Next Fall Modern Rifle Mule Deer Hunt?

[Rob Allen]

My wife's Grandfather is 80 and loves hunting and has never gotten a mule deer. He really  wants to get one while he can still hunt.   This will be my  first year hunting and my wife and I have decided to dedicate this year to give him the opportunity to fulfill his dream.   We  won't be doing any  special permits  or anything like that just 10 days of modern rifle.  Now  I have been scouring the web  trying to find any info I  can. I research an area  then come on here and put the name of the area in the search box and  every area says the same thing..  Too many people,  west siders please  stay home, no more  deer  here,  go away.

 Here  are my parameters

1. public land
2. spots where Grandpa can be not to far  from the truck

Right now i am leaning towards   250,224, and 215    all due to the fact that they  have nearby state parks with cabin rentals..  Grandpa  gets  cold  easy...

 I know all of this is a  tall order and hunters  are certainly tight lipped ( as i am as an angler)
I am not  expecting massive success  but hoping  for a little..   if  anyone  wants to PM me and  suggestions or advise  I'd sure appreciate it...  I  don't  expect people to  say much in an open forum  but i have to ask...

 thanks
Rob

[huntnphool]

  We  won't be doing any  special permits  or anything like that just 10 days of modern rifle.

 Be careful, currently the season is only 9 days, good luck.
 

[h20hunter]

Not sure if Bearpaw offers DIY maps for this type of hunt but....if he does...I think he could help steer you to some areas and provide maps that you could have some road hunting luck or at least some roaded areas that will offer flat walk in type spot and stalk hunting. Good luck and don't forget to take your camera.

[csaaphill]

Not sure if Bearpaw offers DIY maps for this type of hunt but....if he does...I think he could help steer you to some areas and provide maps that you could have some road hunting luck or at least some roaded areas that will offer flat walk in type spot and stalk hunting. Good luck and don't forget to take your camera.

[Fowlweather25]

Get ahold of YJ guide service on here. Very affordable non guided hunts on over 4000 acres of private ground. Great guy with a stand up operation. Pretty nice motel with awesome food less than 10 minutes from there. Unit 133

[Birdguy]

If it really is all about grandpa (very cool in my opinion, special oppertunity) this is likley a once in a lifetime hunt, for him and you since your first hunting season  , I say get a hold of YJ or Tanglewood or one of the other guides on here and see what they can hook you and your party up with and do it. Spend a little money, you will learn something and likely make some amazing memories for you, grandpa, and the Mrs. Book it early, have them send you the pics off the cams, go visit and see where you will be hunting, invest in  good camera and have a blast  .

[RightPlace-RightTime]

How bout a Montana trip. You would love it.

[Rob Allen]

My wife and I go fly fishing in Montana  for a week  every July.  it's only because there is no work there that we aren't Montana residents.

[Rob Allen]

I really  appreciate  everyone's advice.  Finances however dictate that a guided hunt is quite out of the question..

It  sounds  to me like  everyplace is crowded we just need to pick the scenery we like and hope  for the best.

 so..  stay  close to home  and deal with high hunter density but have the option to spend a  fair amount of time scouting  or  do we travel  away  from population centers and hope for the best? I have about 11 months  to ponder that.

[RB]

Don't rule out special permits there are lots of options for the over 65 crowd some of it over the counter too. 

[RightPlace-RightTime]

An eastern Montana adventure would work well. Worth the money if time of years is not on your side with age. You can do it unguided and would b worth it

[RightPlace-RightTime]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,15021.msg170939.html#msg170939

[RightPlace-RightTime]

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,63281.msg786890.html#msg786890

[jae]

My wife's Grandfather is 86 and I have been hunting with him for about 15 years for Elk during modern rifle (I hunt archery). He has harvested two cows in the last five years and this year He finally drew a Quality Bull tag and harvested His first Bull. He shot the first one that presented a shot and was very pleased with it.
To be perfectly honest I do not think the killing of a Elk is near as important as driving around and the camaraderie. I think the opportunity to hang out in the woods in search of animals and just seeing animals is a quality hunt when You are 80.
There have been dozens of opportunities over the years that a younger man could have capitalized on that just were not that important to My wife's Grandfather.
If You do take Him hunting, have fun keep Him comfortable, well fed and happy. If He needs a nap it is his schedule if this hunt is for him. If the hunt is for you also both of You could end up a little frustrated. When You are 80 You call your own shots.
Just my opinion from my experience. Everyone is different.

[Rob Allen]

My wife's Grandfather is 86 and I have been hunting with him for about 15 years for Elk during modern rifle (I hunt archery). He has harvested two cows in the last five years and this year He finally drew a Quality Bull tag and harvested His first Bull. He shot the first one that presented a shot and was very pleased with it.
To be perfectly honest I do not think the killing of a Elk is near as important as driving around and the camaraderie. I think the opportunity to hang out in the woods in search of animals and just seeing animals is a quality hunt when You are 80.
There have been dozens of opportunities over the years that a younger man could have capitalized on that just were not that important to My wife's Grandfather.
If You do take Him hunting, have fun keep Him comfortable, well fed and happy. If He needs a nap it is his schedule if this hunt is for him. If the hunt is for you also both of You could end up a little frustrated. When You are 80 You call your own shots.
Just my opinion from my experience. Everyone is different.

  I'll have  elk and late buck for myself....    He  will  want to sit and  watch a  clearcut or clearing. I am more interested in hiking  around  if  we  go out  for the whole  season there'll be plenty of  time  for  both.