Planning for an Eastern Montana mule deer hunt

[Shangobango]

I have actually shot 2 whitetail in Montana. Actually drove all the way there for mule deer but wasn't able to turn up any size so the next focus was a nice whitetail. I was actually able to get on some private ground my last day there and help a rancher out that wanted to get rid of some whitetail

I am driving all the way from Louisiana next season and I will be focusing on whitetails. I mean if I see a big ole mule deer I will go after it, but I have a hunch I will be coming home without a mule deer.

 

[NEsurfcaster]

I shot a mule deer 2 years in a row and wanted a whitetail. Mature deer around me are 75lbs in the rut, farm deer in my area can get 125 but rare.
It wasn't a well thought out plan. It was one of those deals where you go over a hill and deer run everywhere. The biggest deer stayed with a doe and gave me 5 seconds to make a decision. Very next night a bigger buck was in same field and 5 days later while scouting a way bigger deer in that field as well.
It was cool tho, good times. I'll always remember that drag w/ my brother.

 

[jimboshears]

I shot a mule deer 2 years in a row and wanted a whitetail. Mature deer around me are 75lbs in the rut, farm deer in my area can get 125 but rare.
It wasn't a well thought out plan. It was one of those deals where you go over a hill and deer run everywhere. The biggest deer stayed with a doe and gave me 5 seconds to make a decision. Very next night a bigger buck was in same field and 5 days later while scouting a way bigger deer in that field as well.
It was cool tho, good times. I'll always remember that drag w/ my brother.

Did you utilize any of the BMA for your whitetail encounters? I need to fill the freezer for my wife and two babies this fall and have a buck general tag and a doe tag for the 700's. I am coming up from Colorado at the beginning of rifle opener and then the middle of November if need be after my CO buck tag.

 

[NEsurfcaster]

Jimbo, Most of the deer I've harvested have come from bma's. I got the same bma this year where I got my last deer 3 years ago. Rancher said there isn't as many deer... This particular ranch is pretty cool, a pay to hunt property borders it but that property has one way in. When those hunters go into there stands/blinds they bump the deer onto the bma. The bma has the agriculture and the pay to hunt land has the creek w/ lots of mature hardwoods.
1 more month for me till I'm out there.