Montana Muley

thomswyt

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5
Just got drawn for a tag in Montana. Looking for any suggestions on gear to bring with. Will be hunting with 5 other guys, all first timers. Any advise would be appreciated.

Looking at a different rifle, specifically the 6.5 creedmoor. Any recommendations on brand, ammo, and optics on a budget.

Thanks in advance
 
I am assuming you are hunting on general tag. What area are you looking at? Camping or town? What week or weeks will you be hunting? Whitetail, mule deer, elk? Not being a jerk just need a little more information to get better advice.
 
Looking for Mule deer. Yes general tag. Looking at region 6, maybe Hinsdale area. Probably staying in a motel, looking at the last week of October/ first week of November.
 
LAST EDITED ON Apr-19-17 AT 07:11PM (MST)[p]Guess I should have read the subject closer and I'd have realized it was mule deer ?. Anyways, I don't have any advice for region 6, but montana is generally not to hard just to find a muley buck. If you go the end of October it could be pretty warm and the deer aren't moving as much during the day but you will at least have "first crack" at them. Personally I would wait until second week of November. Call up the local FWP office and get a public land map. Look for areas with the most distance between roads and access points, cross reference with google earth to check out the habitat and go have fun. Spend some time behind your glass picking the country apart. There are deer in the area just realize the density probly isn't like whitetails you are used to. As far as gear if you are staying in town that cuts out camping gear. I would buy the best optics I could scrounge for. Don't skimp on the glass it may be the most important tool you have in western hunting. Whatever rifle you whack whitetails with will be fine for muleys just be comfortable and accurate to 400yds. Get a good pack! I prefer external frames, but there are some nice internals as well. The eberlestock x2 is hard to beat for the price. Take a gps and make field notes for future reference and hunts. Montana gets a bad rap sometimes by people but it's one of my favorite hunts every year. Not much for a real chit kicker buck but it's always a good time.

*if you are dead set on a new rifle I am currently testing out a christensen mesa in the 6.5cm and hope to write a review on here in a few weeks.
 
I would just add a recommendation to get on Block Management maps asap, as soon as you can nail down dates. Public land is sometimes crazy crowded anymore!! Especially regions 6 and 7. Block Managenet, not so much. Get the block management maps from Region 6 and 7 FWP offices, cross reference with Google Earth, almost anything with trees or terrain features (hills, etc.) will hold mule deer. Reserve places as soon as you can.

Second the need for good optics and practicing to 400 yds and getting used to ranging yardage. Practice practice practice!

I'd definitely get a game cart you can carry like a backpack, makes getting critters out so nice vs. dragging.

Like your hotel idea. Camping's great when the weather holds, gets miserable with snow or too much rain.
 
Can you explain block management. Seems a bit confusing to me. I know it's private land open to public hunting like some other states have. How does reserving work? Will they mail maps? I had read somewhere that they won't mail them. I'm all hears for whatever you can tell me. I've been looking at maps on the MT FWP websites but it's a lot to take in.
 
I would hunt as close to November 15th as possible. 6.5 Creedmoor, 308 or 30-06 should work just fine. Good luck!
 
I hunted Region 6 south of Ft. Peck reservoir 2 years ago. Very few trees except along creek bottoms. Rolling terrain with lots of high points to glass for miles. Spend several hours glassing a basin as there are lots of folds in the terrain that deer can pop out of. I killed a 22" 140" 4x4 that I spotted from a mile away. From what I gather that was a very good buck for region 6 public land. Good optics including a good spotting scope can make a difference. Get ready for some serious wind on the ridge tops. +1 on a rangefinder and practicing out to 400 yds. I shot my buck at 250 yards. You will have a great time!


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