Montana Mule Deer Hunt

[300UltraMagShooter]

All the guys on here hunting Montana this last year have gotten me really pumped up about hunting Montana. 

Anyone have any information as to what it takes to hunt Montana?  How hard is it to get a tag?  Where is the best area to go to hunt mule deer?

[buckmaster_wa]

You have to apply for a general deer tag by March 15th(I believe). I think the odds are something like 26% but I know one guy(fishunt247) that has gone three years without drawing a tag there. Then hunt anywhere on the east side for good mule deer numbers. There is a ton of public land to hunt in Montana and it is a great experience. I went there for the first time this past season and now I am applying for three out of state hunts this year. When you go out of state you realize how poor the quality of hunting is in our home state, and how good it is in other states.

[SHANE(WA)]

and 40% if you apply with the sportmans combo which includes elk

[mossback91]

man id really like to hunt montana too!! Im gonna have to look into it more.....got family in colorado that i really need ot go on a muley hunt wiht also! just so many places to hunt!

[NRA4LIFE]

Make sure you buy the preference points too ($20 extra).  A draw may be next to impossible if you don't.  You should be able to draw the Deer A tag every other year or so.  I think that was $343.  Like a previous poster said though, 3-4 years for some.  Like Shane said, the Combo tag odds are much better, but it is now up to $643 if I recall.  There are also special landowner (if you know someone with land to hunt on) and outfitter tags too.  The outfitter tags are gauranteed, but are a lot more expensive.  If you hunt in an area with doe tags, buy them.  Those are a real bonus and are fairly inexpensive, ~ $80.  A well planned combo hunt for deer and antelope is a real blast.

[Dmanmastertracker]

 I think Eastern Montana is probably better for big mule deer. Also, the damage control hunt roster's can be a quick way to get over and hunt. That being said, it's hard to go to Montana and not find deer, or a good place to hunt. I found when we were there during the rut that deer were moving so much that your were likely to see them anywhere at just about any time, bucks were literally chasing does accross the hills, streets, towns, you name it.

[finnman]

I have been applying for the general deer tag off and on for 16 years and have never drawn!
I now have some bonus points so I am due real soon! I can't wait to go!

[huntnphool]

I have been applying for the general deer tag off and on for 16 years and have never drawn!
I now have some bonus points so I am due real soon! I can't wait to go!

Just apply for the combo tag then, its a couple hundred bucks more but much better odds.

[Fletch]

I feel sorry for you Finnman...or you have bum luck...I have gone to Montana 4 out of the last 5 yrs.  I agree with everybody...always have a great time, always see lots of deer, fairly easy to figure things out, relatively inexpensive...always have a great time...did I say that already?

[dbllunger]

Finn...that is crazy get the combo, and you will be good at least every other or better.

[Ray]

I'm wishing I could get time to muley hunt in Montana this year. Maybe I am wrong but it looks like if I want to archery hunt I will need a bowhunters education certificate. 

[270Shooter]

I'm putting in for montana again this year. I drew in 07 with no points . It is a ton of fun. As far as areas there are a lot of good ones and you can find good bucks just about anywhere you go. But the best units are draw only. I hunt on privite land in north central montana in unit 400. There are some big boys hiding in the Coulee's and tons of anatlope in the flats. I shot a 3x3 with eyeguards the first day I was there(first deer). Here is a pics if you haven't seen it yet.
First shot was a little bit too far back . But the wind was blowing about 25 mph and he was 285 yards away. Guess I didn't hold in front of him enough. But the second shot broke the off shoulder . Gotta love the accubonds .

[huntnphool]

I'm wishing I could get time to muley hunt in Montana this year. Maybe I am wrong but it looks like if I want to archery hunt I will need a bowhunters education certificate. 

Yes you do but if you have a Washington archery tag simply pick a stamp up at the license dealer when over there.

Finnman, don't underestimate the filling out of the app. Most don't believe that FW&P are that particular but I'm telling you they are.

[WDFW-SUX]

There are some pretty good opportunities out there for hunters that have there Bow Ed certificate.  Its a pain in the ass to do it but well worth it in the long run

[huntnphool]

you can find good bucks just about anywhere you go. But the best units are draw only.

I would have to disagree with that 270, yes you can find "good" bucks anywhere, "good" being relative, but the best units are 95% private, not draw only

That being said, I suppose the best "public areas" are draw only.

[Ray]

There are some pretty good opportunities out there for hunters that have there Bow Ed certificate.  Its a pain in the ass to do it but well worth it in the long run

I should be certified by the end of April. I already took the easy online course.

[BC CHASER]

Hey Ray,  I have a great hunt for you if you draw.  PM me and I will give you the info. 

[Skyvalhunter]

Let me ask you this. Unless it has changed but if you have proof that you hunted in another state via archery you don't need to get the Bow Hunters cert right? I have hunted Montana for several years in the past and al I do is show them my old archery permit and I can get another one. I have points from last years no draw so I am hoping to draw along with the rest of you.
The thing thats killing me is all the other states that I have to up front the money for.

[WDFW-SUX]

Some states don't have the exception rule for bow hunters Ed. Alaska does not for some hunts off the top of my head and there are others.

[270Shooter]

you can find good bucks just about anywhere you go. But the best units are draw only.

I would have to disagree with that 270, yes you can find "good" bucks anywhere, "good" being relative, but the best units are 95% private, not draw only

That being said, I suppose the best "public areas" are draw only.

Ya you are right but I consider a buck over 150 inches "good" . And yes you really need to get on privite land to get a really good chance at a nice buck.

I know that unit 270 is the most sought after tag in the state and they pull some hogs out of that unit

[huntnphool]

Let me ask you this. Unless it has changed but if you have proof that you hunted in another state via archery you don't need to get the Bow Hunters cert right? I have hunted Montana for several years in the past and al I do is show them my old archery permit and I can get another one. I have points from last years no draw so I am hoping to draw along with the rest of you.
The thing thats killing me is all the other states that I have to up front the money for.

I guess you didn't see my post a few back. Yes, in Montana all you have to do is show your archery tag from the previous year from your state, they will give you a stamp over the counter.

[Ray]

I'm just going to do my field day part of the course and get my certificate. That way I have it if I need it anywhere else. It's not an inconvenience for me.

[huntnphool]

I know that unit 270 is the most sought after tag in the state and they pull some hogs out of that unit

And now you will be competing with 2700 additional applicants

[RPM]

i've been going since 1982 and draw a deer combo every 2 to 4 yrs, back to back twice. wish i was smarter in my younger yrs the first 10 yrs we had almost unlimited access. we hunt the 400 units and have little trouble with getting permission.you'll just die when you see all the deer. this year the rut kicked in nov.19. you shoul go for at least 1 antlerless tag too, where we hunt it helps because the ranchers alway want some gone, they strash the hay stacks. fresh apples help too (for the ranchers). i'm getting ready to send my money in. goodluck

[Pathfinder101]

Finnman, don't underestimate the filling out of the app. Most don't believe that FW&P are that particular but I'm telling you they are.

I am going to second this.  No kidding.  Didn't get drawn for 'lope tags a couple of years ago because we did the application wrong.  And don't assume the #@$! on the phone at Fish and Game knows how to fill out the app either.  I wish I had gotten her name...
Good luck.