Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: JDHasty on August 17, 2016, 10:11:53 PM

Title: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: JDHasty on August 17, 2016, 10:11:53 PM: I've been here since Monday and have seen lotsa white tails and more real nice white tail bucks than ever. I haven't been in good mule deer territory yet, so don't know.

I've been in the Flathead Valley and am now north of Helena and there are whitetails everywhere you look. Saw a couple dandy speed goats today too.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: Dan-o on August 17, 2016, 10:14:23 PM: The Flathead valley is awesome..... I love that country.

Will you hunt there, or just a summer visit?
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: JDHasty on August 18, 2016, 05:53:44 AM: Quote from: Dan-o on August 17, 2016, 10:14:23 PM
The Flathead valley is awesome..... I love that country.

Will you hunt there, or just a summer visit?

My dad, 91 years old, just relocated from Mesa AZ & Billings and consolidated into a place in Big Fork, and my cousin's ranch is right up against the Sun River Game Range. I get Native Born tags and we are still kicking around making a hunting trip over this year.

We were in Omak for Stampede Week and we dropped the trailer on I 90 and my wife and the baby went home on the bus from Ritzville to Tacoma and I came over with the three year old and the seven year old.

Probably the highlight of this trip so far was that I spotted a few sheep slipping through the trees west of Flathead Lake and backed the truck around so we could glass and by the time we pulled back on the highway we had spotted 31 total. No rams through.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: 3nails on August 18, 2016, 06:10:01 AM: Nice! Can't wait for November! Buy the tag.....
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: JDHasty on August 18, 2016, 06:54:12 AM: Quote from: 3nails on August 18, 2016, 06:10:01 AM
Nice! Can't wait for November! Buy the tag.....

I haven't hunted over here in a few years, and don't know if I can fit a trip in this year, but am going to try. I have never shot a good whitetail, but may have to clear my calendar given some of the bucks I saw yesterday evening. A deer trip is a lot easier to fit in than an elk hunt you haven't planned in advance.

Lots and lots of does w/twins too.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: fishnfur on August 18, 2016, 07:13:01 AM: As they say: It didn't happen if there's no pics! :chuckle:

Blacktail are awaiting your return. Have fun - should be 105 or so out there today!
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on August 18, 2016, 07:53:27 AM: I'm so excited, I leave for Montana on the 1st :tup: Hope you get a tag and go for it this year. I have A tags and have never harvested a white tail, hoping to get one on my wall next to my mule deer and blacktails. My hunt is 1 1/2 days of scouting and 11 days in the woods hunting archery.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: cooltimber on August 18, 2016, 08:46:03 AM: I'm going nov 14-18 in Montana,for monster whitetails in the rut. yep pictures' will follow. Have a couple that score in the 140's,will be looking for a 160 +..however, love the meat right next to my mash potatoes.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: 3nails on August 18, 2016, 04:21:47 PM: If you don't yet know how, come learn how to rattle one in! http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,199660.0.html
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: JDHasty on August 18, 2016, 08:28:46 PM: Tried taking pictures through my spotting scope, but no buenos. Will be looking into an adapter for our Razor 85 when I get home.
Title: Re: Seeing lotsa big whitetail bucks in Montana
Post by: deerslyr on August 18, 2016, 09:26:14 PM: Good to hear on the numbers up there! SE montana WT/Mule deer numbers don't appear as good from my observations unfortunately.