If you have any questions about the mule deer hunting or how to apply feel free to contact us. Idaho. Located outside of Laramie this hunt is a bit rough, but nothing like the rugged hunts in the northwest portion of the state. With the versatility to guide you on a Western Montana elk hunt, a spring bear hunt or an Eastern Montana trophy mule deer hunt. The bowhunting here can be very lucrative. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks 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. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Rifle or Archery Elk hunting, Mule Deer, Whitetail Deer, Black Bear, Moose, MT Lion Montana Guided Hunts. 262-00-B: F ANY G 100% 0 ArchEquip, shotgun . $5,900/Hunter. On the south side of the reservoir, whitetails are found along the Musselshell River as it meanders toward the Missouri. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a multimedia corporation whose roots are grounded in the ethics of fair chase hunting. Using this strategy . 3. The archery season runs September 3-October 16, most rifle seasons run October 22-November 27, and the muzzleloader season runs December 10-18. Antlers on yearling buck white-tailed and mule deer may look similar. 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. Antlerless: A deer without antlers or with antlers less than 3 inches in length. 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. . Archery and muzzleloader tags in those units will require fewer points.. At Montana Rivers & Ridges Outfitter, our guides are Montana natives and well experienced across the state. Hard-charging hunters, however, can take to the Missouri Breaks, hiking for miles in wild country in search of a trophy buck. Toprut allows me to find the tags and hunts that others miss or overlook. BOOK YOUR 2022 MONTANA FLY FISHING TRIP TODAY! Hopefully this change will help increase the age class of the bucks in those units. We publish book and magazines, along with producing videos, DVDs, and TV programs. This is a very solid hunt in my opinion for only one or two preference points. Archery season runs in September and most rifle seasons occur during October, with some exceptions. Our mule deer love the high country! 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. Few places in the hunting world command the attention of mule deer enthusiasts like Eagle County, Colorado. READY TO GO ON YOUR EASTERN MONTANA MULE DEER HUNT? My wife and I are finally entering a drawing for a mule deer hunt in Montana. 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. 16 years worth of buying points all for 1.5% better odds than someone with zero points. Montana Rivers and Ridges Outfitter offers a late season 4 Day trophy Mule Deer hunt on the beautiful prairie of Eastern Montana. The guys are , Bow hunt public land mule deer with Brian Barney on this episode of Beyond the , Darby is beautiful we stayed there right before all this Corona virus shut us all down but I dont think I would waste my time applying for such a limited hunt with such bad odds there has to be some better sleeper units if you do your research. This will cause massive demand on the system this year and next with high point holders forcibly pushed to cash in their points before the change which will cause huge gains in point creep for deer, elk and antelope inside the Wyoming point system. THE BEST MULE DEER RIFLE CALIBER. Publisher Kevin Steele is in the Beretta booth with Logan Killam, the Shotgun Product Manager, to discuss the all new Beretta A300 Ultima Turkey. The 2021 state estimate was 293,950, which is down 34,363 from 2020. When signed up to access a Type 2 BMA, each hunter must sign in the previous day at a designated sign in trailer (sometimes MILES away from the actual ranch you will be hunting) to get your window pass. Tag holders can expect to see 20+ quality bucks per day. Go on More Hunts with Better Information, Join Huntin' Fool Today! They also provide transportation to and from the airport if needed. John Vore, game-management bureau chief for the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks department, reported some hunters tag huge mule deer bucks using boats to access the Missouri River Breaks area where the river separates regions 4 and 7 in the state. This hunt is one of only two limited quota hunts inside the Region G zone where 15 lucky applicants will hunt for big rut staged high country deer during the final two weeks of the month of October. Busted . The breakdown of whitetail per region is as follows: region 1 with 69,094; region 2 with 37,747; region 3 with 23,745; region 4 with 32,657; region 5 with 14,917; region 6 with 14,311; and region 7 with 20,343. It sported horns measuring more than 17 inches. Statewide, mule deer populations in Montana during there 2018 season were hovering around 334,965, which is down 13.23% from a peak in 2017, but still vastly higher than the low in 2012 of 211,361. Lodging, groceries and other services are found in towns such as Glasgow and Malta. With a mild winter and wet spring, I really think there could be some gems in these hills for those who hunt hard this fall. 406-342-5475 tlp@rangeweb.net . As mentioned previously, New Mexico is home to world-class pronghorn hunting. Tag holders can expect to see 20+ quality bucks per day. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; 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! These two situations have placed many applicants between the proverbial rock and a hard place as they weigh out the beyond uncomfortable trade-off between a down year for deer hunting and the possibility of future draw odds quadrupling all while tag costs could more than double in the process. Utah has six limited-entry units where trophy quality can be amazing, and a bonus-points system is used, rather than preference points, meaning half the tags in each unit are given to the top points holders and half are awarded in a random draw. All antelope hunting in Montana is conducted on a draw-only basis. Professional outfitters' and guides' services are also available throughout the region, providing expert services to out-of-state hunters. 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. We ended up hunting the type 1 BMAs for 6 of the 7 days hunted. These are the good old days of hunting mule deer in Utah, said Jones, who added that all of the 29 general-season units in the state are capable of producing 200-inch bucks. It's not the same question as asking what is the best Colorado OTC archery unit. 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. . Probably the most important bit of information we found was: If a ranch is enrolled into the Block Management Program and there is BLM land on or bordering that ranch, that BLM land is NOT OPEN to public access. | If you have any questions about the general deer hunting opportunities or outfitters in Montana, give us a call. The top states for record mule deer are Colorado, Utah and Idaho. Core habitat for elk in northeastern Montana is found adjacent to the Missouri River and tributary creeks. As a reminder, Montana has a squared bonus point system. 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.". One change that took place for 2022 is a handful of mule deer units that used to be unlimited went to general. Montana Rivers and Ridges Outfitter has access to over 1.5 million acres of land to hunt elk, deer, and other big game animals within the Bitterroot National Forest. The up-and-coming units in Arizona are 6A, 8, and 5BS.. We took a short trip at the end of October to do some scouting of where we planned to hunt and got familiar with the area we planned to be. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. The Courts can and do go back and modify rulings from the bench when situations change. This country is big, rugged and nothing comes easy here, but the bucks here are by far the largest in the state, historically speaking. Eastmans and Huntinfool have that covered. Thank you, Jason. In Montana, 15% of all permits for elk and deer can go to landowners. This country is big, rugged and nothing comes easy here, but the bucks here are by far the largest in the state, historically speaking. I know the 380 bull tag in Montana is a prime example. 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. 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 area consistently produces exceptional trophy mule deer, which are the priority on this hunt. This showed us what private, BLM, BMA and State lands were. amzn_assoc_asins = "B013D2ULO6"; Montana mule deer herds are showing a small improvement in quality, but herds are stable to declining in most areas of the state. This hunt should take 12 to 14 points to draw this year. 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. Nebraska. No other state comes close to Wyoming's endless harvesting options and ecosystems. 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? By doing so, they have combined a number of units. My partner got through and signed us up for a 2nd one giving us only 1 day on that particular ranch. The West side of the Bighorns is a mule deer producing factory on a good year. Thx Guy, I fully expect 10 preference points to be a requirement to hunt here with 100% surety. 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. Learn more about Montana Rivers & Ridges and get to know our guides! Some of the biggest bull elk in Montana call the Breaks home. Public land is not a problem here. Theres thousands of people who have invested a lot of money in the point system. Unfortunately, Montana has been giving out so many mule deer doe tags that they have put a hurt on the mule deer population. Wyomings Elk Area 7, south of Casper, is a large unit with lots of elk and is about half public land. The downside is there are unlimited permission slips and limit to how many hunters have access each day. 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. 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. 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. Mule deer hunters should plan to go high in the mountains for the best opportunity at bigger bucks. We've Ranked All Mule Deer Hunting States by Entries Per Square Mile of Total Land Mass. 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. The average deer we take in this unit scores around 180 inches gross. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. As a general rule, elk density also increases from east to west. Dakota Walleye Classic Recap Lake Sakakawea is Stupid Healthy Right Now Best Cranks for Suspended Walleyes Still Loving the Scheels Tournament Bait Rod at 8.6, Sponsored by OutfitterLogic.com Hunting & Fishing Guide Website Design Winter Getting Long.first signs of spring Winnipeg walleyes Reverse Valentines Gifts for Men Are Custom Rods, The Prairie Skies of Bismarck, North Dakota (USA), Montana has 7 hunt districts that break down into smaller units in each district. Hunters will experience a true western mule deer hunt and will spend a significant amount of time glassing in an effort to locate their trophy buck. We decided to try our hand at getting some tags in our neighboring state of Montana. We cover Units 240, 250, 261, 262, and 270 for Mule Deer Draw Tag Hunters! This hunt has been getting better and better each year and now seems to be producing some very consistent results as of the late. If you have max points (16) you have a 2% chance at drawing. 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. If you have zero points you have a .004% chance of drawing a tag. Pronghorn tags in both states can be very difficult to draw. The Tag: Unit 44 Rifle Mule Deer. In 2019 there were 7,654 resident applicants for about 35 tags. Located outside of Laramie this hunt is a bit rough, but nothing like the rugged hunts in the northwest portion of the state. Montana made a lot of changes to the deer regulations, with goal being to simplify them. Much of Montana is unposted even where public access lies. And every other year at least one or two of the four tags go to landowners. Hey Chopperz, as of right now it has only become law for the Big 5. I would not go back without it! 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." Hunt mule deer with Ike and Guy Eastman during an October snowstorm. If you have max points (16), you have 256 chances in the drawing. Get up above the ATV trails and leave the mule deer call in the pack. Our first ranch was 15,000 acres and allowed 15 hunters per day. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Our Montana Elk hunts are conducted on private ranches in West Central Montana near Bozeman, Anaconda, Philpsburg and Deer Lodge, Montana. Montana has 7 hunt districts that break down into smaller units in each district. 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! 28. Subscriber Services. Our Best Mule Deer Hunts Hunting big mule deer bucks in the rut is a great hunt to consider. Unit 102 has been a desirable hunter destination for trophy mule deer in Wyoming over the past two decades. We applied as a party and were successful in drawing our Either Species/Either Sex tags. The key indicators of a rebound are all lining up for the future on this hunt. For example, fewer animals are found in the region around Fork Peck Dam as opposed to areas at the western end of the reservoir. Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line in 2023. The more popular areas for whitetail are along the river systems and large agricultural areas throughout the eastern part of the state. The bad news is it can take decades to draw a coveted tag in some of the premium units. Our goal is to provide the best fair chase Colorado Elk Hunting and Trophy Mule Deer Hunting available. The 2021 mule deer population estimate is the lowest since 2014. If awarded we are going to try to stay on the eastern side of the state due to the drive from Louisiana.. . Any further questions call Dan Alleman.". There is a lot of private land, but there is plenty of Block Management and public land for anyone to have a good hunt. 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. 1579 N Main Street Ste 100 Our 2nd ranch sign in trailer ended up approximately 30 miles from the ranch and in the opposite direction of where we had lodged. The hunting season for these species coincides with the archery season for big game. Montana, Sanders County132 bighorn sheep in B&C records 11. So overall, the Montana mule deer population is up 36.9% the past seven years. Fair Chase, Prime Big Trophy Hunts since 2006. This is a very limited, late season hunt with hunt dates during most of the month of November. Almost feels like a time share that well never get to use. Give a Gift The good news is many Western states have huge mule deer herds and produce phenomenal bucks. This hunt area is the other limited quota hunt unit inside the general Region G area. 1. Mule deer can also be found on more open prairie and agricultural areas, especially in places offering patches of bedding cover. So in 2018, all four of the nonresident tags went to landowners. MONTANA STATEWIDE MULE DEER HERD POPULATION ESTIMATES (2010-2018) Nevada, Washoe County114 pronghorn in B&C records 14. This is a very solid hunt in my opinion for only one or two preference points. Snow cover is more likely at this time, making deer more visible. 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. Statistically, the most coveted deer permit in Montana is just outside Darby in the southernmost portion of the Bitterroot Valley. The landscape is big. Kevin Steele stops by the Taurus booth to speak with Cody Osborn about the all new Raging Hunter platform from Taurus International. It's pretty easy to figure out which units offer the best trophy potential and have limited tags (and corresponding tough draw odds). Its now 4 years in a row of getting the annual rejection letter. If you have two points, that gives you four chances in the drawing. Deer hunting can be good at any time during the season, but the last half of November is favored by many resident hunters. Needless to say, hunting mule deer in Wyoming in its current capacity is going to probably be less than ideal. Maps for Montana Deer, Elk, and Mountain Lion Hunting Districts Select a hunting unit from the dropdown menu or click a unit on the map below. 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. I have applied for this tag almost every year for the 25 years I was a resident and a couple years as a nonresident. The big takeaway here is, as nonresident landowners suck out more and more of the nonresident pool, expect less and less tags being drawn by general nonresidents. 4. Edward Wright: This was 20 years ago when coyotes in my home state hit epidemic proportions. Learn how your comment data is processed. Eastmans Publishing, Inc. is a multimedia corporation whose roots are grounded in the ethics of fair chase hunting. Complete trip planning materials are available on the Missouri River Country website. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Area 60-1, The Pole Mountain, on forest hunt, is probably the definition of a sleeper hunt unit. With plenty of deer, a good buck here can be a tough endeavor, but they are here if you know where to look. Though relatively few in number, Missouri Breaks bucks can achieve notable size. Hunting districts south of the Missouri offer the best drawing odds. Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line in 2023. 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. There is some public land along the Milk River with deer hunting also available on Block Management Areas, a Montana program that facilitates public access to private land.