Idaho Unit 55 early

W_div · Jul 5, 2022

Hello everyone! New guy here and just came across the forum.

I live in the panhandle and drew the unit 55 early tag. I haven’t been down there in a couple decades. Trying to schedule time off now to scout.

My question, if anyone has suggestions, is hunt dates. Would the opening 2 weeks or waiting later in the hunt be better? I’ll be solo, but my wife may be able to come with me in September. Thank you and appreciate any input.

Sanger2002 · Jul 5, 2022

I’ll be there as my first time also, huntn solo. I hope to go there scouting in a couple weeks. Maybe you want to hook up with me? For Oct. 5 opener I’m planning on being there at least a week.

JPickett · Jul 5, 2022

great tag. go early. velvet mule deer are bout the easiest thing to spot on a mountain, usually have a bow in your hand so its hard. rifle, hardest part is finding the one you want to shoot

W_div · Jul 5, 2022

Sanger2002 said:
I’ll be there as my first time also, huntn solo. I hope to go there scouting in a couple weeks. Maybe you want to hook up with me? For Oct. 5 opener I’m planning on being there at least a week.

It doesn’t look like my tag is good for the later date. Based on the feedback so far August 15th looks like I’ll be there. If that date works for you I’d love meet up and hunt!

W_div · Jul 5, 2022

JPickett said:
great tag. go early. velvet mule deer are bout the easiest thing to spot on a mountain, usually have a bow in your hand so its hard. rifle, hardest part is finding the one you want to shoot

I’ve never gotten a velvet buck, so I’m pretty excited. Learning to be patient and take my time will probably be a bigger challenge.

Calbuck · Jul 5, 2022

You guys seem to be talking about two different hunts..55 early is Aug 15-Sept 24 and the later hunt opens Oct 5..may want to double check which hunt dates you drew?

JPickett · Jul 5, 2022

W_div said:
I’ve never gotten a velvet buck, so I’m pretty excited. Learning to be patient and take my time will probably be a bigger challenge.

Some of them may shed it early but there habits in the summer won’t change right away. Get up there opening day. Velvet bucks like to stay above the tree line and are bright red, it’s gunna be super hot so don’t expect great capes and get it skinned fast

Butts · Jul 6, 2022

If you have only 2 weeks to hunt, you might want to think about spending 1/3 of that time on the days leading to the opener as JP hinted to.
Kill him early and take your wife somewhere nice in September.

Good luck

W_div · Jul 6, 2022

Butts said:
If you have only 2 weeks to hunt, you might want to think about spending 1/3 of that time on the days leading to the opener as JP hinted to.
Kill him early and take your wife somewhere nice in September.

Good luck

Excellent point. I think I’m going to try and get down a minimum of 4 days before opening.

What my wife would like is for me to get some elk located for her. Shes still waiting to fill her tag. I got her close a few times but no success yet.

Sanger2002 · Jul 7, 2022

W_div said:
It doesn’t look like my tag is good for the later date. Based on the feedback so far August 15th looks like I’ll be there. If that date works for you I’d love meet up and hunt!

I'll be there Oct. 5 -16th. With rifle. It was worth a try. Thank you for your reply! DD

Mike237 · Jul 8, 2022

W_div said:
Hello everyone! New guy here and just came across the forum.

I live in the panhandle and drew the unit 55 early tag. I haven’t been down there in a couple decades. Trying to schedule time off now to scout.

My question, if anyone has suggestions, is hunt dates. Would the opening 2 weeks or waiting later in the hunt be better? I’ll be solo, but my wife may be able to come with me in September. Thank you and appreciate any input.

I have hunted the unit several times on the early hunt. PM me.

BGnight · Jul 23, 2022

I had a late rifle tag there 35 years ago when I was 16 with my dad. I remember it was crawling with bucks. Hunted south side of Cache peak. I bet it's not as good anymore! LOL.

Blackjack · Jul 23, 2022

Hunt beginning of season and have the one you want located by day 1. Most of the deer are bunched up in a few spots and there location is not a secret. Deer in velvet may look bigger than they actually are.

300stw · Aug 26, 2022

anyone having succes,
my parents drew on tge 2nd draw. ive tried for 10 years never drew, i use to upland hunt the unit and shot many birds, thinking i might bring the dogs and chauffer the parents around,,,,

W_div · Aug 27, 2022

No luck yet, but opening week there was a lot of people in the mountains. Hopefully less people this week.

Supposedly one of the locals took a 215 opening morning but I haven’t seen any pictures of it.

Butts · Aug 27, 2022

W_div said:
No luck yet, but opening week there was a lot of people in the mountains. Hopefully less people this week.

Supposedly one of the locals took a 215 opening morning but I haven’t seen any pictures of it.

He shot the small one!

300stw · Aug 28, 2022

why so many people when theres only 25tags

W_div · Aug 28, 2022

300stw said:
why so many people when theres only 25tags

Dirt bikes on single track, hikers, mountain bikes, and some hunters. While it’s a lot of country it’s kinda small too.

LIK2HNT · Aug 28, 2022

Keep at it. When I use to hunt the late archery years ago I always found a few very nice bucks to chase. A local told me the early rifle was when the biggest bucks were taken.

Homer · Aug 28, 2022

W_div said:
Dirt bikes on single track, hikers, mountain bikes, and some hunters. While it’s a lot of country it’s kinda small too.

That's called.....multiple use...

JPickett · Aug 28, 2022

It’s definitely not a big area where your going to find those bucks right now. Doesn’t surprise me at all a local knocked down a toad opening morning

Sanger2002 · Sep 23, 2022

Idaho Unit 55 Rifle/Oct. 4-16th I'll be there hunting solo. Looking for hunt buddy to hunt with and please contact me if interested! I have an ATV to travel around and plan on camping at Twin Lakes Campground.

Butts · Sep 25, 2022

W_div said:
No luck yet, but opening week there was a lot of people in the mountains. Hopefully less people this week.

Supposedly one of the locals took a 215 opening morning but I haven’t seen any pictures of it.

Did you kill?

W_div · Sep 26, 2022

Butts said:
Did you kill?

I took a buck on my last day. Nothing fancy but an ok buck and got some venison in the freezer. I couldn’t believe how much fat he had on him.

A huge shoutout to the local boys that helped out showing me the country! That was also the quickest pack out ever.