saw about 75 does and 4-5 bucks. One shooter in my book with about a 24" spread, good forks and descent mass. I figured he was pushing 170".
Unfortuneatly I broke the number one rule...wind. I put a good stalk on him and got to within 50 yards but tried to better my advantage and cut him off as he walked beneath a rock bluff. I told myself over and over that the wind was bad... and it was. If my number two rule, patience, would have persisted then rule number one wouldn't have been an issue.
That's the breaks of bow hunting mule deer I guess. I hunted all season in lew of a public land buck of this caliber and when it comes down to it impatience took over.
But, I'll be back up after him for 3 days after turkey day. The other break of bow hunting mule deer in Idaho
Oh yeah, I have hunted the late 53 and have taken two buck with my bow in December. I grew up in that area. There is some real fun hunting that way if the snow comes. I found an excellent wintering spot last year in unit 55 and on the last day of the season was fortuneate to play with 13 bucks, 7 of which were 4 points or bigger and about 60 does.
If the snow comes, and I don't punch my tag in 39, I know where I'll be for a 3 day weekend starting December 17th.
Good luck!
bulldown