Going to Montana

[Gobble]

I didn't get drawn for the general season but put in for the alternate deer combo and got my tag today  I was #64 on the list, they had 49 avail and sent out applications to the first 75 people on the list, first come first served, they sold 9 yesterday and at least one today, 39 left to go. 

[Pathfinder101]

Good for you man.   

I just checked my antelope results on MT FWP website.  No antelope tag AGAIN.  THat's 3 years I've been trying to draw a speedgoat tag in MT and been told to pack sand.  Damn, the odds aren't even that bad for the units we're putting in for.
I guess this year is gonna be all about staying in WA and gettin' PathfinderJR on a bear and a nice late buck...

[BIGMIKE]

Pathfinder101,

Enjoying retirement? My crew and I are going to hit Fort Peck for Muley's and Walleyes. We are going 1 week of November for 10 days. Any input about the Area and what size deer should I be looking to shoot?

[Pathfinder101]

Pathfinder101,

Enjoying retirement? My crew and I are going to hit Fort Peck for Muley's and Walleyes. We are going 1 week of November for 10 days. Any input about the Area and what size deer should I be looking to shoot?

Hey Mike,
I have not hunted the CMR, but I have heard that it can be spectacular. 
  When I went last year, it was the 3rd week of November (I got back the day before Thanksgiving) and I would suggest going during that time if you can swing it.  The muleys were in full, crazy, half-blind rut.  Both the bucks we killed were with does.  In fact, the one I killed was in a spot where I couldn't stalk him, but cut a hot doe out of the herd and chased her up into a draw to breed her.  That's what kilt him... (it took about 45 minutes to get into shooting position-he had time to spread his genes... )
The only advice I can give you other than that is; find the does.  And just because you don't see a buck, doesn't mean he's not there.  When you find does, start glassing in concentric circles out from them and look for a bedded buck.  Bring a good spotting scope and good binos.  If you see a lone deer with his nose to the ground, making what looks like a beeline, get a glass on him quick.  That's a "cruiser" (cruises from one group of does to another, hoping to find a hot one).  If he's worth shooting, try to intercept him.  He's not going to stop, so don't just sit and watch.

I am loving retirement.  Just got back from NRA Shooting Coach school in California and I am building my curriculum and a training plan for the coming year. 
These are the bucks that we killed.  I don't know if it will do any good, but at least it gives you some idea of what we found.   

[Gobble]

Good for you man.   

I just checked my antelope results on MT FWP website.  No antelope tag AGAIN.  THat's 3 years I've been trying to draw a speedgoat tag in MT and been told to pack sand.  Damn, the odds aren't even that bad for the units we're putting in for.
I guess this year is gonna be all about staying in WA and gettin' PathfinderJR on a bear and a nice late buck...

My hunting partners didn't get any goat tags either, both drew mule deer doe tags and are tagging along for a scouting trip, I'm the only one that will be able to shoot a buck    

[ribka]

Pathfinder101,

Enjoying retirement? My crew and I are going to hit Fort Peck for Muley's and Walleyes. We are going 1 week of November for 10 days. Any input about the Area and what size deer should I be looking to shoot?

Hey Mike,
I have not hunted the CMR, but I have heard that it can be spectacular. 
  When I went last year, it was the 3rd week of November (I got back the day before Thanksgiving) and I would suggest going during that time if you can swing it.  The muleys were in full, crazy, half-blind rut.  Both the bucks we killed were with does.  In fact, the one I killed was in a spot where I couldn't stalk him, but cut a hot doe out of the herd and chased her up into a draw to breed her.  That's what kilt him... (it took about 45 minutes to get into shooting position-he had time to spread his genes... )
The only advice I can give you other than that is; find the does.  And just because you don't see a buck, doesn't mean he's not there.  When you find does, start glassing in concentric circles out from them and look for a bedded buck.  Bring a good spotting scope and good binos.  If you see a lone deer with his nose to the ground, making what looks like a beeline, get a glass on him quick.  That's a "cruiser" (cruises from one group of does to another, hoping to find a hot one).  If he's worth shooting, try to intercept him.  He's not going to stop, so don't just sit and watch.

I am loving retirement.  Just got back from NRA Shooting Coach school in California and I am building my curriculum and a training plan for the coming year. 
These are the bucks that we killed.  I don't know if it will do any good, but at least it gives you some idea of what we found.

Nice bucks

Am heading over Montana for deer 2 week of Nov. By Ft Peck or up in the NE corner.

[bearpaw]

do some checking ahead on the area you are going, winter was pretty hard in the ne 

[BOWHUNTER45]

Dang nice bucks their men !!!

[ribka]

do some checking ahead on the area you are going, winter was pretty hard in the ne 

Spoke to game MT Biologist for that area yesterday for 1/2 hour on the phone and said NE corner not hit too bad and in decent shape. He said farther west experienced some flooding and losses.

Said should be an outstanding year for ducks this year. So may go early and try and get some duck and bird hunting.

Trying to talk the wife into a road trip in August over in Montana for some scouting and fishing.

[Thenewguy]

do some checking ahead on the area you are going, winter was pretty hard in the ne 

All the locals are talking about the die off. Not cool