When you hunting Montana?

[Craig]

I was looking at the last 4-5 years of hunting in Montana and i averaged out the dates that I hunted. It averaged out to around the 12th-17th of November. The last couple of years the rut has been ok but not great. Last year I was there early, on the 8th of November. That was to early for the area I was in ( about 80 miles east of Lewistown ).

This year I am thinking of Leaving after a early dinner on Thanksgiving and arriving early Friday the 26th. Then hunt FRI,SAT,SUN. The last three days of the season.

Has anyone ever hunted late in the season and how was it? My friend always tells me to come over at late in the season as possible.

When are you hunting Montana?

[buckhorn2]

Over the years we have been there and around lewistown the best time for the rut was from the 18th on until the end.

[coachcw]

Thanksgiving time is ussaully the best . plus your pack is full of turkey sandwitchs

[Roger]

Will be leaving Colorado on about the 17th. heading for Mt till just about the end of the season. Heading for the Missouri Breaks. Haven't been there at that time of the season, always tell around the 10th or 12th of Nov.

[Gobble]

Were leaving on Nov  12th thru 22nd, can't wait

[Ridgerunner]

I'll be there around the 8th-15th.

[engelwood]

Brian, what general area are you hitting? Deer and Antelope or just Deer?

You figure out the muzzy yet? My offer still stands, come on down and we can make it happen!

[firedog]

Last time we drew we hunted the opener and then went back over for the 5 days right before Thanksgiving. The deer in the area we were in were rutting hard at that time.

[rb2506]

the last two years my hunting buddies and i  have gone about the second week of november, i've tagged out on the 11th both years, lots of deer but when we get home our buddy that lives there says " man you guys should have stayed another week" we're planning late second week to the third week of november this year.   we hunt southeast

[alinrut]

A few years ago a buddy and I went over prior to Thanksgiving, we had a good hunt and tagged out, but the locals and guide I befriended said the weeks after Thanksgiving is when the big boys come through and the rut really hits full swing.  Additionally I have gotten to know a cousin of mine who guides in Montana and he also suggests the last week of the season.

By the way, all of this is on the far eastern side of Montana, timeline for deer may differ but I doubt it.

good luck, be safe, and have fun,

Al

[cem3434]

The last week of the season has always been the most productive for us.  The big boys are rutting hard at this time in SE Montana around Broadus and the Powder River.  The muleys seem to start rutting before the whitetails, but usually everything is in full swing by Thanksgiving.

[Pathfinder101]

OK, you guys have got to let me in on the secret... how the %#@ do you manage to be gone hunting in Montana over Thanksgiving and still stay married...?  (I assume some of you are married).  I would LOVE to hunt the last week of the season, but my wife would kill me in my sleep with a plastic fork if I missed T-Giving with the fam.
I hunted the week before Thanksgiving last year, and you guys are right, the rut wasn't in full swing yet.  We hunted the NE corner, and saw lots of bucks, and lots of 4x4s, but only one big one (and that was over a mile away, right before dark).  I would like to hunt later this year, but if I get divorced, I lose half my S%$#T, which will make it harder to hunt...

[Roger]

Take the family and some turkey with you.   I've done it for so many years it's not an issue.

[Gobble]

OK, you guys have got to let me in on the secret... how the %#@ do you manage to be gone hunting in Montana over Thanksgiving and still stay married...?  (I assume some of you are married).  I would LOVE to hunt the last week of the season, but my wife would kill me in my sleep with a plastic fork if I missed T-Giving with the fam.
I hunted the week before Thanksgiving last year, and you guys are right, the rut wasn't in full swing yet.  We hunted the NE corner, and saw lots of bucks, and lots of 4x4s, but only one big one (and that was over a mile away, right before dark).  I would like to hunt later this year, but if I get divorced, I lose half my S%$#T, which will make it harder to hunt...

 

Did this last year on my late Alta hunt. My wife was NOT too happy but I told her I didn't realize it was during TG when I applied for the permit. I have never missed a TG before but I still caught hell. My son and I bought a ham in Twisp and made stuffing and all the goodies so at least he didn't miss out on a good meal.

[alinrut]

It's taken me a few years and it's been some hard fought battles, one year I even gave her a schedule of what days and where I was gonna be, I had her sign it before the season started and I posted it on the refrigerator.  That didn't go over to well, but what I did learn is that throughout the year she buys purses, shoes and the girly stuff and I can't complain because every year at hunting season she has no complaints in return.  I also take her out to a bed and breakfast or someplace fancy the weekend before hunting season.  I ain't gonna lie, I put it all out there for just a few months of let me do what I need to do.