Limited Time - Limited Choices

[Skynard]

I live in Montana and hunt mulies in eastern Montana every year and I can confirm that your YouTube experience does not paint an accurate picture of reality. You have to pick through a ton of dinks and ANY buck over 3.5 years old is one you better shoot because you will regret it later. Montana general season is an opportunity hunt and if you’re expecting maturity or 4 points behind every bush, you’re going to be disappointed

Is it accurate to expect to see a shootable buck - for me, anything legal - on a 10 day hunt at the end of the Montana season?

 

[glass eye]

Red deer in New Zealand during spring break. That would be during the roar (rut).
Lots of public land, no license fees or tags, no closed season, no limit, either sex.
No problems diy.

Just have to wait for the country to open back up to tourists.

 

[PablitoPescador]

Is it accurate to expect to see a shootable buck - for me, anything legal - on a 10 day hunt at the end of the Montana season?

Yeah you’ll definitely see some bucks. Just don’t expect anything real mature

 

[F250]

If you aren't an "antler guy", there are lots of opportunities for December cow elk tags.

 

[Skynard]

Thanks guys, put in for MT general deer last night!

 

[dbachman_50]

It certainly can be if you are willing to actually hunt instead of sit in or near camp or your truck. It's often miserably cold, and the snow can be deep, but the elk are there.

This is well put. I saw dozens (seemed like 100s) of guys in elk camp or driving around. I only saw three dead elk and one was mine. There are some elk.
Things that worked for me were:
- scouting maps
- making phone calls to wildlife officers
- avoiding crowds
- going where 90% of people would not go

It depends also on expectations. I did not see any 330 bulls of course! I was successful as I had it defined...

 

[Skynard]

Well, I'll follow up. Sorry for being late.

As a campus minister I get to take breaks similar to the univeristy breaks! Managed to get to MT thanksgiving week and we killed a good buck (for us, first mule deer). Thanks to all who helped me get the application in. Best hunt of my life. I'll post a new thread on the full story soon!