Idaho 70,73

sneeky · Mar 20, 2005

I have never hunted Idaho before so here a few basic questions. The Idaho F&G website says there are still deer tags left, that can now be bought over the counter for the SE area. Is that right?
Unit 70 and 73 is 4 point or better with a 30 day season. Does this thin out the hunters at all? It is also non-motorized. Do people abide by the law or is it abused like most places here in Utah? Are there any good, rugged areas in here that someone could suggest scouting? I know this is a lot of questions, and I've probably left out the most important ones, so anything else you think I should know about these two areas would be appreciated.
Thanks.
Todd

COSA · Mar 20, 2005

As far as I know, 70 & 73 are not part of the SE tag, but the general tag. This means you can buy 1+ of these tags, as they are always underprescribed. I believe that these zones have a 4 point only rule for all or part of the season.

foxtrot4elk · Mar 20, 2005

LAST EDITED ON Mar-20-05 AT 09:36PM (MST)[p]70 & 73 are not part of the SE tag. 73 used to be known as the Malad meat hunt. Not sure where you're reading a 30 day season. In 2004 70 & 73 were open for 5 days Oct.5-Oct.9

While there are now some road restrictions, it was legal before to drive/ride anywhere. Whether or not the restrictions are obeyed now I don't know.

Quote from Spomers Big Game Hunters Guide to hunting Idaho-"..don't hunt there hoping to find a trophy buck,because unless a demented one wanders through lost,it aint gonna happen."

SE Idaho deer tags are unit 75 76 77 78 as of today there are 343 left for non-residents.Dates for 2004 were Oct.5-Oct.19 (rifle) http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/licenses/fees/nrquota.cfm
This link is IDFG website where you can see all this info. and more. Good luck.

foxtrot4elk

Sorry I see you've been on the website. If you go SE tag send me a pm for where to start your scouting.

IDhunter · Mar 20, 2005

The others are right, at least on 73. I don't hunt 70 so I don't know the rules there. 73 is 4 point or better with a 5 day season. I don't know how it will be this year, but last year the motorized vehicle restrictions were really enforced by the IDFG. I didn't see one 4 wheeler except on the dirt roads they were meant to be on. It was nice to finally see some people obeying the rules. I saw 15 bucks opening day last year and only 3 were legal so this year I think there should be alot of 4 points, but alot of them will be younger bucks. We have had a fair amount of snow but the deer seem to have wintered pretty good. I know the 70 or so head by my corrals still looked good when the snow started melting. I could give you a few places to scout if you are interested. I won't name exact places, but I like the oxford mountain range and the mountains on all sides of malad. There is alot of private ground around both, but if you are willing to hike you can find access to most places.
IDhunter

sneeky · Mar 21, 2005

Thanks for the input. I just re-read the proclamation and the 30 days was for the archery season. What do you think I should look into, 70,73 or the SE area. I've just heard the SE is really crowded and not much there. The 4 point or better and non-motorized just looked appealing.
Thanks.
Todd

OneTrack · Mar 24, 2005

I hunted the SE two seasons ago for the Muzzleloader Nov. hunt. I was passing on 4x4 bucks in the 20 - 24 inch range, every day, hoping for a roper. Never happened. I don't think that hunt was crowded at all. But, I was getting back in to the steep stuff. Most every other hunter I saw was road hunting. The snow was deep and it was brutal. Plenty of nasty country to hunt and definity rumors of big bucks in that area.

BrianID · Mar 29, 2005

Just like others have said there wasn't a 30 day season in units 70 and 73 in 2004. The 2005 regs might be online by next week. At the F&G big game meeting that I went to about a month ago and it sounded like the F&G would keep the season similar to last year but opening day will likely be Oct. 10th in all of Southern Idaho. There is also a good chance that the muzz hunt in the bear river range (75, 77 & 78) will be deleted.

The buck to doe ratios in the Malad winter range (unit 73) were 7?? bucks per 100 does last winter (2003/2004). To increase the buck to doe ratios the F&G put the 4pt rule in place. If you want an out of state over the counter tag that is a short drive from the Salt Lake City area then this isn't a bad option. You also don't have all that great of a chance at killing anything better than a young 4pt unless you put in a lot of work and get a little lucky. To get away from other hunters you are going to have to be willing to pack your deer out on your back over a mile of rough country or have access to private land.

sneeky · Mar 30, 2005

Brian,
What unit would you recommend that has left over tags or good odds within say 3-4 hours of Ogden. I like to do alot of scouting and much farther away and it gets tough time wise. I am only interested in mature bucks, any kind of terrain and don't mind working for it. Thanks.
Todd

idhunters · Mar 31, 2005

Sneeky,
If you are willing to scout hard and work hard, there are mature bucks in every single unit in Idaho. Which ones have the "best" or most? No one really knows. The deer counts are always suspect as winter conditions really impact the F&G's ability to find the deer. The SE region is really over rated, but there are still great bucks taken every year. The rut muzzle loader hunt has been really been restricted over the past few years, which should help the population. I know of big (I mean BIG) bucks taken in the past couple years in unit 56, 73A, 70 73 75....see where I'm going?

If you buy the SE tag you are limited to the 2 or 3 units in the SE corner. The general tag lets you hunt any other unit in the state for mulies. There is also going to be a white tail only tag (I think the Clearwater tag is gone). My advice, pick a unit based on your ability to go scout it 2 or 3 times or more prior to season. Get a map and find the area's with the toughest access, be it from topography or private land. If you get away from the crowds you will find deer, or scout hard and be sitting on top of a buck on the opener.

BrianID · Apr 1, 2005

Here's a link that will show you what nonresident tags are left. http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/licenses/fees/nrquota.cfm
Nonresidents that want to hunt the general season will have to choose between the SE deer tag, general tag or whitetail tag. Residents only have to choose between the general tag or whitetail tag. The regs should be only sometime in the next couple of weeks so you can check out the details in there.
As idahohunters mentioned you can find quality bucks in any unit. You can check out the F&G website for harvest data. the 2004 general season data might not be online until sometime this summer. The 2004 controlled hunt data should be online sometime soon.

sneeky · Apr 1, 2005

Thanks for all of your input, it is really helping. Two more questions. What do you think about the Access Yes properties, are they worth it or swamped? And does the muzzloader season thin out the hunters like it does here in Utah, make better hunting?
Thanks
Todd

idhunters · Apr 3, 2005

The access yes properties got hit really hard last year. I think some owners are now limiting numbers...XX hunters per day or things like that. The IDFG website has a good section on the properties and describes any restrictions. There are also map links to show public land in the area. My guess is the hunting is good opening day and tough the rest of the time on these properties.

As far as the muzzle loader season. I don't think there are any over the counter tags in southern or eastern Idaho for mule deer. They are all controlled hunts, therefore limited numbers. General season tags (or SE tags) will normally allow 30 days archery followed by a 2 or 3 week any weapon (rifle) hunt. No muzz. And from the rumors there won't be the November muzz controlled hunt in 05 either.

You will finds hunter congestions anywhere there is good public access (vehicle or ATV) and closer to population centers. As you limit access, either by banning ATV's, less roads, farther from population centers, or restrict hunting...2 pt only or 4pt or better, you will start to decrease hunting pressure. Opening day and opening weekend are tough. Some of the seasons were 5 days in 2004, so you really can't avoid the opener but in places with a 3 week season the last week is generally less crowded.