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S.E. Idaho Deer

Posted on: October 12, 2007

By
Dave Langston

According to Idaho Fish & Game 208-232-4703 the fawn survival is up dramatically from last year and this season should be a good one. A mild winter and spring is all it took (with the help of hunters knocking down predators) to set this season up for a outstanding season. Expect large bucks to come through the check station and a massive amount of two points in the back of hunter’s vehicles.

“I have seen a few monsters just outside of town,” says Van Tillotson of Pocatello. “In fact my son and I took a bike ride on the outskirts of town and watched a buck with at least a 30 inch spread and cheaters just off the roadside,” he adds.

“You’re going to see a lot of two pointers taken this year and some very good four pointers coming through the check station,” says Toby Boudreaux of I.F. &G. I believe Toby hit the nail on the head with this statement, I have seen more four points this season than any other and some with spreads approaching 30 inches.

But, I have noticed over the past few months that some areas that traditionally hold deer are looking very scarce of any animal activity. With the highest total of acreage burned in Idaho (on record) this summer look for animals to be displaced and not in areas that you may have frequented over the years.

Good bets to concentrate on are canyons like Inman, Mink Creek, Elk Meadows and the Pebble and Toponce areas. But you will find deer in more out of the way areas this year. You may need to change your techniques to up your odds this season.

To be successful this year during the middle and later portion of the deer season concentrate on the lower agricultural lands. I know hunters say that deer move higher and back into the deep timber as pressure amounts, and that may be true to some degree. But I know for a fact if you target small patches of aspen and sage brush adjacent to agriculture you will find deer. Over the past eleven years concentrating on these areas has put venison on the table and some darn large bucks on the wall at my house.

Most of the South East Units are bucks only and some are four point only zones with a short season. Check your regulations for more information and special restrictions.

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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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