Montana 652 dist.

[wapiti11]

Has anyone hunted or know anything about the 652 permit only area. I have a tag and have heard of some big bucks taken out of this area.

 

[forkhunter]

Have some experience there. Our experience is the same as the biologist will tell you. The bucks you will find are no bigger than anywhere else. The biologist we talked to said that there are no "trophy deer" in the unit. By trophy, he was referring to B&C standards. However, he agreed that there is a higher % of mature bucks in the unit--which supports what we have seen.

Unfortunately, I believe there is one major issue with this unit that will not be solved anytime soon-----------it is still hunted by a lot of general season tag holders. The lack of enforcement has led to local hunters who have never stopped hunting the area--even when it became a lottery. I still talk to some people in the area, and the rumors of who is hunting without a proper tag are rampant.

All that being said; you will have a great time. Relatives of mine had tags last year and got nice bucks in the 26"-28" range and saw quite a few.

Good luck.

 

[wapiti11]

Thanks for the reply.
I think you are right about people hunting this unit with general season tags. The area around fort peck is so vast that it is difficult for the wardens to handle "things", and some hunters know this.

I have heard of four B&C bucks taken in the last 5 years, including a 200" buck taken two years ago. I know that the 200" buck is not a rumor, not sure about the others. Of course, these bucks were taken by locals.

Did you seem to see more deer in the south end, north end of the unit?

Thank you..

 

[forkhunter]

Sent you a PM.

 

[wapiti11]

sent you a pm