OTC Mule Deer Hunt...Where?

[CHAD PEZZLE]

Been saving up to hunt out of state this next year, but having a hard time narrowing down when and where. I've hunted Idaho once about 5 years ago in unit 66 near the Palisades, this was recommended to my friend and I from someone he knew who Elk hunted the area. Looking to head back there or some where similar.

I'd love to spend some time in the mountains and I much prefer wilderness areas, so I don't have to compete with the ATV's and road hunters. I do a lot of backpacking and hunting here in CA so I'm comfortable outdoors and in good shape.

I'm just having a hard time deciding on where to go since I don't have much experience with other states, I've been looking at harvest stats and reading, but there's just so much info that it's hard to narrow things down.

My criteria I feel is pretty easy, back country wilderness area with a decent opportunity of seeing some bucks during rifle or general season. Preferably with in a 10-12 hour drive of the CA Bay Area, so it doesn't necessarily have to be Idaho. I'm not looking for trophy animals or any ones honey holes, just a nudge in the right direction.

Thanks for your help guys,
Chad

 

[flatlander51]

I think OTC for deer, your best bet would be Idaho. As far as where in Idaho I couldn't tell you. I hunted the bitterroot nat. Forest about 6 years ago and saw very little deer but we had warm weather and a full moon. I did see one good buck. just never could connect. I'm sure there are better areas to hunt in Idaho. Hopefully someone on here can help you out a little more. Good luck

 

[Craig Van Arsdale]

You can do AZ rut hunt in Jan every year OTC. I'm heading out Thursday myself for that and I'd be putting in for Nevada if I were you.

That's Archery though for AZ

 

[2rocky]

On the expensive side is an Alberta mule deer hunt. That is guided, unless you can find a resident host to hunt with. FYI Alberta does not allow hunting privileges to be bought or sold. All Private land hunting is based on permission only.

If you study the Nevada regs there are some hunts that only take a few points to draw. Some even have leftover tags.

I think you are on the right track on SE Idaho. I'd put in for the draw as well as a long shot...

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

Thanks for the info so far, I appreciate it.

I'd planned to put in for some of the draw units in Idaho, with the intention that if I'm not successful I'd take an OTC tag. Hopefully I'm a bit more successful than I have been in years past.

I've been looking at Nevada as well, but it seems like most hunts (rifle) require a few preference points, and I have a hard time giving the state $150 just to keep my preference point each year. But as the saying goes, you gotta pay to play.

As much as I'd love to hunt Canada sometime, I think you're right 2rocky about it being a bit too expensive. Maybe something I can save for over a longer period of time, but it's not in the cards for 2014.

Thanks,
Chad

 

[2rocky]

Thanks for the info so far, I appreciate it.

As much as I'd love to hunt Canada sometime, I think you're right 2rocky about it being a bit too expensive. Maybe something I can save for over a longer period of time, but it's not in the cards for 2014.

Thanks,
Chad

The nice thing is when you have the money, you can book it without worrying about drawing...Keep that goal. When I totalled up my DIY costs for this year's hunting trip, I could have had an outfitted hunt! That is the result of an $1100 repair bill on my pickup, and renting a cabin during the hunt....and travelling solo, and an extra scouting trip this summer, etc...

 

[Sierra stalker]

Idaho is your best bet. Deer numbers are low in 66, I've hunted 67 a few times and it's gone down hill for sure. That being said, there still are some monster bucks in those units, just few and far between. I'm looking to try my luck in Idaho next year, been looking at 39 and 43, they have decent deer numbers but they get hunted hard. Looks to be a lot of back country where a guy could get away from the crowds.

 

[twsnow18]

Idaho, smoky mountain zone. PLENTY of public land, easy to find places with lots of deer where you will not see another hunter. Whatever state, unit or area you decide to hunt, just keep hunting it every year if possible. IMO the most important thing is to learn one area extremely well, and you will have success, even if the statistics aren't the greatest.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

Idaho, smoky mountain zone. PLENTY of public land, easy to find places with lots of deer where you will not see another hunter. Whatever state, unit or area you decide to hunt, just keep hunting it every year if possible. IMO the most important thing is to learn one area extremely well, and you will have success, even if the statistics aren't the greatest.

I agree, I hunt a few places in CA and I know them pretty well and we usually do pretty good, most people I meet spend a day or two in an area and if they don't see anything they move on.

That was kind of my reasoning for wanting to hunt Unit 66, I've been there before, but since it's been 4 or 5 years I've probably forgotten anything I leaned about the area.

Thanks again guys,
Chad

 

[fulldraw1972]

Another option could be Utah in one of the general units. Its a draw but you have time.
I drew a La Sal archery tag last year I had a lot of fun. Seen lots of deer and was chasing a couple of dandy bucks.

 

[Anello]

I would consider a unit 10 hunt in Nevada if you are were a bow hunter. There are typically hundreds of tags left over every year there and the hunt is a great one, if you are in shape for it. I have hunted Nevada the past 2 seasons on an archery tag and loved every minute of it. If I could shoot straight I'd have a nice Buck to show for it, too.

Rifle options are more difficult, OTC. I'd look at Idaho again if I were inclined to do a rifle hunt, only. As mentioned above, hunting OTC tags is about knowing the area and hunting it every year. Best of luck with the search. You have some time so study up prior to the draw period.

 

[robby denning]

Chad, if you hunted 66 or surrounding units in Idaho before winter of 2010/11, it is down on buck numbers. Deer in general are rebounding, but we lost a lot of bucks on that winter.

Other parts of Idaho fared better.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

I would consider a unit 10 hunt in Nevada if you are were a bow hunter. There are typically hundreds of tags left over every year there and the hunt is a great one, if you are in shape for it. I have hunted Nevada the past 2 seasons on an archery tag and loved every minute of it. If I could shoot straight I'd have a nice Buck to show for it, too.

Rifle options are more difficult, OTC. I'd look at Idaho again if I were inclined to do a rifle hunt, only. As mentioned above, hunting OTC tags is about knowing the area and hunting it every year. Best of luck with the search. You have some time so study up prior to the draw period.

I'd love to plan an archery hunt but feel that my archery skills aren't quite up to par to give the animal the respect it deserves. Although the amount of deer I might see is greater, I'm not sure I'm confident enough yet to go that route.

Chad, if you hunted 66 or surrounding units in Idaho before winter of 2010/11, it is down on buck numbers. Deer in general are rebounding, but we lost a lot of bucks on that winter.

Other parts of Idaho fared better.

I'll have to look back at my tags, but I think was October 2008-9, we hunted near Big Elk Mtn. and it snowed opening day and the next three or four days of our hunt. Some beautiful country up there, I've wanted to go back every since.

 

[Jeff Martin]

2 of the biggest bulls i have ever seen on the hoof were in 66 on Poker Peek. I only had a deer tag and I had this GIANT bull staring me in my face. Made me sick. I have hunted 66 and 67 for deer many years. I thought both units were lacking deer quality and numbers. Every time I was in there, i wish i had a elk tag however.

 

[Sierra stalker]

67 may be lacking in quantity but not quality, its not what it once was but there are some giants in that country.

 

[rhinorv]

I would say try out Wyoming as well , however if you want to go into wilderness areas as a nonresident I believe you have to have a guide...

 

[robby denning]

67 may be lacking in quantity but not quality, its not what it once was but there are some giants in that country.

Very very very few "giants"
Come up and glass our winter range and you'll see what I mean.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

The definition of giant is very subjective, but 200 inches is generally what i think of.

 

[robby denning]

Me too, Scott, and you'll have a very hard time finding a 200" buck in that country.

Ironically, I received an email this morning to our scouting service from a group that hunted there this year. Here is part of that email

"Our group did Idaho...Semi-guided last year, numbers of deer real scarce (7 days 5 bucks 7 does) and we covered a lot of ground, only harvested 1."

I hear it all the time from the guys who hunt there.

 

[HardcoreHunter]

Maybe look at area 10 for Nevada. Great wilderness with some decent bucks. If you elect to go that route and draw let me know, I know the area well and can put you in some sweet honey holes. My 2012 buck View attachment 12823 and here are all that we harvested that yearView attachment 12824.