First time ever out west - Idaho Sawtooth scouting

[FlyGuy]

Love your commitment and attitude! Man you will have a great time on that scouting trip. I’m sort of jealous. I don’t mean to sound like a guy that’s got everything figured out, b/c I don’t; but I fondly recall being that green and all full speed. I just know you will come back a different person, and you’ll never miss a another year of going out West in the Fall.

I hunted Idaho last year for the 1st time and it is rugged stuff, but that’s what makes it so awesome. Beautiful, and the most friendly people I’ve ever been around in my life. I still stay in touch with some of the hunters I met out there.

A trip like this is a perfect way to introduce yourself to the sport and the area. You’ll learn a ton and be much more prepared for next year, without the “pressure” of finding a shooter. Just enjoy the country, the hiking and camping and fishing.

I love your determination.




You can’t cheat the mountain

 

[sagebuster]

Sawtooth range out of Stanley may be the premier hiking/backpacking/camping area in the state. Thru the Summer, it is crowded. Stanley will be a zoo. You won't be alone up there on your explorations, but it's a trip worth making, especially for the scenery and the high country fishing. That being said, finding deer in that country will prove to be a chore. If you are dead serious about taking a respectable buck, you will find more and better deer habitat West of that demarcation line Potato suggested...essentially the far Western edge of the Sawtooth wilderness. Fires in that country in the last 5-7 or so years have left that area rich with prime habitat, and after several bad Winters, the reduced deer herd will vacate the less habitable terrain and congregate in areas where fawns can flourish and bucks can grow big headgear. That probably doesn't include the Sawtooth range.

Enjoy the fishing. Second to none in Idaho.

 

[breakglass]

You'll have service in Stanley proper, that's about it. There are a lot of issues you can run into besides injuries. A flat tire or 2, stuck in a snow drift, sliding off the road etc. During hunting season I highly recommend chains, tow strap, shovel and an axe or saw. i always have an axe or saw in my truck, it sucks heading back and finding a new deadfall across the road.

When I go back to hunt I'm bringing everything but the kitchen sink. I have some time to try to get prepared for this. That's a whole other can of worms though, I have read some horror stories in my research and I hope I never have to post one anytime soon!

I'll echo what alot of guys have already said. I've spent a good bit of time backpacking to alpine lakes all around Stanley. See deer every once in a while, probably seen 1 decent buck in the last few years and that's covering alot of miles. But the Sawtooths are an amazing place and if your committed then I say go for it!

I'm trying to stay committed to hunt this area, but the facts you guys are laying out is making me think twice. I'll have a better feel once I get out there for myself.

I will chime back in here and say if you want a real good time, bring a fishing rod with some trout flies/spinners, and hike back into one of the higher lakes...you wont regret it! Super fun stuff.

Truth be told, I enjoy fishing more than hunting in most cases. I was considering bringing a pole, but many of my poles are 1 piece, maybe I'll buy a cheapy at a sporting goods store when I'm in Boise. I told myself I wouldn't fish because I wanted to cover more ground. You're right though, I know I wont regret it.

Few deer, many yuppies/granolas. Scout after deer get hard horned.

That one hurt a little. I'm almost used to seeing little to no deer while hunting, but the addition of yuppies and granolas is like twisting the knife. I would have liked to get out a little later in the year, seems like they would be easier to spot once the velvet is gone. I wanted to be considerate of the bow hunters that could be in the area. Not that anyone owns the woods and I know there's a lot of land, but I just felt it was unnecessary for me to be stomping around the woods and mountains with little to no direction while there's guys out there trying to hunt. I might sound like a dummy, but that was my reasoning for end of August.

Listen to the Idaho guys. There are very few deer up there compared to other parts of the state. You will drive by mule deer on the side of the road well before you get to unit 36. Draw an east-west line through Atlanta, Id. The best mule deer hunting and the largest numbers of mule deer live south of that line. Also, I picked Atlanta as a random landmark. I'm not suggesting you hunt around Atlanta.

Also, I wouldn't get too worked up about hunting around other guys. If it's general season and there are mule deer around you will probably have other people around you. Just the way it is here with general tags. Everybody pretty much knows where the animals are. At least you won't have to look at a sea of orange - nobody wears it because it's not required. It will just be a sea of First Lite and Sitka

I'm glad I have some Idaho natives that are helping out here. Thanks for putting it into perspective for me, although I've been doing research for months I wouldn't find something like out this without the help of someone familiar with the area.
I knew I wouldn't be alone out there, but I didn't want to pick a zone that's home to 10,000+ hunters like unit 39 for example (i know this is on the extreme end). Looks like I'm getting some new camo for my trip!

The east west line of Atlanta is somewhat arbitrary. The areas with low deer densities are rocky areas in central Idaho with balolith soils, documented by biologists to be poor deer feed that stunts growth and limits deer numbers. This poor deer habitat exists in the Sawtooth range, Frank Church, White Clouds, and Selway. Basically the backpackers dreams with high elevation areas with lots of pretty rocks to admire. The Weiser and McCall zones northwest of the line have some spots with higher numbers than what is in the Sawtooths as do parts of the Salmon Zone, Pioneer Zone, Lemhi Zone. Lots of places in Idaho have deer numbers that beat the Sawtooths because its a low barrier to exceed. It just comes down to habitat ultimately and habitat quality differs throughout the state. But you’re right that typically southern Idaho has better habitat than much of that rocky central part of the state—it also has a lot of the rifle controlled deer hunts. Just my .02.

I think I get the idea you guys are putting out there as far as "the line" goes. Thanks for the helpful info! I don't think I would have found this on my own.

 

[breakglass]

Love your commitment and attitude! Man you will have a great time on that scouting trip. I’m sort of jealous. I don’t mean to sound like a guy that’s got everything figured out, b/c I don’t; but I fondly recall being that green and all full speed. I just know you will come back a different person, and you’ll never miss a another year of going out West in the Fall.

I hunted Idaho last year for the 1st time and it is rugged stuff, but that’s what makes it so awesome. Beautiful, and the most friendly people I’ve ever been around in my life. I still stay in touch with some of the hunters I met out there.

A trip like this is a perfect way to introduce yourself to the sport and the area. You’ll learn a ton and be much more prepared for next year, without the “pressure” of finding a shooter. Just enjoy the country, the hiking and camping and fishing.

I love your determination.




You can’t cheat the mountain

Thanks man. I'm beyond excited. I'm a little disappointed I didn't consider this sooner. Being that I've never been out west before I think this will be one of the better trips I've been on. That's exactly why I'm making the trip. I just want to be prepared or see what I am getting myself into. I can't spend $460 on a tag and go in totally blind!

Sawtooth range out of Stanley may be the premier hiking/backpacking/camping area in the state. Thru the Summer, it is crowded. Stanley will be a zoo. You won't be alone up there on your explorations, but it's a trip worth making, especially for the scenery and the high country fishing. That being said, finding deer in that country will prove to be a chore. If you are dead serious about taking a respectable buck, you will find more and better deer habitat West of that demarcation line Potato suggested...essentially the far Western edge of the Sawtooth wilderness. Fires in that country in the last 5-7 or so years have left that area rich with prime habitat, and after several bad Winters, the reduced deer herd will vacate the less habitable terrain and congregate in areas where fawns can flourish and bucks can grow big headgear. That probably doesn't include the Sawtooth range.

Enjoy the fishing. Second to none in Idaho.

And to think I was going on a trip to get away from everyone! It will be alright, maybe I can use it to my advantage and gain some more information. I've decided that I'm going to dedicate some time to fish while I'm doing my exploring, I'll buy a fishing license online because there aren't any dnr offices that I can stop at that aren't 2 hours out of my way. I would think it will make it to me within 2-3 weeks. I will definitely take that into consideration. I'm spending my first day in Lowman and planned on finding some type of day hike I can do. I wanted to try to spend a day covering each part of the unit 36 for the following 3 days while having Stanley as my home base. There is way too much ground for me to cover in the short period of time I'll be in town, but maybe I will find that some areas of the unit are better than others. I'm sure I'll enjoy my time regardless of what I find, if I don't find what I'm looking for at least I can say I fished in the mountains. That's not something I can do at home!

 

[GregB]

And to think I was going on a trip to get away from everyone! It will be alright, maybe I can use it to my advantage and gain some more information. I've decided that I'm going to dedicate some time to fish while I'm doing my exploring, I'll buy a fishing license online because there aren't any dnr offices that I can stop at that aren't 2 hours out of my way. I would think it will make it to me within 2-3 weeks. I will definitely take that into consideration. I'm spending my first day in Lowman and planned on finding some type of day hike I can do. I wanted to try to spend a day covering each part of the unit 36 for the following 3 days while having Stanley as my home base. There is way too much ground for me to cover in the short period of time I'll be in town, but maybe I will find that some areas of the unit are better than others. I'm sure I'll enjoy my time regardless of what I find, if I don't find what I'm looking for at least I can say I fished in the mountains. That's not something I can do at home!
[/QUOTE]
The store in town sell licenses, and you can pick the number of days it's good for which will probably save you a few bucks over the regular out of state license for fishing.

 

[87TT]

When you buy a NR hunting license in Idaho, it comes with a three day fishing license.

 

[sneaky]

Yep, buy your fishing license in Stanley. No need to buy it online, especially if you're going to be staying with all of the rafters in Stanley

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[sneaky]

When you buy a NR hunting license in Idaho, it comes with a three day fishing license.

He's not hunting this year though, just scouting. Be much cheaper for him to pay for a couple days of fishing by the day

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[87TT]

I'm thinking when he comes hunting he'll have something to do.

 

[dpidaho]

be sure to hit kirkam hot springs near lowman! and go through banks instead of Idaho city- its a prettier drive!

 

[Akwoodchuck]

There's a nice little forest service road across from the Lowman ranger station that switchbacks up to the ridgetops...nice views, big trees, nice creek bottom lower down... be a good acclimatizer for the 'Tooths...

 

[Rizzy]

The end of August is typically ideal weather. (Before the snow after the first frost). October will be a lot different most years, so don't judge your gear/clothing choices based on this trip.
The deer density's are low in most of that unit, expect to average 1 buck per day. This really means one group of 2-3 bucks in a 3 day trip. You will see more Elk than deer and might gain a strong interest in Elk hunting. You may even hear a bugle.
Unit 36 has concurrent seasons, so for a small fortune you can expand your opportunity for success next year when you return.
The real rocky areas and dense timber is not very productive habitat, look for broken timber mixed with shrubs as you would in all mule deer country.
The buck activity is typically a pretty limited window this time of year so don't get discouraged if your not seeing anything when the sun is up. You get about a half hour in the evening and an hour or so in the morning of prime glassing time.

 

[breakglass]

And to think I was going on a trip to get away from everyone! It will be alright, maybe I can use it to my advantage and gain some more information. I've decided that I'm going to dedicate some time to fish while I'm doing my exploring, I'll buy a fishing license online because there aren't any dnr offices that I can stop at that aren't 2 hours out of my way. I would think it will make it to me within 2-3 weeks. I will definitely take that into consideration. I'm spending my first day in Lowman and planned on finding some type of day hike I can do. I wanted to try to spend a day covering each part of the unit 36 for the following 3 days while having Stanley as my home base. There is way too much ground for me to cover in the short period of time I'll be in town, but maybe I will find that some areas of the unit are better than others. I'm sure I'll enjoy my time regardless of what I find, if I don't find what I'm looking for at least I can say I fished in the mountains. That's not something I can do at home!

The store in town sell licenses, and you can pick the number of days it's good for which will probably save you a few bucks over the regular out of state license for fishing.
[/QUOTE]

When you buy a NR hunting license in Idaho, it comes with a three day fishing license.

Yep, buy your fishing license in Stanley. No need to buy it online, especially if you're going to be staying with all of the rafters in Stanley

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

He's not hunting this year though, just scouting. Be much cheaper for him to pay for a couple days of fishing by the day

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

I'm thinking when he comes hunting he'll have something to do.

Thanks guys! I didn't realize I could buy a non resident license over the counter at a store, for whatever reason I assumed I needed to go to a fish and game office. That's good news! I'm going to buy the license by the day, I believe it should be about half the price for a annual license. $50 vs $110 roughly.

be sure to hit kirkam hot springs near lowman! and go through banks instead of Idaho city- its a prettier drive!

Kirkam was one of the places I wanted check out. It's close to where I'm staying and is short walk from what I have read. Thanks for the travel tip, I'll take your word on that one, I'm more of a back road kind of guy anyway!

There's a nice little forest service road across from the Lowman ranger station that switchbacks up to the ridgetops...nice views, big trees, nice creek bottom lower down... be a good acclimatizer for the 'Tooths...

I think I can see which road you are referring to. I'll have to check it out!

The end of August is typically ideal weather. (Before the snow after the first frost). October will be a lot different most years, so don't judge your gear/clothing choices based on this trip.
The deer density's are low in most of that unit, expect to average 1 buck per day. This really means one group of 2-3 bucks in a 3 day trip. You will see more Elk than deer and might gain a strong interest in Elk hunting. You may even hear a bugle.
Unit 36 has concurrent seasons, so for a small fortune you can expand your opportunity for success next year when you return.
The real rocky areas and dense timber is not very productive habitat, look for broken timber mixed with shrubs as you would in all mule deer country.
The buck activity is typically a pretty limited window this time of year so don't get discouraged if your not seeing anything when the sun is up. You get about a half hour in the evening and an hour or so in the morning of prime glassing time.

From the research I have done, it seems like you can never know what to expect during October, I have read 60° and sunny, or 10° and snowy. I think I'd rather bring too much gear than not enough. The only thing that worries me is doing all of that walking with gear on. I'm the sweatiest guy east of the Missisippi River, so I plan to wear layers I can strip off as needed. Being that I am new to hunting mule deer I didn't expect to see herds of them. I am still learning about their habitats and where to find them. I have been reading a book called "DIY Public Land Mulies" that has some pretty good info, it's more geared towards shooting a monster but still helpful. If i could see 1 buck a day I wouldn't complain! Eventually I would like to Elk hunt, but I wanted to get my feet wet with a few mule deer trips before I commit to that. I hope I can find some glassing spots that I'm able to get to early enough to see some movement. Time will tell, but I know the windows are small like you mentioned.

 

[breakglass]

So I have some lower end Leupold 10x42 binoculars that I'm pretty happy with, but I've never had to use them for long periods of time. I'm strongly considering picking up some Maven C-1 10x42's due to the great reviews I've read. I'm really not ready to spend big money on glass and I heard the Maven's are a good bang for the buck option.
Do you guys think a spotting scope is necessary for this trip? I wanted to try to pack as light as I can..

 

[GregB]

So I have some lower end Leupold 10x42 binoculars that I'm pretty happy with, but I've never had to use them for long periods of time. I'm strongly considering picking up some Maven C-1 10x42's due to the great reviews I've read. I'm really not ready to spend big money on glass and I heard the Maven's are a good bang for the buck option.
Do you guys think a spotting scope is necessary for this trip? I wanted to try to pack as light as I can..

If you want to go light and save money get a tripod and adapter for your binos it makes a big difference when glassing.

 

[idahohikker]

So I have some lower end Leupold 10x42 binoculars that I'm pretty happy with, but I've never had to use them for long periods of time. I'm strongly considering picking up some Maven C-1 10x42's due to the great reviews I've read. I'm really not ready to spend big money on glass and I heard the Maven's are a good bang for the buck option.
Do you guys think a spotting scope is necessary for this trip? I wanted to try to pack as light as I can..

Athlon Ares are the Maven C1 of spotting scopes. That’s my setup. It’s awesome. Rave reviews on both from me and most I’ve read.

Deer hunters need spotting scopes in semi open country. I would never deer hunt without mine. Not just for judging critters but the Sawtooths are big country and there’s so many places you can glass over 2 miles away after you’ve exhausted your bino glassing closer in. Judging deer as a buck before making huge treks after them is advisable also.

 

[Joe Schmo]

Enjoy it. It is a beautiful area. Hike up to a ridge and then another. If you don’t see what you want then move a few miles, or 20, and do it again. Go in with the mindset of enjoying the adventure and it’ll rock!!

 

[Joe Schmo]

Getcha some!!

 

[vanish]

 

[ForrestHorsehunter]

Don't take my comment as trying to detur you from this unit. I just want to put it in perspective. I'm 29 and I would say I'm in the top percentile of the fitness world and this unit still kicks my ass. I work out 5 days a week very intense workouts. I would say blast your legs like you never have before. Stairstep every day. Good boots are a must. Be prepared for any type of weather.

Success rates: I really think the success rates reflect better hunting than in reality. A lot of hunters in this area are local, hard core guys that really know the area and what they are doing. Not really that its an amazing unit for deer or elk. Creatures can be hard to find and the wolves can push them around a good bit as well. With that being said this is a beautiful unit.