I was in the southern portion of 56 last year. Yes there were hunters everywhere, and not that many deer where I was. I've read different on posts from other hunters here, but they must have been elsewhere (probably higher) than I was. I didn't see any deer in camps or trucks and the F&G officer who checked us said he had checked bucks through but hardly anything big. Thought I'd share this part of an article in the Idaho Statesman about that unit that I'd wish I'd read before going into that unit and getting all worked up about it.
Deer numbers are still down in unit 57, another controlled hunt area, and in unit 56, which will offer a general season this year.
"It's going to take a few more years to get them back to the numbers we'd be happy with," Palmer said.
He added there's been quite a buzz among deer hunters about Unit 56, which will have a five-day any-buck season from Oct. 5-9.
The area has been under two-point restrictions for years, and it's also known for producing big bucks during a late-season controlled hunt.
Palmer has received calls from all over the country about hunting in that unit. "There's going to be a pile of people down there," Palmer said. "It's going to be crazy."
Harry Morse, F&G regional information officer for the Southeast Region, said he's also been fielding calls about Unit 56.
"I bet I've had a hundred questions about that," he said.
But Morse said people may be disappointed. Spring counts found less than 15 bucks per 100 does, and the big bucks typically don't come out until late season.
"You're not going to get a crack at getting those big bucks out of the heavy timber," he said.
I guess to answer your question- back in the day it was a trophy hunt and everyone thought it was going to be the same now which for some (being me)it wasn't all that great and for others it might have been.