Hi, and welcome to the west (almost). I'm a resident of Idaho. I'm not a guide. However, I've spent my whole life hunting. I've gotten more than a few animals and will be glad to "show you where". That being said, I should indicate a few of my assumptions, just to see if we are in the same book, if not the same page.
Since you are trying to do it yourself and do it economically, I assume it is not within the budget to hire a guide (me either). You said you're willing to scout and hike. I assume you're reasonably fit and enthusiastic. Hunting out here does not need to cost a fortune. The licenses and tags are not cheap ($430), and getting here is not cheap, but there really doesn't have to be much other expense, unless you need new equipment.
If you really expect some type of monster mule deer, I can make no promises. However, if you contact me, and go with me, or follow my advice, I can promise you will see deer and I can promise you will be on the same mountain where a mature buck (or multiple mature bucks) lives. I can almost promise you will see what I refer to as "incredibly generic 4-pts". That means a 4x4 mule deer, whose antlers are somewhere between 20" and 24" wide.
I can also promise you will physically work for it. Once we get to the mountains, walking is the mode of transportation, not 4 wheelers.
I don't have access to special private property. However, I live here and know where the deer live. If we get far enough from the road, we will find deer. The same goes for elk or bears.
Call me at my home (208) 233-4150 and we can talk. Special limited-entry tags are wonderful (I think, they never draw my name.), but there are lots of deer, elk and bears to be hunted with over-the-counter tags...and a little experience. I'll be hunting in the exact places I would send you; I will be looking for something larger than the "generic 4 pt" I described earlier and I will shoot a deer.
Grant