Finally connected. Little story. All DIY public land
Hunted Montana archery season, got close but couldn't finish it on a big one. Tons of deer, no pressure. I did find a group of four good bucks. Here's a pic at 60x through a spotter. The one laying down is a monster.
Fast forward to October, now gun season. Now there is pressure, day one I had to go in a little farther to find deer. Finally found one of the bucks I was after from archery season. Bedded the deer, Made the stalk, got close, too close, made it to 50 yards and waited. Here's the result, my first mule deer.
Packed it out, hit a hotel. Still had a South Dakota archery tag, so headed back out. Hiked in away from the crowds, surprisingly there was more pressure in SD for archery than there was MT for rifle. Day 2 was the day the heavy winds and cold started, spotted a buck 100 yards from camp, bedded him and made the stalk. 35 yard shot followed by 2 follow ups and the deer was down, crazy seeing a deer suck up 3 arrows. No glamor shots, it was freezing, and my phone wouldn't turn on. Not a big buck by any means but I was happy with anything but a fawn with archery equipment.
Great trip, one I won't forget.