Anybody ever hunt mulies near Broadus MT ?

[MADMAX]

looking for some tips, camping areas and public or block mangement info
PM if you like, I am going solo if drawn

 

[DaveMonti]

Yep, but only archery on a private ranch.  I go every year.

[MADMAX]

nice pics

[follow maggie]

Randy Newberg has a video on YouTube about deer hunting in that part of Montana. Good video, check it out.

[Muleyslyr]

PM sent

[DaveMonti]

There is a big chunk of the Custer National Forest about 10 miles to the west.  I am not sure how the hunting is there.  I recall a few motels in Broadus and a few bar/restaurants, but there really isn't much around there.  There is an RV park a little west of town near the airport. 
The area is great mule deer habitat (with some whitetails in spots, expecially along the river).  I've not done much looking around for public hunting, but the Montana Hunt Planner is an interactive map that will show public lands (like the WA map).  It may show block management as well, I can't recall. 

Plenty of places to hunt around Broadus and it's great mule deer country.  We are a bit spoiled as the ranch we hunt is over 30 sections, only allows one party per week, and doesn't allow any firearm hunting at all.  It's self guided and run by the rancher, so no outfitter trying to fill every tag. 

Check the dates that you are going and apply for an antelope tag as well.  They are all over that area, and some very nice bucks too.

[MADMAX]

Thanks guys for the info

[Duckhunter14]

Make sure you have a good GPS with very clear boundary lines for public and private. Most of the area around Broadus is very checkerboard. Lots and lots of private. Most people that hunt that area hunt private ranches because the majority of land around there (including almost all of the river bottom) is private. There are a ton of outfitters in the area and lots of big mule deer and whitetail that stay on those ranches. There are some chunks of public that a guy can explore. There are a lot of people that hit them and the densities of deer are much much lower on public land. But it can be done. I wouldn't pass a mature 4 point the first day.

[MADMAX]

anyone have a better suggestion for Eastern MT ?
solo hunter hunting public or Block management.
I did the Zortman area charlie russell years ago and was less than impressed
so I'm looking for something better for a decent mulie

[Bigshooter]

anyone have a better suggestion for Eastern MT ?
solo hunter hunting public or Block management.
I did the Zortman area charlie russell years ago and was less than impressed
so I'm looking for something better for a decent mulie

What weren't you impressed with?

[MADMAX]

4 guys
we had a motel in Zortman 2nd week in November for a week
took the dirt roads in for an hour south every morning and getting out glassing and hiking various spots
saw one buck 2pt, lots of does, lots of antelope, elk, birds and prairie dogs

I shot a doe last day
pretty much sums it up

[Zuus]

I think MT has block management maps available. Hunt wide open BLM too.
I've hunted Jordan area and Glasgow area. Lot of driving, glassing, and haul ass hunting. Way different than here because you can see a long ways. Many times we take off from the truck at a brisk walk, almost a run, to try to cut off a buck sneaking around a hillside.
Their rut is usually mid-November, almost up to Thanksgiving.

[hunterofelk]

I've hunted some lonely places in Montana that were open to public and the deer were pretty much shot out.

[idaho guy]

4 guys
we had a motel in Zortman 2nd week in November for a week
took the dirt roads in for an hour south every morning and getting out glassing and hiking various spots
saw one buck 2pt, lots of does, lots of antelope, elk, birds and prairie dogs

I shot a doe last day
pretty much sums it up

that's disappointing to hear I used to hunt that exact area all the time when I lived in Havre it was awesome but that was 25 years ago. I did go back probably 15 years ago and it was still good! . I have family I hunt with in central Montana now so I haven't had a reason to get back there. If you explore anything east of the mountains in Montana you will eventually get into to tons of deer. Go over before hunting season and scout you shouldn't have any problem finding a place.

[DaveMonti]

Call the biologist that works Powder County and see what he/she says about the herd.  I know it's rebounding after some tough years in 2010 and 2011.  There are a lot of deer in the area, I just don't know what the success is on public ground.  The Custer NF is HUGE, and a fire in 2011 in the North end of the NF did have an impact, but I am sure they have recovered by now. 

If I was going to hunt public land with a firearm for mule deer, I would be looking right around Broadus.