Idaho Mule Deer

Unit 66 (Bear Lake)

Idaho Hunting Guide — Mule Deer

Unit 66 wraps the Bear Lake region of southeastern Idaho — a high-desert and aspen-timber unit bordering Utah and Wyoming that consistently produces above-average mule deer bucks on limited controlled-hunt tags. With only 30 tags issued against 920 applicants across three years, Unit 66 is a true quality unit where draw odds are tight but success and antler quality are high.

View Draw Odds Idaho Hunting Guide

Mule Deer Hunting in Unit 66

Where to Find Mule Deer in Unit 66

Unit 66 bucks concentrate in the aspen and mountain-mahogany benches above Bear Lake. Quality mature deer often hold in specific pockets year after year.

Bear Lake Plateau

The high plateau west of Bear Lake holds summer and early-fall bucks in aspen pockets at 7,000-8,500 feet. Glass aspen clearings at first light.

Preuss Range

The Preuss Range along the Idaho-Wyoming line offers steeper country with mahogany draws that attract mature bucks during the late rifle season.

Montpelier Canyon

The Montpelier Canyon corridor and its side drainages are traditional Bear Lake mule deer migration routes. Late-season snow pushes bucks through these drainages toward winter range.

How to Hunt Mule Deer in Unit 66

With only a handful of tags, Unit 66 hunters should treat the tag like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and scout hard before opening day.

Pre-Season Glassing

Mature bucks in this unit are patternable in August. Get in 2-3 weeks before the opener and identify target bucks in aspen pockets — they often stay in the same drainage through early rifle season.

Backpack Hunting Aspen Pockets

The best bucks tie themselves to specific aspen-mahogany edges. Pack in light, camp within glassing distance, and wait for the buck to show rather than still-hunting thick aspen.

Late-Season Migration

If you drew a late tag, position along the canyon exits off the Bear Lake Plateau during the first significant snow. Bucks funnel through predictable saddles.

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Mule Deer Success Rates

Unit 66 controlled mule deer hunts post success rates of 55-75% — among the highest in Idaho — with antler quality frequently in the 160-180 class and occasional 190-class bucks on the ground. The low tag count keeps pressure minimal and lets bucks mature. A tag here is a genuine trophy opportunity.

Mule Deer Draw Odds

Season	Tags	Applicants	Draw %	Pts Req
Rifle— Controlled	9	269	3.3%	0

Data from 2025 draw results. Resident odds shown.

Open in Draw Odds Engine

Idaho runs a pure random draw with no preference or bonus points for deer. Every applicant has equal odds each year. Unit 66 mule deer controlled hunts draw with roughly 3-5% resident odds and 1-3% nonresident odds depending on the specific hunt number. Apply with the understanding that you may apply many years before drawing — but every year resets to the same random chance.

Unit Logistics & Expectations

Planning Notes

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RV Sites

Private RV parks in Montpelier and St. Charles along Highway 89 with full hookups and Bear Lake state-park sites.

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Camp Sites

Caribou-Targhee NF dispersed camping across the Preuss Range and Bear Lake Plateau. Developed campgrounds at Cloverleaf and Emigration.

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Trailer Access

Highway 89 is paved and trailer-friendly. Forest roads onto the plateau are graveled — fine for mid-size trailers at lower elevations.

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Water

Moderate. Springs and small creeks scattered; carry primary water and filter creek sources when found.

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Road Conditions

Paved Highway 89 around Bear Lake. Forest roads graveled; high-clearance advised on spur roads after precipitation.

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Terrain Difficulty

Moderate. Rolling aspen plateau and steeper mahogany draws. Elevations 6,000-8,800 feet.

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Hunting Pressure

Low on the controlled hunt — tag holders rarely cross paths. General-season archery pressure higher along road corridors.

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Weather

Fall daytime highs 50-70°F. Snow possible by mid-October above 7,500 feet. Late-season storms can close forest roads.

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Cell Service

Reliable in Montpelier and Bear Lake towns. Patchy to none on the plateau and in the Preuss Range.

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Nearest Town

Montpelier (fuel, groceries, motels). Paris and St. Charles offer basic services closer to Bear Lake.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of bucks does Unit 66 produce?

Unit 66 regularly produces 160-180 class mule deer with occasional bucks in the 190s. It is one of Idaho's premier quality mule deer units thanks to the limited tag count and quality aspen-mahogany habitat.

How hard is Unit 66 to draw?

Very hard. With Idaho's pure random draw, Unit 66 mule deer tags go with roughly 3-5% resident odds and 1-3% nonresident odds. Plan for a long application history before drawing.

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Sources & Verification

Every fact on this page is tied to a primary source below. Last fact-checked 2026-04-17.

2025 Idaho Big Game Seasons & Rules — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 66 controlled hunt quotas, Season dates by weapon · accessed 2026-04-17
IDFG Controlled Hunt Draw Odds — Idaho Department of Fish and Game · supports: Unit 66 mule deer draw odds history · accessed 2026-04-17
Caribou-Targhee National Forest — USDA Forest Service · supports: Public land access in Bear Lake Range and Preuss Range · accessed 2026-04-17