Mule deer rut in Montana

[Southern Elk]

When would you say the peak of the mule deer rut is in Montana? Does it vary in different parts of the state? When is your favorite time frame for hunting mule deer?

 

[zachthebowhunter]

Last 2-3 weeks in novermber is when I have seen the most rut activity in my experience around Helena and Butte. I'd guess it's close to the same in the rest of the state

 

[MTHunter1321]

A couple of years ago I shot a buck that was rutting on opening day. Depending on weather though it's usually in the final 2 weeks or so that it's the peak. Find the doe's late in the season and you should find a buck with them.

 

[----]

Last 2-3 weeks in novermber is when I have seen the most rut activity in my experience around Helena and Butte. I'd guess it's close to the same in the rest of the state

I think the bulk of the buck rut from the 10th through the 25th like Zach is saying, but there is without a doubt rutting activity that happens from October 25- November 5th. Multiple times I've watched bucks chasing does hard in this time period, and they tend to be older bucks when I do see it happen.

I watched a 6-8 year old buck chasing does on Sunday, but it was on a refuge with an extremely high buck to doe ratio.

Basically, anytime during rifle season you can catch rutting bucks. Their rut is very drawn out, and much less predictable than elk and whitetail.

 

[Southern Elk]

Around home I like to hunt a couple of weeks ahead of the peak of the rut because the whitetail bucks will start cruising looking for does. Do you see the same thing with mule deer? Do they start being seen more frequently leading up to the rut?

 

[MooseCaboose]

Mid November. If you hunt the Last week you risk missing it some years.

 

[zachthebowhunter]

Around home I like to hunt a couple of weeks ahead of the peak of the rut because the whitetail bucks will start cruising looking for does. Do you see the same thing with mule deer? Do they start being seen more frequently leading up to the rut?

In my area, I can hunt all bow season and into rifle and see the same few younger bucks, but all the sudden the bigger deer will just show up out of the wood work. So I would say they don't cruse around early looking for does, but then again maybe thats just the area I hunt.

 

[8andcounting]

Mid November. If you hunt the Last week you risk missing it some years.

This ^^^^^ - hunted last 7 days of season in central Montana last 2 years and it's been over .

 

[8andcounting]

This ^^^^^ - hunted last 7 days of season in central Montana last 2 years and it's been over .

Going on the 15-22 this year

 

[Sytes]

I've a great video of a couple young muley bucks fighting pushing each other around right outside the office window. I'll see if there is a way to post it... fun as heck! Had it on my FB page though still a rookie Facebook person. No clue... IDNative and a few other HT members viewed it. Amazing little forkers duking it out. Anyone know how or do I need to post it to the Youtube / Vimeo in order to link it here?

BTW, they were clanking forks October 6th. These guys were probably just dinking around though they were with several does... Very early for the area... Usually it is around mid ---> end of Nov, least in my experience.
General area: NW MT