Western Montana Mule Deer?

[TheWhitetailNut]

I put in for a Mule deer tag in another state where I've hunted elk and bumped bucks in late Oct/Early Nov. expecting it but I also put in for Montana counting on the 0% chance with 1 point. I only wanted to keep the points for another year. Statistics be damned, I pulled the Montana big game combo. Over the years I've only researched Deer in the 700's. I'm pretty committed to hunting a SW Unit with some chance of Elk and/or Deer instead of the Eastern units. I've never actually hunted Mule deer and have seen them on small Mature timber benches above 9000' in NM, CO. This unit is mostly under 8500 but the area I like has some ridges from 8500-10,000. Will they be on those North slopes resting up for the rut? Mid November would be perfect timing for me but heavy snow would reduce my hunting area's. I don't have ATV's or horses, should I come earlier in the general season or later? I haven't read David Longs book in 15 years so going over that again. What are your favorite information resources for behavior? This unit does not appear to have a road every 400 yards so there's a good opportunity to cover ground within reason.

If you care to share anything feel free to PM me. Thanks.

 

[TheWhitetailNut]

If it helps, I'm not going to shoot a freezer filling forkhorn. I need to kill about 30 WT does a year so meat is not my first priority.

 

[Joelweb]

Deer are highly migratory in this part of the state. My choice on timing would depend on the unit. I recommend calling the local biologist in any areas that interest you.

 

[willfrye027]

Unlikely to find a mature mule deer in that part of the state..I would recommend focusing on elk and keep your eye out for a nice buck. Chances are better running into a bigger buck somewhere they are not hunted as hard..lower deer and hunter density which would be up higher/thicker country rather than sage winter grounds. There is some overlap on where the elk and some deer will be. The lower/winter range stuff gets hit hard for deer and they are very vulnerable down there; unlikely to find a nice one.

 

[MerlinAH64]

I hunted SW MT in '23. Saw very few mature bucks, and the one's we did see where deep on private. My buddy who lives there focuses on the transitions from private to public where food is available.