Muzzleloader Mule Deer Hunt

BigBuckz · Apr 30, 2019

I want to put in for a muzzleloader hunt this year. I have been looking at units 22,57, and even the new hunt in unit 74. Has anybody spent anytime on these units that would like to help a guy out making a decision?

Thanks

MountainRat · May 2, 2019

I am looking into these hunts as well. 73A has the best draw odds but sounds like it is a tough hunt nowadays. 74 might be good but might have terrible draw odds.

dguthrie2121 · May 2, 2019

I have hunted 74 most years since I was 12. If you have an in with a landowner it would be a good tag to get. Most of the deer come down and rut in the fields. Not to say you couldn't catch one slipping and get him on public but it might be tough. The deer numbers in 74 are down quite a bit since the winter of 16-17, so it will be a little tougher than it may have been prior to then. Still have a chance at a good buck and you never know what might show up during the rut.

BigBuckz · May 2, 2019

LAST EDITED ON May-02-19 AT 02:49PM (MST)[p]How about a 52 tag I know odds are not good but is there as big of deer in that unit as people claim.

BigBuckz · May 2, 2019

What about a 52A tag would that be worth looking into at all?

elkboy32 · May 2, 2019

My dad had that 52A tag a few years ago. Extremely hard hunt. Tough terrain to glass, too many people, and few deer

IdahoInfidel · May 2, 2019

>My dad had that 52A tag
>a few years ago. Extremely
>hard hunt. Tough terrain to
>glass, too many people, and
>few deer

+1

judkins1 · May 2, 2019

+1 never again until the numbers rebound on 52.

BigBuckz · May 3, 2019

Thanks for all the input guys what do you think of unit 57?

idahoan · May 6, 2019

74 Has been rough the last couple of years and who knows what this winter did on the older bucks?

hawkbill · May 27, 2019

52 May never rebound, Mike McDonald, the biologist for that area is not managing this unit for trophy class anymore. This muzzle loader hunt is just wiping out 3 1/2 and 4 1/2 year old deer, the game and fish wants to reduce the number of deer that winter on the Bennett mountains. This all stems from there new motto protect the corn producers

BPKHunter · May 28, 2019

Let's be clear. There is not a single hunt in Idaho that is easy for many NR's, unless you are good at hunting Mule Deer and can put some miles on your boots. Idaho is tough country.

Simply look at the data that F&G provides. There is a real correlation between hunt quality/opportunity based on the simple Draw Odd's and % 4pt data. There is no secret, or easy hunt. Without any time in a unit or even more important time in a unit during hunting season, you will be at a disadvantage, so all things being equal, maybe pick a place you are more likely to hunt more than once over time so you can improve your future odds.

sray · May 28, 2019

>I am looking into these hunts
>as well. 73A has the
>best draw odds but sounds
>like it is a tough
>hunt nowadays. 74 might be
>good but might have terrible
>draw odds.

I had the 73a tag the last two years and it's a hunt I won't do again there are very few deer and when you do find a buck it's not a mature deer. Also the land owners have it locked up kinda tight besides a few canyons here and there.

Mallards_Only · May 29, 2019

BPK speaks the truth. I often find it funny that guys think they are finding the holy grail of hunt units where they can apply with decent odds of drawing and getting an opportunity at a quality elk or deer. Even the draw odds in Epic or HF are often misinterpreted by NR's. The true odds for NR's are way lower than the overall odds listed in the magazine. Do you really think that by coming on here and asking for info on a unit that you're going to get some secret intel that no one else is going to use as well??? I'm so tired of guys asking for info on units. If you think you wanna hunt there based on the research you've done(if you've done any at all other than trolling the net), then go hunt there and learn for yourself.

MountainRat · May 29, 2019

Have you looked into 51-1 ? Has about the same success rate. A little better draw odds.

BigBuckz · May 29, 2019

Thanks for all the good input. I have decided on my unit now all we can do his hope and wait for the draws. BPKHunter thanks for the input but your "tough Idaho country" really doesn't scare me. Mallards_Only sorry I hurt your feelings for asking for input. I wasn't looking for secrets and special units. I'm sorry you had to read and post on the topic since you hate these so bad.

Soj51hopeful · May 29, 2019

It's hard to get positive advice on drawings in the states where you have equal chances at a good tag as everyone else. Idaho and New Mexico residents get jaded by questions on units they try to draw to be let down, then asked about it by out of towners, rightfully so in my opinion. I know 1 of the units mentioned pretty well but I'm not going to give encouraging advice to a competitor. Sorry, just the way it is. Situationally After the draw is up and I'm unsuccessful and you are Successful I might give some tips. But not before the draw.

IdahoInfidel · May 29, 2019

Even in high density units getting a solid buck with a smoke pole is tough.

missalot · May 30, 2019

LAST EDITED ON May-30-19 AT 10:25AM (MST)[p]>It's hard to get positive advice
>on drawings in the states
>where you have equal chances
>at a good tag as
>everyone else. Idaho and New
>Mexico residents get jaded by
>questions on units they try
>to draw to be let
>down, then asked about it
>by out of towners, rightfully
>so in my opinion. I
>know 1 of the units
>mentioned pretty well but I'm
>not going to give encouraging
>advice to a competitor. Sorry,
>just the way it is.
>Situationally After the draw is
>up and I'm unsuccessful and
>you are Successful I might
>give some tips. But not
>before the draw.
I agree with everything this poster has said, however I feel it's a mistake to provide info after the draw as well. If they have a good hunt based upon your info, then next year they are your competitor again and may bring their buddies as well. You worked hard for your info, keep it to yourself.

Soj51hopeful · May 30, 2019

This is true.

idhikker · May 31, 2019

Lose the attitude tough guy. BPK is totally right.

BigBuckz · May 31, 2019

Thanks for all the good opinions and feedback. I didn't realize sharing opinions about units and helping fellow hunters out was such a bad thing. The last time I killed a giant and found a secret spot from an opinion about a unit from a fellow hunter was well never. But I have got some good information from others went and learned a unit put boots on the ground and glassed for days and killed some giants and found secret spots. With that being said I will give anybody an honest opinion about a unit that I know anything about. Good luck

robAK · May 31, 2019

I'll chime in. My brother had the muzzy 52 tag two years ago. A lot of the unit burned and a lot of it was devoid of deer. He hit it hard but couldn't even find a deer wider than his ears. 52A can be good, you gotta have snow and spend time in the lava flows. Grew up in Wendell and spent a lot of time in there, 52 isn't what it used to be. My .02
Rob