A friend and I are trying to narrow down what zone to hunt in Idaho this upcoming September during the archery season, more than likely the first 10 days of the season.
We are looking for a high country hunt where we would/could pack pack in and set up camp. Although it would be awesome to see and kill a giant, I'm not real concerned with killing the next state record as opposed to getting a crack at a buck. Looking for a zone with good numbers and the potential for a mature buck. Because we will be first timers our expectations are somewhat low.
As far as terrain is concerned, we are willing to put in the work and hike as far and as high as needed to get to a "good spot"
Any advice would be helpful? Not looking for an exact spot, just the right direction.
Thanks in advance!
I have been in Idaho awhile now, but mostly in the Southwest. I don't think there are any real great general season archery options, at least not in the Southwest/Central areas. Perhaps someone from the Southeast or North could help you more with that. Most units are open for archery during September as you said. The best general season regular deer archery (that I know of) is in November in Unit 39. There are quite a few people, and you have to go in a bit to get away from the crowds, but there are some really nice bucks that come down from the high country. If you get off the main roads, you get rid of most of the people. The country is very steep, although not that high in elevation. It is still pretty dependent on weather, because some years it stays nice clear into November, and some years we have some high country snow earlier.
I have not done the Whitetail tag, but I am thinking about it next year.
There are quite a few limited entry draw hunts with various draw odds and various success odds. They have increased archery tags in some of the Owyhee units over the last couple of years. I have not gone archery hunting in those areas, but I have drawn for rifle tags a couple of times. These are desert hunts, with some mountainous areas. Access can be fairly difficult for the best areas. There is a lot of public land, but where the really great habitat is can be blocked or limited by private land, in some instances.
I think there is also an early "any weapon" hunt in 39, that goes from August 15th to mid september. If you got back in there, you probably could archery hunt that, even though it is "any weapon." There are lots of hunts in the wilderness areas (for example 26 and 27). This is Frank Church Wilderness and is awesome country, but the deer are spread way out. You gotta be serious about that undertaking. You could kill a monster, but you could also never see a deer in a week of hunting.
The MRS can help you quite a bit, and Idaho Fish and Game website is fairly easy to navigate with draw odds and such. No preference points at all for draw hunts, for good or bad, but you will be subject to the nonresident limitation. Good luck. Maybe this will help you eliminate some areas, at least.
