Planning for an Eastern Montana mule deer hunt

[brockel]

I am considering heading back out to eastern Montana this year as well. I spent time in the South Central part of the region 7 in 2020 and had an amazing trip. I shot my first mule deer on that trip which was a long time dream of mine being a whitetail hunter from Ohio, and made some memories that will last a lifetime.
I am a little hesitant this year though due to the ongoing drought conditions that have seemed to even shrink the narrowing mule deer herd even further. I have some friends in the Colstrip area that have mentioned how badly the local mule deer population has been effected. Any thoughts on this for you folks in region 7?

It’s not getting any better. Very little snow this winter. This last snow storm we got is a dry snow

 

[SwaggyD]

Moisture brings moisture. There’s no moisture. This drought is gonna be ugly imo. Whatever grows and doesn’t get eaten by cattle the hoppers are gonna get. I personally think it could be a 2-3 year drought. Buckle up.

 

[antlerradar]

My thermometer is reading negative 30 right now. That is not going to help ether.

 

[brockel]

My thermometer is reading negative 30 right now. That is not going to help ether.

Maybe we should have 15,000 mule deer doe tags. Kill more in September-December. That way less die in January and February

 

[easternmt]

I am considering heading back out to eastern Montana this year as well. I spent time in the South Central part of the region 7 in 2020 and had an amazing trip. I shot my first mule deer on that trip which was a long time dream of mine being a whitetail hunter from Ohio, and made some memories that will last a lifetime.
I am a little hesitant this year though due to the ongoing drought conditions that have seemed to even shrink the narrowing mule deer herd even further. I have some friends in the Colstrip area that have mentioned how badly the local mule deer population has been effected. Any thoughts on this for you folks in region 7?

Believe your friends in Colstrip. I live there as well and will vouche for their opinions

 

[Hem]

The lack of sufficient snow is concerning.
Ft Peck getting lower and lower. Last year it was lower in June than it was in April.

 

[mtmuley]

The lack of sufficient snow is concerning.
Ft Peck getting lower and lower. Last year it was lower in June than it was in April.

In 2004 you could walk across the upper part of Fourchette Bay. mtmuley

 

[MTLabrador]

At least the drought might help the mosquito situation in the breaks. 2014 was pretty miserable up there when everything flooded.

 

[DFS]

People were complaining about deer numbers last year, this year could be interesting I would suspect much worse.

 

[huntin24/7]

Maybe we should have 15,000 mule deer doe tags. Kill more in September-December. That way less die in January and February

If we kill them all, then they cant die from cwd.

 

[brockel]

At least the drought might help the mosquito situation in the breaks. 2014 was pretty miserable up there when everything flooded.

One positive last year. Didn’t see a single skeeter. Grasshoppers probably ate them

 

[Labman1127]

Thanks for the replies guys. Hard to justify a 23 hour drive with $3.50 / gallon gas prices (thanks Biden) and a $650 non-res tag with this bleak of an outlook for eastern MT.
Was also considering heading up along the Canadian boarder in region 6, but can’t imagine the mule deer have faired the drought much better up that way. I have never been to the northern reaches of region 6, so any advice / guidance would be helpful. Looks like a vast area with quite a bit of state land to explore.

 

[EYJONAS!]

Damn..... it was deleted but there was a great reference photo of a classic 164 typical mule deer posted a couple days ago.

Thought it would be good for people to study and get a real solid gauge on what they should be looking for.

Too late.

 

[ccc23454]

Damn..... it was deleted but there was a great reference photo of a classic 164 typical mule deer posted a couple days ago.

Thought it would be good for people to study and get a real solid gauge on what they should be looking for.

Too late.

Pretty sure same guy measured some antelope not long ago also

 

[brockel]

If we kill them all, then they cant die from cwd.

 

[mtmuley]

Damn..... it was deleted but there was a great reference photo of a classic 164 typical mule deer posted a couple days ago.

Thought it would be good for people to study and get a real solid gauge on what they should be looking for.

Too late.

Woulda been a long armed 170. mtmuley

 

[EYJONAS!]

Woulda been a long armed 170. mtmuley

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

Probably passed a 180 buck to get that one....

 

[brockel]

Beauty is always in the eye of the beholder.

Probably passed a 180 buck to get that one....

Don’t think he had his boots laced up THAT tight

 

[EYJONAS!]

Don’t think he had his boots laced up THAT tight

Most don't..... not all of us are Greenhorns or Muleys or Radars

 

[brockel]

Most don't..... not all of us are Greenhorns or Muleys or Radars

View attachment 213295

Good meat bucks