Idaho unit 54 mule deer thoughts

[a_noob_hunter]

Anyone been here before? Can't really find alot on the web about this unit other than it's a premium elk unit. Seems like it could be good.

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[idahohikker]

I don't know too much about it but here's what I've heard.

Lots of tags on the October hunt. Lots of roads. It's right out of Twin so very easy access to the unit. There seem to be pretty decent deer numbers and a few big ones. To me it doesn't really seem worth the draw odds which seem to be dropping in recent years. I don't think it would be a bad hunt though.

 

[robby denning]

I don't know too much about it but here's what I've heard.

Lots of tags on the October hunt. Lots of roads. It's right out of Twin so very easy access to the unit. There seem to be pretty decent deer numbers and a few big ones. To me it doesn't really seem worth the draw odds which seem to be dropping in recent years. I don't think it would be a bad hunt though.

Agreed


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[a_noob_hunter]

Hmm I wonder how this winter is going to be for the deer in South Idaho. I know the 16/17 winter was devastating to the deer. Seems in 54 it's not as high country as others, more foothills. I wanna try it but don't wanna have to eat my tag when I could go to a place with better opportunities.

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[elkguide]

Been applying for that zone for 20 years. Never have drawn it.
Hunted with two residents that drew last year and there were some big bulls but very few 4 point deer. Both filled their tags with small 4 points.

 

[Jeffp]

Good deer numbers. Some good bucks if you can find them. Draw odds have really decreased in the last 10 years. Roads all over. It’s hard to find a place where you can get more than a mile away from a road or trail.

 

[bluetick78]

According to my friends at Idaho F&G, unit 54 is one of the most heavily poached units in the state. I drew it once right after the October antlered tags were doubled. '02 maybe.....not sure. Tons of hunters, turned in 3 guys stashing does under loads of firewood. Saw a guy shoot 2 bucks, tag the biggest and leave. Turned him in too. Most of the big elk you see on websites from this unit are so far onto private land that the public land hunter would never know they existed. I've never applied again, and don't plan to. Especially with terrible draw odds to see a couple 17" 3x4's.