Montana Mule Deer - First timer

[James0822]

So after this thread I am curious if the OP actually ended up applying and if so drew a tag??

I appreciate all the insight on the subject, its kind of an eye opener.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

It's one thing for a Montana resident to shoot a smaller deer. It's totally another for a guy to pay $900 and drive many miles to shoot an immature buck.

It's no different. Hunters hunt. Miles and dollars matter not.

 

[Tired03]

Looking at applying for a general tag for mule deer with some friends coming from the midwest this fall. Not trophy hunting but looking for opportunity, is it better to hunt the east or west side of Montana. Does elevation factor much in to where they hang out? Just trying to get an idea of logistics and where we should think about if I'm only able to e-scout. TIA.

I have hunted eastern and central Montana for mule deer. I have found if there is snow on the ground you will have little to no trouble spotting deer from the truck. If there is no snow we typically pick the highest point off the road and hike up and glass. If we don't see anything we move the truck down the road. Not the most thrilling back country style hunting but we filled all 5 tags with some pretty decent bucks both trips. I have not hunted the higher elevations in the west but I have done some hiking out there. We saw a lot of forkys at lower elevations and very few deer at higher.

 

[rustneversleeps]

Not the most thrilling back country style hunting but we filled all 5 tags with some pretty decent bucks both trips.

What do you consider decent?

 

[Tired03]

What do you consider decent

bigger than 130. Keep in mind this is coming from a guy whose only hunted white tail in Michigan for most of his life, so most any mule deer looks huge haha.