First Time Montana Mule Deer Hunt

[Dochopper]

Going to eastern Montana Oct 30th for Mule deer. First western hunt for this hardwood/swamp hunting Michigan Yooper. Have done a lot of research online as in BMA and public land available. Will probably do mostly walk up sign in and public. Will be in the area south of Miles City. Anyone have any tips/tricks? What is the outlook looking like? Any/all feedback would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Get some really good glass and use it. That badlands country is fun to hunt. Hike, sit, glass. Hike, sit, glass. Repeat ad nauseum. About the time you forget the sit and glass component is when you'll see the big guy get up and bound away.

 

[Snowcrest6]

Jason's advice is solid, really nothing to add.

Populations in region 7 are rebounding. numbers are decent. they had a ton of feed last year, went into winter in good condition, recruitment was good this spring. should be a good year class.

 

[Dochopper]

Thanks for the replies. All set on optics, heard they were the #1 tool, and stocked up on Vortex. Majority of my hunting is sitting in a blind all day so I can't wait to be on the move. Will be very different from what I'm use to. Great to hear the news on deer numbers as well. The extended forecast is calling for a cold front to move in pretty much as soon as I get there. Perfect timing.

 

[belly-deep]

You should be just on the cusp of the rut. Don't expect bucks to be going crazy. The older ones will still be mostly solitary. But they will be, just as David Long said in his book, in the vicinity of the does, kind of "keeping an eye on them."

 

[lilhooter82]

Dochopper, keep us posted on how things go. I'm in Illinois and dying to get out west. I'm trying get something planned for 2015.

 

[deadwolf]

Ill be heading to the same area on 11/7, have been hunting there for the past 5 yrs now. The advice is sound, glass glass glass. Best of luck

 

[Dochopper]

We were hoping to get out there later in the season, but it clashed with the opener of rifle here in Michigan. Thanks for all the input. I'll post some pics if we're successful. One week and counting...

 

[Jason Snyder]

Nothing wrong with when you're going. I've killed my biggest bucks in Montana between Halloween and Veteran's Day.

 

[Snowcrest6]

I went for the opener last year and it was pretty slow. heading south of ashland this year starting on the 14th. will let you know what i find.

 

[Dochopper]

View attachment 20637

made it back before the cold snap. 5x5 and a 5x4. Not bad for a couple first timers.

 

[nsedillo]

dochopper,

Congrats on Montana success; however, Your pictures won't open.

 

[Dochopper]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3Rh6Gho48E

I'll just post the link to the video we made of the trip. If you want to skip to the bucks, first ones at 1:35 mark.
We saw a lot of shooters, both of these deer were shot out of their beds paired with a doe. Took a 5x5, 5x4, and a 2x2 the last day to fill a tag. One guy went home empty. Tried to move on a couple shooters that were spotted over 900 yards away. Ran out of light both times. We learned a hell of a lot on this trip.