Idaho unit 40 late deer

[Archer86]

I got lucky and drew a late unit 40 deer tag here is my problem I can only get 2 weeks off and cant decide which 2 weeks I know for sure the middle week is set so do I go for the opener or wait and go the final week to complete my 2 week hunt. My biggest concern is the weather and what it does in november in that area.

So if you have hunted that area or been in there in november I am all ears on your thoughts

Thanks

 

[jmcd22]

Weather can be all over the place. 70s and sun or 30s and snow. It's is different year to year and week to week down there. Unless you're a local, it will be tough to time it just right...my advice is to pick a time and go unless you have the flexibility to just pack up and go.

 

[idahohikker]

I’d go early.

If you go later, you need to have a snowmobile or four wheeler or other means of dealing with heavy snow. I’ve been totally blocked out of that country in my truck with a cow tag burning a hole in my family member’s pocket.

 

[jtl]

I had the tag a few years ago. A 4 wheeler is a big advantage to cover ground in that country. I didn't have one, so I picked a few canyons that were harder to access on a 4 wheeler and hit those hard. Didn't see nearly as many deer as the guys that were covering 30+ miles a day, but the ones I saw were in range. Ended up getting a 150ish 4x4, it was the biggest one I saw.

As for timing, I hunted the first two weekends of the season. The first one it snowed 6-8 inches, deer were definitely rutting, but I only saw smaller bucks. The second weekend the snow was gone, and I saw fewer deer overall, but it's when I got my buck. So I would probably lean towards earlier than later, but weather is going to be a big factor.

 

[Archer86]

Good info so far guys keep it coming . I have access to a 4wd quad that I will be bringing with me for this hunt. I was leaning more torwards the last 2 weeks but looks like I might be changing my plans. I was just thinking the deer would be in full swing of the rut for sure the last 2 weeks but the last thing I want it to get snowed out of there and not have any access

 

[MuleDeerMike]

My buddy had that tag a few years ago. I believe he took the whole month off and ended up shooting a B&C buck on day 1. I'd go early.

 

[Archer86]

I have some freedom for my time off so my plan is going to be to go opening weekend 4 days friday through monday and if I am not seeing much I will head home finish out the week at work and head back over to finish out the season If any of you know they area really well send me a pm I want to send someone the areas I am going to check out and make sure I am heading in the right direction for scouting this summer

 

[alindsey1237]

I also drew this tag. I will be going the 7th through the 16th. if you would like to exchange info if you haven't gotten anything when I am done I'd be willing to share what I saw.

 

[Archer86]

Sounds good I will send you a pm in a bit

 

[10bands]

Don't overlook the northern edge of the unit especially if you happen to get snowed out of the higher country. I don't know a lot about the deer in there but have spent a lot of time trapping and hunting coyotes on parts of the northern edge of unit 40. The biggest deer shed I've found was in 40 within two miles of the Snake River.

 

[Archer86]

Thanks for the tip 10bands. I was going to ask if anyone had any ideas what those deer do if they get alot of snow up high do they migrate down torwards oregon on towards 78. I am in the middle of selling a home and buying a new one so I am trying to make time to get over and get a lay of the land so we will see how that goes going to try and take 2 trips in august and 1 in september and 1 in october

 

[idahohikker]

Thanks for the tip 10bands. I was going to ask if anyone had any ideas what those deer do if they get alot of snow up high do they migrate down torwards oregon on towards 78. I am in the middle of selling a home and buying a new one so I am trying to make time to get over and get a lay of the land so we will see how that goes going to try and take 2 trips in august and 1 in september and 1 in october

That’s a lot of scouting for a migration hunt. You can drive the major roads in a day and get a lay of the land. You’re going to be covering a lot of country looking for does in November.

I’d expect deer densities to be lower towards the northern border of the unit even though some might winter in there. Worth a shot though. You should be covering a lot of country looking for does.

 

[Archer86]

I may not travel over there that much but I want to try and get over there at least twice as a minimum. These will be short weekend trips drive the 8 hours friday night scout saturday and sunday morning and then drive home so I wont get a lot of time there. Does anyone know much about the roadless area in unit 40 in the sw corner, is it worth checking out?

 

[dpidaho]

that should be a great hunt! I was driving tractor trailer a few miles over unit 40 border in Oregon last year this time and saw 3 of the biggest bucks I've ever seen cross in front of me!

 

[Owyheehuntr]

There are good bucks in pockets all over that unit, weather can be a huge help- or keep you out of big portions of the unit. Best of luck!

 

[Andrew12gauge]

I would go early, I think the best rutting action in Southern Idaho happens in the first week of November. Shot my buck in a different S Idaho unit last year on the 27th of October and he and another good buck were chasing pretty hard


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[hjav_21]

That weather though...

 

[Archer86]

Well it's almost time for me to head over. I have from saturday till the end of the season to find a buck. Hope to find a good buck to shoot in that amount of time if anyone has pointers I am all ears I have a plan for this first weekend. Either way hopefully I will update this thread with some pictures in the next few weeks

 

[BAKPAKR]

Good luck!

 

[Customweld]

Best o’ luck! Kill a good one.