Bridger mule deer

[FAIR CHASE]

When I moved to Bozeman in 1999, I had a guy show me some of his bucks from the Bridger's from the yester-years, WOW.

 

[Spedray]

Years ago there was an article in the Livingston Enterprise hunting paper that comes out just before hunting season where they were talking about game migration. They interviewed a biologist with MTFWP who said that they had collars on 5 generations of does that wintered in the foothills of the Bridgers and returned to Yellowstone Park in the spring.
I think that there is a good chance that some of the big bucks killed in the Bridgers actually came from the Park.

Those days are long gone I would guess since there are very few deer in the park and they probably couldn't cross I90 anyway.

I also have heard that some of the deer that winter in the bridgers come from the crazy mountains.

 

[bucdoego]

The storytelling is great - so is the photography. Thanks for sharing.

Even without filling the muley tag, you had a great adventure. You both will be telling this story for decades.

 

[Irrelevant]

I was betting on a last minute buck, dang. Way to put in the effort

 

[Huntmt28]

Hell of an effort, thank you for not just filling your tag on a young deer. Had the tag in 2018 and didn't kill 1, ended up seeing 1 that I wanted and for me it was that buck or no buck, just didn't work out with him. Thanks for taking us along.

 

[rtraverdavis]

Really enjoyed this thread, the updates, the photos and storytelling, and the effort you put into this tag. Sorry it didn’t pan out, but it was a cool ride.

 

[The Hedgehog]

I ventured into the Bridgers yesterday on the west face of the most extreme rugged peaks. Found an old troll of a freak nasty warrior that hopefully made it through the season to spread his genes.

I belly crawled within range and as luck would have it (I didn’t have a permit) the old mossy horn gave me the slip, ruining my chances for an Eastman’s Journal cover shot. His ever-aware companions stood long enough for an epic photo capture by @SilentButDeadlyOutdoorImaging.

 

[antlerradar]

If the camera panned out there are probably some neighbors looking just like those does.

I am wondering how long it took for the cops to show up?

 

[ismith]

I ventured into the Bridgers yesterday on the west face of the most extreme rugged peaks. Found an old troll of a freak nasty warrior that hopefully made it through the season to spread his genes.
View attachment 303453
I belly crawled within range and as luck would have it (I didn’t have a permit) the old mossy horn gave me the slip, ruining my chances for an Eastman’s Journal cover shot. His ever-aware companions stood long enough for an epic photo capture by @SilentButDeadlyOutdoorImaging.
View attachment 303454

It was “The year of the yard deer” up here in Helena too.

 

[OverlordBear]

Thanks for the trip report! Great story and congrats on the five animals. That is hell of a season for two hunters.

 

[bullkillintime]

I also have heard that some of the deer that winter in the bridgers come from the crazy mountains.

It was a lot of fun to follow this thread! My 13 y/o son has the Bridger tag this year so here we go!

 

[Spedray]

Pray for snow. I know some decent deer migrate in from the surrounding areas but we didn't get any real snow last year during the season. We skipped some popular hiking areas and I think that hurt our chances. We talked to some people that saw good bucks but it's hard to say what they think a good bucks is. Be prepared to see people anywhere. Hope you are a nice one and good luck.