Montana general season weather

[cardiac5]

Okay so I've searched back as far as my phone let me on here and some on Google and would like a little more help. I've decided i want to do a solo mule deer hunt in Montana and i have to decide on dates so I can put them in my next work contract.
I'm debating between 10/30-11/6 or 11/20-11/27. I can pick any Wednesday to Wednesday but I want to hunt Missouri the 5th-15th of November. My main question Is which week to pick based off of weather/rut activity. I don't want everything hunkered down from being shot up opening weekend and i don't want to wait too long and get in really bad weather at the end of the season. I'll be hunting eastern Montana around 3k feet unless i get into some good deer this September but my main focus then is elk. I know snow is possible both dates but I'd rather try and get as far off the roads as i can and camp but depending on the weather outlook ill sleep in the truck. My friends told me to pull the camper but I've pulled it through the winter in Wyoming and it's not fun. I'd rather be mobile and just have the truck to worry about getting stuck. So what are your guys experiences with weather and movement those dates? Thank you and sorry for rambling I suck at writing.

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[Journeyman]

2 seasons ago it was -15 on November 7th and on the closing weekend of season it was +40. That same year we got a foot of snow on September 14th.

It’s Montana, you never can tell, especially this year. Just pick the dates that work and come out prepared for anything. That’s the most honest answer I can give you.

 

[MTguy0341]

What Journeyman said, there's no guarantee on the weather. Just be prepared for it. Also be prepared for gumbo

 

[Ross]

I’ve had everything the last 20 yrs 70 and sunny and 3ft of snow and 70 mph winds be prepared for it all

 

[cardiac5]

That's what I was guessing anything's possible. I think as long as I get a better gortex shell and warmer gloves I should be set for later in the season. Also I have kenetrek gaiters and salamon quest 4d gtx boots Should I upgrade to insulated boots or do you guys still sweat a lot hiking around. I have several pairs of insulated rubbers.

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[Ross]

Would be contingent on your feet one year temps swings in three days 70s to -5 would likely have a pair with some insulation ready to go.

 

[hobbes]

Anything is possible, but it's more likely that your November dates will be colder. I think rut wise you'd be better 13th to 20th, but sounds like it's not an option. I preferred first couple weeks of November for whitetails back in my IL days (MO being similar), but with my limited experience I prefer later for rutting mule deer here in MT. I'd probably pick your later dates with the assumption that still some rutting action, but fewer bucks to look at. I think your more likely to see bigger bucks when they have does on their minds. Also with the understanding that MT does not produce truly giant Mule deer at the rate some other locations do because we hunt them hard with rifles during the rut. MT is an opportunity state, and I'm okay with that.

We almost froze our tails off last year in Eastern MT during mid November.....single digit to teen temps and double digits winds. Some days were brutal. Finding a spot to glass that was blocked from wind but afforded some sunshine was comfortable since we were layered up, but wasn't always possible to avoid standing out like a beacon. I couldn't have done it in anything less than a good heated wall tent or camper. We did it from a hotel. My eastern MT mule deer hunt is typically all day hunts followed by a 30 min to one hour drive back to a warm meal, hot shower, and a warm bed. I do enough backcountry for elk and my backcountry mule deer hunts will be saved for early season high country hunts.

The previous season, 17, was somewhat milder but still pretty chilly. 2016 was significantly milder and I could have done it in a tent. A year or two before that a buddy was sending photos of hunting in a blizzard.

 

[cardiac5]

I put in for the 20-25th to have off, we ended up having two weddings on the calendar I didn't know about so those are the dates I was able to lock down. I ended up having too much time on the front half of November since they pushed rifle season out of the rut in Missouri and didn't want to miss the 5th to 12th with a bow at home. Hopefully the weather's not too bad but I'll be watching the forecast and come prepared. Thanks for everyone's input

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[ramont]

Since this past winter (2018-2019) we have had cooler than normal temps. I don't know how the east side of the state has been but on the west side of the divide we've had cooler and wetter conditions than normal so far this summer. If the trend continues then I'd expect lower than normal temps and snow.

 

[BluMtn]

My last 4 yrs in central Montana have been from 0 to 20 below during the thanksgiving week. Camping in a nylon tent is no fun.

 

[204guy]

Nov 15. 11am in somewhere, Eastern Mt. Not into selfies but occasionally a situation warrants one. FYI, frozen ham sandwich's are not delicious.

 

[cardiac5]

I lived in Reno last winter and they had record snowfall as well. Looks like I'll be booking a motel.

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[hobbes]

Nov 15. 11am in somewhere, Eastern Mt. Not into selfies but occasionally a situation warrants one. FYI, frozen ham sandwich's are not delicious.

That's the kind of weather that I recall last year.

 

[hobbes]

I lived in Reno last winter and they had record snowfall as well. Looks like I'll be booking a motel.

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I wouldn't wait around when it comes to reservations in Eastern Montana.

 

[204guy]

That's the kind of weather that I recall last year.

This was last year. November 9th. Embarrassingly, apparently I have a thing for selfies with beardsickles. Disregard the landmarks in the background.

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[BluMtn]

204, do you have a selfie that is a little higher in elevation? Just checking to see if you are in my honey hole. Asking for a friend of course.