Idaho Unit 42 Mule Deer Tag

elkholla · Sep 30, 2011

Guys,
I've drawn a unit 42 Idaho Mule deer rifle tag during the rut. (Southwest corner of Idaho) I am planning on spending a couple of weekends out there scouting in the next few weeks to familiarize myself with the terrain etc.

I'm wondering if anybody here has hunted that unit, and might be able to help me understand what quality of deer I might be looking at. Should I pull the trigger on the first 150" buck I see, or are there bigger bucks in this unit?

Thanks for any help you guys might have!

"Luck is often nothing more than preparation running into opportunity.?
-Some Smart Guy

MichaelJ · Sep 30, 2011

Heard it can be a tough hunt but there are some absolute monsters in there. Good luck!

Gamewatcher · Sep 30, 2011

I have hunted the Utah side, and it can be good. We also shed hunt there and there are some monsters in that unit. So I would be very selective the first few days and then go according to what you see. Two friends from Idaho have kill 190+ bucks on the unit so scout hard and hunt hard!!!

gb22 · Sep 30, 2011

A couple of weekends to familiarize yourself with the territory, is rather like trying to hit a major-league fastball for someone who quit after little league.

This area is huge and the deer are not plentiful. Whether you should shoot the first 24-inch 4x4 you see (IF you see one), is rather dependent on your hunting history, time available and skills.

That being said, there are few places on earth where there are bigger deer....not behind every bush but they are there. Glass WELL. Don't miss because the chance probably won't be repeated.

(There are more deer near the alfalfa fields...didn't necessarily say that is where you'd find one of the monsters.)

Within the shadows, go quietly.

bowhunt · Sep 30, 2011

If I had that tag, I would get a guide.
I just do not have the time to spend in that part of Idaho.
Listen to GB22,
BIG DEER there for sure, you might get lucky and happen on one, but that will be the exception.
Seriously consider getting some help.
Best of Luck

gb22 · Sep 30, 2011

It doesn't really change anything that has been said, but there is no Utah side. Nevada is south of this unit.

Within the shadows, go quietly.

ID_hunter27 · Sep 30, 2011

Huge unit big Freakin deer. If I had that tag i would have been out every weekend since I found out. Go to the Idaho section and look up some of the brutes that come out of there last year my buddy was up there just dinking around and got pics of a few 180 class deer and then a 3x with drop tines depending on who you are is what your trophy will be id shoot a tiny drop tine buck opposed to a two hundred incher character is what its about for me

wacmaster · Oct 4, 2011

Hunt the mudflat road that borders 40 the deer migrate out of 40. I've hunted both areas have fun p.m me if you have any other questions.

elkholla · Oct 5, 2011

Thanks for the feedback guys. I really appreciate the direction. I've recruited some help from friends and family to help me glass. I've also recruited help from an Idaho local who knows that country like the back of his hand.

I've been hunting mule deer my whole life, and I'm confident that I can find them. My biggest concern today is understanding their migratory patterns, and rutting areas.

We'll be spending quiet a bit of time up there, and plan on glassing a LOT of area...so here's hoping I can glass the right place at the right time...

"Luck is often nothing more than preparation running into opportunity.?
-Some Smart Guy

elkholla · Oct 5, 2011

>Huge unit big Freakin deer. If
>I had that tag i
>would have been out every
>weekend since I found out.
> Go to the Idaho
>section and look up some
>of the brutes that come
>out of there last year
>my buddy was up there
>just dinking around and got
>pics of a few 180
>class deer and then a
>3x with drop tines depending
> on who you are
>is what your trophy will
>be id shoot a tiny
>drop tine buck opposed to
>a two hundred incher character
>is what its about for
>me

What "Idaho Section" are you referring to?

"Luck is often nothing more than preparation running into opportunity.?
-Some Smart Guy

DownThePipe · Oct 5, 2011

FYI glassing is harder than you might think in this unit, and oftentimes (I've hunted this unit 3 times with this tag) the deer are in the real thick juniper cover right up against the recent burn areas. I have jumped more bucks in the unglassable areas than ever been able to spot them- so my preferred method down there is to slow hunt. There just isn't enough elevation change in a lot of those timbered areas to do much more than that. But good luck, I am sure you will have a fun hunt.

shotgun1 · Oct 6, 2011

Utah side of the unit? OK whatever. I've chukar hunted out there a few times over the years and have seen some good bucks, so I know they're there. Sorry thats all I know.

MichaelJ · Oct 6, 2011

Good luck elkholla! And just a word of advice for hunting with the guy that knows the country "like the back of his hand".

Its been my experience that in a lot of places there are locals who know where everything is, but have no clue where a decent buck might live. Just take his advice and combine it with your knowledge of muley hunting is all I'm saying. I've found bucks in lots of areas where locals dont believe anything lives or hangs out in.

Once again good luck!

Mike