Eastern Montana Mule Deer Hunt

[cjc23]

This will be my 10th year, and first time going solo. Most rooms book up fast, but there are constant cancellations of guys leaving early so one that tells you it’s full one day may be open the next If weather turns on you. We have yet to stay in a tent, but we see people doing it every year. I love the idea because it is such a long drive every day in and out of town. There have been a few years. It would’ve been great and a few years it would’ve been downright miserable. Definitely look into buying wood somewhere because there will be none to collect, and I would still bring a buddy heater or maybe even a small generator and electric heater. Me and my friend are taking a tent to Idaho next week with a little stove that will only hold a fire for two hours at a time. Going to bring the Buddy heater as well as the Honda generator and forced air ceramic heater that way we have options. We thought about bringing the motorhome or camp trailer, but we don’t want to for the same reason we have never brought it to Montana. I don’t want bad weather to push us out or get us stuck where we are if we don’t get out. Good luck! When are you going?

Planning on heading over the 10th and coming back the 24th.

[cjc23]

Thanks for all the input. Lot of good things to take into consideration. not opposed to changing up the area a little bit since we've got some private land we can hunt outside of Great Falls but looking to put down a mule deer and figured east side would be better for that then fall back to that private land to put down a cow for the freezer.

[Wingin it]

As others have mentioned it can be brutally cold. Negative temps coupled with wind chill. Be very prepared for any weather and it can change very quickly in that part of the country.

[KNOPHISH]

Check for VRBOs. Couple years ago on Thanksgiving week we got there to set up our tent and the snow was too deep. It was also terribly cold for tenting. All the other spots were taken also. Ended up in a hotel for the week. This year not bringing all the tent gear and renting a house. Good luck

[Muleydude]

Two weeks in eastern montana in a wall tent in mid to late November?..........just some things to consider as some of others have said above.....I have spent a lot of years over there.   Have to think about fuel and water as well.  Even camping out closer to the hunting area, you still will be most likely be putting on some miles in your truck.  Eastern Montana is a big place....deer numbers are lower then in years past.  It might take some time covering ground to find what you are looking for, especially since this is your first time.  Contrary to what you will read on the forums.....there aren't deer around every corner, especially right now as herds are at historical lows.  So, fuel becomes an issue at this point as well.   So, theres a lot more to manage then just firewood. 

IF it is "one of those winters" over there while you are there, you will spend a considerable amount of time and energy just maintaining your camp appropriately with water, fuel, heat, etc.  And, as someone else pointed out above, sleeping won't be great either.

My recommendation would be to find a VRBO or motel over there, even if it requires some driving.  Getting back to a warm place to sleep with running water and a chance to fuel up each night, even if takes an extra 45 min or hour to drive each way, is more then worth it.........you will hunt harder, and your time and energy will be put on finding that mule deer buck instead of trying to maintain a wall tent in that environment. 

Or, it could be one those of those 50 degree November's.........

anyway, just my two cents......

[HillHound]

Nice doing it right, staying a full two weeks. I will be in Idaho the first part of that  but will be over in eastern Montana the second week you are. Let me know if you have any issues I may be near by.

[highside74]

If hunting in an area with no wood I'd look into one of the diesel heaters. You could run one every night of your hunt off of one 5 gallon can of diesel. Depending on the size of your tent and temps outside a Big Buddy on a 20# propane bottle would probably do fine also. We were in the teens in Idaho a couple years ago and my big buddy kept my 10x14 Kodiak more than comfortable for sleeping at night on low setting.

[bearpaw]

IMO - Check the 10 Day weather forecast before camping out in eastern Montana during November!

It can be nice or it can be like the arctic!

[JakeLand]

IMO - Check the 10 Day weather forecast before camping out in eastern Montana during November!

It can be nice or it can be like the arctic!

X2 and if you do the wall tent take extra stakes and rope not chord as the wind will really come through

[Craig]

sure is nice when its dark at 5pm, been out in the cold wind all day, to go back to a hotel. warm shower, some bar food or little cafe  and a bed for the night. or I'm just getting old .

[nwwanderer]

Old and wise

[The scout]

I guess I will be the minority here, I’ve camped in eastern Montana in November in wall tents for the last 20 years. If you have the proper stakes and set up it’s not a big deal. I don’t understand the people running propane heat. Such a damp gross feeling heat to me. Get a good wood stove and you will be set. There is no better feeling to me anyway than it being zero degrees outside and 80 in the tent. Great feeling to come out of the cold to wood heat. Sometimes you have to keep your water inside. I keep a 7 gallon jug on my table all the time anyway. But not that big of deal. To each their own I guess. Nearest town to where I hunt is about 2 hrs on dirt roads.

[Karl Blanchard]

I guess I will be the minority here, I’ve camped in eastern Montana in November in wall tents for the last 20 years. If you have the proper stakes and set up it’s not a big deal. I don’t understand the people running propane heat. Such a damp gross feeling heat to me. Get a good wood stove and you will be set. There is no better feeling to me anyway than it being zero degrees outside and 80 in the tent. Great feeling to come out of the cold to wood heat. Sometimes you have to keep your water inside. I keep a 7 gallon jug on my table all the time anyway. But not that big of deal. To each their own I guess. Nearest town to where I hunt is about 2 hrs on dirt roads.

Same. Never been an issue.  My tent did get rag dolled in 22' but that was completely on my dad and brother.  Knew the wind was gonna hit that first day (i was a day behind because of kid stuff) and I specifically told them not to set the tent up and get a hotel for the night. They didn't listen and when I showed up they were physically holding the tent from flying away.  They also had it improperly staked.  Other than that it's always been a great way to live for a week.  Zero desire to dump a bunch of money on lodging and dining out.

[2MANY]

Being close to the critters is priceless.

[cjc23]

I guess I will be the minority here, I’ve camped in eastern Montana in November in wall tents for the last 20 years. If you have the proper stakes and set up it’s not a big deal. I don’t understand the people running propane heat. Such a damp gross feeling heat to me. Get a good wood stove and you will be set. There is no better feeling to me anyway than it being zero degrees outside and 80 in the tent. Great feeling to come out of the cold to wood heat. Sometimes you have to keep your water inside. I keep a 7 gallon jug on my table all the time anyway. But not that big of deal. To each their own I guess. Nearest town to where I hunt is about 2 hrs on dirt roads.

Same. Never been an issue.  My tent did get rag dolled in 22' but that was completely on my dad and brother.  Knew the wind was gonna hit that first day (i was a day behind because of kid stuff) and I specifically told them not to set the tent up and get a hotel for the night. They didn't listen and when I showed up they were physically holding the tent from flying away.  They also had it improperly staked.  Other than that it's always been a great way to live for a week.  Zero desire to dump a bunch of money on lodging and dining out.

I see myself falling more into this camp as well. First year with the wall tent, but before this I've been running a backpacking tent down into the 30's and lower with just a sleeping bag so I figure if I can just get the tent up to that temperature I should be more than fine. Overall looking forward to it, should be a good experience and if things work out good might stop by a buddy's ranch for an OTC cow and whitetail doe tag.