Nick87
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Yah and sometimes I measure my antlers too.
Its all about perspective!
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antlerradar
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It depends on the property. If you have good fall feed, Irrigated alfalfa is your best bet. you will bring in does from miles around and the bucks will show up during the rut. Your biggest issues are going to be how the neighbors hunt and if there are public roads on the property. I am going to say that chances are good 7200 acres is not enough because bucks will be on the neighbors or standing for too long next to the county road at some point during the five week season. In order for 7200 acres to be enough you are going to need like minded neighbors. Good luck to you
Forkyfinder
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It's a shame the season isn't different and doesn't accommodate people from texas who bought a ranch and want quality deer. Shucks.
antlerradar
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If we could ever get some does back on public, the "they'll roam through public in November" might be more of an issue.You won't be able to manage much here for quality on your land provided it's a general area. They'll roam through public in November.
A 150" buck will get taken like it's the last chip of a shared bag in a crowded crew cab.
antlerradar
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He will soon find out the the outfitter on the neighbors will monetize most of the nice bucks from his property and any nearby public during the rut. Shortly after that he will start to think if I can't beat them I might as well join them and lease too. I live this every year, just haven't pulled the trigger on the leasing yet, but I think of it often.
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Forkyfinder
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Skip leasing!
Just use landtrust, hbro, or infinite outdoors! Then you don't need an outfitter at all.
antlerradar
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I had to google two of those. Just another form of leasing.
I am sure if I singed up with them, one of there big selling points would be hunting during the rut, and for me, the rut would put more money in my pocket. My hay fields bring in nice bucks every year during the rut from miles around. Many of those bucks are not on the property during daylight hours 11 months of the year. It is impossible to monetize a buck that is not on the property during the season or during day light.
Why would I pay a middle man to find someone to lease, Residents looking to lease are advertising in the agricultural publications and it is not like I have not been approached. If I was serious about leasing I could get it done in less than a week likely.
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Forkyfinder
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There just has to be public between two tracts of private that hold deer. One buck will push the other buck off his does and the buck will wander till he finds more does.
Look at every comment about unit (6)fiddyto - on this forum and others.
"A mule deer will go through that whole unit in a day"
I find many other things more important than money. I wont be leasing under any circumstance. Perhaps its not apples and oranges, but im able to keep a hundred or more deer on smaller properties here so im confident some things CAN be done to keep them happier in my little sanctuary than other places. Only time will tell though. To those who say they feed their families with game meat, good on you, and so do i! Yes, we have beef, chicken, and feral pork often enough, but venison is the staple. In my experiences the guys who say they ONLY hunt for meat and “you cant eat the horns” will absolutely turn themselves inside out if a nice buck presents himself. Never once have i seen these guys turn down a nice buck to shoot a dink or a doe! Im sure they exist, i just havnt come across them yet. I did actually have a change of heart last night somewhat. It was placed on my heart that stealing someones true joy over taking any game animal LEGALLY is a great disservice to my fellow hunters. If the animal is respected and fully utilized then i have no issues, but Plenty gets wasted by those with good intentions. I think we could all agree on that!
Perhaps the intense pressure and a few unscrupulous souls road hunting will make tagging a mature buck all the more sweet.
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I never said anything about changing the seasons so that one was pulled out of your poop chute. EVERYONE should respect the RESOURCE and want quality game animals to hunt! Do you think fantastic hunting or mediocre hunting are more beneficial to a geographic area as a whole?
Fantastic hunting brings in those who are serious about spending their hunting dollars and that just may lead to more access and resources to protect the mediocre hunting many seem to so dearly love….or dearly love to complain about. If 10% of allotted tags go to out of state hunters, then 90% of the responsibility of poor hunting lies with the residents…..and Ma nature.
Im coming west to escape AI and solar. If the hunting is garbage, ill hunt somewhere else.
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The_Coloradoboy
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I envy you. The 7200 acres in the breaks, not the Texas part obviously
Coming from Western Colorado to Montana, the Montana mule deer situation is definitely different to say the least. I think my biggest take away from running around and scouting the breaks and helping with a elk hunt is the lack there of mule deer in general in that country… awesome country with a lot of old history like many great mule deer locations across west… however that is some sweet elk hunting out there if that’s any consolation
Maybe i will be so blessed to draw a tag and find out!I envy you. The 7200 acres in the breaks, not the Texas part obviously
Coming from Western Colorado to Montana, the Montana mule deer situation is definitely different to say the least. I think my biggest take away from running around and scouting the breaks and helping with a elk hunt is the lack there of mule deer in that country… awesome country with a lot of old history like many great mule deer locations across west… however that is some sweet elk hunting out there if that’s any consolation
No public roads and a LONG hike in to this area may help a little. Hope my old Texas horses can adapt before they kill me in that country.
The_Coloradoboy
Well-known member
The archery hunt isn’t bad. Lot of human pressure, mosquitoes, and some lovely mud when it does rain/snow although. Rifle hunt is definitely special if you can draw one that’s for sure.
It could be so much better. mtmuleyI envy you. The 7200 acres in the however that is some sweet elk hunting out there if that’s any consolation
The_Coloradoboy
Well-known member
If they would cut the archery tags in half i definitely agree..
Too many rifle bull tags also. mtmuley
The_Coloradoboy
Well-known member
We are a “opportunity” state right
antlerradar
Well-known member
Forkys might just wander till he finds more does, but experienced bucks keep going back to the same places they found does in the past.
If you can find a bit of public between two populations of doe, you could have a spot where you can harvest a buck leaving private land. I am sure that there are places like this, but if the future of public land hunting in MT is hoping that you will get a chance at a buck that happens to wander off of private land, it is going to be a sad future full of frustration.
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