best mule deer units in montana

1. Today, antelope are a perennial favorite among big-game hunters who stalk the prairie speedsters on the open plains on both the north and south sides of the Mighty Mo. 5 Best E-Bikes for the Outdoors Jace Bauserman Recent Videos Steiner Optics Predator Series Introducing the Burris Veracity PH Gear Taurus Raging Hunter Streamlight Pro Tac 2.0 Gear Streamlight Bear Trap Gear Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey Gear Ascendant from Rock River Arms Gear HEVI-Shot Turkey Loads Gear CZ 600 Series Trail Rifle Gear Subscriber Services. 28-Oct-08. Dont wait for build it, they will come ! Hopefully this change wont happen for nonresidents. I would not go back without it! He had two suggestions for hunters who approach drawing an elk tag in different ways in the state. If you are looking to harvest the buck of a lifetime, this is your unit and we are your outfitter. Writers Note: This Montana mule deer on the cover was taken at 502 yards. Dates: October 27-31, 2023. Montana All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. I know that is a lot of doom and gloom for area 270 especially if you are a nonresident. Search our database forMT Mule Deer opportunities. The decline of mule deer populations in northeastern Nevada is reflected in this Department of Wildlife graph of hunter success over a 63-year period. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a holding company engaged in publishing. In 2021, three of the five total non-resident deer permits available in units 261-50 and 270-50 were drawn by non-resident landowners. Each year we see and possibly harvest bucks that score 190+ B&C including some that score over 200 B&C inches. They also tend to offer less public hunting ground. Unlock the secrets of limited license lotteries and discover drawing and harvest trends to create a better hunt planning strategy. Learn how your comment data is processed. In 2017, there were five nonresident landowners in area 270 and in 2019 there were eight! For some hunters, pursuing elk, mule deer, and pronghorn in the western United States is a future dream; for others its a yearly routine. March 24, 2020 Thx Guy, Best Montana . As for general-season units, Jones suggested hunters take a look at Pine Valley in the southwest corner of the state, the four Oquirrh/Stansbury units west of Salt Lake City, and Zion on the southern border. Box 357 Kali Parmley, Editor-in-chief of Bakccountry Hunter speaks with Bret Maffet of Franchi Firearms to discuss the all new Momentum All Terrain Elite. The average harvest fell from 3,000 to 500 in . Temperatures can be quite warm in September and early October, rendering elk inactive during the day, however, hunters seeking a varied experience find plenty to do at midday. Regions G and H are the most popular and talked about deer units in Wyoming; however, there are other good units as well. amzn_assoc_linkid = "3d18066eea5f32622cb88644951f608f"; Book your next hunt in Wyoming with expert hunting guides at R & K Hunting today. That Is The Question, Montana Region 7 Deer Populations Cut In Half, Hunting Big Bucks Deer Hunt with Ike and Guy Eastman, Wyoming Passes 90/10: The Worst Article Youll Read This Year, More Costs Headed Your Way in Wyoming-Maybe. Solitude, exceptional scenery and superb access to public lands make Montana's Missouri River Country a true hidden gem and one of the most hunter-friendly destinations in America. For many hunters, even those who dont live in the region, western big-game hunting is a passion that consumes them year-round. Our Eastern Montana mule deer hunts are on exclusive and private Montana ranch land and hunting properties. They open up for call-in registration at different times. These dates are provided only as a general reference.Check current regulations or use FWP's online Hunt Planner for specific dates.. 2023 SEASON . Pretty bummed to read this. Max points will be required for a chance at this hunt and nearly every hunter (89%) on this hunt walks away with a buck by the end of the season. This hunt unit sits smack dab in the middle of the famed Carbon County, one of the best trophy producing buck counties in the entire country, and this area sits in the best big buck country in the second best big buck county in the state, what more could you ask for? Hunter success here can be a bit spotty with an average of 57% success but if a hunter is in good shape and hunts hard, a big buck could be possible here. Hopefully this change will help increase the age class of the bucks in those units. The rifle season dates allow hunters to hunt the rut. Toprut has always been the most reliable data that I use to make calculated moves for my hunt portfolio. Hunters stay at a comfortable, nice, and clean hotel of our recommendation and are picked up and dropped off every day. She said it currently takes six preference points to be guaranteed a pronghorn tag in the draw in Area 73 but added the state allots 25 percent of the total quota in each area to a random drawing of all applicants who chose the area as their first choice. This is a very solid hunt in my opinion for the meager three or four point spend. Ornoski said elk hunters with patience should consider looking at Arizona units 1, 3A/3C, 9, 10, 23N, and 27, which typically are extremely hard to draw. Hours of looking at Google Earth do not come close to physically being there. The mule deer grow quite large, and it is not uncommon for a deer to exceed 325 pounds in weight fully dressed out. Give a Gift Needless to say, hunting mule deer in Wyoming in its current capacity is going to probably be less than ideal. The average deer we take in this unit scores around 180 inches gross. DESIGNED BY: ROCKY RIDGE DIGITAL ADVERTISING. Each year we see and possibly harvest bucks that score 190+ B&C including some that score over 200 B&C inches. 1579 N Main Street Ste 100 There are 45 tags total for 270-50. . The Eastern Montana prairie is open country with rolling hills of grass and sagebrush broken up by coulees and deep ravines; carved from thousands of years of flash floods. A tough winter in 2016, followed by a drought that lasted more than a year and a half, cut that total by about 20,000 deer, but Utah still remains a top destination for mule deer hunters, according to Covy Jones, big-game coordinator for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. Hunters need to realize that . More than 295 ranches are enrolled in the Block Management Program here, which provides licensed sportsmen with free access to about 1.3 million acres of mule and whitetail deer, antelope, and elk habitat. Colorado unit 57, which includes areas 57, 58, and 581 northwest of Canon City, produces quality pronghorn bucks, Alcazar said. Elk may be the marquee quarry in the mind of many visiting hunters, but northeastern Montana also boasts outstanding opportunities for mule and whitetail deer. This general hunt region consists of a big, rugged region adjacent to the famed Region G area we spoke about above. We publish book and magazines, along with producing videos, DVDs, and TV programs. However, by looking at all point levels from 1-16, multiple applicants drew permits in just about every point level from 0-16. Elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are three iconic species among the big-game animals hunters pursue throughout the western United States. Introducing the Veracity PH from Burris, the perfect combination of reliability, quality, and technology delivering a simple aiming solutiona tool for the hunter that just works. Pronghorn tags in both states can be very difficult to draw. The type 2s were crawling with other hunters and the quality of deer we saw on these properties was not what we were after. By doing so, they have combined a number of units. Region R, The West side of the Bighorns is a mule deer producing factory on a good year. Region H, This general hunt region consists of a big, rugged region adjacent to the famed Region G area we spoke about above. Habitat stamps cost $10.00 and you must have one to hunt anything in Colorado. With the versatility to guide you on a Western Montana elk hunt, a spring bear hunt or an Eastern Montana trophy mule deer hunt. Along with exceptional big-game hunting the Montana's Missouri River Country boasts robust populations of sharp-tailed and sage grouse, and gray (Hungarian) partridges. 15% of the 45 permits are guaranteed to resident and nonresident landowners alike. Credit: Photo Courtesy Missouri River Country. 12,440 Views. Due to this fact, many of those folks hunting elk shot mule deer, as well. The landscape is big. Some of Lewis' most poetic lines were reserved for their surroundings in Montana where he wrote, "As we passed on it seemed as if those scenes of visionary enchantment would never have an end.". The northeastern portion of the state has the highest number of pronghorn and provides an opportunity to see a large number of animals during the hunt, while still providing an opportunity at a trophy buck. The same goes for SOME of Montana State Land. Utah took advantage of a combination of favorable weather, aggressive habitat management, and strict regulations to increase its mule deer population by as much as 100,000 from 2008 to 2016, pushing the size of the herd past 380,000 animals. The most likely areas to produce a record-book pronghorn are GMUs 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 46, 47, and 48. In Montana, 15% of all permits for elk and deer can go to landowners. Give a Gift After months of kicking the idea around exactly what we would do, the real planning started in early March as applications are due March 15th for deer, elk and deer/elk combination tags. Our Montana Elk hunts are conducted on private ranches in West Central Montana near Bozeman, Anaconda, Philpsburg and Deer Lodge, Montana. Deer hunting can be good at any time during the season, but the last half of November is favored by many resident hunters. Remember nonresidents are allocated up to 10% of the tags in an area. Copyright 2023 Eastmans' Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved, The Most Coveted Deer Permit in Montana that You Will Never Draw, Statistically, the most coveted deer permit in, So youre probably wondering, how is it possible that zero nonresidents drew this tag in 2018? If you have two points, that gives you four chances in the drawing. Yikes! Wyoming offers large expanses of public land, mostly in the western part of the state, and produces lots of record-book bucks. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; This can make finding a trophy buck something difficult to do on public land. If awarded we are going to try to stay on the eastern side of the state due to the drive from Louisiana.. . Introducing the Veracity PH from Burris, the perfect combination of reliability, quality, and technology delivering a simple aiming solutiona tool for the hunter that just works. Located outside of Laramie this hunt is a bit rough, but nothing like the rugged hunts in the northwest portion of the state. In Montana, unit 270 is considered one of the top trophy mule deer units in the state. 2022 MONTANA RIVERS AND RIDGES OUTFITTER LLC. The river winds northwest from its confluence with the Missouri, roughly following the course of U. S. Highway 2. Its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. This hunt should take about five or six points to draw this year with a random draw of about 10% for those with less than five points. Area 78-1, The French Creek hunt was turned from a general hunt into a limited quota hunt about ten years ago and the hunt here seems to be getting better and better each year. This high-success mule deer hunt takes place along the scenic Powder River of Southeast Montana. . Wyomings Elk Area 7, south of Casper, is a large unit with lots of elk and is about half public land. This hunt area is the other limited quota hunt unit inside the general Region G area. Our parent company, Flyway Media, offers hunting guide website design options. That Is The Question, Montana Region 7 Deer Populations Cut In Half, Hunting Big Bucks Deer Hunt with Ike and Guy Eastman, Wyoming Passes 90/10: The Worst Article Youll Read This Year, More Costs Headed Your Way in Wyoming-Maybe. We put in for General tags as well as purchasing the extra preference point that is offered when applying. During the rut large bucks appear in an effort to pass on their genes to receptive does. At Silver Spur Outfitters, we have many years of experience and have been in business since 1993. Units in the northwest corner of the state, 10, 201, and 2, are known for producing amazing trophies and offer plenty of public land to hunt, said Alcazar, who added it could take as many as 17 to 25 preference points to draw a rifle elk tag in these units. Most of the state is managed to maximize hunter opportunity each fall. The good news is many Western states have huge mule deer herds and produce phenomenal bucks. 5 Comments Phone: (435) 865-1020, Big Game Combination License (Elk & Deer), Bow and Arrow License (mandatory for all archery hunts), Preference Point Fee for Combination License (optional), Outfitter Preference Point Fee for Combination License (optional but must hunt with an outfitter). If I could recommend one vital piece of gear that greatly helped us out on our hunt it would be the use of OnX Hunt! No matter what quarry is pursued, modern-day hunters are sure to echo the sentiments of Meriwether Lewis who concluded Missouri River Country includes "one of the fairest portions of the globe." Following in the footsteps of his father, Guy has taken up the reins and is now at the helm of the Eastmans Hunting Journal and the Eastmans Bowhunting Journal. This has been considered the holy grail of mule deer permits in the Big Sky State for the past couple decades. Because nonresidents are in the same pool, there are 8,543 applicants in the total pool. Snow cover is more likely at this time, making deer more visible. MONTANA STATEWIDE MULE DEER HERD POPULATION ESTIMATES (2010-2018) The unit is overrun with hunters. Dec 2, 2022. This hunt unit sits smack dab in the middle of the famed Carbon County, one of the best trophy producing buck counties in the entire country, and this area sits in the best big buck country in the second best big buck county in the state, what more could you ask for? Desert Ghosts: Hunting the Elusive Coues Deer, Predator Hunting with .17 Caliber Rifle: Pros and Cons, The Only Three Guns You Need to Go Hunting, Venison Backstrap with Sweet & Spicy Peach Relish Recipe, Tested Tough - Modern Zeiss Sports Optics. From applying for tags early in the year, to buying, preparing, and organizing new gear through the summer, to the trip, long or short, to the hunting grounds, to the excitement that makes it almost impossible to sleep the night before opening day, the anticipation of the hunt can be almost as enjoyable as the hunt itself. The Bitterroot Valley in Montana is known for and home to some of the State's Best Mule Deer Hunting! These were usually posted as enrolled if there was no access. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "bennordquist-20"; But then again the world is upside down these days. 5 Day/night Mule Deer Hunts - $4250 5 day 6 night Mule deer hunt - $4700 if available $1500 deposit to book your hunt Add antelope - $500 (drawing license required) One of the region's prime whitetail grounds is the Milk River drainage, a tributary to the Missouri River. Some areas are easily accessed by roads, while others offer a wilderness experience for those willing to hike a distance from their vehicle. This is an action packed hunt during the rut. Over the last 20+ years, we've collected hunting research and data,so join Huntin' Fool today and access the best research tools for hunting mule deer, including 3D Maps, Draw Odds, Consultations, and much more. This is an action packed hunt during the rut. Max points will be required for a chance at this hunt and nearly every hunter (89%) on this hunt walks away with a buck by the end of the season. This fervent praise for the landscape occurred not in the mountains but on the eastern plains, along the banks of the Missouri River. I have been very hard on this hunt in the past, however the recent historical data here is very positive, particularly when compared to everything else currently going wrong in Wyoming. This area is mountainous and does contain about 25% wilderness at the very top of the unit. (Clickable areas may appear inaccurately on mobile devices) Show Maps Return to Montana Maps Download BLM Map Index Download Forest Service Map Index For example, fewer animals are found in the region around Fork Peck Dam as opposed to areas at the western end of the reservoir. Mule deer are widely distributed throughout the region but most heavily concentrated in the Missouri Breaks and adjacent prairie habitat. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; Colorado is king of the mule deer, and Eagle County is the king of Colorado mule deer. Each tag was priced at right around $700/hunter. Over the past years we have taken many trophy deer with both a gun and bow. The key indicators of a rebound are all lining up for the future on this hunt. The Interstate Commerce Clause, The Fairness Doctrine in the Constitution and other legal concepts can all be looked at again and Court Rulings Reversed. The recommended hotel also has a restaurant. Historically, a hunter with some gumption has a legitimate chance at a 180 buck here and many bigger have been harvested. Our Mule deer are big bodied, heavy antlered and are deep forked. The open country provides endless glassing opportunities and the gentle rolling hills allow for fairly easy hiking. This is also a decent application choice for a lower point holder, as the 400-tag quota does put enough tags into the random portion of the draw to be worth a shot at about 5%. With plenty of deer, a good buck here can be a tough endeavor, but they are here if you know where to look. ABOUT; OUR HUNTS. Our Guided Mule Deer Hunts. There needs to be some serious adjustments to the hunting seasons in this unit. This is quite the impressive increase as to qualify to apply for a landowner tag, you have to own or be in contract to own at least 160 acres in that unit. Home Guided Hunts Retreats Book Hunting Trip Successful Hunts About R&K Hunting Company Inc. 80 W. 100 S. P.O. Its often reported the state is home to more pronghorn than people in a good weather year. If you have any questions about the general deer hunting opportunities or outfitters in Montana, give us a call. We decided to try our hand at getting some tags in our neighboring state of Montana. As a result of last year's chronic wasting disease management hunt for white-tailed deer in southwest Montana, biologists observed a 50-percent reduction in white-tailed deer numbers in the Ruby watershed between Sheridan and Twin Bridges, where CWD prevalence was highest. Subscriber Services. Harvest is generally limited to 180" bucks and larger, but our goal for each client is to get a 190 . 14,019 Views. Many of these concepts were decided long ago and can be easily modified. Utah has four premium areas for deer. With plenty of deer, a good buck here can be a tough endeavor, but they are here if you know where to look. Guided elk hunts, with guaranteed tags on private land, are expensive; elk tags for public lands with limited access can be tough to draw; and competition from other hunters on public land with over-the-counter tags can be maddening, but elk hunting still is a passion that drives hunters from all over the country. 28. What Nevada and Wyoming have in common is wild horses. Hunting the last week of October tends to be the best bet for the biggest bucks. The Tendoy elk management unit (HDs 300, 302 and 328) continued to exceed management objectives after the 2019 hunting season, and long-term data trends indicate a stable population. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 20. This is an extremely hard tag to draw with sheep like draw odds. The .300 Remington Ultra Mag. Draw units will typically take a number of years and points to draw a tag and have more trophy class deer. This is also a decent application choice for a lower point holder, as the 400-tag quota does put enough tags into the random portion of the draw to be worth a shot at about 5%. Montanas Block Management Program opens more than 500,000 additional acres of private land to walk-in public hunting in the region, which is home to the highest concentrations of elk in the state, produces huge bulls, and is responsible for approximately 50 percent of the states elk harvest each year. Statistically, the most coveted deer permit in Montana is just outside Darby in the southernmost portion of the Bitterroot Valley. The permit is known as 270-50. $100/Day. The moral of the story is, the more applicants the more washed out the drawing is, and the less work your expensively purchased points do for you. Based purely on the data and uncertainty going into this years Wyoming mule deer draw this list should probably be blank, however, that does not work well for readers so I will give you the best list possible with the information I have at this time. The average success rate on our mule deer hunt is 95-100% with more than 100% . The archery season runs September 3-October 16, most rifle seasons run October 22-November 27, and the muzzleloader season runs December 10-18. Wyoming. Restrict a few more units to QDM, that is make a few units similar to how the Boyz East of the Mississippi did it, they know what a mature whitetail is and dont shoot 2 year olds. Jones said the famous Paunsaugunt unit on the southern border with Arizona and the Fillmore/Oak Creek and Vernon units, both in the central part of the state, all produced incredible bucks for hunters in 2018. | . 5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting. Although they evolved to live and thrive in broadly different environments, the two species are remarkably adaptive.

best mule deer units in montana 2023