Unit 56 Idaho
- Thread starter chasemike
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BrianID
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I'm not sure if you know the history of the unit so I type a quick one.
A few years ago Unit 56 was a great unit to kill a big buck if you could draw the November tag. It was in the top 2 or 3 most difficult controlled hunts to draw every year. The odds of drawing a tag in unit 56 were around 3% the last 3 years it had a rut hunt. Before 2004 unit 56 had a two point only season in October and no general season hunts for larger bucks. About 5 or 6 years ago the quality of the rut hunt start to go down hill. In 2004 the F&G decided that it would be a good idea to open a general season for any bucks in unit 56. That fall the unit was loaded with hunters looking for a monster buck. I hunted it a couple weekdays during the archery season in 2004. I didn't see any bucks that got me very excited but there were hunters everywhere. It is only a half hour drive for me to get to unit 56 and I haven't been back since the 2004 archery season. Most of the older bucks were killed in 2004.
Currently 56 isn't any better than any other general season hunt. You could find an older buck in that unit if you put your time in but expect plenty of company during the any buck rifle hunt. There are roads all over the unit. I don't think there is anywhere in the unit you can get much more than a mile from a road.
A few years ago Unit 56 was a great unit to kill a big buck if you could draw the November tag. It was in the top 2 or 3 most difficult controlled hunts to draw every year. The odds of drawing a tag in unit 56 were around 3% the last 3 years it had a rut hunt. Before 2004 unit 56 had a two point only season in October and no general season hunts for larger bucks. About 5 or 6 years ago the quality of the rut hunt start to go down hill. In 2004 the F&G decided that it would be a good idea to open a general season for any bucks in unit 56. That fall the unit was loaded with hunters looking for a monster buck. I hunted it a couple weekdays during the archery season in 2004. I didn't see any bucks that got me very excited but there were hunters everywhere. It is only a half hour drive for me to get to unit 56 and I haven't been back since the 2004 archery season. Most of the older bucks were killed in 2004.
Currently 56 isn't any better than any other general season hunt. You could find an older buck in that unit if you put your time in but expect plenty of company during the any buck rifle hunt. There are roads all over the unit. I don't think there is anywhere in the unit you can get much more than a mile from a road.
BrianID, I had heard there was some big bucks taken last year out of this area. I thought being the season was from Oct 10 to 16, if I didn't do any good, I good go some where else, & hunt to the 25th. The one draw back I don't like being around a lot of hunters. I hunted Stanley last year, hunt the whole season after two bucks, always a step ahead of me, never got that break i was looking for, but it was worth it. If you had the General season tag where would you hunt, not looking for any specifics, just an area. I have hunted, Pine, Stanley, Altanta, & white tail in elk city. Killed nice white tail in elk city, killed a decent buck in Pine. I perfer hunting sage country,desert. Thanks for your time Brain. Mike
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oneshotonekill
Guest
Mike-
Brian is right. Most of the better larger bucks were killed in the 2004 season. Last year, there was some decent bucks killed we killed a 27 heavy horned 4x4. There was alot of people there just meat hunting I think. And that is understandable, with it being a general unit hunt. Lots of 2 points and small three points being shot. We saw two other 25-28 inch heavy horned bucks killed, and one 32 inch buck killed. But as Brian stated, there is tons of roads there. But if you can get way back in the high country or do some preseason scouting you might have some sucess. The fish and game said they counted 34 bucks to 100 does. Don't know how much truth there is to that. Anyways, just like anywhere else, you'll probably have to put your time in and learn the unit.
one shot
Brian is right. Most of the better larger bucks were killed in the 2004 season. Last year, there was some decent bucks killed we killed a 27 heavy horned 4x4. There was alot of people there just meat hunting I think. And that is understandable, with it being a general unit hunt. Lots of 2 points and small three points being shot. We saw two other 25-28 inch heavy horned bucks killed, and one 32 inch buck killed. But as Brian stated, there is tons of roads there. But if you can get way back in the high country or do some preseason scouting you might have some sucess. The fish and game said they counted 34 bucks to 100 does. Don't know how much truth there is to that. Anyways, just like anywhere else, you'll probably have to put your time in and learn the unit.
one shot
2004 was a managment joke, unlimited hunter numbers and lots of dead deer. Yes, there are roads all over that unit, and it is relatively open. That being said there are some really brushy areas and some dog hair thick cedars. Deep canyons and thick timber. I question 34 bucks per 100 does, but the unit can produce alot of deer given the right conditions. There are always big bucks there and some will be killed on the general hunt.
There are plenty of folks out hunting the area, especially driving the roads. But during the first week of season there aren't very many places you can go without running into lots of people especially around the roaded areas. It is a pretty unit, with nice camping areas. There isn't any unit in Idaho that is a general hunt that is "easy". You will either have to bust your butt into nasty area's or put up with lots of other hunters. But the deer are there.
There are plenty of folks out hunting the area, especially driving the roads. But during the first week of season there aren't very many places you can go without running into lots of people especially around the roaded areas. It is a pretty unit, with nice camping areas. There isn't any unit in Idaho that is a general hunt that is "easy". You will either have to bust your butt into nasty area's or put up with lots of other hunters. But the deer are there.
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pinenut
Guest
Brian,
I sent you a PM, hope to hear from you soon.
-RPinenut
I sent you a PM, hope to hear from you soon.
-RPinenut
