Planning for an Eastern Montana mule deer hunt

[OpenCountry]

3 years ago I didn’t think it was that bad ? Maybe a lot has changed. .

Not that bad? I’m curious when the current situation becomes “bad”. When a 140” is all the sudden considered a “solid MT buck”? Just wait for another few years at the current pace.

 

[SwaggyD]

3 years ago I didn’t think it was that bad ? Maybe a lot has changed. .

Look at that neck!!! Holy smokes. You save those neck roasts? Lots of meat there!

 

[antlerradar]

3 years ago I didn’t think it was that bad ? Maybe a lot has changed. .

There are still bucks like that to be had, at least for a little while. It is all about perspective. That is a nice buck, but so is a 125 to 130 inch whitetail.

 

[EYJONAS!]

3 years ago I didn’t think it was that bad ? Maybe a lot has changed. .

30" tall?

 

[DFS]

There are still bucks like that to be had, at least for a little while. It is all about perspective. That is a nice buck, but so is a 130 inch whitetail.

A few. Not many.

 

[antlerradar]

A few. Not many.

The real trick is finding a buck with those genetics that actual lives past four years old on public land. I think I have seen two or three in the last 10 years.

 

[DFS]

The real trick is finding a buck with those genetics that actual lives past four years old on public land. I think I have seen two or three in the last 10 years.

Doing better than me. I shot a muley buck in 2015 and I suspect it might be my last in Montana.

 

[antlerradar]

The last one I shot was in 2010. I have seen a few others that I would pull the trigger on, but they are off limits.

 

[brockel]

The real trick is finding a buck with those genetics that actual lives past four years old on public land. I think I have seen two or three in the last 10 years.

Exactly. Solid genetics right there. Imagine if season structure could give those types a chance

 

[brownbear932008]

If you’re a local and want to complain about numbers, go for it. Everyone whines on to try and deter non-res hunters. If MT FWP is still offering tags, it’s fair game. Ragging on quality and quantity to make a guy feel bummed about something he wants to do is dumb. No herd can sustain perfectly over the decades. Changes happen. Let folks be excited to hunt.

I'm 1100 miles from being local and began hunting MT for deer about 20 years ago. The hunting sucks for mulies compared to the past. Haven't been back since 2016 or so chasing deer. You have no idea what your talking about IMO. It's a seriously declining resource and that is a fact because of bad policy and management. Like I've said before if you want a sub par mulie have at it they are there no doubt about that. Not worth the price of admission.

 

[SwaggyD]

I'm 1100 miles from being local and began hunting MT for deer about 20 years ago. The hunting sucks for mulies compared to the past. Haven't been back since 2016 or so chasing deer. You have no idea what your talking about IMO. It's a seriously declining resource and that is a fact because of bad policy and management. Like I've said before if you want a sub par mulie have at it they are there no doubt about that. Not worth the price of admission.

Love me my rutted yo forked horn!! #neckroasts

 

[DFS]

Love me my rutted yo forked horn!! #neckroasts

I make a mean raccoon, mule deer neck roast stew.

 

[Nick87]

I make a mean raccoon, mule deer neck roast stew.

And you still prefer to take landowners a box of apples?

 

[DFS]

And you still prefer to take landowners a box of apples?

Access was granted by a box of apples for many many years. I ate apple pie I didn’t bring the apples.

 

[Nick87]

Access was granted by a box of apples for many many years.

Hell it was granted with a hand shake for many years.

 

[DFS]

Hell it was granted with a hand shake for many years.

Until the nonresidents started bringing boxes of apples.

 

[Nick87]

Until the nonresidents started bringing boxes of apples.

That's how it starts.

 

[SwaggyD]

Hell it was granted with a hand shake for many years.

Many years you’d show up and ask and end up drinking a pot coffee.

 

[DFS]

Many years you’d show up and ask and end up drinking a pot coffee.

Now it goes get the hell out of here you otc!!

 

[SwaggyD]

Now it goes get the hell out of here you otc!!

OTC? I’m relatively new here