IDAHO — Deer hunting season officially opens for Idaho's hunters Sat., Oct. 10.
"This year it happens to be a Saturday so that in combination with the increase in outdoor recreation is going to create an opportunity out there to see lots of hunting there’s going to be a lot of people out there," said Idaho Fish and Game Deer and Elk Program Coordinator, Rick Ward.
Idaho Fish and Game is expecting to see more hunters this year than they've ever seen before.
“People might have to work a little more to get away from other hunters to find deer,” said Ward.
But on the flip side, Ward said that there is also more deer this year.
“We had really good overwinter fawn survival this last winter across southern Idaho, so there should be more yearling bucks out there for hunters to pursue,” he said.
Weather will also play a big factor in hunter's success.
“We have already had some cool weather, and then we have the system moving in this weekend that is going to bring some rain and cooler temperatures, and that will get deer moving out of the high country,” said Ward.
With deer moving to lower elevations combined with a successful over the winter fawn survival, there should be many opportunities for hunters to harvest a deer.
“I expect this year to have a better hunting season,” said Ward.
With Idaho Fish and Game expecting to see a couple of thousand hunters opening weekend, to keep everyone safe, they ask hunters to stay in their cars when they drive up to a check stand.
