High Country Montana Mule Deer

[kad11]

I'm new to hunting and have focused completely on elk the past two seasons; while I can't deny the excitement of being within 100 yds of a bugling bull, I think I want to shift my focus to high country mule deer for the archery season. Hunting up high really appeals to me and I also like the idea of being able to haul out all the meat by myself in one trip (everything I've ever killed has been in the cold and snow so I've always had a few days to get it out).

I have found some basin heads on Google Earth that I want to check out this summer; they are east facing drainages with nice patches/ strips of timber along with cliffy areas and some avalanche chutes. It looks like most of these basins are only open/ sparsely vegetated for about the top 0.25 - 0.5 miles and then the thick timber takes over. I'm a little concerned that any bucks in these areas would feed in the tops of these basins and then bed down in the thick timber (making them much more difficult to stalk). Is it likely that bucks still in velvet would bed down in the more open areas to protect their growing antlers even if there's cool shade and timber nearby?

Most of the "high country mule deer hunting" articles and books that I've read take place in CO or WY where, from my understanding, there is a lot more space above timberline for the bucks to bed. I'm just wondering how well you guys think those tactics will apply to the miniaturized basin heads we have in MT.

Thanks for any and all help!

 

[mt100gr.]

Generally speaking, what part of the state? I too focus on archery mulies in the high country in northwest MT.

 

[kad11]

I'm in SW MT and hunt the Madisons, Gallatins, or Absarokas.

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

MT has it's share of high country, but there is also plenty of lower elevation hunting ground.

Regardless, glassing slowly is the best tactic available.

 

[kad11]

Sreekers,

I'm definitely learning that sitting down and glassing is much more productive than covering lots of ground. I really enjoyed both of your "What Mule Deer Have Taught Me" articles and felt that I learned a lot from your writing. Have you hunted MT for mulies before?

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

No i haven't yet, but i will very soon. We are moving today to Powell WY, and my proximity to MT should help with that.

 

[HellsCanyon]

I've always thought it interesting that you don't see much advertised for back country MT mule deer...

 

[kad11]

From what I've gathered from local forums, most guys around here don't bother chasing the mountain bucks early in the season because MT, in general, doesn't have the same type of "above timberline" terrain that some of the other Western states have. Above timberline around here is mostly rock. Another reason I've heard for the lack of interest in high country MT mule deer is that we can hunt a huge portion of the state DURING THE RUT on a general license. Their thinking is "why bother with bucks in the high country when I can just shoot them two months later while they are "distracted" and several thousand feet lower." And that's fine by me...I'm hoping I'll have the high country mostly to myself!

Does anyone have any thoughts on the bedding sites and velvet question?

 

[Matt Cashell]

There are mulies in the above treeline parts of the state. You won't see Colorado numbers though. Hunt them as you would anywhere else.

Don't know about the velvet connection, but they like to bed in the krummholz.

Good luck!

 

[HellsCanyon]

From what I've gathered from local forums, most guys around here don't bother chasing the mountain bucks early in the season because MT, in general, doesn't have the same type of "above timberline" terrain that some of the other Western states have. Above timberline around here is mostly rock. Another reason I've heard for the lack of interest in high country MT mule deer is that we can hunt a huge portion of the state DURING THE RUT on a general license. Their thinking is "why bother with bucks in the high country when I can just shoot them two months later while they are "distracted" and several thousand feet lower." And that's fine by me...I'm hoping I'll have the high country mostly to myself!

Does anyone have any thoughts on the bedding sites and velvet question?

They will be out in the open much more until about the 3rd week in august due to their horns still being a bit soft. Doesn't mean they won't be away from cover though. And until about the 8-12th of September they will still be feeding out on the open. Once they rub that velvet they hit the dark timber and it's tough hunting...

Mike

 

[mt100gr.]

It is pretty quiet in the muley mountains in MT in Sept. Lots of guys waiting to chase the mulies with rifles. Especially if you hunt an area with fewer elk. SW MT will get more pressure with elk hunters during archery but if you get beyond where most of them hunt you should find bucks. What I face here, is the opening of backcountry rifle-season in September. Sometimes they pressure them out of the wilderness areas though and the bordering nat forest is archery only. Use your binos a lot. I have had to change gears a number of times because I could tell it was foggy on the hike in....no point going to my glassing spot.....

 

[squeekieslayer]

In my opinion, the reason that people always go deep/backcounty/hardcore (whatever buzzword you want to use) for elk is simply because in pressured areas, that is where the elk are. THe further you get from humans, the more elk you tend to see. I know that that is a over generalization, but when you compare the fact that big deer can be hunted in the rut, in the sage, in the low lands, in wheat fields... etc, you don't have the "drive" to have to get way in there for deer like you do elk.

I am new to MT and hope to glean some pointers from this thread myself. I know a lot of guys that hunt way up high in the flathead and kill MONSTER deer every year with their bow. They dont give and "hints" though hahaha.

Another thing to keep in mind is that rumor has it that, at least in some regions, they are going to think about cutting 2-3 weeks off the back end of the deer hunt. May start to see a few more muley hungry folks hitting the high country if that happens.

Joe

 

[kad11]

Thank you everyone for the really helpful info!

HellsCanyon, I really hope the bucks around here will be in their summer patterns longer than the 8th-12th of September b/c our season opens up right about then.

mt100gr & squeekieslayer, I agree with you guys that it can be difficult to find areas that aren't frequented by elk hunters. The areas I'm looking at are far enough back and high enough that I doubt many backpack hunters would target elk there and they also look pretty inaccessible to horses. This is really just a big experiment for me though; elk are awesome animals but I've found that I don't really enjoy hunting them in the early season (hunting them in tracking snow is a different story). I'm finding that calling just isn't my thing so I'm gonna try a completely different tactic. I'd be curious to hear why you guys would choose to hunt mule deer over elk during what many people consider "primetime."

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Don't be surprised if you find horse Hunters in places you didn't expect....they amaze me sometimes.

 

[Matt Cashell]

 

[mt100gr.]

I love hunting high up for mulies but I am the opposite on early season elk. I have had really good.luck calling and pretty much base my year around getting to talk with some bulls. ...the challenge of sounding convincing enough for a mature bull to come into bow range is the ultimate. And then to have someone, maybe me if I am lucky, keep it together long enough to make a decent shot is another conversation. For me, from the time I hear the bulls first bugle, the strategizing and adjusting to all the factors...and having it all fall apart in the end is the definition of hunting. Then it's back to the drawing board...find another bull and try to make it happen. Getting in close with elk is an experience that I can they enough of. If I could get some vocal bulls to hang out in my mulie spots it would be the best of both worlds...I definitely love western MT's high mountain country.

 

[mt100gr.]

And yes, after a few seasons on a backcountry trail crew, I have seen qualified horsemen take pack animals where you would never expect they could go...

 

[Jared Lampton]

Good looking buck...is that in MT?


Kad 11:
There is absolutely zero opportunity for high country early season mulies MT. I wouldn't even bother...

Actually I've found it to be good right up to the end of archery season ( mid October) depending on snow.

Good luck.

 

[mt100gr.]

Snow can be the wild card. Along with pressure and where they happen to be when the velvet comes off. Bachelor groups yesterday, bucks scattered all over the place today. 2 years ago that was the case. Found 5 bucks in a group, thought I had em figured, 2 days later, with a cold front, saw a few outta velvet and not one of the big'ns to be found. Once that happens, they go solo and scatter. Can be frustrating for sure. Get on em early and exploit any pattern you might notice. It definitely won't last.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Good looking buck...is that in MT?

Yes MT.

Above treeline. First week of September.