As has been true in previous years, hunters will find the greatest potential for success and the best odds at pulling into the driveway with a head-turning trophy mule deer in those units managed as controlled hunts. Which are the best of these? Compton points to Units 11, 40, 42, 44, 45, 54 and 62 as reputation areas where hunters should find good numbers of mature bucks this fall.

A quick review of harvest statistics from previous years confirms his perspective. In 2003 (the last year stats were available at this writing), hunters in Unit 11 logged an impressive 85 percent success. Of the bucks taken, nearly 80 percent were 4-point or larger, about 40 percent were five points or larger. Unit 45 also produced excellent hunting. Success ran around 83 percent, with 85 percent of the bucks at four points or larger and nearly one-quarter of them boasting five points or more. Unit 62, a hot-dog destination of scenic beauty and big bucks near the Idaho line, found better than 80 percent of hunters filling their tag. 93 percent of the bucks taken were 4 point or better, including an unofficial report of one behemoth buck sporting about 250 inches of antler as scored by the Boone and Crockett Club's system.

But controlled-hunt mule deer hunters aren't the only ones who stand fine odds of taking a better than average buck this fall. "Our long-term trend for whitetails is on the increase," Compton observes. A significant part of that increase is occurring in the northern portion of the state where populations have at last recovered from the disastrous 1996-97 winter. Gem State hunters took 19,000 whitetails statewide in 2004 and Compton is predicting that this fall's season will produce similar or better numbers.

Hunters should find superb general-season hunting all across whitetail habitat in the northern third of the state. Compton points out that Units 1, 2, 3 and 10a are traditional producers of big bucks, especially for hunters who hunt the last days of the season when the rut is in full swing.

Once again, harvest statistics from previous years fully support his claims. In units 1, 2, and 3 hunter success generally runs around 30 percent, with about 25 percent of the bucks taken sporting five points or more on each antler. In addition to these "no-secret" trophy-growing units, sportsmen should find good numbers of big bucks in Units 4A, 8 and 11. Although hunter success is slightly lower in 4A (around 20 percent), 1-in-4 of the bucks killed is a 5-point or better.

In terms of quality and quantity, Unit 11A may be the top pick in the state. Success rates for this stellar unit hover around 45 percent, with nearly 70 percent of the harvest occurring on 4-point bucks or better, 25 percent of which boast at least one additional antler tine.

No matter where you hunt in Idaho this fall, make sure you check the regulations before scheduling your days in the field. Opening day for deer season will change from Oct. 5-10 -- see current regulations for details. Also be aware that the state has adopted a motorized vehicle rule for hunters, which requires them to keep full-sized vehicles and ATVs on established roads to protect rangelands from erosion and habitat degradation and to ensure that the interests of those who want to hike or horseback to roadless locations are respected -- worthy goals agreeable to any ethical hunter.

MONTANA
If drought is bad for deer, why hasn't a population bust materialized in the Treasure State? After all, precipitation totals are at fractions of their normal levels and have been for several years. In a nutshell, deer have not only dodged typical drought effects (low fawn survival and winter mortality) but are actually thriving across most of the state. Generally speaking, hunters this year will find conditions similar to last fall, with robust numbers of mulies and whitetails available in nearly every hunting district.