Eastern Montana Mule Deer Hunt

[deerlick]

But if you camp how can you drive by all the  Private properties that you can't shoot deer on so you can tell your buddies you passed up twenty bucks a day

[duckmen1]

But if you camp how can you drive by all the  Private properties that you can't shoot deer on so you can tell your buddies you passed up twenty bucks a day

I hear that all the time. Even from Washington hunters. Lol

[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.

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.

2022 it was negatives every night and we were in t-shirts with the woodstove burning.  I think you'll be fine

[huntandjeep]

Get a motel
Easy peasy

That's what we do . Usually make reservations the day we find out of we got tags

[Muleydude]

I hear that all the time. Even from Washington hunters. Lol

That got a chuckle out of me.....     Unfortunately, the WA hunters are the worst offenders of that!!    But, on a more serious note, yes........you will be fine with a wall tent in Eastern Montana.......you will be able to hike to the nearest farm house pretty easy, even from the most remote part of 670   ( I do think given the current dynamics in region 6 that 670 is a good choice); IF you get into some units further south from 670 on the breaks, you can get into some more difficult and remote areas, but 670 is pretty benign.   I've been going to Montana since the mid 80's, so I'm just old..........I think the more important aspect for you is that it sounds like you have blocked out 14 days.  That is wonderful.  Some advice from me is that don't shoot the first 2.5 yr old 4 pt you see the third day you are there......I don't know how many WA hunters I know that go to Montana, and by the third day they are already driving home.....in your own World, if you have 14 days blocked out.....stay 14 days. Shoot a 2 point on day 13 if shooting a deer is that important to you.  It's your first trip over there, so use it as a scouting trip as much as a hunting trip.   Like I said in an earlier post, Eastern Montana is a big place, especially 670.   Many out of state hunters pitch a wall tent, and then only get 3-4 miles out from that.  My advice is to cover ground and learn the bigger wider area.

With 14 days, you can even pull up stakes and move to a different unit/area (that would be my advice).   

You see a lot on these forums about the mud;  the mud isnt't a problem, it has never stopped us.  But, it does take $40 worth of car wash money when you get home!

The bigger problem that many don't realize is that in WA 2 inches of snow is now big deal.......in Eastern Montana, 2 inches of snow coupled with a wind storm will create 5' drifts and impassable conditions out in the field.   So, bring chains for all four tires, and a shovel, and be prepared to fight through that if it comes.    You will drive on a two track for 5 miles no problem......then hit a 4' drift on a corner........

so, regardless of whether you stay in a tent or a motel room, since its your first time, use this as a scouting trip.  Stay the whole 14 days;  don't shoot a young 4 pt on day three because you are scared you won't find a buck.

Feel free to PM me;  I can give you more specifics that way, and good luck! 

[2MANY]

If you know what you're doing wall tent is the way.
If not your tent could provide an excellent hang gliding experience in minus temps.

[MADMAX]

Get a motel
Easy peasy

That's what we do . Usually make reservations the day we find out of we got tags

Us too
Sure makes things easier and you never know who you’ll run into

[The scout]

Who is that?

[MADMAX]

Tom Oar
Mountain men

[actionshooter]

Just the time wasted driving to town and back makes a wall tent a no brainer.... more time hunting and sleeping, wasting money on a hotel isn't for me...

  Now the last weekend last year was a little chilly...forgot to put the case water bottles in the cooler and all the water froze solid in the tent overnight. 

[The scout]

Tom Oar
Mountain men

Mountain men are staying in a hotel, must have been pretty bad weather.

[MADMAX]

Tom Oar
Mountain men

Mountain men are staying in a hotel, must have been pretty bad weather.

Perzactly

[SpicyTacos]

check out the diesel heaters...vevor is the brand I have...its kinda strange I think natives used to do with out vrbo's and motels but I could be mistaken...

[JakeLand]

I hear that all the time. Even from Washington hunters. Lol

That got a chuckle out of me.....     Unfortunately, the WA hunters are the worst offenders of that!!    But, on a more serious note, yes........you will be fine with a wall tent in Eastern Montana.......you will be able to hike to the nearest farm house pretty easy, even from the most remote part of 670   ( I do think given the current dynamics in region 6 that 670 is a good choice); IF you get into some units further south from 670 on the breaks, you can get into some more difficult and remote areas, but 670 is pretty benign.   I've been going to Montana since the mid 80's, so I'm just old..........I think the more important aspect for you is that it sounds like you have blocked out 14 days.  That is wonderful.  Some advice from me is that don't shoot the first 2.5 yr old 4 pt you see the third day you are there......I don't know how many WA hunters I know that go to Montana, and by the third day they are already driving home.....in your own World, if you have 14 days blocked out.....stay 14 days. Shoot a 2 point on day 13 if shooting a deer is that important to you.  It's your first trip over there, so use it as a scouting trip as much as a hunting trip.   Like I said in an earlier post, Eastern Montana is a big place, especially 670.   Many out of state hunters pitch a wall tent, and then only get 3-4 miles out from that.  My advice is to cover ground and learn the bigger wider area.

With 14 days, you can even pull up stakes and move to a different unit/area (that would be my advice).   

You see a lot on these forums about the mud;  the mud isnt't a problem, it has never stopped us.  But, it does take $40 worth of car wash money when you get home!

The bigger problem that many don't realize is that in WA 2 inches of snow is now big deal.......in Eastern Montana, 2 inches of snow coupled with a wind storm will create 5' drifts and impassable conditions out in the field.   So, bring chains for all four tires, and a shovel, and be prepared to fight through that if it comes.    You will drive on a two track for 5 miles no problem......then hit a 4' drift on a corner........

so, regardless of whether you stay in a tent or a motel room, since its your first time, use this as a scouting trip.  Stay the whole 14 days;  don't shoot a young 4 pt on day three because you are scared you won't find a buck.

Feel free to PM me;  I can give you more specifics that way, and good luck!

this is exactly what info you need ! Spot on

[idaho guy]

how was your hunt? Weather sure was  unseasonably warm when we went