Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Out Of State Hunting => Topic started by: Tbob on November 03, 2025, 07:59:41 PM

Title: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: Tbob on November 03, 2025, 07:59:41 PM: I’m headed over next week for some deer hunting. Anyone having any luck over there this year so far?
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: HillHound on November 03, 2025, 08:13:07 PM: We are here now, east side. Seeing deer but good bucks are scarce compared to years past. Definitely a lot less deer than the last 10 years we have came. Got some leads for the morning so hopefully we can find one worth putting a tag on
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: MADMAX on November 03, 2025, 08:23:59 PM: Will be there 9-19th
Should be fun
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: ganghis on November 03, 2025, 08:56:04 PM: I shot a small buck on Fri. The cliche of the WA hunter who comes over and kills the first buck he sees, ha ha! Although, in my defense, I had spent about 15 days hunting in WA (deer, bear, archery elk) and haven't harvested anything so far and really just wanted to get something in the freezer. Headed back out in November for elk.

Couple observations: it's pretty hot right now. In 7 days of glassing, I didn't see a single animal. I'm sure this is partially not being a very efficient/patient glasser, but I usually see something. Animals are not moving around in the open right now very much. I had much better luck still hunting mid-day. Set up on a spot with fresh elk sign just outside a bedding area but had a bull came in from behind me and busted me at around 5:30. Walked up or down depending on thermals and came across a few deer groups feeding during the day. The first was all does except the buck I shot. The second day I saw a doe, a 4x4 (buyers remorse on that one), and a spike. Kind of an interesting group there...makes me think pre-rut is already on in some places.

Anyway, glass, but don't be afraid to still hunt with the wind in your favor if the weather stays the same.
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: bustedoldman on November 04, 2025, 04:58:00 AM: Headed over the 5th-16th....Hoping the temps drop a little, looks like a little rain and snow up high.
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: stonefly on November 04, 2025, 06:18:32 AM: 13th-24th for my group
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: mburrows on November 04, 2025, 10:30:31 AM: Took a couple friends out from WA and hunted the 25th - 29th. Bucks certainly starting to get more and more interested in does by the day but bigger deer still staying on the outside.

We filled 1 of 2 tags. Had one miss on a nice 4x4 with a kicker, low 160's type buck.

Its not just WA hunters dumping small bucks its most people that hunt in this state, resident and nonresident. Saw a group of guys from Michigan that shot 2 forky and 2 spike MD the first two days of season. I am all for filling the freezer, but there are a lot of whitetail does out there that carry more meat than a forkie or spike buck.

Some good deer around but they are hard to find.

Good luck and safe travels all.
Title: Re: Any MT deer updates?
Post by: Tbob on November 05, 2025, 10:09:28 AM: Right on. Thanks for all the replies yall. Good luck to all those heading over. I’m headed out the 11th-19th. Can’t wait. I’ve got a general tag and a whitetail doe tag. Hoping to get that freezer full…