Idaho: Interview with Mule Deer Expert Toby Boudreau

Idaho’s draw hunt deadline is June 5th.  As that date approaches, I wanted to give Roksliders an overview of mule deer hunting in Idaho, both OTC seasons and draw hunts.  With a perspective drawn from Idaho as my home state and the base of my scouting operation, WeScout4u Inc, I think the Gem State is ranked too low for good bucks.  This post is the first of two I’ll publish on the subject.  Watch for the second “Idaho: The Gem State of Mule Deer?” before the June 5th application deadline.

I recently interviewed Idaho Fish and Game’s Statewide Mule Deer and Elk Coordinator, Toby Boudreau.  He is the man when it comes to checking the pulse on Idaho’s mule deer.  Toby travels the state working with biologists, talking to hunters, and (my favorite), conducting helicopter surveys.  Idaho has dozens of “composition” units where mule deer are surveyed almost yearly   Toby has flown all of them but one.  He is also an official Boone & Crockett measurer and knows what a good buck is.

I asked Toby to give Roksliders an overview of mule deer herd status and upcoming opportunities

Robby: “What can we expect for OTC opporutunity in 2013?”

Toby: “Idaho units are about 75% OTC.  We have early archery seasons that start August 30th and some great late archery hunts that coincide with the rut and catching bucks on the winter range.  Our rifle hunts occur mostly in October but look to the Panhandle units for some OTC rut hunting opportunity.  Our muzzleloader hunting is limited due to public desires.”

Robby: “How are the deer doing now?”

Toby: “We do a lot of winter surveys across Idaho’s mule deer country and have hundreds of radio-collared deer that we track.  Our over-winter survival was good statewide with high fawn-to-doe ratios and bucks starting the year in good physical condition.  This will lead to better antler growth for 2013.  We are missing the three-year old age class in the units that were heavily impacted by the killer winter of ’10/’11, however, there is an upside.  Hunter surveys last fall showed a good number of three and four year old bucks in the harvest.  This translates to a decent number of four and five year old bucks in the population for 2013.  We expect a good number of these bucks to show up this fall.”

Robby:  “Can I get a “Yee haw?”

Toby: “???”

Robby: “Sorry, I get a little excited about big deer.  Back on course, what size of bucks are you seeing in the OTC units?”

Toby: “Spending many days in a helicopter, I can confirm that most of Idaho’s OTC units hold some great bucks.  Every year I see bucks in the 180″-190″ class and a few really big deer above that.  In units with rough terrain and low road densities, combined with our conservative October rifle dates, we have enough escapement for bucks to reach maturity.  Combine that with Idaho’s great genetics in many units, and we have good bucks out there.   Our OTC hunts typically have 14 or more days of hunting opportunity and a hard-working, persistent hunter can do well over time.”

Robby: “Many hunters think only the draw units have big bucks and wait years, often in vain, for a tag.”

Toby:  “While our draw units do have some great hunting, they are certainly not the only place I see big mule deer.”

Robby:  “The draw is still open until June 5th, what are the prospects for big deer in those units?”

Toby: “More oppurtunity and potentially better draw odds should sum it up.  We’ve added new hunts and increased tags in some units.  For example, there is a new archery hunt in 45, and the Salmon Region is offerring premium late rifle buck hunts for the first time in four units.  We also expanded the boundary on the late archery hunt in unit 72 and moved the dates into the rut.  As you know, that country can grow some of the biggest bucks in the state.”

Robby: “You know it’s coming… can I get a “Yee Haw?”

Toby: “???”

Robby: “Thanks for the update, Toby!”

Roksliders, you can follow Toby on Twitter where he keeps followers updated on all-things mule deer and elk in Idaho.

Don’t forget our drawing is coming up June 3rd for the Endeavor Binoculars.  Only Rok Blog subscrbers will be eligible to win.  To subscribe, go to the top of the Rok Blog, right side just under the drop-down menus for Fitness/Other, and click on  “Subscribe to blog”.  You might see “Subscribe to this entry,” left and below there, which is different.  That will only allow you to view comments in this post.  Good luck!

Anyone planning an Idaho hunt this year?