I drew a muzzloader muledeer hunt for this area this season. I've been in parts of each unit but never hunted it. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to scout as I had intended.

The hunt is for the first two weeks of November and I'm hunting the last week. Does anyone have information on access, road conditions, hunting pressure, deer numbers etc ?

I have about three areas picked out but would appreciate any current information. PM's only if you have specific info to share.

I'm holding out for a decent 4x4 this season. I'm just trying to narrow down the options. I will not be using stock or atv's but am willing to do some hiking.

Some areas will probably be snowed in, especially at higher elevations. That being said, if possible the N side of Mt. Harrison (about 1/2 mile from lookout some big rocks are blocking a 2 track to the right) is good. Other than that I would try down near Jackpot NV. Mule Canyon, China Creek and some of the areas going towards Jarbidge always hold deer. There's lots of good areas in those 3 units.

I would avoid Soshone Basin if you're looking for a mature buck. Not too many in there and lots of snow machiners.

thanks DH. You must have spent some time in Idaho I take it. I've heard the same about shoshone basin and am leaning towards unit 55 right now.

Any information is appreciated.

No problem. My sister lives in Burley, so I get down there a lot. I bird hunt that area every year and one time was drawn for the 55 rifle hunt. I pulled a descent 170 class muley off Mt. Harrison down the blocked 2 track described above.

That late you may also want to try looking into the juniper forests around Gem Sage, which is a "mountain" range between Elba and Malta and the Cottrails (Sp?). They are more winter range than Mt. Harrison is.

In reality there is no wrong place to try around there. Lots of big deer but like everywhere else they're damn smart.

A lot of 55 is hard to access because of private land blocking the public land. I've seen quite a few in the City of Rocks area. Most of the Castle Rocks park is open for hunting but it's not generally known.If the migration is going, the desert in the SE part of the unit can be lively but watch out for muddy roads!!

47 near the highway can be very good late in the season because it's a wintering area. I've done very well low down along the Wilson-Lime Creek road.

Shoshone Basin always has deer. Most likely the roads will be ok in early Nov, but go prepared. If it gets nasty, the roads should be in better shape than in 55 because the soil is rockier.

that's good information to know. I was wondering where deer would go for wintering area. It's all pretty high elevation.

Has anyone drawn a late tag for these units? How did you do?

Usually Nov isn't a problem but if we get more snow up high, they'll move down onto private land. Keep in mind Idaho's trespass laws on unposted private land.