Idaho Backcountry Rifle Mule Deer

[kory_tams]

This peaked my interest, most guys dive right into the "go to wilderness" side of the conversation! I'm curious, idahohiker, what makes you not recommend wilderness? And is that only for Idaho? Or as a general rule?

 

[idahohikker]

The Idaho wilderness areas have low deer densities and lower than average quality in Idaho. It's commonly stated by many on this forum and others and evidence from my hunting experience suggests the same conclusion also. Major issues with predators in the wilderness and the Frank and Selway zones have traditionally been better for elk, with more elk habitat. Between late November hunts on the winter range and overlapping elk and deer seasons with everyone having both in their pocket, it's just not what you might expect in a wilderness area.