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Unit 71 Deer Hunting

Posted on: August 27, 2007

By
Dave Langston

We made it through the winter without much of a loss and through the spring with little effect on our deer herds. This means the September archery season leading into the October rifle hunt could be a good one for S.E. Idaho deer hunters.

Idaho Fish and Game 208-232-4703 officials say that things are looking brighter in this corner of the state after years of low numbers. “We are expecting a fair crop of young bucks being harvested this year. The past year was not to hard on the herds and this should mean a better fawn survival rate and fair numbers of one and two year old bucks in the field,” say officials.


I have been scouting religiously over the past month and this is what I have found on my outings in the back country;

At this point deer numbers are making an upwards swing and slowly coming back. Not to the point of the 1980 era but still they are making improvement. We still have a long way to go before we reach any resemblance of years gone by. This year you can expect a good portion of the bucks taken will be one and two year olds with an occasional 3 – 5 year old four point in the back of a truck bed.

Most of the deer I have been watching are going into the fall season looking extremely healthy. Body mass looks good and they are not showing any signs of stress. Overall, expect to take some fat porkers this year.

Good bets to concentrate on are the Mount Bonneville range, Inman canyon including the backside of Toponce and Pebble creek areas and the Rapid creek drainage near Buckskin. You will find a lot of posted land but by looking at the Idaho Fish and Game website a list of access “YES” areas are clearly marked allowing hunters in.

Over the recent few weeks I have made a few scouting trips while filming my show and the results are more deer and more young bucks. We counted seven two points in a two hour period just outside of town. We do have some big bucks hanging around but you’re going to have to work for them.

This is the year I believe of the TWO POINT!

For more information on this unit and other surrounding units go to http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/ this is the official I.F. &G. website.

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About Dave Langston

Outdoor writer Dave Langston resides in Chubbuck. He grew up in the Midwest and south fishing and hunting across the country.

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