We didn't get drawn in Oregon this year so are thinking of taking a trip to Idaho for general season rifle deer. In talking to a Bio there he was promoting Unit 39 up around the Atlanta area. Do any of you have any advice or suggestions about that hunt or any other? Thanks in advance. Bob
Idaho Deer
- Thread starter oldbobinjoseph
- Start date
woodtick
Veteran member
There are very few roads in this area, some ATV trails but not many, this country is straight up/down and is some big country. Plan on hiking your guts out! I hunted this unit in 2013 during the early rifle season, there is potential their but everyone one from Boise etc know that! Good Luck
Musket Man
Veteran member
I am 66 and my hunting partner is 69. We are both still pretty active and hunt deer and elk on foot every year...
I do have a 4 wheeler but they are of limited use where we hunt in Oregon so it stays on the farm. We do have 40 some year old sons who go for the rougher stuff than we can (or want to) do anymore. Basically, what we're looking for is something with a decent chance at an average buck where we don't have to go straight up and down 10 miles each day. 3 to 5 miles of traversing flat/hilly ground is doable...
I do have a 4 wheeler but they are of limited use where we hunt in Oregon so it stays on the farm. We do have 40 some year old sons who go for the rougher stuff than we can (or want to) do anymore. Basically, what we're looking for is something with a decent chance at an average buck where we don't have to go straight up and down 10 miles each day. 3 to 5 miles of traversing flat/hilly ground is doable...
You might wait to see what tags get left-over on the second draw in Idaho, since you are willing to spend the money on out-state tags, you could try to draw a better than otc tag.
The 4wheeler is a good option in 39, they have a lot of roads closed to full-size vehicles. You should check with the National Forest district for that area because they will give you a road access map, for what you can drive when and where. Unit 43 and 46 might be a couple other places to look into. 46 is in southern Idaho and borders Nevada and more sagebrush country than mountains, I've never hunted there, but they pull big bucks out of the units that border it.
newguy220
The 4wheeler is a good option in 39, they have a lot of roads closed to full-size vehicles. You should check with the National Forest district for that area because they will give you a road access map, for what you can drive when and where. Unit 43 and 46 might be a couple other places to look into. 46 is in southern Idaho and borders Nevada and more sagebrush country than mountains, I've never hunted there, but they pull big bucks out of the units that border it.
newguy220
Thanks NG! We'll look into your proposed areas. Also, the game unit maps indicate that the area just east of 39 isn't quite as rough and has a lot of public ground. Any thoughts on it?
Musket Man
Veteran member
I dont know any specific OTC areas but I would look at units in the southern part of the state since they dont have the wolf problems and the terrain is a bit easier.
If your talking unit 43, I know you have a better chance at getting a good buck there, but I don't know about access. Since a lot of it is forest service, they may close roads off, which is good and bad. I looked up last years harvest numbers for 43 because I was curious and about 40% of the buck were 4pt or better that came out during general season.
If it was me I would wait and see what is left for tags at the second draw, but in the meantime maybe take a drive down there and look at the country.
newguy220