Central Idaho Muley Hunt

[tree1]

Hi all,

I am relatively new to this forum and this is my first post. I am 27 and an avid hunter from California and I particularly enjoy chasing blacktail bucks in the steep coastal backcountry. Over the years I have harvested some exceptional bucks for the general tags I typically hunt. My dad and I planning my first mule deer hunt outside of California. Unit 48 in particular has stuck our interest, it's steep and appears to have a decent amount of remote area to escape the day hunters. We prefer to put on our packs and spent a few nights on the mountain. We are not particularly trophy hunting due to this being our first trip but the chance at a decent buck would be nice. I hoping I can get some input, is this a good unit to start with? Also, what would you recommend is the better time to hunt this unit, early or later in the season? Any info will be appreciated. Feel free to PM me if you would like. Thank you

 

[IDELKFVR]

I know where this unit is but not familiar with it. sorry I am no help for you.

 

[kidoggy]

same goes for me. driven through it a few times but have never hunted it.

 

[theleo91386]

Most of that unit burnt a few years ago, but from what I've heard the habitat has come back and is doing better than it was before. I don't have any specifics for that unit since I mainly spend my time in 49. Back in the early 90's that country did great for producing some really good bucks but after a really hard winter the deer took a big hit. They seem to have been recovering but it's still not like it was. As for early or later, I'd go later. It's more likely that weather will have come in and started pushing deer down from the higher elevations. That being said, weather can mean 65 degrees and sunshine one day to waking up to 8" of snow that's not going to melt until May, in a lot of the remote country you're looking at. For better hunting go late, for better camping go early. Just depends on your preference.

 

[tree1]

Most of that unit burnt a few years ago, but from what I've heard the habitat has come back and is doing better than it was before. I don't have any specifics for that unit since I mainly spend my time in 49. Back in the early 90's that country did great for producing some really good bucks but after a really hard winter the deer took a big hit. They seem to have been recovering but it's still not like it was. As for early or later, I'd go later. It's more likely that weather will have come in and started pushing deer down from the higher elevations. That being said, weather can mean 65 degrees and sunshine one day to waking up to 8" of snow that's not going to melt until May, in a lot of the remote country you're looking at. For better hunting go late, for better camping go early. Just depends on your preference.

Thanks for the info and history lesson. It sounds promising. I am not afraid of some weather and I'm definitely going for the hunt and not the camp. However it does look like some beautiful country, snow or no snow.