There has been a lot of talk here about mule deer and the management of them. So what is the expectation you have when hunting mule deer in Montana? mtmuley
I haven't shot a mule deer buck in Montana in over 14 years of hunting. I've had tons of opportunity to do so, but none met my personal criteria. Even the big, tall 3 that stopped 200 yards in front of my camp. I've had one buck that haunts me. That was a tank up in a special permit area that has a 3 week rifle season. I simply found him too late on my last day to make it happen, but I still see that fat bastard every time I sleep.
My expectations for MT mule deer hunting are this: Have a season structure that benefits the overall health and well-being of the animals so as to ensure their future for the next 100 years. The hunting portion of this is easier to achieve than the habitat portion. I'd like to see a hunting season that is egalitarian, provides opportunity for the type of deer you want to harvest, be it a forky, a doe or a trophy buck, and an approach that focuses on the science of it all, rather than the social conditions that drive the urge for only large antlers.
To me that means shorter season structure with more LE permits for Mule deer in some areas, based on what local sportsmen, landowners and the agency can come up with together.
Mostly, I expect the state of Montana to take habitat restoration seriously rather than gloss over it as an expedient talking point from either side. MT has programs that can be used to improve native habitat across the 7 districts, but the funding is pitiful.
You want to shoot young bucks? I don't care. You want to shoot does? Not my business. trophy bucks? Get after it.
We, collectively want holistic management based on the actual needs of deer? I'm in.