Idaho Mule Deer Hunting – How to Find the Big Bucks!

Idaho mule deer hunting can be some of the best hunting in this country.  If you are looking for a a great place to hunt Mule Deer Idaho is definitely in the top 5 spots in the US to hunt Mule Deer.  Idaho Mule Deer hunting is plentiful in Idaho because of the variety of terrain in Idaho.  From vast open desert plains in the south part of Idaho to the mountainous tree covered peaks in the north and north east.

No matter what type terrain you prefer there is a robust population of Idaho Mule Deer.  It is not uncommon to see herds of 100 to 500 mule deer in the South Hills in southern Idaho.  Here you will enjoy Idaho Mule Deer hunting at its finest.  Although its rare to see herds this size during hunting season, if you know where to look you can still find some very large bucks.  Again you need to know where the hot spots are.

When Idaho Mule Deer hunting in the South Hills are anywhere for that matter, if you really want the BIG BUCKS you need to get away from the other hunters.  If you plan on road hunting and you get lucky YES you can nail a decent 3×3 or 4×4 but don’t expect to get anything over 22 inches.  To really get the monster buchs you have to get off the beaten path and do some walking. A quad is fine, but ditch it every now and then and do some walking.

Idaho Mule Deer Hunting – The Best kept Secrets

When you are ready for some serious Idaho Mule Deer Hunting you need to know a few key tips and tricks from he pro’s here in Idaho.  Here’s a short list of what you must do to be prepared for your Idaho Mule Deer hunt.

• First – Figure out where the deer are. generally speaking the deer will find comfort in a particular altitude at a particular time of day. Start low and work your way up. When you find a herd, work that altitude for a while – begin to look for the big bucks once you find population at a particular altitude.
• Second – Look to the south side of mountains as they will usually have the most to eat.  Early morning and early evening are the best times to glass and stalk southern exposures. Look for tracks. If there are no tracks present, the deer are not around.
• Third – Try and avoid hunting in areas where you can’t see.   Bottom line is if you can’t see it you certainly can’t shoot it so don’t even bother.
• Fourth – The Big Bucks. The are usually nocturnal, this means they only come out at night.  By the time the sun comes up these monsters are bedded down for the day and they DO NOT stand back up until the sun is gone.  These monsters didn’t become monsters by walking around in the daylight and enjoying the sun.  These are monster bucks because they are smart and they are within minutes of their preferred bed down spot BEFORE the sun even begins to shine. These monster bucks are watching, and sniffing out dumb hunters 24/7.  At the first hint of some idiot hunter these big bucks are long gone never to be seen again. To beat them at their gam you need to hunt smart. You need to be scent free and at their favorite bed down spot awaiting their approach!
• Fifth – If there was a day or two of rain look for the big bucks in quiet mesa’s where water might puddle at the bottom in rocks or on the ground. Water and food is more plentiful in these spots because of run off.
• Sixth – be in the right place at the right time. This can be called luck to some but for many its a matter of skill, stay on high ground, stay quiet, glass often, anbd when there is no signs of big bucks move on but do so quietly.

Idaho Mule Deer Hunting – Conclusion

And finally never give up.  Enjoy the hunt you may not always come home with a monster buck but half the fun is tracking, hunting , learning and just creating a memorable experience and enjoying your hunt.

Idaho Mule Deer Hunting is some of the best hunting in this country, and if you work your area and begin to know it well you just might end up with the biggest buck of your life.  Follow these tips and others on this site and enjoy your Idaho Mule Deer Hunting trip.

Idaho Mule Deer Hunting – Resources

If you want more information on Idaho Mule Deer Hunting you can always contact the office of Idaho Fish and Game for maps and other resources.  Keep in mind most of these guys aren’t hunters so they won’t be able to help AT ALL in a hunting capacity, but they are paid with your tax dollars so use them where possible.