First Time This Weekend

Sunday is the opener in this part of Idaho, and I will be going out to unit 39 just north of town to pursue mule deer for the first time. I've hunted whitetails in Washington, Michigan and Louisiana, and blacktails in Alaska (which I suppose are technically mule deer, but you know what I mean), but I just moved here and can already tell from my scouting that this is going to be a lot different from what I have experienced before. My plan right now is to hike ridgelines with good views into draws on either side, and still hunt. I figure that since it has been relatively warm recently, the deer will still be at a decent elevation, so my thought is to go towards Atlanta where the tall mountains are. The country is very rugged, with mainly mixed coniferous and deciduous forest.

Any tips, suggestions, or criticisms are welcome. I'm not looking for secret spots by any means, but I just want to know if my strategy is generally sound, or if there is something else I should be doing. I am not looking for a trophy; for my first mule deer and first hunt as an Idahoan I would be delighted with a spike or forkhorn. My main goal is to explore the woods here and hopefully see game while doing it.

I've already read quite a bit on the forums and feel like I've learned a lot. What a great resource!
1,869
stillhunterman
If its still pretty warm, you are probably right. Hunting Mulies is definately a different kinda hunt. It's always fun to tramp out new places so hope you enjoy it. I would probably find a place that has a wide panaramic view of a fair amount of area (basin) and sit and glass, sit and glass, sit and glass. There may not be a lot of bucks way up high but the ones you will see will be older.

If the glassing doesn't work out then I would pull out the stillhunting card and hunt the way of the snail through the trees boardering the open areas. best of luck to you and let us know how it goes! :)
3
Default Avatar
Sorry for the delay in responding. I've been very busy with school, but I finally have a chance to go out again tomorrow. When I went last time, I felt like I was too impatient, because it was my first time out in the woods this year and my first time out in this part of Idaho. I wasn't effectively sitting out an area before moving around. Tomorrow, my strategy is going to be to climb as high as I can as soon as I get out there, and then spend 45-60 minutes sitting and glassing per drainage before moving on to the next.

One thing I was struck by was the physical aspect of hunting out here in the Mountain West! I thought I was in pretty good shape, but I was whipped last time, so I've been working out in the interim. Hopefully, it will help me tomorrow. Next season, I won't be caught off guard.
3
Default Avatar
Most deer will lay up in the shade but as the sun moves it will shine on them and expose them and they will get up and move and usually feed a bit before they lay back down in shade. There is a full moon right now and they will probably be bedded before shooting light and get up 8 or 9ish to move to a better bed. Good luck.
Mark
3