78 Rifle Deer

Stubaby · Jun 19, 2020

Oh man. Got the email today. I already have a packed fall. Figured I’d roll the dice and whammo!!!

Anyone hunt there the last few years? I know of some decent bucks that were killed. You think things will be a tad better with the not super terrible winter last year?

Deepcolor · Jun 20, 2020

I think you will have a great hunt, I hunt a neighboring unit and found a lot of up and comers last year. Give those bucks another year and a mild winter and you are set to do very well.

Stubaby · Sep 27, 2020

Hey guys, I just spent the last few days looking around the unit and I’m seeing some bucks, just not quite what I’m looking for. Those who know me can attest that I help guys more than most.

Anyway, if anyone wants to swap info about where I’ve been looking or has any advice I’d gladly take it. What I’m most worried about is guys not following the motorized restrictions on the trails. The single track and 50” trails are off limits once the rifle hunt starts, right?

Weiserbucks · Sep 27, 2020

Better figure on a bunch of idiots riding atvs wherever they want, whenever they want. It's a problem everywhere and there's simply not enough enforcement to deal with it.

Stubaby · Sep 27, 2020

Last year on the opener we parked at the end of middle fork of Bloomington canyon and hiked over the top to 77. Right when we got to the top a 60” sxs goes cruising by on the high line trail. I was so pissed.

Coyote_chaser · Sep 27, 2020

Trails can be used to haul camps in or to retrieve game. But you can’t just road hunt or access the area for the day on an atv

grizzly · Sep 27, 2020

Stubaby said:
Hey guys, I just spent the last few days looking around the unit and I’m seeing some bucks, just not quite what I’m looking for. Those who know me can attest that I help guys more than most.

Anyway, if anyone wants to swap info about where I’ve been looking or has any advice I’d gladly take it. What I’m most worried about is guys not following the motorized restrictions on the trails. The single track and 50” trails are off limits once the rifle hunt starts, right?

Hunters can't use motorized vehicles on single track or 50" but people out joyriding still can. They're not subject to IDFG rules that hunters have to follow.

Technically, if you want to haul in camp on a 50" trail and camp there for the hunt, you could. But we all know they're used much more for illegal day hunting than camp hauling. The locals ride all over there with their rifle strapped right on front, they don't care and there's nobody to enforce it unless you take pics and send them in.

They definitely need to enforce the 50" rule on the highline trails and Sink Hollow for everybody though... they're becoming SxS width and they're not supposed to be. You can see the full and correct USFS map on the web to know where you can go.

Katoom · Sep 28, 2020

I have frequently heard about the lack of respect for the motorized rules or 50” limits, and it seems generally accepted that it is mostly residents doing it. Does anybody ever do anything about it? Shame
the person ruining it for the rest, or report it? I don’t really want a narc/tattle society so it would probably be best if the locals shut it down their way before it gets to the point that we need a ranger at every trailhead. Why isn’t this treated like poaching and all the shame that goes with it?

YZF_88 · Sep 28, 2020

I have turned in a handful of day hunting violators in the Diamond Creek unit. Really pisses me off to spike camp and do the hiking up to camp...only to have them buzz up and blow everything outta there. Wardens are great about coming up to issue a ticket. I keep the wardens number on my phone. If needed, I’ll use it again when my hunt starts Thursday. I’d say it’s 70/30 R/NR split.

grizzly · Sep 28, 2020

Katoom said:
Does anybody ever do anything about it? Shame
the person ruining it for the rest, or report it?

I say to report it. We have a duty to help enforce wildlife laws knowing there aren't enough wardens to do it.

A MM member got a reward from BHA a few years ago for turning in a guy while I was hunting bear. I was walking the same trail and it was ridiculous how many guys were hunting with total impunity from their quads.

Stubaby · Sep 28, 2020

What if I’m just “joyriding” and looking for coyotes on the single track with my rifle over my shoulder as I cruise around on my Yamaha YZ, then once I get to my desired spot I then “identify” as a deer hunter with the appropriate tag in my pocket?

I also heard it’s ok to drive a quad on the 50” with a rifle in tow as long as it’s not daylight hours?

grizzly · Sep 28, 2020

Stubaby said:
I also heard it’s ok to drive a quad on the 50” with a rifle in tow as long as it’s not daylight hours?

I'd recommend calling IDFG on that. Every morning before shooting light would be a traffic jam up the trails and then guys would hunt all day and drive out at night. I'm pretty sure you can only use the roads to move camp.

greysriver · Sep 29, 2020

Does move camp include having a gun on you? I was under the impression that you could only move camp but no firearm on the vehicle?

Stubaby · Sep 29, 2020

I’ve asked two locals from Paris. Both say different things.

Anybody ever stashed a rifle somewhere?

Also, anyone want to pm me where the bucks are?

bern · Sep 30, 2020

Stubaby said:
I’ve asked two locals from Paris. Both say different things.

Anybody ever stashed a rifle somewhere?

Also, anyone want to pm me where the bucks are?

TheOneRidgeRunner · Oct 1, 2020

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...Vaw3MPKBBaFnuwcoFITJWVc-F&cshid=1601522047941

Here's a link for your questions. Pretty easy to find your answers.

Stubaby · Oct 1, 2020

I read that twice in July and just now. If you are driving an atv or 50” sxs on the 50” restriction trails or a motorcycle on the single track with a rifle in a scabbard you can always say you are just “moving camp”.

So can you legally drive to a spot, park then hunt from there on foot?

grizzly · Oct 1, 2020

Stubaby said:
I read that twice in July and just now. If you are driving an atv or 50” sxs on the 50” restriction trails or a motorcycle on the single track with a rifle in a scabbard you can always say you are just “moving camp”.

So can you legally drive to a spot, park then hunt from there on foot?

I hope you're being sarcastic. If so, then ?

Stubaby · Oct 1, 2020

grizzly said:
I hope you're being sarcastic. If so, then ?

Mostly.

buckfever24 · Aug 25, 2022

Stubaby i was curious how your hunt went? I just found out i drew a 78 tag in the second draw which is awesome but now i have to start my scouting all over. Mostly curious about when deer move and elevations you saw them in. Thanks

Stubaby · Aug 25, 2022

It sucked. I saw a buck for like 1 second before he bedded down. Flushed him out like a pheasant at 10 yards and just started shooting.

He’s a dink but it got me tagged out and off to Montana to kill the bull I’ve always dreamed about. Helped a buddy last year. Didn’t see much at all. I’d glass everywhere and just keep your “fly on the water” as they say. There’s bucks from HWY89 elevation to the top.