Dont wait for build it, they will come ! Pronghorn tags in both states can be very difficult to draw. Whether the tag in your pocket leads you to a comfortable lodge for a guided hunt on private land, a DIY spike camp deep in backcountry wilderness, or somewhere in between, hunting the West will grab you by the soul and easily can become a year-round obsession. Montana Mule Deer Draw There are a handful of good limited-entry units, and most of them give a hunter a good hunt for an average buck. But then again the world is upside down these days. From southwest deserts to coastal forests, mule deer hunting presents a variety of challenges. 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 largest antelope the author has seen taken by a hunter was downed a couple miles north of Fort Peck Reservoir. Also, having a SOLID pair of binoculars is very important for finding mule deer. All Rights Reserved. Core habitat for elk in northeastern Montana is found adjacent to the Missouri River and tributary creeks. *Illustration by Robert Neaves courtesy of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Characteristics of a mule deer CAUTION! Your honest assessment is greatly appreciated. Our first ranch was 15,000 acres and allowed 15 hunters per day. Here is the pair we use. 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! Hopefully this change wont happen for nonresidents. Located outside of Laramie this hunt is a bit rough, but nothing like the rugged hunts in the northwest portion of the state. Statistically, the most coveted deer permit in Montana is just outside Darby in the southernmost portion of the Bitterroot Valley. is the caliber that currently holds one of the long range distance records for . This is isnt a review of gear we used on our hunt but rather a summary of how we planned our DIY hunt and some pointers that may help someone looking to do some mule deer hunting in Montana. Although a big buck here would be a very tall order, a fun hunt with limited pressure is what this hunt should offer up on a somewhat later season experience. Archery and muzzleloader tags in those units will require fewer points.. The Region H hunt can be a very good hunt on the right year for really good bucks. 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. Our Memberships Include The Most Accurate Draw Odds Available, Join Now! 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. Elk thrive amidst this cover. In some places their range overlaps with mule deer, in others they are mostly separate from their long-eared cousins. I know that is a lot of doom and gloom for area 270 especially if you are a nonresident. 5 Best States for Mule Deer Hunting. Give a Gift Its name is derived from having large ears that resemble that of a mule's. It can take six or more points to draw a tag for the rifle season, but the area offers abundant public land, including BLM, state wildlife areas, and National Forest Service property. 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. That buck displaced two former world-record bucks, both from Arizona, that were tied at the top spot with scores of 95 B&C points. The bowhunting here can be very lucrative. Again, pay close attention to the regulations to make sure you are properly licensed to hunt mule deer. A fine hunter in his own right, Guy has taken several trophy animals and has become an expert in trophy hunting as well. 14,019 Views. With 80 tags on quota and an October season, with a little help from some weather, this hunt could create a great opportunity for a big staged up high-country deer during the final five days of the hunt. No population reduction was observed higher in the Ruby watershed. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; What I thought I could accomplish in a day would have taken a solid week. For the most part, hunters should be prepared to hunt at least a mile from vehicle access, as elk usually keep a buffer of about that distance from motorized activity. The .300 Remington Ultra Mag. The permit is known as 270-50. 2022 MONTANA RIVERS AND RIDGES OUTFITTER LLC. Being small in size, they are easy to hunt. My wife and I are finally entering a drawing for a mule deer hunt in Montana. Whitetail deer are also common in the cottonwood studded riparian areas along the river. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park's website has a fairly easy " HUNT PLANNER " section that can guide applicants through finding zones and units best suited for their type of hunt as well as draw statistics. Hunt mule deer with Ike and Guy Eastman during an October snowstorm. Wyoming offers large expanses of public land, mostly in the western part of the state, and produces lots of record-book bucks. These statistics tell us that the bonus point system does not weigh enough in this squared bonus point system to select applicants in the higher point tiers. The guys are , Bow hunt public land mule deer with Brian Barney on this episode of Beyond the . Today, all of these species (except bison) are still found in robust numbers in Missouri River Country and provide modern-day hunters with the same challenges for making meat and memories as they did members of the famed expedition. Wyoming Residents hate Nonresident hunters when they are hunting in Wyoming, these Nonresidents are the source of all the problems with landowner issues, Poaching, poor herd populations and the like But boy do Wyoming People love Nonresidents when they are fighting next to their sons and daughters in the mountains of Afghanistan and when that Minnesota Mayo Clinic Surgeon saves their fathers life because no Doctor in Wyoming has the skill set to do the operation. The plants and soils of the region offer excellent nutrition, allowing mature bulls to grow exceptionally large antlers. This area is mountainous and does contain about 25% wilderness at the very top of the unit. As a reminder, Montana has a squared bonus point system. Add to that the possibility of an additional 50% of what is left going into an outfitter only draw and nonresident point holders in Wyoming are extremely nervous to continue with Wyomings draw system much further into the future. So that is 7 permits skimmed off the top immediately for residents. A lot of hunters only hunt or glass in the early mornings and evenings. 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 There are a few 2023 dates left open. Some large bucks also have been taken in GMU 45 in recent years. Unlike our other hunts, we dont provide lodging and meals. . . Over the last 25+ years, this trip has proven to be a favorite for WTA clients. Historically, the bucks are actually larger in this region than they are in Region G, however they are harder to get to and there are less of them. Non-Hunting Companion. $5,900/Hunter. The best opportunity to harvest a quality buck in New Mexico is in the northern Game Management Units (GMUs), according to Tristanna Bickford, communications director for the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.GMUs 2B, 2C, 4, and 5A are quality hunting areas with large numbers of deer, many sporting antlers that will make the Boone & Crockett (B&C) book. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Pretty bummed to read this. We cover Units 240, 250, 261, 262, and 270 for Mule Deer Draw Tag Hunters! Learn how your comment data is processed. And in the evening, glass until it's too dark to see, you'll understand and appreciate the term "coming out of the woodwork". 20. Being able to hunt these deer during the rut with a rifle gives our clients and amazing edge to harvest a nice mature Mule deer buck. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The type 2s were crawling with other hunters and the quality of deer we saw on these properties was not what we were after. But if youre hell-bent on hunting deer in area 270, you better buy at least 160 acres because that is your best chance at a permit in area 270 in the near future. The top states for record mule deer are Colorado, Utah and Idaho. 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. The Brow-tined Bull and Antlerless elk hunts (34 HDs) makes a total of 63 unrestricted HDs where you can take any elk on 29 units and all but spikes on the rest. Sand Hill country GMUs 31, 32, and 33 in the southeast corner of the state also are capable of producing B&C bucks. Public land is not a problem here. It sported horns measuring more than 17 inches. We publish book and magazines, along with producing videos, DVDs, and TV programs. They open up for call-in registration at different times. Reading the bill I took it that way unless I misunderstood it. Copyright 2023 Eastmans' Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved, Guys TOP 5 Picks for Wyoming Mule Deer 2022. Home Guided Hunts Retreats Book Hunting Trip Successful Hunts About R&K Hunting Company Inc. 80 W. 100 S. P.O. This hunt area is the other limited quota hunt unit inside the general Region G area. We decided to try our hand at getting some tags in our neighboring state of Montana. Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus International. Some of our hunting areas include vast open ridges with . We shootbrownelk: Big fines, mandatory jail time and loss of licenses. A type 1 BMA is walk-in access with sign up at designated entrances. Diamond Outfitters has secured quite literally, the most legendary properties in all of Sonora! Draw units will typically take a number of years and points to draw a tag and have more trophy class deer. Kali Parmley, Editor-in-chief of Bakccountry Hunter speaks with Bret Maffet of Franchi Firearms to discuss the all new Momentum All Terrain Elite. We have guided and unguided hunts. Add to this bad news the fact that many nonresident applicants are getting very, very nervous, to say the least, given the possibility of the proposed 90/10 license allocation change becoming a reality. And it has been increasing every year. We are now booking for '23 and '24 Mule deer hunts. Area 141-1, The Green River Lakes hunt is a bit more of a long-shot for big bucks, but I just have a bit of a hunch that given the type of country in this area there could be some big bucks this fall to mine out of here for someone who hunts hard. We strive to help our audiences become more skilled and ethical hunters, while expanding their knowledge, appreciation, and awareness of the outdoors and wildlife through entertainment media. Mule Deer Ord, holds a fair number of mule deer and receives little pressure because of . My partner passed on a good deer the first day and we spent the majority of the rest of our hunt trying to find that deer. This has been considered the holy grail of mule deer permits in the Big Sky State for the past couple decades. Though relatively few in number, Missouri Breaks bucks can achieve notable size. Consult with Hunters Who Have Hunted in Your Unit, Join Now! 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. In Montana, Region 3 in the southwest corner of the state covers nearly 12 million acres, more than half of which is public land managed by the BLM or Forest Service. This country is big, rugged and nothing comes easy here, but the bucks here are by far the largest in the state, historically speaking. Publisher, Kevin Steele is with Brett Marquardt from Streamlight Inc. discussing the new Streamlight Pro Tac 2.0, the latest edition in the Pro Tac series. But, most importantly Wyomings States Total Budget is funded to the tune of about 25-30% by the Federal Government (nonresidents). Hunting districts south of the Missouri offer the best drawing odds. Colorado. Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line in 2023. Max points are a must to apply for this hunt. We shootbrownelk: Big fines, mandatory jail time and loss of licenses. Years of development and pushing the limits of what is possible in a rifle optic have led up to this moment. 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. Kevin Steele, Publisher of Petersen's HUNTING talks with JJ Reich of HEVI-Shot about the new offerings for 2023. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; For many hunters, wrapping their hands around the thick bases of a tall, wide, heavy mule deer rack is a moment dreams are made of. In my humble opinion, Wyoming is lacking nearly half the mule deer that should be grazing on our spring landscape as we speak. Hunting the last week of October tends to be the best bet for the biggest bucks. My best MT bucks came from heavily timbered units that have limited glassing opportunities. If you are a regular nonresident this means you are in the pool of 8,543 applicants for four tags. Plus Ive been buying points for my family . Hunters need to realize that . They further broke that number down into each region as follows: region 1 with 6,055; region 2 with 9,551; region 3 with 43,025; region 4 with 58,082; region 5 with 32,103; region 6 with 67,994; and region 7 with 77,140. Sunday Creek Outfitter's hunts moderate terrain, yet still harvests some of the most respectable Montana Elk, Mule Deer and Antelope in the United States! Credit: Photo Courtesy Missouri River Country. We chose a zone on the eastern side of the state that had better odds of drawing in their lottery and also offered public land to hunt with a General Deer Tag vs trying for a Draw unit. Box 357 Montana made a lot of changes to the deer regulations, with goal being to simplify them. Best Montana Scouting And Scenery 2020 Galleries. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; With only 50 tags on quota, a 20-day season in November and lots of public land to hunt, with a little help from the weather, this hunt should continue to excel well into the future. I have applied for this tag almost every year for the 25 years I was a resident and a couple years as a nonresident. Kevin Steele of Petersen's HUNTING is at the Streamlight booth at SHOT Show 2023 to go over the Bear Trap light from Streamlight. Cross your fingers for big bucks and good opportunities for the future. No other state comes close to Wyoming's endless harvesting options and ecosystems. Arizona, Coconino County128 pronghorn in B&C records 12. Thanks to Toprut, I can better strategize my big game applications with access to detailed unit profile information, hunt quotas, draw odds, harvest info, and more. DESIGNED BY: ROCKY RIDGE DIGITAL ADVERTISING. Almost feels like a time share that well never get to use. Region H, This general hunt region consists of a big, rugged region adjacent to the famed Region G area we spoke about above. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a holding company engaged in publishing. 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. Because nonresidents are in the same pool, there are 8,543 applicants in the total pool. If you have any questions about the general deer hunting opportunities or outfitters in Montana, give us a call. The best mule deer numbers are found southeast of the Panhandle region of Idaho. This general hunt region consists of a big, rugged region adjacent to the famed Region G area we spoke about above. Eastmans and Huntinfool have that covered. This area is mountainous and does contain about 25% wilderness at the very top of the unit. I also recommend the cellphone adapter that makes taking photos a breeze. Much of Montana is unposted even where public access lies. 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? During the rut large bucks appear in an effort to pass on their genes to receptive does. Habitat stamps cost $10.00 and you must have one to hunt anything in Colorado. My partner got through and signed us up for a 2nd one giving us only 1 day on that particular ranch. I lost count at 450 phone call attempts to register the morning the 2 we really wanted became available. Then you have the nonresident landowners who get thrown into the nonresident pool but get guaranteed preference of at least 15% of the tags over the rest of the nonresidents. Although a big buck here would be a very tall order, a fun hunt with limited pressure is what this hunt should offer up on a somewhat later season experience. This country is big, rugged and nothing comes easy here, but the bucks here are by far the largest in the state, historically speaking. Thank you, Jason. 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? The 2021 mule deer population estimate is the lowest since 2014. The first to die off and probably the first to rebound, or at least we hope. The highly anticipated North Dakota Deer Lottery has been run; NOT SUCCESSFUL! The same is true for those interested in hunting archery seasons. Our trophy mule deer hunts are only for those who have already drawn a 270 Mule deer permit in Montana, if you have questions about how to apply feel free to contact us through the button below and we can help you out there. amzn_assoc_linkid = "34865c461e195e06ee3f8398a02f30c0"; I have much more to learn about what it takes to continue to have successful mule deer hunting in Montana or any other state that offers Non-residents access to Big Game. The area consistently produces exceptional trophy mule deer, which are the priority on this hunt. I know the 380 bull tag in Montana is a prime example. The average deer we take in this unit scores around 180 inches gross. The answer is landowners. This hunt has been getting better and better each year and now seems to be producing some very consistent results as of the late. Learn how your comment data is processed. This hunt takes fewer points to draw, mostly because of the larger tag quota (600) and the larger portion of wilderness (21%) inside this region. READY TO GO ON YOUR EASTERN MONTANA MULE DEER HUNT? I think we also found that the squared bonus point system is not that effective because there are just too many applicants nowadays. 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. Be ready to glass all day. On the south side of the reservoir, whitetails are found along the Musselshell River as it meanders toward the Missouri. Best Montana Mule Deer Hunts 2020 Galleries. Zero in 2018 and two nonresidents drew in 2019. PS I from Nevada. Lodging, groceries and other services are found in towns such as Glasgow and Malta. The trophies are big. 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. Hunters stay at a comfortable, nice, and clean hotel of our recommendation and are picked up and dropped off every day. Although the thought of the 90/10 proposal could be very difficult to comprehend for most of you at this point, I really do think if it does in fact happen for deer, elk and antelope, I would be very surprised if it happened before the 2024 hunting season. Deer move throughout the day, typically to change beds as the shade transitions. All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This county should have its own chapter in the record books with over 100 B&C entries for mule deer. Publisher of Petersen's HUNTING magazine, Kevin Steele is at the Steiner Optics booth with Alberto Corbetta to discuss the Predator 4 and Predator 8. The Bitterroot Valley has long been known as the best place to take a trophy buck, and it is no secret as the draw odds have been horrible for units 261, 262, and 270. Thx Guy, Alcazar recommended units 7 and 8 in the north-central part of the state, near the Wyoming border, for hunters looking for areas with lots of public land and good potential for trophies.