Idaho Muleys?

[Muleyfanatic]

Hello, I'm 15 years old and honestly only think about hunting. I wouldn't trade it for the world. This year I am planning to put in for the 32A controlled hunt late season tag with my Uncle. But if I don't draw that I plan to go hunting by myself this year. I just need to know where to go. I don't want to know your "secret spot" or anything I just would like to know where you go and hopefully find my own "secret spot". So if you could help me by telling me a good unit that would be great. Hopefully you could tell me somewhere around Boise and not clear up at the panhandle. I am in great shape for my age so don't worry about hiking and such. Thank you so much any help is appreciated.

 

[tagsoup]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-10 AT 06:42PM (MST)[p]If you live close to Boise I would hunt unit 39. Get off the roads and hope for snow.

 

[deepforks]

dont get your hopes too high for the late buck tag. very few available and quite a few applicants. i would stick with your uncle or someone else either way...not a good idea to venture off on your own. too many things can go wrong in a hurry.

 

[gb22]

I started hunting on my own at just about 17....have done it for more than 40 years since. If you want to hunt where a big deer lives....try to top of 39. Another possibility is the country at about 9,500' starting about 10 miles east of Sun Valley all the way through Copper Basin. (Elevation depends on the time of season and weather.)

That is no real secret. The bucks aren't behind every bush but they are there. They are there because the habitat is good and because it's too physically demanding for almost everyone.

Take the previous poster to heart......be REAL respectful of our back country. The deer won't get you (I've had a couple of Hunter Ed students express concern.), the bears and wolves will (almost certainly) avoid you. Mother Nature and the elevation will NOT avoid you.

There is a big "discussion" going on about ethical guides and so forth. In that, the hunter said when he realized how hard the hunt was, he realized even more that he needed help from a guide. The hunts I am describing are hard....I had a llama fall during a snowstorm and only a lot of effort and good fortune on my part kept it from going a long way down...just earlier, my son in law slipped. Only another llama kept him from a LONG fall.

Good luck!!


Within the shadows, go quietly.

 

[vaquero]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-10 AT 10:04PM (MST)[p]if you want to see some pictures of the country that gb is talking about do a search in archives for "name this country #2". i took his advice and went there, and i will confirm there are bucks up in them rocks.

 

[Muleyfanatic]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-10 AT 10:32PM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Mar-16-10 AT 10:14?PM (MST)

Thanks guys. I'm really hoping to get a decent buck this year at least a 3x3. That's why I'm going without my Uncle. This last season I went with him every single weekend of deer hunting season and ended up only seeing a spike buck! We spent so much time and that's it. So last weekend of the season we ended up going up to Orofino and shooting a whitetail doe. Which is DELICIOUS by the way. Apple fed whitetails mmmmmmm mmmm good. The season before last I went up to Cascade, ID and shot a forkin horn spike. It's a nontypical it's really weird. So thanks everyone. Do you have any pics of the bucks up there?

 

[kingfish]

gb22 is giving you some great advise...Get up early, take pleanty of water and food and get high before day break. Glass, glass, glass. The big bucks are in that country but it isn't easy. We have hunted the Sun Valley area for 20 years. It's not what it use to be but it's still good. Stay out all day and wear out your bino's. Good luck.

 

[Muleyfanatic]

Thanks you guys. Would you mind sending me some pics of the bucks you have shot or seen up there? That would be great!

 

[muleymaster]

I started hunting by myself at 12 years old. I just turned 24. i know how it is to tey to learn areas and techniques. so i made two lists. a buck list to help find them. and a by yourself list to help you hunt by yourself

1. hunt high
2. get as far away from people and roads as you can.
3. south slopesare good areas to look
4. glass glass glass! spend a lot of time looking areas over
5. watch for scrapes
6. if you hunt 32, look over the brush pockets really well. mid day when nothing is out i "razzle dazzel" meaning i get on top of a hill and roll rocks through the brush, walk near the brush without trying to be quiet. countless bucks hide there and its a good way to get some mid day action.

if you hunt by yourself here are some hints and tips

1. water, rope, socks, first aid gear!
2. always let someone know exactly where you are and when you will be home
3. make sure you can get the buck out by yourself before you pull the trigger.
4. bring a wet wash rag in a sealed plastic bag. after you harvest an animal you can use it to clean up and also drape it on the animal to detur animals while you make trips
5. try to get your hands on some "hydrocodine". its a pain killer. if you break a leg or something the pain can make you go into shock. a strong pain killer will really help. but it will thin your blood so if you have a gash be careful.
6. 32 is hot in gen. deer so stay hydrated!
7. always watch land marks and or keep a compass.

knowledge is key

here are a few 32 general season bucks

 

[knoxville471]

Up above andeson ranch res. was good a few years ago i took a 30" 4x6 grossed about 175 and seen plenty of three points but you have to pass on those if you ever want to get a good one but good luck

 

[patience]

unit 39, 35, 34 get away from the roads up into a nice drainage and spot, spot, spot. keep still and patient and you'll find them.

 

[alp75]

gb22 gave me some excellent advise two years ago and I made out with a nice 174" buck. Once again great Advise Grant! I commend all those willing and open to giving a youngster some good quality advise. Seems we see less and less of that on this site anymore. Nice work MM'ers.