Need some help! First time hunting for mules!I can hunt Muleys this weekend, just had our 3rd baby by the way she’s beautiful and healthy!
Need some help I’ve done a tad bit scouting(while elk hunting last few months) in numerous units within 2 hours of Idaho falls and have only seen doe! Drove out today to look at 69 and oh my gosh they might as well set up a trailer park out there.
Hiked in 4ish miles found a scrape and sat at another spot all day today and only seen does no joke probably seen 50 does today.
Any help on getting me a buck this weekend would be great!
Can definitely give some pins for Doe if you have tags lol
Hey man, congrats on the new baby! That’s good news!
I know exactly what you’re talking about with Unit 69—there’s a ton of private land there, which makes those bucks extra cautious on public. They’re not going to be out in the open like the does during daylight. It’s good that you’ve been seeing does though, because the bucks are probably close by, just keeping a low profile.
Here are a few ideas:
1. Be Patient in Bedding Areas: Bucks love to bed down in thicker brush or shaded areas where they feel safe. Don’t just rely on spotting them as you walk by; really pick apart those areas with your binos. Sometimes all you’ll see is the tip of an antler poking out of the brush.
2. Stay Mobile: It’s great that you’ve already hiked in a few miles—keep moving around and glassing different angles, but remember the motorized hunting rule. You’re restricted to established roads in this unit, so make sure you’re hoofing it where vehicles can’t go. The more you move, the better your chances of catching a buck standing up to stretch or reposition.
3. Focus on Mid-Day Movement: Bucks tend to stand up to shift positions during the middle of the day, especially in cooler weather which we seem to be getting this weekend. Keep a close eye on the shadows and transition areas during these times.
4. Avoid Pressure Zones: If you’ve seen a lot of does but no bucks, you might be in areas that are seeing too much pressure. Try to hike deeper or find areas with less human activity to catch those bucks coming out.
I’ll tag @coyotedentist to see if he has any other ideas since he’s from Blackfoot. Good luck this weekend! Hope you get yourself a muley. Keep us posted!
I have never hunted that area. I have always gone around Howe or Oxford. Even then, that was when is was in high school or a poor college student. How many days will you be hunting? Will you be camping too?