Despite unseasonably warm weather, the opening of deer-hunting season saw a slow but steady stream of hunters looking to bag a trophy. Though only eight hunters and four deer passed the Bellevue check station on Monday, state officials say there's great hunting out there.
"Today's been pretty slow in the numbers of hunters coming through," said Kelton Hatch, spokesman for the Department of Fish and Game's Magic Valley Region, on Monday. "People should get out—we have great numbers of deer."
Hatch said that on Sunday, opening day, 64 hunters passed through the Bellevue checkpoint, a fairly slow opening day. But hunters enjoyed about a 20 percent rate of success, which Hatch said is about average.
"The hunting on opening weekend was excellent," said Bryant Dunn, owner of Sun Valley Outfitters.
Dunn served as an outfitter this weekend to a visitor from Seattle, who took home a 4x4 mule deer in Unit 49.
"The local deer herds are very healthy," Dunn said. "The late, wet spring led to an excellent level of forage."
Hatch said the deer coming through the checkpoints are in great condition.
"Lots of fat on them," he said. "They had a good summer."
Sunday's temperatures went above 70 degrees in many areas of the valley. While this "bluebird weather" was perfect for the Trailing of the Sheep Festival, it wasn't ideal for deer hunting.
"Deer have a tendency not to be too active in the heat of the day," Hatch said. "They'll be bedded down when it's hot like this."
Dunn said cooler temperatures tend to accelerate deer migration. Deer are also more active during cooler times of day, such as dawn and dusk.
Hunters can expect cooler temperatures and more excellent hunting next weekend. This comes as good news for hunters, whom Hatch said would likely be out in greater numbers for the first full weekend of deer season.
"It'll be a good weekend for hunting," he said.
Dunn agreed, saying the best weather for deer hunting is distinctly fall-like.
"There's nothing like a brisk autumn day when the leaves are yellow and there's frost on the ground," he said.
Katherine Wutz: kwutz@mtexpress.com
Tips for deer-hunting success
- Head out at or before dawn, or wait until twilight. Deer are most active during these times of the day.
- Look in the trees. Deer love shade.
- Try the north slopes, or go on a day that is slightly overcast.
- Make sure to have all the appropriate licenses and tags, and to check the game unit's regulations. Hunting without a tag is punishable by fines of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, even if the hunter is not successful.
