unit 55 idaho....Albion

BrighamArcher · Jun 29, 2004

Success.....!!! I drew the unit 55 controlled deer hunt tag in the Albion mountains this year. I was just curious if any of you know anything about them. I have been there scouting in the past. I know of big deer coming out of there, but I have never hunted there. If any of you have in the past, or have some knowledge that will help me, please feel free to respond.

Thanks

Spencer

cowslayer · Jun 29, 2004

Spencer,

I love the country and have hunted this unit about 5 years ago. We hunted high and learned as we went. I recomend getting as high as you can and be ready opening morning. Although we didn't harvest Monsters, we learned a lot from the locals successes and looked at a couple of nice deer harvested.

The down side to this unit is back then there were a ton of predators, coyotes and cougars. I have heard they have been controlling the cougars better lately.

This unit has potential, be sure to take several scouting trips and look high. We found some deer beds that looked more like bunkers than beds. Looked like they had been used for 50 years.

Good Luck.

CS

COSA · Jun 29, 2004

I hunted the area in 2002. I shot a tall 3x3 with eyeguards (22" wide). My wife and I went scouting in August and saw a 28-30" typical buck. And when talking to other hunters in the area, that was the buck everyone was after. I did not see a bigger buck taken than mine, although I'm sure there was. Most hunters were road hunting. For more specific info., send me a private message.
Jerry

bulltracker · Jun 29, 2004

I hunted unit 55 in 2002. I seen some nice bucks before harvesting a 200+ muley. I drew the early tag in 2002, but maybe I can help. Please send me aprivate message or your email.

Bowpony · Jun 30, 2004

Last time I hunted 55 was in the late 90's.Back then the population seemed very good especially around Oakly and City of Rocks. Historically the area has produced some very nice bucks, during my hunts I was not impressed by the quality of bucks. But all over southern Idaho the quality isnt like it used to be.I will confirm the lions are doing very well there.I was just over there for a Archery shoot this last weekend.I was impressed by the condition of the vegetation. Hope this helps.

BrighamArcher · Jun 30, 2004

Thanks for all the good info., I plan on living in these hills for the next three months.

Prism · Jul 2, 2004

Did you draw the early hunt or the October hunt?

I hunted it in 2000 (October) and wasn't too impressed. It's really neat country though and every once in awhile it will produce a toad. But, I think a guy could do just as well in a lot of the general areas.

I think that the few big bucks it does have get killed during the early hunt. It's pretty easy to pick off the older bucks with a rifle in August.

The deer numbers have been so low the F&G cut the number of tags way back the last few years. Lots and lots of cats across the whole unit.

All that being said, it is really neat country. I wouldn't hold out for a monster though. Most of the deer we saw killed were two and three points, with a couple of small 4 pointers.

There will be a lot of pressure up high. I'd hunt the low country, I think it gets overlooked.

supersider34 · Jul 2, 2004

I have never hunted there but there are some hogs coming out of there. I have some friends and people I have met got some nice bucks. Good luck on the hunt.

kilbuc · Jul 2, 2004

Hunted this unit several times in the 80's. Then there was 2 seasons and a lot more tags. Also could only put as a (maximum) party of 2. If you drew had to wait 2 years before you applied again. But best part was season went into 2nd week of Nov. We always hunted last 10 days. Took 3, 4pts during those years, nothing real big, but my brother took a monster, 34" mainframe 6x8 in '89. He had 1st shot. Saw several 30" plus bucks that we never got on. Ohhh for the good old days.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"