What state/zone.

Anything bigger than a 2 point. You may even wish you'd had shot one of them before you are done. There are so many hunters all over Idaho anymore that finding a truly big buck in a general hunt is beyond difficult. The deer get the heck shot out of them with near unbelievable hunting pressure. If you see a 3x4 or similar in the 16"-20" wide range (3 yr old, horns ~ wide as ears) you will be doing good. There are a few of the 4 and 5 year olds around but they know what is up and it takes snow or the rut to get them out of the high country. Neither of those are likely to happen in general rifle season Oct 10-24. Hate to lay it out like that and wish it were different, but that has not been the case in the last 10 years. Good luck, maybe you will be 'the guy' to stumble onto a giant.

Whichever deer you find that makes you think, "This is going to make for a memorable hunt."

Whichever deer you find that makes you think, "This is going to make for a memorable hunt."

Thanks for that explanation of what to expect. I really appreciate it and would rather have the straight facts than for someone to be unrealistic. It will be nice to see some beautiful country and if I can get on a good three-point or four point and I will consider myself double blessed!

P I C S

or it didn't happen.......

OP

have you met 'Flave yet ?

No I haven’t. Still pretty new to the forum. Came over here on Big Sky’s recommendation. I know him from Rokslide. So far I’m loving it.

Anything bigger than a 2 point. You may even wish you'd had shot one of them before you are done. There are so many hunters all over Idaho anymore that finding a truly big buck in a general hunt is beyond difficult. The deer get the heck shot out of them with near unbelievable hunting pressure. If you see a 3x4 or similar in the 16"-20" wide range (3 yr old, horns ~ wide as ears) you will be doing good. There are a few of the 4 and 5 year olds around but they know what is up and it takes snow or the rut to get them out of the high country. Neither of those are likely to happen in general rifle season Oct 10-24. Hate to lay it out like that and wish it were different, but that has not been the case in the last 10 years. Good luck, maybe you will be 'the guy' to stumble onto a giant.

I'll send him over

he always welcomes the new bees

I grew up up the river, and will be hunting all next week myself. If you are back away from people a ways and can stay out and glass early and late you may find a good buck. I think 160 is realistic if you do. I pack back in a ways and just stay where I hunt. It's a little uncomfortable, but often productive. Good luck.

I’ll be around Salmon Idaho. It is a general tag so I’ve got some flexibility and I will be truck camping. I’m cool walking a lot if I need to and can bivy out. I’ve only got five days so just plan on walking and sitting and glassing and trying to get on a buck.

2 by 2 if you're lucky in that unit

My good buddy moved to the area. He can get you on some good wolf shooting.

Idaho for sure is stupidly crowded with out of staters, but it was that way 20+ years ago and the deer are still there. I remember in the 90's seeing hundreds of pickup lights headed up the mountain roads on opening morning in the southern part of the state. It looked like an army invading. Not too sure about the Salmon area though. Regardless, I wouldn't let the nay sayers influence your thinking that anything bigger than a forked horn is rare to find.

You'll be at a disadvantage not knowing the area you plan to hunt, but big deer are still killed every year there on general tags.
I know two people who consistently kill respectable 160" mule deer there (sometimes 2 a year) on general season/public land hunts. They've got the advantage of having hunted their spots for several years though, and they also usually scout pretty heavily before the hunt, which it sounds like you don't have going for you.

The biggest factor I've noticed with mule deer newcomers is that they think they're in good enough shape mentally and physically to do what they have to do....which more often than not ends up not being the case. Many also erroneously think high tech gear makes up for those deficiencies. The two hunters mentioned above would make a lot of folks on these boards (who kill a lot less) laugh at the shït gear they use. You may or may not fit that mold.....I don't know you from Adam, but thought I'd throw that out there.

I'll send him over

he always welcomes the new bees

[quote=T_Inman]Idaho for sure is stupidly crowded with out of staters, but it was that way 20+ years ago and the deer are still there. I remember in the 90's seeing hundreds of pickup lights headed up the mountain roads on opening morning in the southern part of the state. It looked like an army invading. Not too sure about the Salmon area though. Regardless, I wouldn't let the nay sayers influence your thinking that anything bigger than a forked horn is rare to find.

You'll be at a disadvantage not knowing the area you plan to hunt, but big deer are still killed every year there on general tags.
I know two people who consistently kill respectable 160" mule deer there (sometimes 2 a year) on general season/public land hunts. They've got the advantage of having hunted their spots for several years though, and they also usually scout pretty heavily before the hunt, which it sounds like you don't have going for you.

The biggest factor I've noticed with mule deer newcomers is that they think they're in good enough shape mentally and physically to do what they have to do....which more often than not ends up not being the case. Many also erroneously think high tech gear makes up for those deficiencies. The two hunters mentioned above would make a lot of folks on these boards (who kill a lot less) laugh at the shït gear they use. You may or may not fit that mold.....I don't know you from Adam, but thought I'd throw that out there.

Pretty sure I know one of them...

Thanks for the heads up. Fitness is solid.

I have some very fond memmories of the Salmon River area. Years ago I hunted a lot near Ellis (where the Pahsimeroi River joins the Salmon) south of the city of Salmon. In those days (1965-1975) there were few hunters and lots of deer. You could buy two buck deer tags over the counter. And, the season stayed open until Thanksgiving. I'd describe how fantastic the hunting was but few would believe me. I know my re-living the past doesn't help you. Anyway, Good Luck !!

Did you find a late hunt that goes into November? For the most part, the big guys stay away from does until the end of Oct. Some years a little snow and cold can get them to move in with the girls a little earlier. There will be some bucks with the does earlier but they'll be young ones, usually 1 or 2 year olds.