Mule Deer Hunt Dates - Idaho General Season - When to Hunt

[Behlftball]

I have drawn a general season non-resident Idaho mule deer tag. The dates (assuming they follow last year and I'm not mistaken) are Oct 10th- Nov 3rd. I will be hunting public land in a mostly public unit.

If you had one week to hunt, would you rather hunt the first week when the bucks are still a bit undisturbed from pressure for the first couple days (Oct 10th-16th) or the last week when they are getting closer to the rut (Oct 28th- Nov 3rd)?

 

[willfrye027]

Opening day if you can get there early to scout. Late season is a bit of a gamble on the weather being cold or snowy.

 

[phall]

I think it depends on your unit. I have a tag in the mountains and was talking to a local today and he said that the only real thing that gets the big deer out of the high country is going to be deep snow.

 

[270Hunter]

I think it depends if you’ll be able to scout or not. If you can scout I would say be there opening day, if you can’t I would say go late and pray for weather.