Hunt scheduling dilemma - what would you do?

[Paul in Idaho]

My mule deer hunt opens October 10. I have to be in town on the 12th. I see two options:

1. Head up on the 8th and scout for 2 days, then hunt the 10th and 11th.
2. Skip the opener, start hunting on the 13th. I am free until the 20th.

This is in an area with moderate hunting pressure, mostly near the roads.

What would you do?

 

[mixedbag]

both

 

[JohnCushman]

both

What he said

 

[Deleted member 22670]

skip the opener

 

[Paul in Idaho]

If it wasn't a 6-hour drive to my spot, going both times would be great. These comments have me thinking though - maybe I can find a spot closer to home for the opener and then if I don't get one I can go to the distant spot the next week.

 

[havgunwilltravel]

Whats 6 hours in the truck when you only have a few days to hunt...scout those two days, hunt all day of the opener, then the next morning, head back home at lunch, do what you have to do then work out where you will spend the rest of the season.

If the area has some roadless, you could hike in on your second day of scouting and hunt the day and half of the season away from other people then punch it back out.

 

[Bulldog0156]

Go in November

 

[mixedbag]

Go the opener,and if you don't fill your tag,get your butt back in the truck and go hunt again.Very simple answer really.If I lived only 6 hrs away it would be a no brainer for me.I usually take 2 trips out a year about 3 weeks apart and that's 2 days driving each way.If you have a good tag use it to the best of your ability.Alot of people would die for a good tag so they should never be wasted.Make as many trips as it takes to fill it and good luck

 

[L. I. Yankee]

Ditto.....

 

[idahofishnhunt]

Try harder to get out of the obligation on the 12th.

 

[ccc23454]

I agree, get out of the obligation. What the hell is that important? If u must it is only 6 hours of driving that ain't to bad really as long as weather is good you will only miss 1 day with 12 hours of driving.

CCC

 

[ida homer]

Try harder to get out of the obligation on the 12th.

+1 here.

You live in SW Idaho, why are you driving 6 hours to deer hunt? Plenty of good places a lot closer to Boise than that.

 

[Muleyfanatic]

My vote is for both! We talk about huntin all year; so what's 6 hours in a truck and couple hundred dollars in fuel.

 

[Paul in Idaho]

I didn't expect so many replies to this. Thank you for the input, it gives me a lot to consider.

This isn't a controlled hunt, just a general tag. This year, another 2 days and 2 tanks of gas aren't easy for me to get. Hopefully in the future I will have more flexibility.

@twsnow18, I hunt 6 hours from home in part because too many people know there is good hunting closer to Boise.

 

[chuckyd313]

Both! Its only a 6 hour drive.

 

[ida homer]

@twsnow18, I hunt 6 hours from home in part because too many people know there is good hunting closer to Boise.

I would agree with that but from my experience as long as you break the 1.5 hour mark the crowds can start to peter out depending on the direction.

We even hunt right near arrow rock and lucky if we get weather or during late archery. As long as you get in at least 1.5 miles, you'll have out hiked 90% of people. 3 trucks at the trail head doesn't bother me.

But who knows, maybe you have found a true honey hole where you go. I'm sure you wouldn't make the journey if it wasn't good.