Montana in October?

[Tbob]

Anyone hunt mule deer in Montana in October? The reason I’m asking is I have an opportunity to go whitetail hunting in Ohio next November on a friends farm. I’d still like to be able to hunt Mule deer in MT though as well. The Ohio hunt dates are in November so I wouldn’t be able to hunt both states the same month (if I want to stay married that is), but I could potentially swing, hunting MT in October and Ohio In November.
     So how’s the hunting in Eastern MT in October? Anybody have any experience with that? Thanks!!

[Karl Blanchard]

Bucks are still there, they just aren't chasing ladies.  No different then hunting mule deer anywhere else in Oct. Far less hunting pressure in OCT as well.

[Tbob]

Awesome! Glad to hear. Thanks for the reply!

[dvolmer]

Bucks are still there, they just aren't chasing ladies.  No different then hunting mule deer anywhere else in Oct. Far less hunting pressure in OCT as well.

I totally agree!  I've hunted the last 10 plus years in Montana and we usually go over in November.  But with that said, my buddy who lives in Montana takes his kids to our hunting spot in October the weekend before the opener (special kids hunt) and he says its just about as good as in November.  November you get the advantage of the rut but in early October you get the advantage of low pressure, bucks haven't been hunted yet, and the weather is pleasant.  If I was you, I wouldn't hesitate!

[Stein]

I agree, outside the opening weekend the pressure is less and stays that way right up until the last week when it goes full tilt zoo.

If you were going for masher buck, I would probably wait until later, but the odds and quality of the experience can be much better earlier.

[Bigshooter]

I have a friend that is a resident and he swears every 150-160 buck that he has scouted every summer gets killed by a resident during October.  Then the nonresidents show up in November and kill what's leftover.

[dune]

2 years ago I shot a 160 buck on opening weekend

[The scout]

I have hunted there in October, I think the bucks are much more patternable, they will hang around the same draws and feed on the same hills each evening. During the rut you may spot a buck one day and he is a mile away from that spot the next. I actually prefer it in October but the rest of my family I hunt with doesn’t.