MT General Mule Deer tag Vs. Big Game Combo

[Tired03]

Hi all. I am headed out to Montana for the second time with another general deer tag in my pocket. The first trip was in 2022 where the group I went with tagged out on day 4 of a 8 day hunt. We had an absolute riot and are excited to come back this year. I was wondering what everyone's thoughts were on the big game combo? Is it worth it to try and target two different species on the same 10 day hunt or is it more beneficial to focus on one species and target just the one? I have never elk hunted and have spent most of my hunting years in tree stands in Michigan. Thanks!

 

[deserthunter2016]

There’s always a chance of running into something, but in general the mule deer country of Eastern Montana doesn’t hold a ton of elk, and if it does they are generally permit only units. Unless you’re in western Montana, then I would try to have a big game combo tag.


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[Tired03]

Thanks deserthunt2016. I have only hunted north central Montana so far. The only place we saw elk hunters was driving around the breaks after getting our deer. It seemed highly pressured in there.

 

[Skerhunter]

On a 10 day hunt I would just focus on one species, unless I had a primo spot where both deer/elk were in the same general area (private or limited entry tag) or more time (hunt different parts of the state).

Also logistics of getting elk packed out is different than deer and can eat up a lot of time. Typically if you shoot an elk that day and possibly the next morning is dedicated to packing meat.

 

[CMF]

I always try to have multiple tags. I'm usually targeting elk, but try and pick up deer and/or bear. In the big picture adding a 400$ deer tag or 100$ bear tag is worth it to me.
When I hunted MT we had both, and I saw both.
The year before last in CO I had elk, deer and bear tags, plus the family had some other tags. In 18 days, we got 2 elk, 2 deer, and missed a bear. I started opening morning(archery) with intent of finding mule deer, ended up with a bull on the ground before 9am. While trying to get my buddy on an elk, I spotted a bear, got within 50yds and shot right over his back. Got my daughter on a bull the second day of muzzy, then helped my fil get a muzzy buck. Then while trying to get my wife on a muzzy bull, I came across a nice Muley and got him with the bow. We also hunted the same unit two other years with only a missed bull. You just never know, sometimes it works out.
I would say focus on the species you really want, but might as well take advantage any opportunity that presents itself and have a tag in your pocket. Some would say don't bother with the other species, but if you're only out west for 10 days its nice to have some options.
If I remember right the bear tag isn't very expensive in MT and you can get otc. It could always be a backup if you go with one tag and tag out early

 

[86indy]

I’m in the same situation this year. My buddy I’m going with has hunted the east side and neither of us have been in the mountains hunting. I figured weather would be key factor so having both tags is more of an alternate plan


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[Tired03]

On a 10 day hunt I would just focus on one species, unless I had a primo spot where both deer/elk were in the same general area (private or limited entry tag) or more time (hunt different parts of the state).

Also logistics of getting elk packed out is different than deer and can eat up a lot of time. Typically if you shoot an elk that day and possibly the next morning is dedicated to

I always try to have multiple tags. I'm usually targeting elk, but try and pick up deer and/or bear. In the big picture adding a 400$ deer tag or 100$ bear tag is worth it to me.
When I hunted MT we had both, and I saw both.
The year before last in CO I had elk, deer and bear tags, plus the family had some other tags. In 18 days, we got 2 elk, 2 deer, and missed a bear. I started opening morning(archery) with intent of finding mule deer, ended up with a bull on the ground before 9am. While trying to get my buddy on an elk, I spotted a bear, got within 50yds and shot right over his back. Got my daughter on a bull the second day of muzzy, then helped my fil get a muzzy buck. Then while trying to get my wife on a muzzy bull, I came across a nice Muley and got him with the bow. We also hunted the same unit two other years with only a missed bull. You just never know, sometimes it works out.
I would say focus on the species you really want, but might as well take advantage any opportunity that presents itself and have a tag in your pocket. Some would say don't bother with the other species, but if you're only out west for 10 days its nice to have some options.
If I remember right the bear tag isn't very expensive in MT and you can get otc. It could always be a backup if you go with one tag and tag out early

Thank you! We intend on hunting further west in the next few years and I will for sure grab extra tags. I'm spending enough time and money traveling from Michigan i might as well spend the extra 500.

 

[Tired03]

I’m in the same situation this year. My buddy I’m going with has hunted the east side and neither of us have been in the mountains hunting. I figured weather would be key factor so having both tags is more of an alternate plan


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When I go further west I think I'll take two weeks off work and grab the big game combo and a bear tag. I've never hunted the mountains but hopefully I see one of the three. Just trying to make the most out of a drive from Michigan.

 

[86indy]

Likewise, I’m on the westside of the mitten and it’s roughly 24 hours of driving. Having two tags will hopefully just give us the opportunity to play the weather across the state and elevation if need be. Unfortunately my buddy is confined to the dates we’re in it rain or shine


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[AHayes111]

I don't know what district you were in 22, but some of those north central districts in region 4 have went to limited entry recently.

 

[Tired03]

Likewise, I’m on the westside of the mitten and it’s roughly 24 hours of driving. Having two tags will hopefully just give us the opportunity to play the weather across the state and elevation if need be. Unfortunately my buddy is confined to the dates we’re in it rain or shine


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[Bowhunter50]

I had the general elk tag last year and didn’t elect to get the deer tag along with it. I regretted it as I had a nice 4 point Muley buck hangin out at 40 yards asking to get shot on the archery. Could have shot at least two other bucks on different occasions too. Next time I’ll get the deer tag too, but the with way the universe works for me, I won’t have any gimme accidental deer opportunities while hunting elk if I have a deer tag in my pocket ha

 

[wind gypsy]

There are times when another tag would be nice but I think on most hunts it would go to waste especially if hunting in a group where you would typically help each other after filling tags. Hunting style makes a big difference though. If you're going to shoot the first legal muley or elk you see (cows are legal in lots of areas), well you might spend a lot of time packing and dealing with meat and be happy for the extra tags.

 

[WCB]

Depends on where you are hunting and what you are after. I've hunted with the combo. Focus on elk first and plan on 3 days or so of deer hunting. It helps if you know areas better. Also, if you are just after a representative deer 3 days should be no issue. That gives you 7 days of elk hunting. IMO and experience if you haven't killed an elk or heavily into elk in 7 days...probably not going to happen (talking 1 or 2 guys together). Even more so if you would shoot the first legal bull or a cow.

Generally speaking though unless you are hunting an area with a good population of both...focus on elk follow up or take deer as an opportunity. If you are in elk country grab a wolf tag.

 

[Indian Summer]

I can definitely see someone who went on a successful deer hunt thinking that they could squeeze a second species in on a future hunt. But if you had done the elk hunt first, I’m certain you would think differently.


When you elk hunt, you hunt elk. You might carry a second tag in your pocket, but you would only shoot that animal if the opportunity arises. I doubt you would have time to seriously hunt deer if you were serious about elk.

 

[CMF]

When you Alcon you hunt elk. You might carry a second tag in your pocket, but you would only shoot that animal if the opportunity arises. I doubt you would have time to seriously hunt deer if you were serious about elk.

I don't think it's simple do or don't. I think it really comes down to cost and what you're willing to spend and be ok going to waste. If the tag was free and OTC, obviously anyone would just grab it. You're chances of filling two tags are always lower, and lower yet if you have less time. But never zero.
My 11yo drew a rifle elk tag in AZ last year. It overlapped with CO but started one day earlier. I picked up my 14yo up an easy draw CO muzzy elk tag in case we tagged out early, it was only $125 vs an adult tag of $800. MY 11yo took a cow on the second day. The next day, we spent the morning processing meat, then drove to CO, arriving at midnight. Spent the next day packing up and rested the next day due to the weather. Got my daughter a otc rifle bear tag($62), and 5 of us packed in for 4 to 5 days. Wife, daughter and youngest stayed up top glassing for bear while we chased elk. Never saw a bear, but my 14yo ended up missing a really nice 6x6 bull. Ended up only getting 4 days of hunting in and left a day on the table due to weather, and I needed to get to a job.
I was content for that tag to go to waste if we ended up hunting all week in AZ, but we only had to drive 8 hours to keep hunting vs the 24 from home and we almost ended up with a second elk.

 

[DarthVader]

I am hunting the combo tag yet again this year. And i do target both species simultaneous in the region i hunt. i think it depends a lot on the season you are hunting and the topography. I find both mule deer and elk in the same edge habitats from later september to about the time snow gets knee deep. They are generally using the same migration corridors that bring them out of the mountains and onto private ranches. In early september i focus on the high country and find as many elk (if not more) up there as i do mule deer. but the tactic to get into bow range i feel is quite different. if you are targeting both id use calling extremely sparsely. i location bugle before sunrise, and ill cow call ocassionally when i find fresh elk sign or when still hunting through a timber i think holds elk. other than that i spot and stalk both species. hope that helps.

 

[rking17]

Aside from the price you’ve got nothing to lose. Get the combo.