Idaho Unit 39 Early Season Mule Deer rifle

[djw7117]

Wondering if anyone has hunted this tag and had success? I have been doing some research, but having never been into this area it is kind of hard knowing what maybe to expect until the snow melts to get over there. I have been looking into some high country area around Atlanta. Would this be an area worth checking out to get into some high country mule deer hunting? if anyone has any input/experience it would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Nick Muche]

Did you draw the tag?

 

[goat1958]

tags have not been drawn yet....good hunt ...

 

[djw7117]

Was actually just planning ahead for the future if I am able to draw the tag. This unit looks like there is some really good country to find a nice high country buck.

 

[elkguide]

Good unit if you can draw. Some remote areas but quite a few roads too.
Hunted there a few years back and loved the area. Didn't score on a deer and saw way more elk than deer.

 

[Rizzy]

It's a good tag if you want an early rifle hunt or have a nice buck located in a heavily hunted area. I have applied for it and not drawn, and still scout for it. It's the same bucks and unit as the general tag but earlier so you get to be the first one on them. Also they are still in velvet and in the summer routine for the first week or so of the hunt. This could be an advantage if you find a nice one. The wilderness areas are lower density and tough to find bucks in, but offer a real nice remote backpack hunting experience during fair weather. That's what's attractive about that tag for me.

 

[djw7117]

There seems to be a lot of good country to scout, and opportunity for velvet deer. I would imagine that there have been some really nice bucks taken with this tag. I have some places in mind that I would like to check out. Are there quite a few deer throughout this unit?

 

[Rizzy]

There are always a few great bucks taken with the early tag and the general tag in 39. It's a big unit and has a lot of good summer and winter range. The deer density is not evenly distributed, some areas are better than others. The hunting pressure reflects that for the most part. If you don't draw then make a scouting trip/mock hunting trip in mid August, then you will be way ahead of the game when you do draw it.

 

[sagebuster]

Been hunting the Graham/Wolf MountainTyee country for better than 35 yrs. Drew that early 39 tag once about 16 yrs ago...took a 170 class velvet buck odd of Wolf mountain. Haven't drawn since, although I put in for it religiously every year. Folled a 200"+ non-typical in that area two yrs in a row, but never found him during the general season. There are some good bucks in that area, as well as the Little Queens area, which burned about 2-3 yrs ago and is ripe for big bucks...but you will have to chase them on foot. I know all of that country like my back yard, and if I draw that tag again, that's where I would go.

All that being said, that tag is getting harder to draw. In years past, maybe 500 people put in for 199 tags. Last year, well over 700 people put in. It's becoming a popular hunt. Like I said, though, I'll keep putting in for it. I've seen some monster bucks over the years, mostly in remote country that is hard to get into if you aren't in shape.

 

[muleymemories]

Rizzy is pretty spot on. Very good deer population but the unit is big. Definitely some big deer running around and the advantage of the early season helps. Just be prepared to hunt some steep nasty country, but rewards can happen if you hit the right spots. Good luck on the draws!

 

[nickstone]

Have any of you hunted Unit 39 late season archery? I'm considering it this year.

 

[S&S Archery (Rob)]

Have any of you hunted Unit 39 late season archery? I'm considering it this year.

Its a lot of fun, deer running all over the place.. but also a lot of hunters. Much harder than you think not being able to predict where the deer are going to be as they are constantly moving.