Montana 700 deer & antelope combo.

[MHWASH]

I'll preface this by saying I've never been to this area, or hunted Montana for that matter.

I'm headed to 700 for a deer hunt this year. The guy I'm going with has hunted there before. My question is, would this location be suitable for a combo deer/antelope hunt? I've been antelope hunting before, but without laying my eyes on the area before the draw, I'm not even sure if it would be worth it for antelope.

Thanks

[NRA4LIFE]

I've done it many times in one of the 700 units, but not for about 15 years or so.  The only problem is that you can't hunt both during the rut (deer) in mid November as the antelope season is closed at that point.  Plus, by the time the rifle season opens for deer, a lot of the antelope are gone or very skittish.  You are pretty much forced to hunt the last week of October.  Just an FYI, I have seen antelope bucks that have dropped their sheaths as early as Nov. 3rd one year.

[mburrows]

Simple answer is yes. 700 units are enormous. Lots of animals and lots of hunters both resident and non resident

[idaho guy]

Simple answer is yes. 700 units are enormous. Lots of animals and lots of hunters both resident and non resident

  its just not the best timing to hunt either species you miss the deer rut and the antelope have been being chased for a while. Very doable and fun though

[MHWASH]

That all makes sense. Personally I’d rather concentrate on just deer. The other 2 have never shot antelope, so we’ll see.

[TooTallMike]

I'll preface this by saying I've never been to this area, or hunted Montana for that matter.

I'm headed to 700 for a deer hunt this year. The guy I'm going with has hunted there before. My question is, would this location be suitable for a combo deer/antelope hunt? I've been antelope hunting before, but without laying my eyes on the area before the draw, I'm not even sure if it would be worth it for antelope.

Thanks

If I'm not mistaken you have to special draw for antelope in some of the 700's. At least that's what I remember my resident buddy told me.

But..... If you do get a tag I can drop a grid for you to where I saw plenty and it was public.

My first time in Montana was this past season and I'm definitely planning on going back. Enjoy it!

[Stein]

Simple answer is yes. 700 units are enormous. Lots of animals and lots of hunters both resident and non resident

  its just not the best timing to hunt either species you miss the deer rut and the antelope have been being chased for a while. Very doable and fun though

 

Pretty much spot on, the antelope will be picked over and skiddish as well as in their winter range and the mulies won't be in the rut.  In some places the antelope migrate such that they will either appear where you can hunt them or disappear, so I would be careful before you drop the money and points getting a goat tag.

[Bill W]

It's not considered the best antelope area based on genetics.  That's an area a little east of Harlowtown for about 60 miles.  This is a 500 area.  Having said that I have seen a few B&C sized antelope in the upper half of the 700 area.  I shot one that the shortest horn was 15 1/8" and another that was shorter, just barely over 14 and scored 79 7/8's.   

I would recommend getting the Block Management book for the 700 area if it still exists and talk to the ranchers listed in it.  700 area isn't as hard to get access to as the ranches further west as there's less people asking.

One thing I would recommend if you are doing a Halloween hunt for deer and antelope is take clothes for both warm and cold weather.   We've been hunting in t-*censored*s from one extreme to wearing all our clothes and getting hit with three blizzards before our kerosene ran out.

Check with the bio's before going to an area to see if the previous year had any blue tongue or anything that caused a big die-off.

Will also add my two big ones were shot on combo hunts two weeks into the antelope season.

[idaho guy]

I think everything posted is good advice but I wouldnt over think this. That is the only way I used to  deer and antelope hunt when I lived in northwest montana. We always went when deer and antelope season overlapped and did a combo hunt. Its a very fun hunt and most likely  succesfull with a little effort.I just wanted to point out its not the best time to hunt either species.  Like recommended do the research and you will have a good hunt.

[gonhunting247]

  It is totally doable, I've personally done it a couple times. With that said, it is definitely not the best time for either species in my opinion either! I did run into antelope that had already shed the sheath on one or both sides also the last trip. Good luck and if you can only afford 1 trip, it's still a good time!