Montana Deer Crowds

[jstone]

Three of us are typing to get our deer tags this year. It sounds like the majority of the deer hunters go during the rut. Is that correct?
Would there be less hunting pressure in the last week of October? I know hunting the rut is possibly the best but more people?

[TooTallMike]

In my one year experience of hunting Montana, we went during the rut and yeah we saw people but no where did it seem over crowded.

At least where we went. All public and some sign in block management places.

[mburrows]

In my experience youll see a higher concentration of hunters around, especially non-residents from the middle to the end of season trying to catch the rut action at its peak.

I can count on one hand the number of people I've actually seen out away from roads 1+ mile regardless of season though over the past 4 years.

[Skyvalhunter]

Are you applying for special permit deer areas?

[Stein]

Yes, rut week will be the most crowded from my experience.  It differs by area, the last time I hunted that week I stopped by a BM property and 16 people had already checked in by daylight and it wasn't a large area.  I imagine 14 of them didn't get out of the truck, but that's a guess.

It's predictable, opening weekend is crowded, Monday through Thursday are best, Friday people start to show up again and weekends are always busier.  Rut week and last week of the season are busier than mid season.

MT has long seasons and that spreads people out, but the areas with good prospects and good access (or close to towns & hotels or campgrounds) will always be the busiest.

[HillHound]

We usually go later in the season too. It is nice being there during the peak of the rut But at the same time it can be frustrating when you see huge groups of does with just a small buck or two and you know the big guy was already shot out of that group. I have friends that always wins for the opener with the thought that none of the box would be shot yet.  but they have started going a week or two later now to try to avoid opening day crowds. There is way more room to hunt so you can usually find an area to yourself. It may not be your first choice of the day but you can guaranteed to get away from people pretty easily by just getting off of the road

[3nails]

 I think I have hunted Montana 15 or 16 times and I have seen maybe 5 or 6 other hunters in the field. Always there during the rut.

[Tbob]

I’ve gone over the last two years. Last year was the 2nd week of Nov and the year before was the week of Thanksgiving. Had a blast. Enjoyed both times. Where I’m at it’s not too crowded and you’ll see the same dudes driving the roads, but like most have said, you’ll rarely see people out walking. I had a rancher come get me one morning because he said he saw me out walking and thought I might just prefer to ride in his rig with him and his grandson. He was super confused when I told him, thanks so much for the kind offer, but no thanks I’d rather hike around. Lol..
     It’s such a different experience hunting over there. I just love it !
Side note: the only guys I met out in the field my first year hunting out there was two guys from WA and happened to be members of this forum.. small world ! Haha.

[Justdecent]

Anyone have any idea what the lodging situation is like if they’re already sold out? Can you just pop up a wall tent on public ground?

[MADMAX]

Depends on where your going and when
Google is your friend

[andrew_in_idaho]

Anyone have any idea what the lodging situation is like if they’re already sold out? Can you just pop up a wall tent on public ground?

National forest and BLM yes(for the most part), don’t know about state land in Montana


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[Stein]

If you are hunting and have a valid license you can camp on most state land without an additional permit unless it is posted.

[Justdecent]

Found an Airbnb but thanks for the replies fellas. Appreciate ya.

[go4steelhd]

I live over here. I have seen crowds everywhere I have gone. I guess I hunt in the more popular areas. To be honest it’s distracting at some points. But you will see game you just have to stick with it to find a nice one.

Good luck

[idaho guy]

Opening weekend and the last week are always the busiest in all the areas I have hunted that’s going back to the early 80’s as a resident and then off and on for 30 years as non resident hunter. The last weekend closest to thanksgiving is busiest. It’s all relative when it comes to crowds it’s unlikely you will feel it’s crowded regardless of timing. A lot of my hunting last 10 to 15 years been on private land of relatives so some of my old public spots could have changed but I doubt it