Montana Deer

[mburrows]

Talking to a buddy that’s there now it was 65 degrees and warm today, the roads should be fine

[bear]

Hopefully the roads get crappy really soon.  Last year they were way too nice. Most of the areas we never see people had people all over it.

[kramman]

Made it s.e. montana today. The deer  herd seems to be way down in the area we r hunting.  Where we usually see 30+ deer we saw 0! First time I can ever remember being back in this bowl and not seeing deer. Saw a few deer on private property. Not trying to bum anyone out, just telling ya'll what I'm seeing.

[greenhead_killer]

Just need to see one! Good luck. Well be over at the end of the month

[duckboy23]

We just got back from a week in SE Montana and I can confirm that the mule deer numbers are way down!  We hunt private and normally see 4-8 bucks a day with another 15-20 does. This year we saw ~8 bucks total in seven days!!

[kramman]

S.e montana..... seeing deer nearly ALL on private property. Been coming here every other yr for 20 yrs. Same spot, public land. Always see alot of deer. Not this yr. We will work hard to try and tag something this yr. Some deer look very stressed and thin. Drought has kicked these deer hard. We r seeing more antelope then we've ever seen before? Just reporting what I'm seeing.  Also alot of hunters .

[Gentrys]

Just got back from Montana.  Had never hunted below the Missouri Breaks before so wanted to check it out after my elk permit hunt.  Was told we'd probably see 25+ deer a day.  Not the case.  Locals said they experienced the worst drought since 1961.  And they had another bad summer of grasshoppers.  Talked to numerous locals and hunters that are familiar with the area who all said the same thing...Deer numbers are way down.  Worst they can remember.  Most of what we saw was on private.  Didn't help that it was 60-72 degrees Wednesday through Friday and windy as can be Friday.  My advice...maybe try higher elevations where they got more precipitation or get access on agricultural fields where food and water sources are available.  We covered a ton of great looking area that should hold muleys but saw maybe 7-12 deer daily on public land. Saw some real studs on Private agriculture fields.  That's where the food source is now more than ever.

[Bigshooter]

I don't remember a year that I have went to MT that I wasn't told the deer numbers were down.

[JakeLand]

I head out Thursday earlyyy am for NE Montana for a couple weeks and can’t wait ! Hopefully shoot some yotes too !

[3nails]

I don't remember a year that I have went to MT that I wasn't told the deer numbers were down.

   

[knighttime25]

We spent a week in central Montana 10/30 to 11/5. Deer numbers were undoubtedly down. Locals and ranchers we talked to confirmed a low fawn rate this spring and lower overall deer numbers. Saw a handful of small two points and three points on public land but the majority of big bucks were stuck on farmed private. We managed to fill 5 of 7 tags in our group but had to work much harder to fill them. Definitely had higher expectations for this year 

[Craig]

Supposed to head over Thursday morning. Just found out my rancher friend has Covid so can’t stay with them. Have to decide if I want to get a hotel in Lewistown (40 miles ) from where we hunt or drive my trailer 800 miles and stay on the ranch. You Have to love when plans change 2 days before you leave.

[Southpole]

A group of us went a little south west of Butte from October 20- November 5 for our combo tags. Elk sucked, never seen one during day light hours but they were definitely there. No migratory elk filing in yet. The weather was all over the place, cold and snowing one day then windy and warm the next. The deer on the other hand were numerous, both mule deer and whitetail. The younger bucks were starting to trail the does around October 28th-ish. We got spooked and quit looking for big bucks and shot smaller bucks just to fill our tags 4-5 days before leaving. This was a timbered mountainous area elevation between 6700-7000 feet.

[3nails]

 I predict fantastic hunting the last half of November with some dandy bucks being taken.  If you haven't gone yet don't be discouraged by the bleak reports. A slower beginning of the season typically means a fast and furious end!

[bugs n bones]

Leaving Friday !